Volume 14 • Edition 11
June 2, 2021
Delivering to rural Adams, Morgan, and Weld Counties
“Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light” George Washington “If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed” Thomas Jefferson
The End of an Era March 1st, 1981, to February 22, 2021
On March 1st, 2081, Louie & Anna Chioda along with our two kids, Adam & Marilena, decided to take a journey of a lifetime and purchased a little store, back then, in the small town of Keenesburg, Colorado. We named our little store Keene Market. Being young, with two small children, little did we know how much work and dedication it would take. One day I had one of my customers tell me:” No one makes it in this storer, we will see how long you guys will last.” I looked at Louie and said,” Honey what did we get ourselves into?” and Louie said to me,” Don’t worry homey, we will be fine, God will look after us.” With that phrase in our mind, we were more determined than ever to make Keene Market the best little store that Keenesburg ever had. The small community welcomed us and continued to support us. We always felt loved and appreciated as much as we appreciated everyone that walked through our front door, whether they purchased one gallon of milk or $300.00 worth of groceries. Our customers were always #1 and always right. As our little town grew so did Keen Market. We worked hard to try to have a good store for our wonderful community. We have been blessed to have so many caring employees to help us operate Keene Market. We are very honored, thankful, and very blessed to be part of this amazing community, who has given us so much love, respect, and support through the years. Who would have thought we would have been here for forty years? And you know what? We have loved every minute of it. We have met great people and made lifetime friends. It is extremely hard to walk away. Keene Market has been our baby, and we hand our baby to the new owners, Ali & Fatima Qasemi and Mohammed Osmani, we ask your blessing and support for them as you have loved and supported our family. Keenesburg needs a great store, and they will do the absolute best to keep your Keene Market up to great standards. Our son, Adam, will be staying on board a couple days per week and he will do his best that he can to help with the transition. As our journey with Keene Market comes to an end, we are looking forward to the next chapter of our life. God willing, we are looking forward to enjoying and spending more time with our family, Adam, Marilena, Francine, Charlie, Anthony, and our amazing grandkids, Saleen, Austin, and Brooklyn. And also, to visit our family in Italy. We cannot ever thank you all enough for all the love and support that you have given us through all of these years. With heartfelt appreciation, we are honored, thankful and very blessed to be part of this amazing community. May God Bless You Always With all our love, Louie, Anna, Adam, Marilena & family
Heart of the Plains 13th Annual Memorial Day Celebration
The 13th Annual Memorial Day Celebration was held at the Heart of the Plains Cemetery. The event is held to: Honor those who gave their lives for our country Thank those who have served in the United State military Remember those Our Loved ones who rest in this cemetery Todd Denning was the Master of Ceremonies. Dan & Jason Schellenberg did their annual fly over. The South East Weld Fire Protection District conducted the flag raising accompanied by the Keenesburg Community Choir singing the Star-Spangled Banner. Invocation was by Pastor Brady Clevenger of the Kiowa Creek Community Church. Fr. John Croghan read the names of those buried at the Heart of the Plains Cemetery accompanied by Let there be Peace on Earth by the Keenesburg Community Choir. Mike and Maureen Lockette presented a tribute followed by America the Beautiful sung by Pastor Brady Clevenger. Roll call of veterans was done by Mike and Maureen Lockette. Closing and taps were performed by the Keenesburg American Legion Post 180. With Dean Klingensmith providing the closing howitzer salute. The well attended event was possible because of all the volunteers as well as the fine job by the Heart of the Plains Cemetery Committee. An inspiring community event that all can be proud of. See more pictures on Page 2
WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE:
Page 2: Way of the World Page 3: Grand Opening of Keenesburg Library Page 4: 87 Front Range Oil & Gas Wells Ordered to Shut Down Page 6: Motorcycle Riding Season Page 8: The Real Goal of Cancel Culture Page 9: USDA Forecasts Record Farm Exports Page 10: Colorado Launches $5M Sweepstakes for COVID Vaccine Page 11: Northern Weld County Placed Under Tighter Ozone Restrictions Page 12: Wolf Reintroduction Effect on Colorado Ranchers and Farmers Page 16: Remember and Honor Our Heroes at American Legion Post #180
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– Way of the World –
Lost Creek Guide
by Bob Grand This past weekend we celebrated Memorial Day. It is a day of remembrance for those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect all of our freedoms, not just a three-day weekend to relax and go to the lake. Too many of us have really forgotten what the day represents. Family members of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice remember, but that is becoming an ever-decreasing percentage of the population. How do we resurrect that spirt of recognition when we are surrounded by the “woke up “ mentality who want us to forget our history and those things that illustrate why we are a great country? I, for one, strongly, believe, we should not forget but rather learn from our history. That also means learn from our mistakes. We have become a United States of 2 Americas. John Mills in a recent article pointed out that “America is reorganizing itself into two America’s, blue and red.” Led by California and New York on one side, both of which represent failed states by any reasonable measure, and Texas and Florida on the other, success stories by any measures. Colorado sits in between with a solid broad based state economy with state political leadership being driven by California and New York mentality. A review of what our two United State Senators have accomplished does not reflect the independence of thinking that is the hall mark of a state composed of people who are used to getting things accomplished. Senator Hickenlooper on the night of his election said, “Washington is broken”, what has he done to begin to address that? The new head of the Republican GOP in Colorado, Christy Burton Brown has a challenge, her local county party leadership and membership. To win the Republicans have to convince the unaffiliated voters they offer a better solution. It seems that many Republicans elected to the Colorado statehouse have the attitude that you should continually poke a stick in the opposition eye. Hugh McKewn of Larimer County and Republican minority leaders in the House has a different view, but can his thinking process prevail? Adversarial relationships are not very productive, Ask Colorado farmers or the oil & gas people how effective Barbara Kirkmeyer has really been for her supposed constituents. You have to ask why that is? It is simple, we the electorate have not held our elected officials accountable for what they get accomplished. This is true at all levels of government, from local, to county, to state and at the federal level. Many people say it is just not worth their time. Well, no pun intended, but you had better wake up before it is too late! Brandon Judd, President of the National Border Control Council, has said “ When we do not remove people who have crossed the border illegally, that is in effect an open border.” The National Border Control Council represents the non-supervisory members of the Border Patrol Organization. The federal government continues to ignore our border problem. I am afraid it is a more insidious issue. There are organization that profit by having all these illegal aliens injected into the system, be it the education or health providing networks, they all look to the federal government for additional monies to help them manage the additional workload. A seemingly never-ending revenue stream. That may seem callous, but the realities are the realities. Washington’s solution to our problems is to create more bureaucracy. Add a new department and by God we will have addressed the issue. Well other than creating more value for Washington real estate what have we actually accomplished? The writers of the constitution passionately believed that local control, control closest to the people was the most effective. The 10th amendment is extremely specific about that. Unless specifically stated in the constitution all other powers should be the responsibility of the states. Why don’t we make our law makers follow the constitution? Perhaps there are too many vested interests who benefit by what we have, unfortunately it is not the American people. A Chicago teachers union official once was asked why he does not truly represent the young people. His response was when they pay union dues I will. It is disheartening that our existing main political parties, The Democrats & the Republicans do not represent the majority of Americans voters, the unaffiliated voters do. We must figure out a way to influence the existing parties as a relatively small group has effectively done that within both organizations with the intent of servicing their own special interests, not the best interests of the American people. Been to the gas station or the grocery store lately, hold on to your hat, this is just the beginning. The news business, as well as the Federal government, is starting to look into the real source of COVID 19. Because President Trump suggested it might have been sourced from the Chinese Wuhan lab leek it was discard as just comments from Trump and therefore should not be believed. Well as the facts are beginning to unfold, President Trump may not have been far off base. We will continue to follow as the story evolves. We will begin a series of articles over the next few issues concerning our nutrition practices and the management of our practice of medicine. Some are beginning to question the whole idea of how we, as a country, have managed our nutrition and the impact it has had on our health. We live in interesting times. I hope we can survive them. As always, your thoughts and comments are always appreciated: publisher@lostcreekguide.com
The Lost Creek Guide, Llc Bob Grand - Publisher 303-732-4080 publisher@lostcreekguide.com Our deadline is 7 working days before publication
lcgnews.com
105 Woodward - PO Box 581 Keenesburg, CO 80643
Letters to the Editor are encouraged. Letters may be edited for length, libelous, or inappropriate content. All letter submissions should include name, address, & phone number for verification purposes. Letters are published at the editor or publisher’s discretion. Opinions expressed in letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Lost Creek Guide or staff.
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June 2, 2021
LETTER TO EDITOR Leaving the FFA after Graduation
I am not sure how to fit four years worth of memories into a few minutes but i’ll give it my best shot. This ole blue jacket and I have been through a lot together. We both have a few more bumps and bruises than we started with but hey it makes for a good story and good memories of things we probably shouldn’t have been doing. I fell in love with this program even before my freshman year, watching my sister talk about all of the memories she was making, I knew that was something I had to be a part of, I think Mr. Ernst could have done without me lighting the old shop floor on fire or the joke that he is 110 or my lack of knowledge about righty tighty and lefty loosey but this program has made me who I am today cheesy I know, but freshman year I never would have been able to stand up here and give a speech but look at me now I’m all grown up. When I took my ASVAB to join the Navy it was no shock that Mechanics was where I scored the highest and that is without a doubt because of the Ag Program. Through my years in this program I have had to find my way so if I have any advice for the younger members especially those on the floriculture team it would be that on the day that everyone else is competing at state if you’re gonna nap in a random college building make sure it’s not 2 miles from where you have to be later cause that wake up call from Mr. Ernst saying you’re late is not fun and neither is that run. They say that your ag teacher becomes a parent of sorts which I have found to be true. I hope that I have made Mr. Ernst proud however he has told me that he will tell me he is proud of me once I finally figure out righty tighty lefty loosey. Well I figured it out Mr. Ernst…I may have to say goodbye to this chapter but as my mom pointed out I dont have to say goodbye to all of the things it has taught me I can and always will hold them very close to my heart. Braydon Ryan
Heart of the Plains 13th Annual Memorial Day Celebration
June 2, 2021
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Lost Creek Guide
Grand Opening of the Keenesburg Branch of Hudson Public Library
The Grand Opening of the Keenesburg branch of the Hudson Public Library was a huge celebration. The Keenesburg Library is located in one half of the old Town Hall building located at 140 S. Main St. Our hours are Monday & Wednesday 10am-3pm and Tuesday & Friday 1pm-6pm. We are very excited that this space was provided for the Keenesburg community to use library resources and access public computers. The staff’s passion for the library can be seen the minute you walk through the door. We are all very honored to be able to provide this service for our community and look forward to more growth and grand openings in the future.
Great Horned Owl
Conservation status
Bruce Sparrow, Keenesburg Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus
Widespread and common, numbers apparently holding up well in most areas.
Family
Owls
Habitat
Forests, woodlots, streamsides, open country. Found in practically all habitats in North America, from swaAmps to deserts to northern coniferous forest near treeline. In breeding season avoids tundra and unbroken grassland, since it requires some trees or heavy brush for cover.
Found almost throughout North America and much of South America is this big owl. Aggressive and powerful in its hunting (sometimes known by nicknames such as “tiger owl”), it takes prey as varied as rabbits, hawks, snakes, and even skunks, and will even attack porcupines, often with fatal results for both prey and predator. Great Horned Owls begin nesting very early in the north, and their deep hoots may be heard rolling across the forest on mid-winter nights. Audubon Field Guide
May Proclaimed Foster Care Month
WELD COUNTY, CO — In recognition and appreciation of Weld County foster and kinship caregivers, community organizations and child welfare professionals, May has been proclaimed Foster Care Month by the Weld County Board of Commissioners. “I appreciate your passion for being foster parents and the work the Department of Human Services (DHS) does to support these families,” said Commissioner Perry Buck, Coordinator for DHS. “Thank you to the entire team for helping our youth. Our children deserve every opportunity to help them succeed in life.” This month is a special time to acknowledge the incredible commitment of local foster and kinship families who have opened their hearts and homes to the 436 infants, children and youth currently in county foster and kinship care. It’s also a time to show gratitude to the dedicated child welfare professionals who are available and called on 24/7 to support the county’s most vulnerable children, youth and families. At Monday’s board meeting, the Weld County child welfare staff and foster parents in attendance received a round of applause in celebration of their work in building stronger communities and improving the lives of children, youth and families by tirelessly providing advocacy, nurturing and steadfast care. “Our 79 certified foster families are such a huge blessing to our community,” said Jamie Ulrich, Director of the Department of Human Services. “This is our opportunity to recognize and share the great partnerships we have within the community. We greatly appreciate the families that provide safe and secure homes for these kids. We also want to recognize the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic – it’s been a truly challenging time between the shutdowns, school closures and not having in-person visits. But we are a stronger, more resilient foster care family because of the work everyone has done in our community this past year and every year.” The Weld County Department of Human Services offers two Foster Care Welcome Nights every month for families and individuals who are interested in learning more about foster care, the certification process and other ways to help children, youth and families in need. Visit weldgov.com/go/fostercare or the Weld County Government Facebook page for more information.
Keene Craft Mercantile
A Special Place Where Talented People Bring Their Home-made Crafts to Sell We are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am until 5 pm 65 Main Street, Keenesburg, Colorado 303-910-0640
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Lost Creek Guide
June 2, 2021
87 Front Range Oil and Gas Wells Ordered to Shut Down after Operator KP Kauffman Fails to Clean Up Spills Ditch companies and farmers have been harmed by KP Kauffman’s unfinished work to mop up after flowlines leaked, state regulators say
Mark Jaffe, Colorado Sun KP Kauffman, an independent oil and gas operator on the Front Range, has been ordered to shut 87 of its wells and clean up 29 sites after a litany of violations, ranging from fouling farm fields to covering the road in front of a high school with oily waste. The wells, located in Adams and Weld counties, “require immediate attention to protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources,” the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission order says. Many of the spills and releases are serious threats, the order says, but the company, referred to as KPK, has not taken necessary steps to avoid, minimize or mitigate their potential impacts. “All of the wells that are in the order have been shut-in” and may not resume production until the sites are cleaned up, COGCC spokeswoman Megan Castle said. “KPK has not yet completed enough remediation or submitted enough documentation to close the order. So it is a work in progress.” Ross Watzman, the Denver-based company’s general counsel, said in an email Thursday that “KPK has ensured that there are no active releases, and is working diligently to remedy all COGCC concerns.” Watzman also said that the family-owned company, which has been doing business in Colorado for more than 37 years, disagrees with some of the allegations and facts in the order. Adams County Commissioner Eva Henry said “KPK is one of the operators we’ve had trouble with.” UNDERWRITING County oil and gas inspectors checked 35 KPK wells in 2020 and found violations at 18. KPK has 1,114 wells in Colorado, of which 1,031 are producing, according to the COGCC. “They tend to ignore our notices of violation, so it is great to see the COGCC taking action,” Henry said. “This helps tremendously.” Between Jan. 1, 2015, and March 30, KPK reported about 85 spills and releases and opened approximately 73 remediation projects in Colorado, according to the order. Still, KPK “repeatedly failed” with basic requirements for spills, the order said, citing 10 cases where remediation took more than six months and four cases where it took more than two years. The company’s action put homes, schools and groundwater at risk, the order said. Many of the spills are the result of failing flowlines, which carry oil, water and gas from a well to a gathering point. KPK would shut-off the leaking line, send a crew focused on repairing it and getting production flowing again, but would leave piles of oily waste untended. “KPK has been unable, or unwilling, to commit the attention and resources that are required to adequately address these matters,” the state order says. “KPK’s failure to perform the required work due to an alleged lack of resources is not acceptable and presents an ongoing threat.” In many cases it was area residents, farmers or local officials — not the company — that reported the spills to the COGCC. Read more energy coverage from The Colorado Sun “Across the industry in Colorado, this is very unusual,” the order said. “In COGCC’s experience, oil and gas operators in the state usually find and report their own spills to COGCC before surface owners or third parties do.” In March 2019, oil surfaced on the north side of Tipple Parkway in Frederick, directly across from the town’s high school and 40 feet from the closest residence. The Town of Frederick informed KPK about the leaking flow line.
The company repaired the line and put it back in service, but the line disrupted traffic through the next summer as oil wastes were flushed across the parkway when it rained, and fluids washed into storm sewers. There may be an ongoing threat to soil and groundwater, but KPK never returned to do any follow-up assessment or remediation, the order said. Jennifer Simmons, Federick’s planning director and the town’s liaison with the COGCC, said there are no longer incidents of oily waste on Tipple Parkway. UNDERWRITING The first notice that there was a KPK flowline leak in rural Weld County in November 2018 came from farmers. The company began excavating the site to address the leak, but nearly 30 months later remedial excavation is still pending and excavation done to access the flowline for repairs is still open. “After the flowline was repaired, KPK left their equipment in our field for many months,” Brittney White, of Fort Lupton, The independent oil and gas company KP Kauffman has been wrote in a January complaint to the COGCC. ordered to shut in shut 87 of its wells and clean up 29 sites in Adams and Weld counties. (Colorado Oil and Gas Conserva“The soil that they retion Commission) placed the contaminated soil with was not quality top soil. Corn would not grow on the location in 2018, 2019, or 2020,” White said. “We lost literally years in crop production and there is no excuse.” The New Brantner Ditch, which runs through rural Adams and Weld counties and was originally dug in 1860 by Samuel Brantner, was another victim of a KPK flowline spill — first reported by a tenant farmer west of Fort Lupton — in June 2020. The spill was adjacent to the irrigation ditch and hydrocarbon fluids migrated from the spill area in the flowing waters of the ditch, the order said. KPK attempted to contain the fluids with booms, but excavation of the spill ended up collapsing the sidewalls of the ditch. KPK failed to consult with the ditch company, as is required by the rules, and entered its right-of-way and excavated without notification. KPK told the COGCC it had consulted with the ditch company, but the ditch company’s board of directors denied there was any consultation, the order said. The ditch cannot be used until KPK has repaired the damaged section, the order said. Brice Steele, the ditch company’s attorney, said the board has not authorized any comment in response to questions by The Sun. UPDATED: This story was updated May 28, 2021, at 6:21 a.m. to include comments from KP Kauffman’s lawyer. The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers Colorado people, places and issues. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com
Gas Price Report
CO: Gas Prices Hit 6-Year Highs
Pump prices will continue to rise ahead of Memorial Day.
DENVER (May 24, 2021) - The price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas has jumped to its highest mark since October 2014, per new analysis from AAA Colorado - just as nearly 700,000 Coloradans join the ranks of the 37 million Americans traveling for Memorial Day, most of them by car. “Nobody likes paying more at the pump, but rising gas prices tend to indicate that Colorado’s enjoying a strong rebound from the past year of economic devastation,” said Skyler McKinley, regional director of public affairs for AAA. “The good news is that prices are going up as the direct result of bullish consumer confidence and travelers heading to and through Colorado. The bad news is that they’ll likely spike over Memorial Day before continuing a steadier rise over the course of the summer driving season.” In Colorado, the price of a gallon of regular unleaded is currently three cents more than this time last week, 14 cents more than this time last month, and $1.15 more than this time last year. Still, prices are well below Colorado’s highest-ever average, $4.09, recorded on July 17, 2008. Quick Stats The national average currently sits at $3.04 per gallon, up from $2.89 a month ago. The nation’s top 10 largest weekly changes : Hawaii (+4 cents), Indiana (-4 cents), California (+3 cents), Oregon (+3 cents), Colorado (+3 cents), Maryland (-3 cents), Georgia (-3 cents), Oklahoma (-3 cents), Illinois (-3 cents) and Wisconsin (-2 cents). The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Louisiana ($2.71), Mississippi ($2.71), Missouri ($2.73), Texas ($2.74), Oklahoma ($2.75), Arkansas ($2.76), Kansas ($2.83), Minnesota ($2.83), Alabama ($2.83) and North Dakota ($2.84).
June 2, 2021
Lost Creek Guide
What’s Working: Seasonal Hiring Sputtering for Restaurants, Resorts Across Colorado
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Plus: Restaurants push for more federal aid, jobless data adjusted due to fraud and more.
Tamara Chuang, Colorado Sun It’s opening weekend for Colorado businesses that hire seasonal summer workers. But many industries that do are still in desperate need of help, including construction companies, hotels and, especially, restaurants. Bob Kato, who operates two restaurants in Frisco, shared his dire-straits details with me for a story published earlier this week. He still needed four to five more people for the kitchen at Island Grill at the Frisco Bay Marina. Without them, the place will probably have to close on some days during the busy summer season. But the seasonal labor shortage in his community has more to do with the scarcity of housing for workers. Houses and rentals snapped up by out-of-area buyers before and during the pandemic have left seasonal staff with Tavern West owner Bob Kato wipes off the dust left from the winter few affordable opseason inside the restaurant Monday, May 24, 2021, in Frisco. (Hugh tions. Carey, The Colorado Sun) “That’s what’s driving a lot of employees out of here,” Kato said. “I’ve got a bartender that’s thinking about leaving and she makes really good money. Her rent’s coming up and she doesn’t know if she wants to spend another year (paying) exorbitant rents.” My colleague Jason Blevins touched on the housing issues in Colorado’s resort communities in another story you should read. Frisco’s Mayor Hunter Mortensen has been researching a state-of-the-emergency declaration for housing to bring more attention to the situation. And it’s not just affecting seasonal workers, he said. “Even high-level professional jobs offered through a recruitment firm (have) people accept them and then they have to turn them down because they can’t find a place to live, even on a professional salary,” Mortensen said. “Take that down to smaller levels — the kids in between college or on summer vacation — and they’re looking at $800 to rent a room in a house with five other people. And you can’t make enough money in town to do that.” In other words, this issue is complex with the pandemic aggravating existing unresolved problems. Those that are struggling the most are also raising wages and offering incentives. Monarch Casino Resort Spa is offering a $1,400 signing bonus and has increased pay for certain jobs, said Erica Ferris, the resort’s marketing director. Housekeepers can make $19.50 an hour now, compared with $18 an hour last August. “Monarch Casino Resort Spa is always auditing salaries around the state in order to attract and retain the best team members,” she said in an email. “When we noticed last fall that hospitality workers in many mountain towns were being paid $18 an hour on average, we increased our hourly wage to match.” It’s competition with other service-industry employers. It’s rising cost of housing throughout the state. It’s so many things. No easy answers here, but The Colorado Sun continues to cover jobs and housing statewide. Share your own story about what’s happening in your community with me at tamara@coloradosun.com. Restaurant industry seeks more aid Speaking of restaurants, the sector was indeed one of the hardest hit in the pandemic due to forced closures and bans on in-person dining. Many restaurants applied for Paycheck Protection Program loans administered by the Small Business Administration. In the latest round of federal aid, SBA’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund provided additional funds. That helped a number of restaurants and bars survive. According to the latest sales receipts filed with the state’s Department of Revenue, the number of food and drinking establishments has increased each month this year through March, when 9,405 filed sales reports. That’s still down 28.4% from March 2020 and, for that matter, down 32.9% from March 2019. But open businesses are making more than they have been in months with March retail sales receipts totaling $1.2 billion, up 37.5% during the devastating March last year. Nationwide, more than 362,000 restaurants applied and requested $75 billion from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. But the program only had $28.6 billion to hand out, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, which is overseeing the fund. The SBA stopped accepting new applications on May 24. It wasn’t enough, said Sonia Riggs, president and CEO of the Colorado Restaurant Association. “Clearly, there is a great need for this funding, but many restaurants, including Colorado-based businesses, will be turned
away unless the RRF is refunded by Congress,” Riggs said. Even though places are clear to reopen, Colorado restaurants lost out on $3 billion in revenue last year and it’ll take “an estimated three to five years for full revenue levels to return,” she said. Beyond lobbying for additional federal aid for restaurants, the trade group said it’s also pushing local lawmakers to allow expanded patio seating and sales tax holidays this summer. To help its own members, the association also has added a job board and launched the Colorado ProStart program to recruit high schoolers interested in restaurant and hospitality management jobs. The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers Colorado people, places and issues. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com
PUC Announces the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefits Program
DENVER - On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act became law and established an Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund of $3.2 billion in the United States Treasury to help Americans afford internet service during the pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefits Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program, administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), that uses federal funding to provide temporary discounts on monthly broadband bills for qualified low-income households. If a household is eligible, it can receive: • Up to a $50/month discount on broadband service and associated equipment rentals • Up to a $75/month discount if the household is on tribal lands • A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50) Only one monthly service discount and one equipment discount per household is allowed. The program begins on May 12, 2021 and will run until the fund runs out of money, or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. Persons interested in finding out more about the program and determining eligibility, shall visit: https://getemergencybroadband.org/ About PUC The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) serves the public interest by effectively regulating utilities and facilities so that the people of Colorado receive safe, reliable, and reasonably-priced services consistent with the economic, environmental, and social values of our state. About DORA The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado. Consumer protection is our mission. Visit www.dora.colorado. gov for more information or call 303-894-7855/toll free 1-800-886-7675.
$3,950.00 $2,950.00
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
$15.50
$1.65 per gallon will call or route
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Lost Creek Guide
Noem Sues Biden Administration for Canceling Mount Rushmore Independence Day Fireworks
June 2, 2021
National Parks Service notified South Dakota of decision to cancel fireworks display in March By Brooke Singman | Fox News
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem sued the Biden administration on Friday after it canceled the Independence Day fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore, demanding the court “expeditiously” issue a permit for the event to take place. Noem, a Republican, filed a lawsuit Friday in U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota Central Division. “Mount Rushmore is the very best place to celebrate America’s birthday and all that makes our country special,” Noem wrote. “After telling us they’d ‘circle back,’ the Biden Administration has not responded to our request to uphold the Memorandum Agreement between the State of South Dakota and the National Parks Service to host a safe and responsible national celebration and fireworks show.” Noem said the Biden administration has “departed from longstanding precedent and reneged on this agreement without any meaningful explanation.” “We are asking the court to enjoin the Department of Interior’s (DOI) denial of the fireworks permit and order it to issue a permit for the event expeditiously,” she added. Noem had asked President Biden to uphold a 2019 memorandum agreement between the National Parks Service and the state, which allowed the return of the fireworks event for 2020. Last year, South Dakota hosted the fireworks display for the first time since 2009, after having been canceled due to wildfire risks. The event included an appearance from former President Donald Trump, provoking criticism that the state disregarded guidance on social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. Noem, though, has argued that contact tracing was unable to track a single case of COVID-19 back to the event. South Dakota was the only state in the nation never to impose a coronavirus mask mandate or to shut businesses. The National Parks Service (NPS) notified South Dakota of its decision to ban the fireworks display last month, citing concerns about COVID-19, tribal objections and alleged danger to the park itself. NPS Regional Director Herbert Frost wrote to South Dakota’s tourism office in March citing “potential risks to the park itself and to the health and safety of employees and visitors associated with the fireworks demonstration,” saying that they “continue to be a concern and are still being evaluated as a result of the 2020 event.” Frost added, “In addition, the park’s many tribal partners expressly oppose fireworks at the Memorial.” Neither the White House nor the National Parks Service immediately responded to Fox News’ requests for comment on the lawsuit.
Fireworks light the sky at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Friday, July 3, 2020, near Keystone, S.D., after President Donald Trump spoke. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Motorcycle Riding Season
By Master Trooper Gary Cutler Motorcycle season is now upon us again. Dust off the motorcycle seat and check it out to see if your bike and you are ready to hit the open roads again. As fun as it is to ride a motorcycle, I wanted to let you know that the Colorado State Patrol is seeing an increase in motorcycle crashes and fatalities and we really want to curb that problem. Contrary to what a lot of people may think, a lot of these crashes haven’t included other vehicles. They are single motorcycles going down. This issue seems mostly to be with riders that don’t have a lot of training or as much experience as they should have to ride. Their skills may not be the best because they don’t ride every day. This is not meant to be demeaning to these riders, but to have them realize steps may be needed to increase their riding abilities. Consider researching a motorcycle operator skills course. As Brian Tracy states, “Continuous learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field.” I believe that whole heartily when it comes to strengthening your riding skills. You can never know too much about riding techniques. The courses have different levels of skill training for all riders. Usually they teach for beginners, intermediate, and advanced riders. So even if you’ve been riding for years, a training course can be for you. Maybe try an advanced riders’ course and see how it can improve your skills. So, lets delve into some of the problems we see when it comes to motorcycle riders crashing. 1. Dirt and rocks on the roadway. Some riders are not looking out for it. You see a lot of it especially in early spring from snow plow operations. 2. Going into blind curves too fast and going off the road or into on coming traffic. Know the area your riding. If it’s an area your unfamiliar with don’t outride your skills. Take your time and enjoy the ride. 3. Having passengers on the bike that are unfamiliar with leaning, or who don’t have confidence in the operator and counter balance causing the bike to go off the roadway. It also goes the other way with motorcycle operators who don’t know how to ride with a passenger on the back of the bike. Have that conversation prior to riding with someone on the bike. 4. Not knowing how to use the front brake in tandem with the back brake. It is imperative to be able to stop quickly when needed. Learn how to use your brakes correctly. 5. Watching for vehicles coming into your path. Have an escape plan to stay out of the vehicle’s way. You can always be in the right and still be injured. 6. Leaning into curves that place your upper body over the center line and in the path of oncoming traffic. Don’t hug the center line so closely. 7. Not having the proper safety equipment to prevent injury in the event of a crash. This includes a helmet, eye protection, gloves, boots, padded jacket and pants. 8. Absolutely no alcohol when riding. It happens more often than you think. One last item. Make sure you have that motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license. We do check for those on a traffic stop. So, if you don’t ride, but know someone who does, talk to them about some of the things I hit in this article. You may save the life of a friend or loved one. These are very basic concepts of riding, but they are so often overlooked. As always, safe travels!
Celebration for Marcie Weeks
Community United Methodist Church will host a reception for Marcie Weeks on Saturday, June 12, 2021, from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. It will be held at the church, 195 South Main Street, in Keenesburg. Marcie and her late husband, Keith Weeks, contributed many years of love and dedication to the Church and to the Keenesburg community. Marcie will be moving outof-state soon, and we want to thank her for all she has done for our community. Please join us on June 12 as we celebrate Marcie, and wish her well for whatever the future may hold.
June 2, 2021
The Smile
Numbers 6:24-26
24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 15 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 16 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. The one thing that I will be so excited about when this mask thing is totally done, is to see the smile on other people’s faces. I wonder just how many smiles I missed in the last year? It literally could be in the thousands, or maybe even, a million! Apparently, children smile over 400 times a day and adults a mere 20. But take that number and multiply it by 365 and for children, you get 146,000 and adults 7,300! Now multiply that by how many people you have been around in the past year. (I know some of you spent much of your time in self-isolation, but some of us extroverts continued on.). And that is why I know I have missed thousands upon thousands of smiles! Personally, I think we should embark on a smile marathon. Sort of a contest to see how many smiles, (real ones, not fake) you can see in a day. And even better than that, how many smiles you yourself have in a day! Just think about the benefits of smiling! Smiling releases neuropeptides, which relieves stress, elevates your mood, boosts your immune system, and, as smiling slows your heartbeat, it can also lower blood pressure! (I looked this up). Smiling also helps you live longer, makes you more attractive, suggests that you are successful, helps you stay positive… and the best one of all, smiles are contagious! Totally contagious! The world needs more smiles! Absolutely! Let me give you one more thing on smiles. The Bible talks about smiles in a lot of places. Sometimes it is actual smiles, and other times, a smile is referred to as “face shine on you”. Essentially, that means “smiling on you.” After all, when God in heaven looks down on you, He sees you as one of His very own beautiful and wonderful creations. And that means He smiles when He sees you! So yes, even God smiles! A lot! Is there any better reason than that to bring a smile to your face?! God loves it when you smile! He really does! Yes, indeed, it is time for us to smile more. Be well, Do Good Work, and… Be Blessed Like Crazy! Pastor Perry Destination Ministries
C’mon! Get Happy!
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Psalm 32:11 11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous: sing, all you who are upright in heart. Have you ever noticed lately that happiness seems to be in short supply? Seriously! People seem to be in a perpetual state of funk: long faces, making excuses, hiding in boxes where the world can’t find them, no joy in Mudville. Maybe it was the pandemic, that yearlong separation from one another where the “Stay at Home”, “Safer at Home” guidelines distanced us from one another. The mask-wearing also covered up one of the best parts of our faces: our smiles. We learned to become isolationists, not only in our proximity to others but also in our hearts and minds. We forgot what it was like to be happy! We need to find that again! We need to look for ways to get happy, to pull us out of the doldrums; to move us back into the light! Here is an interesting little tidbit to start you on your way: do you know that God tells us to be happy more times in the Bible than any other command? Seriously! His words of “be of good cheer”, “rejoice”, “give thanks” and so many more, are all the different ways God is telling us to be happy. So put off all those things that have closed you off from people and made you isolate! Climb out of the depressive mindset and the slump you find yourself in! Search for ways to be happy, to be positive, to have some joy! Now I am not talking about changing your whole mindset in an instant, but I think there are a number of things that you could do to make yourself happy, maybe even start out slow. Want some concrete examples to start out with? Here is a wee tiny sampling: Smile. Bake some chocolate chip cookies and smell them as they come out of the oven. Pet a dog. Go outside and skip down your driveway. Grab some bubble wrap and stand on it with bare feet. Feel the sunshine on your shoulders. Buy a new set of Crayola crayons and smell them as you first open the box. Eat some watermelon. Gosh, I could go on forever! One more place though. Find some good news, and the best place for that is in THE Good News! The simple fact that God loves the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall have eternal life: That is, indeed, Good News! Ample reason to start your day out with a smile! So, c’mon! Get happy! Be well, Do Good Work, and… Be Blessed Like Crazy! Pastor Perry Destination Ministries
So, You Think You Want to be a Beekeeper…
So you want to be a beekeeper! You’ll do your part to save the bees, and you’ll have honey on your toast every morning, right? My name is Ed Colby. I’m the president of the Colorado State Beekeepers Association (2016-2020) and a longtime columnist for Bee Culture magazine. Now take a deep breath, please, because before you get started. I have some good news, and I have some bad news. First, the bad news: There is nothing on Earth easier than failing at beekeeping. By “failing” I mean allowing your bees to die. Beekeeping requires some fundamental knowledge about honey bees and how to care for them. Short of working for a commercial beekeeper, the best first step for a beginner is to take a course taught by a competent teacher. In Colorado, lots of regional bee clubs, plus universities like Montana State and Penn State, teach such courses, either in-person or online. But a little education still isn’t going to be enough to get your bees through their first year. Beekeeping requires time-consuming dedication. Getting bees is not like getting a kitten. If your bees are to live Image by PollyDot from Pixabay and thrive, you’re going to have to do some work. In the summer this means checking on your bees every 10-14 days. You might like to take vacations, but your bees do not. If you place a hive in your backyard and don’t take care of it, you’re not “saving the bees.” You’re killing them, because parasitic Varroa mites will eat them alive, creating wounds that vector the transmission of deadly viruses. Varroa mites are an invasive species relatively new to the United States. All bee hives in the U.S. harbor them. These reddish, pinhead-sized critters normally attach themselves to the undersides of adult bees, so they’re pretty hard to spot. There are ways to determine if mite populations have reached levels that threaten the health of the hive, but they are time-consuming and require not only education but a can-do determination on the part of the beekeeper. None of this is easy. Left unchecked, Varroa mite infestations normally peak in the fall, when mite numbers continue to grow, just as a honey bee colony reduces its bee population in preparation for winter. In other words, the ratio of mites to bees increases. The colony now likely succumbs to one or more viruses. As its mite-ridden bee population dwindles, opportunistic bees from neighboring hives raid the collapsing colony, feasting on honey and picking up hitchhiking mites that they bring back to their own hive. You as a fledgling beekeeper will be forced to make a conscious or unconscious choice. Do nothing to reduce the mite population in your hives, and your bees will likely not make it through their first winter. Even if your colony is headed by an extraordinary queen who imparts above-average mite resistance to her workers, its being “Varroa bombed” by collapsing mite-ridden hives in your neighborhood can and likely will, seal its doom. Your other option is to use formic and oxalic acids, thymol, hops derivatives, synthetic chemicals, or even mechanical means to kill mites. It can be a messy business. Some treatments are more effective than others. Some work only at certain times of the year. You need to be careful not to contaminate the honey. All of this costs time and money. You can search for queens that impart a level of mite resistance to their offspring, but I recommend you get a little experience before you tackle this. The thing to remember is that sooner, not later, you will surely face serious challenges from mites, and a failure on your part to act on behalf of your bees can spell curtains for the innocent creatures in your charge. Some people consider this animal abuse. You don’t like the sound of this, do you? I don’t like it either. If your passion to keep bees is anything short of red-hot, and you still want to help pollinators, maybe there’s a better path for you. You could plant a bee-friendly garden, or advocate for stronger pesticide restrictions, or join an environmental organization devoted to pollinators, like the Xerces Society. You can help bees without owning any. For those of you still determined to keep bees there is, however, some good news. If you’re willing to commit yourself, you can thread the needle and learn to keep your bees alive. It will be more work than you ever imagined. But if — and only if — you have the fire in your belly, you can do it, and CSBA can help. If you’re easily discouraged, you’ll never make it, because failure is part of the learning curve. But if you’re willing to learn, if you’re willing to fall flat on your face and get up and have another go, if bees haunt your daydreams, if you put your heart and soul into this noble craft, you might find you have the right stuff. The world doesn’t need more beekeepers. It needs more good ones.
Auto, Home, Farm & Commercial
Agents Mark Kinnear Devon Kitchell 303-732-9700 20 S. Main Keenesburg, CO
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Rep. Ken Buck: The Real Goal of Cancel Culture – First You’re Canceled, then You’re Replaced
June 2, 2021
‘Replacement culture’ is the ultimate objective of cancel culture and is even more dangerous
By Rep. Ken Buck | Fox News Facebook censorship is ‘contrary to American values’: Rep. Buck Colorado Rep. Ken Buck argues that private corporations shouldn’t be allowed to censor free speech if the government can’t Cancel culture’s damaging consequences are becoming apparent to anyone paying attention. A recent Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll survey found that 64 percent of Americans now believe Cancel Culture is a “threat to freedom.” Americans are right to be alarmed by cancel culture’s sweeping effects. But “replacement culture” is the ultimate objective of cancel culture and is even more dangerous. Cancellation is the first part of the progressives’ agenda; replacement is the second. The examples of progressives’ intentional replacement in our culture are numerous – and conservatives should not be surprised that the real aim here is not simply purging our culture, but actually, a full-scale shift that comports to progressives’ radical worldview. Take history education in this country, as just one example. For years, the political left has attempted to erase parts of our American history, especially our founding. The left has attacked the true story of 1776 and our nation’s commitment to the protection of individual liberty. That attack on our history has manifested itself in many ways, including attempts by progressives to remove the monuments and statues in Washington, D.C. Last summer, the city of Washington put forth a radical proposal to “remove, relocate, or contextualize” the Benjamin Franklin statue, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and the Washington Monument. In place of America’s true history, the progressives seek to install their revisionist history curriculum, known at the 1619 Project. This false narrative presents students with a picture of an America founded not on the principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence, but instead on a racist pursuit of expanding slavery. With its rejection of facts, the 1619 Project has met widespread objections, from liberals and conservatives alike. Canceling 1776 was only the necessary precursor to replacing our true history with a curriculum that views every event in history through the lens of race and racism. Another insidious example of cancel culture in education appears with the canceling of traditional standards and curricula, with the goal of replacing those lessons with a race-based curriculum. The Biden administration announced last week that it will use taxpayer funds to push not only the racist 1619 narrative but also “critical race theory” in public schools across the nation. Critical race theory is the backdoor way to teach Marxism to students and adults in this country, under the guise of pushing “equity.” Outside of the education sphere, cancel culture has also set its sights on one of the most important industries in my state of Colorado: the oil-and-gas industry. Perhaps the biggest example of cancel culture on Americans’ minds is the recent shakedown in Georgia. As soon as Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed an election integrity bill into law, progressives leapt into action, canceling the Major League Baseball All-Star game planned for Atlanta this summer. Companies across the country engaged in a coordinated corporate virtual signaling, denouncing the election integrity law. The intent here was not simply a retaliatory cancellation of Atlanta’s hosting of the All-Star Game, but actually a cancellation of all similar voter integrity laws, with the goal, of course, of keeping less secure laws in place. We see the cancel culture playbook on display everywhere from toy stores to universities. Mr. Potato Head’s cancellation was followed by the transgender movement’s preference for a gender-fluid toy. Schools named after our founders must be renamed after liberal icons. Professors and journalists who will not kowtow to the progressive agenda find themselves replaced in their jobs. The list of examples could go on. In response to the damage of cancel culture, I am organizing a Special Order on the House Floor – an opportunity for my colleagues to speak out against this movement of cancellations. As Americans listen to our thoughts on specific aspects of cancel culture, I would
ask that they also consider replacement culture and true aims of the cancellations of certain aspects of culture. Cancel culture has many tools in its toolbox. We often focus on this movement’s figurative use of scissors and erasers as it eliminates parts of our culture. But we should be equally alarmed about its use of two other tools – glue and tape – as cancel culture advocates engage in replacement culture and paste in their own revisionist history and cultural priorities.
Beware of Scam Callers Pretending to Represent United Power Cooperative will not Call Members in Person for Payments
Brighton, CO – Residential and business members of United Power have reported receiving calls demanding payment for “past due” amounts on electric bills. In an effort to protect your information and money, the cooperative wants members to know how it communicates past due account balances and collects payments. Phone scammers attempt to impersonate a representative from a credible organization, such as the IRS or United Power, to gain information or payment from a victim. Members are threatened with disconnection if they do not make an immediate payment and are instructed to make payment via prepaid debit cards purchased at local gas stations and convenient stores. Scammers may also instruct victims not to tell anyone about the payment. Many of these scams are elaborate and sophisticated, even using spoofing software to disguise their phone number so that it appears to be coming from a recognized number. This is known as “caller ID spoofing.” It is important to be cautious when you receive an unexpected call requesting a payment, whether it is for United Power or any other payment. Verifying the status of your utility account is your best defense against scam attempts. To keep up with the current status of your electric account, reference your monthly billing statement from United Power, check your account via SmartHub or call United Power’s member services department at 303-637-1300. If you are ever in doubt about a potential scam call, hang up and call United Power. Know How United Power Does Business • United Power never calls members in person to collect overdue electric bills. While we may occasionally call to reach out with assistance information, notice of delinquency or disconnection is sent by mail and then United Power will follow up with our automated phone system. A recorded message will instruct you to initiate a payment. • United Power does not collect payments at member homes or businesses. Never give money to people who may be posing as utility workers. If someone arrives at your home representing United Power, ask the individual for proof of employment and identification or call United Power at 303-637-1300. • United Power will never require prepaid debit as the only form of payment. Members may initiate payment in a variety of ways: online through the SmartHub portal; by phone, mail, payment kiosk or in person using cash, check or debit. Be wary of any call that requests payment be made using prepaid methods only. This is a red flag and an indicator of a potential scam. If you receive a suspicious automated call, pay careful attention to the message and how it instructs payment. If you are unsure, call United Power at 303-637-1300. United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. As one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, the utility will join the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters by the end of this summer. The 900 square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson and Keenesburg. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.
Trey Jackson Named to Spring 2021 Dean’s List at ENMU
PORTALES, NM (05/25/2021)-- Trey Jackson of Keenesburg, CO (80643), has been named to Eastern New Mexico University’s dean’s list for the spring 2021 semester. To be eligible for the dean’s list, a student must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours with a GPA of 3.25 or greater. For more information, contact the Office of Communication Services at merit@enmu. edu.
Students named to Harding University Dean’s list
SEARCY, AR (05/26/2021)-- The following students are among more than 1,150 Harding University students included on the dean’s list for grades achieved during the spring 2021 semester. Emily Nikolai, a Sophomore health studies major, of Brighton (80601) Bethany Ford, a Post Baccalaureate family and consumer sciences major, of Greeley (80634) Harli Crossen, a Sophomore health studies major, of Keenesburg (80643) The dean’s list is published each semester by Dr. Marty Spears, University provost, honoring those who have achieved high scholarship. To be eligible, a student must be carrying 12 or more hours with a 3.65 or higher grade-point average and no incompletes. Harding University is a private Christian university located in Searcy, Arkansas. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, it is the largest private university in the state. Harding’s student body is made up of students representing 49 states and 55 nations and territories. The University offers more than 100 undergraduate majors, graduate and professional degrees at the master’s, specialist and doctoral level as well as numerous international study offerings including locations in Australia, Latin America, England, France, Greece, Italy and Zambia. For more information, visit harding.edu.
June 2, 2021
USDA Forecasts Record Farm Exports in FY 2021
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WASHINGTON, May 26, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s quarterly agricultural trade forecast, released today, projects fiscal year 2021 U.S. farm exports at $164 billion – the highest total on record. This represents an increase of $28 billion, or 21 percent, from last fiscal year’s total, and a $7-billion increase from USDA’s previous FY 2021 forecast published in February. The annual export record of $152.3 billion was set in FY 2014. “U.S. agricultural trade has proven extraordinarily resilient in the face of a global pandemic and economic contraction. This strength is reflected in today’s USDA export forecast,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “As we conclude World Trade Month, it’s clear that trade remains a critical engine powering the agricultural economy and the U.S. economy as a whole. Today’s estimate shows that our agricultural trading partners are responding to a return to certainty and reliability from the United States. Yesterday’s action regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement also made it clear that our trading partners must play by the rules. Ensuring that all U.S. producers and exporters have access to global markets is a key to building back better and ensuring the continued strength and resiliency of rural America.” Key drivers of the surge in exports include a record outlook for China, record export volumes and values for a number of key products, sharply higher commodity prices, and reduced foreign competition. China is poised to be back on top as the United States’ number one customer, with U.S. exports forecast at $35 billion, eclipsing the previous record of $29.6 billion set in FY 2014. This growth is led by Chinese demand for soybeans and corn. Other top markets, in order, are Canada, Mexico, Japan, the European Union, and South Korea, with demand remaining strong across the board. USDA projects that total exports of bulk commodities and meat will reach record levels for both volume and value in FY 2021. On the bulk commodity side, this is true for both corn and soybeans exports, with sorghum export value also at a record. On the meat side, beef and pork export values and volumes are projected at an all-time high, as is broiler meat volume. The full USDA export forecast is available at: www.fas.usda.gov/data/quarterly-agricultural-export-forecast. # USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Buck, Neguse Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Designate Amache Incarceration Site in Granada as National Park
Today, Congressman Ken Buck (R-Colo.) and Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Chair of the U.S. House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, introduced bipartisan legislation to designate Amache, a former Japanese American relocation center in Granada, Colorado as a National Park. The Amache National Historic Act (H.R. 2497) follows up on the Amache Study Act, introduced by Rep. Buck and Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), which was included in the Dingell Conservation Act and signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2019. This bill directed the Department of Interior to conduct a special resource study at Amache to assess the historical significance of Amache and determine the feasibility of Amache becoming a part of the National Park System. The Granada Relocation Center, known as Amache, was one of the 10 incarceration centers across the U.S. forcing Japanese Americans to relocate into military-style prisons during the first months of World War II. About 10,000 Japanese Americans passed through Amache and 7,000 were imprisoned there. According to the National Park Service, “the cemetery, a reservoir, a water well and tank, the road network, concrete foundations, watch towers, the military police compound, and trees planted by the internees still remain.” Reps. Buck and Neguse and several members of the community made the following statements upon introduction of the bill: “I am proud to introduce the Amache National Historic Act with Rep. Neguse because it is so important that we remember the injustices committed against Japanese Americans,” Congressman Ken Buck said. “The nation is better today because of the lessons we have learned from our past. Preserving Amache serves as one of those hard lessons for the people of Eastern Colorado and the rest of our nation.” “The unjustifiable internment of Japanese Americans is no doubt one of the darkest scars in our country’s history. With the Amache site in Colorado, it is also a deeply personal history for Colorado,” Congressman Joe Neguse said. “Designation of the Amache site in southeast Colorado as a National Park, will provide education for future generations on this dark time in our nation’s history, as well as healing and honor to those that lived it. It is our hope that preservation of this site will provide reconciliation for our communities and for the nation.” «I hope that Congress will pass the Amache legislation to build on Congress’s bipartisan leadership to acknowledge that what happened to Japanese Americans was wrong and to help us live as one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” Mike Honda, former member of Congress and Amache survivor, said. «We strongly support the Amache National Historic Site Act. This legislation will preserve and memorialize a site that has the power to shed light upon a mistake we must remember, recall the service and sacrifice of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and celebrate the Constitutional vision of Colorado Governor Ralph Carr. All these things are worthy of doing and doing so will make us better American Citizens,» Calvin Taro Hada, president of the Japanese American Association of Colorado, said.
The Greater Brighton Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Board Announces New President & CEO
The Greater Brighton Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Board is pleased to announce that the Board has named Natalie Cummings as President and CEO of the organization effective June 1, 2021. Cummings, an experienced chamber leader, has served the last five years as the Executive Director of the Fort Lupton Chamber. “We are thrilled Natalie will take the helm of the Chamber,” stated Julie Stewart, Board Chair. “Hiring someone with Natalie’s experience and talent makes her a great fit for the Brighton Chamber and our Membership. We are excited for Natalie to bring her enthusiasm and ideas to Brighton.” Natalie comes to us from her most recent position as the Executive Director of the Fort Lupton Chamber of Commerce where she helped the Chamber and business community grow and develop through innovative approaches, creative partnerships, and unique strategies. Natalie is committed to building consistent value for the Greater Brighton Community by committing the Chamber to be a champion of business, connector of ideas and people and a catalyst for growth. “I am excited to join the dynamic team at the Greater Brighton Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Board,” said Cummings. “I found my affection for Chamber life about ten years ago through the Brighton Chamber and am excited to return to Brighton in a position to help this entity forge a bright and progressive future.”
Wagoneers News
Monday, May 10, 2021
Wyatt Wilcox The Wagoneers 4-H Club met on Monday, May 10, 2021. Unfinished Business Discussed: Southeast Weld County Fairgrounds Clean Up – The two weekends of May 15 & 16, and June 12 & 13, are the available days that you can volunteer to help keep the SEWC Fairgrounds nice and clean. New Business Discussed: Record Book Reviews for Livestock Projects – 4-H and FFA members with livestock projects will have to complete interviews to show at the Weld County Fair and the Southeast Weld County Fair. At the interview, members must bring their up–to–date record books about the project. Below are the dates and locations where you can complete your interviews (Note: These are subject to change): Thursday, June 24, 3 – 6 PM at the KM Cup. Tuesday, June 29, 4 – 6 PM at the Briggsdale School Ag Shop. Wednesday, June 30, 3 - 6 PM at the Southeast Weld County Fairgrounds. Thursday, July 1, 8 AM – 12 PM in Ault, TBD. Tuesday, July 6, 3 – 7 PM at Island Grove Park in Greely. Graduating Seniors – Congratulations to Ben Swieter and Elizabeth Spayd!!
Park Hill Dental 100 S. Main Keenesburg www.ParkHillDental.com
Take ACTION For Your Tooth and Gum Health. Dr. Thomas Croghan has been serving Southeast Weld county with pride since 2005. We are a full-service general dental office where your dental needs are addressed in a welcoming, professional setting.
We look forward to meeting you and caring for your oral health!
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June 2, 2021
Colorado Launches $5M Sweepstakes to Persuade People to Get a COVID Vaccine. Here’s How it will Work. Colorado is following in the footsteps of Ohio, where a vaccine drawing helped drive a surge in people getting inoculated against COVID-19
Jesse Paul, Colorado Sun You can gamble on contracting COVID-19 or you can get vaccinated and enter a chance to win $1 million. Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday unveiled the Colorado Comeback Cash Vaccine Drive, a coronavirus vaccine sweepstakes program aimed at boosting the state’s plateauing inoculation rates, especially in parts of the state where the disease is still raging. There will be five, $1 million drawings with winners announced on consecutive Fridays starting June 4. (The final announcement is on a Wednesday.) There will be one winner each week. People cannot win twice. Polis estimates that there is a 1 in 500,000 chance of winning the sweepstakes. About 2.5 million Coloradans — or about 59% of the state’s population — had received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of Tuesday. “If you have been delaying plans to get vaccinated or are still on the fence, now is the time to swing big. It could transform your life,” Polis said. “This is $1 million, cash in the barrel that you can use today. Buy a new home. Take that vacation. Take six months off. Do
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whatever you like. One million dollars goes a long way.” Here’s how it will work: Everyone who has received at least a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine in Colorado and is a resident will be eligible for the prize. People should receive at least one vaccine dose by June 30 to be entered into the last drawing on July 7, which is a Wednesday. To be entered into the first drawing, people should get vaccinated by June 1. Getting fully vaccinated multiple times would not increase someone’s chances of winning. The drawing will be handled by the Colorado Lottery, and winners will be contacted and asked if their personal health information can be used to award them the prize. State officials know who is inoculated because of the ColoLincoln Community Hospital registered nurse Deanne rado Immunization InformaKahler of Hugo draws a Moderna covid-19 vaccine dose during a vaccination clinic at the hospital in Hugo on tion System. Wednesday, Feb. 24 2021. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Winners can decline to claim Colorado Sun) their prize, “but you’d be pretty foolish not to,” Polis said. The program mimics a nearly identical “Vax-a-Million” initiative in Ohio. That state saw a surge in vaccinations after its governor announced a plan to offer five $1 million drawings for those who have received at least a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. More than 2.7 million people have signed up for Ohio’s vaccine giveaway. Several other states have tried to replicate Ohio’s success, including New York and Maryland. Colorado consulted with Ohio as it sought to launch its own vaccine sweepstakes initiative. The Colorado Attorney General’s Office also helped the Polis administration form the program. Colorado’s initiative is explicitly not a lottery, because a lottery is something you buy into. It’s a sweepstakes — or something you enter into. The award money is coming from the CARES Act, the federal coronavirus stimulus bill passed in March 2020. “This is money that would have otherwise gone toward Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announces a $5 million sweepadvertising and marketing,” stakes for people who are vaccinated against COVID-19. He was speaking at the governor’s mansion in Denver on Polis said. “We feel this compliments some of the advertisTuesday, May 25, 2021. (Jesse Paul, The Colorado Sun) ing and outreach that we’re doing and will generate even more interest in the vaccine than if we had simple spent this money on television commercials.” Coloradans must be at least 18 years old at the time they win the sweepstakes to be eligible. The winnings are subject to taxes. Jennifer Anderson, deputy executive director of the Colorado Lottery, said all vaccine providers in the state have to provide information to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on who they’ve vaccinated, including their phone numbers and addresses. She expressed confidence that anyone who has been inoculated will automatically be entered into the sweepstakes. A random number will be attached to each vaccinated person through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Lottery will select the winning number. A scholarship program is being set up for Coloradans ages 12 to 17 who are vaccinated. An estimated 70% to 80% of Coloradans must be vaccinated in order for the state to reach herd immunity. The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers Colorado people, places and issues. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com
June 2, 2021
Page 11
Lost Creek Guide
Northern Weld County to be Placed Under Tighter Ozone Restrictions in EPA Reversal
All of Weld County will now come under tougher oil and gas and vehicle rules to tamp down the dangerous chemical
to the EPA said the agency didn’t appear to be accounting for the ozone-creating potential of oil and gas operations across the entire county. The decision also centered on an apparent geographic goof by the EPA, which had said the Cheyenne Ridge formation helped keep northern county pollutants out of the metro area. Environmental groups pointed out the ridge is actually farther north, on the border with Wyoming. The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers Colorado people, places and issues. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com
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Michael Booth, Colorado Sun The EPA has reversed itself and will now place northern Weld County and its extensive oil and gas operations inside the northern Front Range “nonattainment” zone for ozone standards, signaling tighter regulation on those creating the dangerous pollutant and handing a victory to a coalition of environmental groups and local officials. The decision also reverses the recommendation of the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission, which urged the EPA to exclude northern Weld from tougher rules in 2016. The EPA’s exclusion was called arbitrary last year by the U.S. Court of Appeals, and sent back to the agency for review along with about a dozen counties across the nation. Ozone is a respiratory-damaging ground chemical, also known as smog, created by a combination of volatile organic compounds released by the oil and gas industry, vehicle traffic, and hot sunshine. All or parts of nine Front Range counties have long been in that nonattainment area, requiring local governments to plan industry controls and vehicle restrictions to bring the area back below EPA limits. Advocates for Rocky Mountain National Park have also called for clearer Front Range skies, as pollution drifts west into the park. Ozone is a known contributor to asthma and other serious health problems. Environmental groups say putting northern Weld into the regulatory zone will require new controls on potentially thousands of oil and gas wells in the area. The current line for the nine-county nonattainment area currently stops at about Wellington, north of Fort Collins. “After state officials let the fracked gas and oil industry pollute our beautiful Colorado skies with asthma-causing smog for more than a decade, it’s refreshing to see the Biden EPA stand up to them,” said Robert Ukeiley, an environmental health lawyer at the Center for Biological Diversity. The EPA said it is sending the reversal back to Colorado officials and giving them 120 days to add to their arguments. “We just received EPA’s proposal and are in the process of developing our comments to EPA,” said Andrew Bare, spokesman for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s air pollution division. “Regardless of the final decision, our commitment to improving air quality and reducing air pollution along the Front Range and throughout the state remains steadfast.” The Weld County Attorney’s Office said through a spokesperson that it had received the EPA ruling and will make recommendations to the county commissioners. The EPA’s decision “will improve air quality and climate impacts for millions of Coloradans,” said Boulder County Commissioner Matt Jones, in an emailed statement. “This action will increase pollution controls at thousands of additional oil and gas sources.” Environmental groups, Boulder County Commissioners and other Front Range allies have argued for a continued ratcheting down of regulations on ozone-creating polluters. Scientists from the University of Colorado have measured air pollutants at locations like Boulder Reservoir and found the foothills geography traps pollution in high-population basins. Their studies show some of that pollution drifting down from Weld County and elsewhere. Wells in Adams, Boulder and Larimer counties and extensive highway traffic throughout the region also contribute to the problem. “Today’s announcement is a major victory for the future of Front Range communities and Rocky Mountain National Park. This crown jewel of Colorado is one of the most threatened parks in the nation from ground-level ozone, visibility-impairing haze and climate change, all consequences of oil and gas development in Weld County and beyond,” said Tracy Coppola, Colorado program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association, in an emailed statement. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decision last year to send northern Weld’s status back
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Report: $500 Million Investment into PERA Could Save Colorado Taxpayers Millions
By Brianna Kraemer | The Center Square contributor (The Center Square) — A one-time investment into Colorado’s Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) using funds from the state’s increased revenue could mean substantial long-term savings for taxpayers over the next decade, according to a new report from Common Sense Institute (CSI). In 2018, legislative reform put the retirement program on an improved financial path by committing an $225 million a year from the state into the association, but it also increased contribution rates for employees and taxpayers, the report from the free enterprise think tank noted. Due to state issues including a missed payment of $225 million, state residents and public employees will now be forced to provide a combined additional 2% to make up the loss, the report explained. This will also affect PERA retirees whose benefits will slow by .5%, amounting to a $180 million additional cost annually, according to the report. CSI partnered with the Pension Integrity Project at the Reason Foundation and Secure Futures Colorado to examine the benefits of the state providing $500 million up front so association members and taxpayers don’t have to bear the cost, at least for the next 10 years. The state would also benefit from the move as long as their annual investment returns stayed around 6%, the report said. “Colorado has a unique opportunity to make bold investments in its future,” said Chris Brown, CSI›s vice president of policy and research. “State leaders can use the recent surge in both federal and state revenue, to save PERA member and Colorado taxpayers more than $870 million over the next decade.” State general fund revenues in 2022 are expected to grow by $936 million, which is where the extra funding would come from, along with an anticipated influx in federal financial assistance through the American Recovery Plan Act. If the state decided to proceed with the long-term investment, not only would Coloradans save $870 million with a fixed contribution rate for the next 10 years, but it would also improve the state’s financial outlook while simultaneously making up the missed $225 million payment that occurred in 2020, the report›s authors argued. “A one-time payment to PERA of $500 Million would have clear long-term benefits,” Brown continued. “By rolling back one of the recent rate increases charged to teachers, state workers and their employers, both taxpayers and public employees can save real money every year, all while improving the financial outlook of the state’s pension fund.” The report said the average teacher would save $267 per year and state employers would save $164.21 million over the next decade.
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HOW MUCH IS YOUR REFUND? Refund amounts are based on length of membership and amount of power used during the period retired. The longer you are a members, the larger your refund becomes.
Page 12
Lost Creek Guide
Wolf Reintroduction Effect on Colorado’s Ranchers and Farmers
Article by Madison Richmann This last November, Colorado voters passed proposition 114 to reintroduce gray wolves into Colorado. In 1940, wolf populations were removed from Colorado due to many concerns. Although this reintroduction may not affect the urban population that voted for the reintroduction, it will dramatically affect farmers and ranchers who had little say during the election due to small populations of their kind. Farmers and ranchers live in the rural areas in Colorado. These areas although have a smaller population meaning less votes when election time comes around. Proposition 114 has passed, and the process of the reintroduction will start promptly. Colorado should reconsider the reintroduction of gray wolves in the state due to danger for ranch and farm workers and visitors, risk of livestock harm, and financial hurt for farmers and ranchers. Wolves are not pets and are not domestic animals. A wolf sees a human as a threat, and thus could attack quite easily. The wolf reintroduction would take place around many farms and ranches. Although these areas have less population, wolves would still be threatening and dangerous to visitors and workers of these farms and ranches. Spencer McKee with Out There Colorado, uses the words, “deadly apex predator,” to describe wolves when discussing the danger they are to the state’s hikers. Farms and ranches can have hundreds of employees at a time, plus often have visitors. These visitors can include schools who are taking bus loads of young students to learn. One wolf can take out multiple people at a time, and one simply can not fight off a wolf. “...can reach 175 pounds and 5 to 7 feet of length…. canine teeth that reach an inch long, capable of biting down with more than 1,200 pounds of pressure.” McKee then goes on to say that these wolves can also run up to 30 miles per hour which would outrun any terrified human being. The reintroduction of wolves in Colorado is a misstep as it is putting hundreds of human lives at risk every day. Not only is a wolf not a pet, but they are predators, carnivores. This means that they live off of eating other animals, including pets and livestock. Metaphorically, a wolf will not simply stop an attack when they realize they are about to eat Farmer John’s precious milk cow, Betty, but instead will go through the entire barn eating Janice, Molly, and the rest of the farmer’s animals too. In a choice between a quick and sprightly elk, or a slow strolling cow, a wolf will choose what is easiest to hunt, the cow. Kevin and Jennifer Sweigert, out of Idaho, in 2014 lost their new baby colt to a wolf attack. The baby horse was, “killed on private property 98 yards from the house.” This shows how random these wolf attacks can be. According to ABC news, “43% of all confirmed livestock depredations by wolves occurred on private property.”The article also states that the attacks on pets will increase over time. Not only do farmers and ranchers have to worry about their cattle herds, sheep, horses, and other livestock, but their dogs and cats around their land too. Many farmers and ranchers have barn cats and herding dogs. These animals spend the majority of their life outdoors working, and won’t be kept inside all the time for safety against the wolves. A wolf could kill a small animal such as a dog in a short amount of time. The reintroduction of wolves is too much of a risk of injury and death upon livestock at farms and ranches. As a wolf kills even one cow, a rancher loses money. Farmers and ranchers put all of their money into their livestock, and in return they make their salary upon a successful year in the livestock business. Wolf attacks could and will ruin this. According to the Colorado Cattle website, one cow can cost anywhere between two hundred dollars and a thousand dollars depending on breed, size, time of year, and a few other factors too. Imagine spending one thousand dollars on a cow and a wolf comes to your ranch and kills it. There is not a doubt that farmers and ranchers would be angered by the money loss they felt due to wolves. Not only can a wolf create financial issues with killing livestock, but can turn away visitors and workers who do not want to risk their life, which also causes much financial damage. Farmers may also see that wolves are tearing up their fields to get to the livestock. Corn fields, wheat fields, and other crop fields sometimes have to be crossed by wolves to get to areas of prey. Farmers and ranchers will see great financial loss with the reintroduction of gray wolves into Colorado. I interviewed a rancher out of Kremmling, Colorado, Rick Wahl about how the reintroduction of wolves will affect him and his way of life. At the beginning of the interview Mr. Wahl said, “I believe there is a place for everything, wolves, lions, people, etc,” however he agrees with me when saying that reintroducing gray wolves to Colorado will do more harm than good. He goes on to say, “There were wolves here at one time, they were eradicated for a reason.” The rancher explains that these wolves are pack animals, destructive, and kill a lot. For the Wahl family, who makes a living off of raising cattle and hunters coming to their property for elk and deer hunts, the reintroduction will have a huge impact on them. Wolves could kill their cattle herds very quickly, and will kill the elk and deer populations that are hunted as well. Financially, this will be very difficult for the Wahl’s and other ranchers in the area. Losing cattle will be a big money loss, but the money lost when hunters stop coming to their ranch will be even greater. Leasing out to hunting outfitters will stop when the wolf population kills the entire elk and deer herds, and there is nothing left to hunt. The Wahl’s, and other ranchers are not the only ones going to lose money in this situation. The state will lose money by not selling as many hunting licenses, hotel rooms, gas, hunting supplies, and much more that hunters spend an incredible amount of money on. Mr. Wahl explains that he feels that areas such as Boulder and Denver should not have gotten a vote on something that will not affect them. Urban area voters do not understand nor see the impact that the reintroduction of wolves will have on some, yet they still got to vote and pass proposition 114. Mr. Wahl explains the situation by explaining that if the wolves were placed in the middle of Denver, or Boulder where the urban livers who voted on proposition 114, how many problems there would be. He says that the reintroduction never would have passed if the wolves were to be placed in their home, but it is okay since it will be placed in others. Although populations are not as large in the areas where wolves will be seen, there is more livestock, and there are still people
June 2, 2021
trying to make a living there. They do not understand ranchers’ way of life, nor do they live where the wolves will be placed. “Majority of the urban population are the ones dictating what happens to rural people trying to make a living. It is us farmers and ranchers feeling the impact.” Clearly, the reintroduction of gray wolves in Colorado will have a negative impact on farmers and ranchers, such as Rick Wahl and his family. One might argue that the benefits outweigh the losses with the reintroduction of wolves. However, I will attest that farmers and ranchers are a huge part of the United States and the Colorado economy. These people are essential workers, who get food into the grocery stores so that the general population can eat. These wolves will be harming the workers who do so, threatening the livestock that creates food, and making it very financially difficult for ranches and farmers to continue their lifestyle. Some of the benefits that are seen to reintroducing wolves into Colorado include recreating the natural balance in the ecosystem. According to the CU news, “Other potential benefits from wolf reintroduction are similar to those we see in Yellowstone, where wolves reduced the elk population and changed their behavior, resulting in a trophic cascade of improvements to ecosystem health and a return of biodiversity,” when talking about the benefits of the reintroduction of gray wolves. In my opinion, yes wolves would reduce the populations of elk and deer, but there is not a problem with these populations being at higher capacity. For 80 plus years, Colorado has not seen a wolf on its land, and the ecosystem has thrived. Elk and bear population numbers have risen, but in return more hunting licenses are being issued. This is a financial problem too. Hunting licenses and other hunting expenses are a huge part of Colorado’s income for not only the state but for ranchers, farmers, and large outfitters too. Hunters would not be interested in elk and deer anymore because they would not be available, the wolves would kill them all off. This is also a problem because if hunters did continue to hunt the populations, deer and elk could potentially become endangered. The natural balance of ecosystems has changed for the better within the eighty some years that Colorado has been wolf free. There have been no major problems due to not having wolves present in the state, so why change that and cause unneeded harm and pain to farmers and ranchers, and others dramatically affected by this change. The reintroduction of gray wolves would not benefit Colorado, but instead would do much damage. In November, the Colorado voters may not have seen the distress that these wolves could cause the state and the people living here. Voters that were for proposition 114 will not be directly affected by the reintroduction because wolves will not be placed in urban areas and areas of high population. The urban population will not directly see the harm, but needs to understand the risks associated with reintroducing a species that has not been seen for such a long period of time. Colorado should reconsider the reintroduction of gray wolves in the state due to danger for ranch and farm workers and visitors, risk of livestock harm, and financial hurt for farmers and ranchers. Colorado must advocate for the farmers and ranchers, and put an end to the unwholesome, disadvantageous, and dangerous decision to reintroduce gray wolf populations to the state.
Denver Submits Second-Highest Reimbursement Claims for Homeless Services
By Robert Davis | The Center Square contributor (The Center Square) — Denver has submitted the second-highest sum of federal reimbursement requests for costs related to housing, testing, and vaccinating people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic, according to a new report. In total, Denver has requested over $110 million in reimbursements, according to a report by Grist, a left-leaning environmental news organization. The funds are being disbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under a program initiated by former President Donald Trump. The program was initially designed to cover 75% of the cost of providing COVID-19 services to homeless people. Once President Joe Biden was sworn into office, the total reimbursement was raised to 100%. Data from Denver’s Board of Public Health and Environment shows that the funds have translated into just over one-quarter of Denver’s homeless population being vaccinated. As of April 8, Denver has vaccinated 1,411 people experiencing homelessness compared to the city’s total homeless population of 4,171, according to the city’s latest count. The city also combatted over 1,000 cases of COVID-19, only 15 of which resulted in a loss of life. A total of 27.1% of cases among people experiencing homelessness resulted in hospitalizations compared to only 8% of people who were not homeless. According to Grist, over $600 million in reimbursement requests have come from just four municipalities through April 7: Los Angeles County, Calif.; Denver County, Colo.; Cook County, Ill.; and King County, Wash. However, many metropolitan areas that have the highest per-capita homeless populations didn’t request reimbursements, the report found. For example, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. all did not file requests even though the metro areas have three of the top-four highest concentrations of homelessness per 10,000 residents. Meanwhile, metro areas such as Boston, Los Angeles, and Seattle filed reimbursement requests, even though per-capita homelessness in some of the cities is much less. New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. combine to average 94.8 homeless residents per 10,000 housed residents, according to data from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development. Boston, Los Angeles, and Seattle average 72.8 homeless residents per-10,000, even though Boston alone averages 93.2 per-10,000.
June 2, 2021
Lost Creek Guide
Biden’s Free Community College Plan Would Present Big Opportunities, New Challenges for Colorado
By Jason Gonzales, Chalkbeat As a counselor, Matthew Miltenberg hears from some of his Poudre High School students that college isn’t right for them. Those students have come to believe that, even before they reach high school, he said. With the announcement of President Joe Biden’s proposal to make community college free nationwide, however, Miltenberg sees a path to help students at the Fort Collins high school visualize college in their future. “There are a lot of students that would be a good fit for community college but have sort of internalized the expenses and student loan debt and all of these different messages, some accurate and some not,” Miltenberg said. Biden’s $1.8 trillion American Families Plan proposes increasing taxes on high-earning Americans in order to invest in areas including child care, pre-kindergarten and community college. The plan seeks to award Two masked nursing students, Jade Prophet, left, and Cami states $109 billion to proGardetto, stand at a monitor in a nursing simulation classvide two years of free comroom at Colorado Northwestern Community College. Presimunity college, including dent Joe Biden has proposed making community college free for undocumented stufor two years for all students. Matt Stensland for Chalkbeat dents who were brought to the United States as children. The proposal would pave the way to free community college for millions of students in states, territories, and tribes. Biden also has called for investing over $80 billion in Pell Grants, which provide federal college aid for low-income students. Advocates and state officials agree the proposal would broaden access to college in Colorado and the nation. Biden’s proposal would allow students to use the Pell Grant federal aid for expenses other than tuition such as housing, food, and books. The change would bring with it challenges that many other states with free two-year higher education programs have faced, such as how to ensure an influx of students can succeed in college. Jane Oates, who advocates for strengthening the workforce, said she’s optimistic about what free community college will do for the country, but still worries about the challenges that prevent college students from earning degrees. Nationally, community colleges graduate only about a third of their students and have tighter budgets than those of larger four-year institutions. “We have not done a good job in terms of making free K-12 equitable,” said Oates, president of the nonprofit WorkingNation. “So, if we give every community college the same dollar amount to serve their students, we’re going to have the same problem we have with inequity in K-12.” That is, it costs more to educate students from low-income, immigrant or highly mobile families than it does to teach middle-class students. To address those inequities, Biden’s American Families Plan also includes $62 billion to boost completion and retention rates at community colleges and institutions that serve students from disadvantaged communities. In Colorado, as in the rest of the nation, the coronavirus crisis has led to a sharp decline in community college enrollment, especially among students of color and from lowincome backgrounds. Last fall Colorado’s community college enrollment among first-generation students declined 16% and Pell Grant-eligible students dropped 14% from the previous year. Even before the pandemic, community college enrollment had fallen since 2011. Colorado Community College Chancellor Joe Garcia said free community college opens up opportunities to all Coloradans. “For students who are low income who think college isn’t for me because they’ve been hearing their whole life that it is too expensive, now they’ll hear it’s free. And they’ll ask, ‘Why shouldn’t I go?” Garcia said. In other states, free programs helped focus attention and money on community colleges. In Tennessee, which has offered free two-year college since 2011, enrollment levels have mostly remained steady while they fell elsewhere, and the college graduation rate rose. Miltenberg said free community college enables students to visualize their goals with fewer obstacles in their way. Free college credentialing programs in the Fort Collins-area have helped his students, he said. “I think we’re going to get a lot more kids to buy in early and really see value in the education in high school and then beyond,” Miltenberg said. Nonetheless, free doesn’t guarantee success. At Tennessee’s colleges, even with the free two-year program, low-income students and students of color have lagged behind peers in graduation rates despite a required mentoring program. The same issues persisted when the state opened up its program to adults. Many students still faced challenges such as food and housing insecurity. Garcia said Biden’s plan will entice states to focus on students with the least resources and historically with the least access to college. Garcia wants Colorado to focus on getting students to earn a credential or degree to lead to a better job and life. “The last thing we want to do is just enroll students,” Garcia said. “We actually want to help students graduate. If they come and spend a year or two with us, but don’t get a degree or credential, it’s hard to argue that we’ve helped them.”
Page 13
Candidate, Campaign, and Advocacy Training Programs
“The Advance Colorado New Leader Program is the perfect opportunity for individuals seeking a leadership role at the local or state level, the boardroom, the classroom or within their own neighborhood. New Leaders will take part in a 5-week program designed to motivate and sharpen the fundamental skills all leaders need to succeed. Participants will learn from and engage with a host of subject matter experts who can help promote leaders to the highest level of competence. New Leaders will also be given the opportunity to network with experts and elected officials who have seen the good, weathered the storms and achieved success at all levels of leadership. At the conclusion of the 5-week program, New Leaders will be given access to a rich library of resources to continue on their road to success as well as become part of a robust network that will encourage and support them throughout their leadership journey.” Presenters for this program include former Colorado Governor Bill Owens, Colorado Rising Action Executive Director Michael Fields, Maybell Group Principal Katie Behnke, Colorado Republican Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown, political consultant Dick Wadhams, and former Deputy Secretary of State Suzanne Taheri. You can apply for the next class (begins August 23) here: https://advancecolorado.org/. There is NO COST for this training program. Acceptance to the program is limited. Accelerate www.friends4colorado.com Executive Director: Former State Representative Lois Landgraf “A 6-month program, Accelerate will be a development and training school for limited government, free market, conservative people looking to make a difference in their communities, counties, and statewide. People who wish to run campaigns are also invited and welcome to apply. Students will be able to interact with experts and elected officials from every level of government to be able to hear real world experiences during the campaign process. At the end of the 6-month program, students in Accelerate will have all the tools necessary to run a successful campaign. We will teach students the nuts and bolts of how to run for office and the issues they must take into consideration. By the end of the program, each student will have an actionable Campaign Plan, ready to be implemented.” You can request an application for the next class here: https://www.friends4colorado.com/ contact. The cost of this training program is $750 for the course. Acceptance to the program is limited. Engage to Win https://engage2win.org Founder: Melanie Sturm “E2W provides skill-based persuasion training in three formats including interactive group workshops, facilitated retreats, or individual coaching sessions. E2W can develop customized issue-oriented messaging that helps you master even the most complex issues for your website or other written communications -- on any topic or goal, drawing your audience closer to your perspective, and your objective. We can develop your talking points and craft your spoken communications. We can prepare you to be your best most persuasive self while avoiding inartful pitfalls.” E2W offers customized persuasive messaging and interview/campaign/speech preparation. To set up a training, contact Lynette Lacerda at 970-688-0890 or online here: https://engage2win.org/#connect2. Half day of training is $2800, and a full day of training is $5100. E2W also charges “reasonable travel costs” to your location. America First Republicans https://americafirstrepublicans.us President: Former Congressional Candidate Casper Stockham “America First Republicans is a training, support and advocacy platform for Grassroots Conservative candidates who are not getting the help and support they need to run for public office and win! We are NOT a new political party; we just make political parties work better! We will locate, train, and support all AFR pledge candidates! We will conduct FREE outreach events, training and workshops in the communities! We will fight for our God given constitutional rights and keep America First!” AFR offers a variety of classes for candidates (often partnering with other organizations), listed here: https://americafirstrepublicans.us/events/. The cost for this training program varies. Youth Federalist Initiative https://www.yfi1776.com Founders: Kawika Berthelette, Evan Underwood, and Austin Rollison “We offer real world political knowledge and experience to the future leaders of American communities. Youth today are lacking the foundational knowledge and tools to be positive contributors to their communities. Using our unique combination of experience and knowledge we provide youth with the tools to positively affect their communities. They will receive real world experience and guided learning so they can become effective future political leaders.” YFI offers a variety of classes, listed here: https://www.yfi1776.com/upcoming-events. The cost for this training program varies. Local Government Project https://i2i.org/local-gov/ Director: Kathleen Chandler, Coalition and Future Leaders Program Manager for the Independence Institute “We all want to turn our country around. But we all can’t run for office or give as much money as we’d like to the people and causes we love. So what can we do? You can turn the tables by investing a few hours a month giving back to your local community. Whether you’re a millennial or a retiree, we need your help! If you volunteer your time on a board or committee, you will have credibility/authority to speak into many issues. As a member of a board or committee you will be heard – you have a captive audience. We will teach the skills you will need to apply for local positions and to serve as an effective leader. The training includes: talk about the board/commission application process, learn what to expect once you are on a board, offer support as you serve your community. Our training classes also teach you how to put your own initiatives up for a vote – or at the very least fight the overreach of government through the ballot box.” Find the dates of the next class and register here: https://i2i.org/local-gov/. This training program is FREE. Extra Trainings: Leadership Institute online Campaign Academy courses (cost is minimal): https://www.leadershipinstitute.org/Training/?Training=Campaign Hillsdale College free online courses in the Constitution and U.S. Government: https://www. hillsdale.edu/educational-outreach/free-online-courses/ NOTE: Inclusion on this list of available programs is not an endorsement by the Colorado GOP of all statements made or actions taken by any organization or training program. The purpose of this list is to provide information for future candidates and county parties, and all are encouraged to conduct their own research before choosing a program to recommend or enroll in.
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The Denver Metro is Getting a New Area Code Next Year
Lost Creek Guide
Starting in 2022, people in regions with a 303 or 720 area code may be assigned the new number: 983
Thy Vo, Colorado Sun All current phone customers can keep their existing phone numbers and area codes. Starting in April 2022, people requesting new telephone service, or to move their service, may be assigned the new area code. The change comes as Colorado’s population has exploded, with the state adding 1.5 million people over the last two decades. Most of that growth has been along the Front Range. The 983 area code is expected to provide new phone numbers for about 25 years, according to the PUC. This brings to five the number of Colorado area codes. The 303 and 720 area codes cover north-central Colorado, including the Denver metro area. Colorado hasn’t had a new area code since 1998, when the 720 area code was introduced. The 303 area code served the entire state from 1947 to 1988. The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers Colorado people, places and issues. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com Derya Senol photographs a Colorado columbine with her iPhone on the Shadow Pine trail in Flying J Ranch Park near Conifer. Columbines normally blossom in early June, but can be found all summer long at varying elevations. Wildflower viewing opportunities abound along trails in the Open Space and Mountain Parks near Denver. (Dean Krakel, Special to The Colorado Sun)
June 2, 2021
Report Shows Increased Need for Food Pantries, Food Banks, and Expansion of Colorado Agriculture Markets
The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), in partnership with the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) Colorado Proud program, has released the Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program final report. This report reflects the continued need for an emergency hunger relief network, food and fund donations from the public to food pantries and food banks, and importantly, highlights the value and food system realities of locally grown and raised Colorado foods. “We are a people-first organization,” said Ki’i Powell, director of the Office of Economic Security at CDHS. “This grant program allowed hundreds of food pantries to provide food to tens of thousands of Colorado families and individuals. We are proud of the work done, the families fed, and the opportunities it brought to support our neighbors who raise food here.” “A vital part of our mission at the Colorado Department of Agriculture is to advance Colorado agriculture. The Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program has been another opportunity to do just that,” said Kate Greenberg, commissioner of Agriculture. “Helping our neighbors who have been financially impacted by the pandemic access quality, fresh local food produced by our state’s farmers and ranchers is a win-win, and we are proud to have been part of the program.” In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 20-1422 to assist Coloradans in need with food relief. This bill provided $600,000 for CDHS to administer grants to food banks and food pantries across the state. The need for food banks and food pantries has risen exponentially through the pandemic, with recent polls showing that food insecurity has nearly tripled in communities across the state of Colorado since the start of the pandemic. 123 pantries received grants, representing urban, rural and frontier communities across Colorado. The two primary purposes of the funding were: • To aid Colorado food pantries and food banks in the purchase of food for those in need statewide, which has expanded significantly as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency. • To create new market opportunities for Colorado’s agricultural producers, in alignment with the Colorado Recovery Plan. More than $372,000, or at least 62 percent, of dollars were spent on Colorado Proud brand, or goods that were grown, raised or produced in Colorado; most coming directly from a producer. Seventy-seven percent of pantry clients surveyed agreed that it was “Very Important” or “Somewhat Important” that the food they received was produced in Colorado. In general, more than 90 percent of Colorado consumers, if products were otherwise the same, would choose the product of Colorado origin if the product was identified as being from Colorado. One grantee said, “We used grant funding to purchase meat from a Colorado Proud member. The meat allowed us to round-out our nutritional offerings and supplement the fresh produce, dairy, and shelf-stable foods we were already providing to families in need.” And another talked about the sharp increase in need at food pantries in the state: “Due to the pandemic, we served over seven times more people in 2020 than we did in 2019, and this grant funding helped us to meet this increase in need. Grant dollars supported the purchase of Colorado meats for our brick-and-mortar food pantry and our new mobile food pantry that launched in response to the COVID pandemic. We served over 44,000 people and provided over 1.2 million meals in 2020.” Find the full report and a letter from leadership on the CDHS website. The Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program provided $600,000 for the Colorado Department of Human Services to administer grants to food banks and food pantries across the state. More information can be found at cdhs.colorado.gov/food-pantry-assistance-grant-program. The Colorado Department of Agriculture represents one of the state’s leading industries. With more than 38,000 farms encompassing nearly 32 million acres, and providing more than 195,000 jobs, the industry contributes more than $47 billion to the state’s economy annually. Colorado ranks in the top 10 nationally for production of a variety of agricultural products. Colorado Proud is a program of the Colorado Department of Agriculture that promotes food and agricultural products grown, raised or made in Colorado. The program’s 3,300 members include growers, processors, schools, restaurants and retailers statewide.
June 2, 2021
Page 15
Lost Creek Guide
SERVICE DIRECTORY Computer Support Repair, Service & Sales Reliable, Local, Professional
Roggen Telephone Company
303-849-5260
Thomas J Croghan DDS Family Dental Practice
Appointments: 303-377-8662 Appointments Available in Keenesburg and Denver
New Patients Welcome
Assistance for Roggen, Keenesburg, Prospect Valley, & Hudson Call to Request Assistance
303-732-4319
Self Storage
1401 County Road 153 Strasburg, CO 80136
Phone: (303) 622-4142
Managers: Garold & Geraldine Middlemist
Family Medical Care for All Ages
Keene Clinic
190 So. Main St., Keenesburg
303-732-4268
DOHERTY’S PLUMBING AND DRAIN Plumbing, Drain Cleaning, Water Heater Replacement Video sewer inspection Sewer & drain locating
COMPLETE HVAC SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE
303-859-9126
First Baptist Church, Keenesburg, Food Pantry
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry
Open Mon. - Fri. 8am - 5pm
Open every third Saturday 9 am to 12 pm 100 North Market Street, Keenesburg For emergency needs, please contact 720-480-6428 or email us at: http:// www.fbca.church
Donations are welcome to help us defeat hunger in our community
HELP WANTED Out of work? Need additional income? Established 30 year company, not a scam Candy 970-768-0837 ctannehill412@gmail.com
SERVICES Dave Haney Painting & Dry Wall Interior - Exterior Cabinets, Fence Staining Located in Platteville 720-217-2089 McCarthy Trucking Recycled asphalt, concrete Great for driveways & parking areas. Also sand & gravel. Reasonable Prices Call Kevin for free quote 303-901-5034
Creixer Farming Services Offering various custom farming services • Ground tillage/seedbed preparation • Planting with satellite technology • Wheat Harvesting Decades of experience. We do good work and we stand by it.
Please, call Craig at 970–467–1284
Local Colorado Information On Line
Go to: www.ourtowncolorado.com
Being an independent insurance agency, we have relationships with dozens of insurance companies, allowing us to ind you coverage tailored to you and your company’s speciiic needs.
Services: Auto, Home, Business, Workers Comp, Life, Farm, Disability, Annuities, Wills, Renters, Dwelling Fires, Condos
Page 16
Lost Creek Guide Memorial Day May 31st, 2021
Remember and Honor our Heroes
American Legion Post #180 Keenesburg, Colorado Hosted by the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and with Jolene Arnold as Master of Ceremonies, American Legion Post 180, Keenesburg, Colorado held its annual Memorial Day Remembrance Day Celebration. Jolene Arnold welcomed everyone. Mark Kauffman led the prayer and shared some remembrances. Melissa Flaherty sang the Star-Spangled Banner. American Legion Post members did a flag folding demonstration, with Jolene Arnold explaining each of the thirteen folds. The American Legion Honor Guard gave a 21-gun salute with Dean Klingensmith proving the cannon salute. A good community turnout followed by Steve Arnold prepared hamburgers and fixings provided by the American Legion Auxiliary. God Bless our veterans who are still with us and those that have gone before. God Bless America.
2 PERSON TEAMS (Cancellation Scoring) WINNING TEAM GETS 50% OF ENTRANCE FEES
ENTRANCE FEES
HUDSON MEMORIAL PARK June 10th, July 8th, August 12th & September 9th 6:00 pm-8:30 pm Teams of two can be anyone! Couples, co-workers, chamber members… doesn’t matter, just make sure you are ready for a great time outside and that your throwing arms are ready! Register today! Food, soda and water provided. Brought to you by the South East Weld Chamber and the following sponsors:
CHAMBER MEMBER $30 PER TEAM NON-CHAMBER $40 PER TEAM You must pre-register your team by email. You will be contacted for payment once you have registered.
FOOD AND Deadline to enter is the Thursday WATER/POP WILLprior. Be at the before 5:50pm or lose BEPark AVAILABLE your slot! To Register, email: SEWCCornhole@gmail.com To become a Chamber Member visit the SEWCC Website: https://southeastweldchamber .wpcomstaging.com
June 2, 2021