April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
“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”
Town of Keenesburg Annual Easter Egg Hunt 2023 at Schey Park
Fort Morgan Chamber of Commerce 2023 Annual Meeting
The Fort Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce (FMACC) held its 104th annual meeting on Thursday, March 16th, 2023. Members of the FMACC were invited to learn about the Chamber’s success over the last year, plans for growth in the coming year, and enjoy the opportunity to network.
The event was hosted at the McDonald Automotive C.D.J.R. Showroom in Fort Morgan Colorado. Over 100 members of the chamber and the community attended the Happy Hour event. Guests enjoyed craft cocktails from After Hours Cocktail Bar, wine samplings from Country Road Vines & Wines, and a gourmet Mac & Cheese bar from Zazzy Cafe sponsored by Allo Communications.
In addition to the food, drinks, and networking, guests had the opportunity to enter and win door prizes donated by The Flower Petaler, McDonald Automotive, Morgan Lanes, The Queen Lounge, Zazzy Cafe, & Mosqueda Delicacies.
FMACC Executive Director Andrew Stieb kicked off the event by thanking sponsors McDonald Automotive, Allo Communications, & the City of Fort Morgan. Outgoing chamber board members Karissa Shulte, Donna Shaver, and Josh Gibbs were recognized for their time and dedication to the chamber during their terms. Mr. Stieb also introduced the 2023 Board and Executive Officers: Board President Jennifer Halligan, Vice President Gloria Mosqueda, Past President Deb Elrick, Secretary Kelley Murkins, Treasurer Shelly Bristol, and board members Breanna Wommack & Sandi Garcia.
Mr. Stieb continued on with a financial overview and breakdown of the FMACC’s 2022 year. The Chamber boasted a gross income of more than $93,000.00 and credited its financial success to elevated events/fundraising, increased membership, and the use of grant dollars. Since 2019 the FMACC increased its annual revenue by 80% and increased its membership by 64% boasting 102 members as of March 16th, 2023.
The FMACC’s strategic plan outlined goals to Further provide value to members, Advance outreach & communication, and continue to Grow our membership.
Mr. Stieb shared a message of hope and prosperity for the 2023 year and beyond saying “The chamber has risen from the ashes and shown that the future of our community will include the Fort Morgan Chamber as an active leader!”
Following the annual report was the annual awards ceremony. Historically the FMACC has awarded the Citizen of the Year and Business of the year. This Year the chamber added an Ambassador of the Year award and The Gene Doty Legacy award and brought back the recognition of past Chamber Presidents.
Four Past Presidents were honored and recognized for their dedication & service to the Chamber. In recent times the Chamber experienced some of its lowest points but under the leadership of these Presidents, the Chamber survived and thrived. Those Past Presidents honored included Jamie Quint, Dr. Curt Freed, Sandi Garcia, and Deb Elrick.
Deb Elrick was awarded Ambassador of the Year in recognition of her exceptional dedication and commitment to promoting the Chamber’s mission and values. Deb earned the highest amount of points from all the FMACC ambassadors in the last year. Included with her award was a gift card to The Mav Kitchen & Tap House and an outing for two to the Cover 4 Theatre.
The FMACC’s Citizen of the Year Award was given to Jason Labonte in recognition of his outstanding volunteerism and his significant contribution to the community during last year’s Home Town Takeover. Jason dedicated over 3 months of work and donated over $80,000 in woodworking to help beautify our community! Jason is the Fort Morgan Chamber of Commerce 2023 Annual Meeting with pictures continued on page 8 & 9...
MCC Recognizes Employees of the Year
Fort Morgan, CO 3/16/2023. Each year Morgan Community College (MCC) recognizes employees for their achievements in carrying out the college’s mission, vision, and guiding principles.
MCC has named George O’Clair as Faculty of the Year. O’Clair has been with MCC since 2009. He began his career as the Coordinator of the Cargill/MCC Workplace Education Program. Since 2019, he has been the faculty for the
WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE
Page 2: Way of the World
Page 3: United Power 2023 Annual Membership Meeting
Page 4: Brush Emporium & Pizzaporium New Business in Brush
Page 5: Wiggins School District News
Page 8 & 9: Fort Morgan Chamber of Commerce 2023 Annual Meeting Pictures
Page 14: Spring Fling in Morgan County
Page 15: Town of Keenesburg Seeking to fill two Trustee Positions
Page 16: Brush & Fort Morgan High School Sports
Thomas JeffersonPhoto credit: Lost Creek Guide and Town of Keenesburg Facebook page George O’Clair, Alyse Campbell, Jane Fries, & Tammy England Town of Keenesburg Annual Easter Egg Hunt 2023 at Schey Park continued pictures on page 3... MCC Recognizes Employees of the Year continued on page 10...
Way of the World
by Bob Grand, Lost Creek GuideAnother day, and nothing seems to change. The war goes on in Ukraine with horrific death totals on both sides. Washington continues to accomplish truly little to improve our overall quality of life, crime seems unabated, drug abuse continues at levels that are absurd, gangs seem to be running rampant throughout the country, illegal immigration continues its staggering cost to us, the taxpayers, and the economy, well ask yourself are you really better off today? This is not a problem that either national party can claim innocence in. The Republicans blame the extreme left Democrats, but you have to ask if the Democrats are so bad why do they win? They win because they are unified, good, bad, or indifferent, they work to win. Republicans almost seem to work to lose, and lose they have, example Colorado. I had the opportunity to speak with two senior Republican leaders in the state. I asked why you don’t focus on convincing the unaffiliated voters that the Republican core principles are what Colorado, and the country needs to get back to working on improving the quality of life of our citizens. Both seem to be bright people, but appear to have drunk the party kool aid. Both steadfastly said we have to first unify our party. I pointed out that on a state level if you got every Republican to vote for you it is not enough to win election to a statewide office. The unaffiliated have a significantly higher number of registered voters than either party. Even in Weld County the number of registered Republican voters continues to drop while the number of unaffiliated continues to grow. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out where this path will continue to take the Republicans even in Weld County. It is inexplicable to me that seemingly bright people keep their head buried in the sand. They and the ostrich must know something we do not.
The United States is supposed to be a nation built on our laws. The Supreme Court building in Washington has over its doors: “Equal justice for all”. It does not ask what color you are, what race or what party you are. Why then do we allow the politization of United States government, state, county, and local government employees to foster politically motivated activities. It is America and you, as an individual, have rights, as an individual, which you can choose to exercise, whether I or anybody else approves or not. That should not be true when you are doing it as part of your elected or a paid position as a government official or employee. You should do your job. Reminder about the “All being equal under the law”. I am tired of the abuse by government employees of this. They should be prosecuted under all applicable laws, if convicted should lose their job and pension. Unfortunately, we have become a society where it seems there are no consequences for anybody’s actions. This is a road to chaos and some of our cities are already there. We do not want to prosecute because it hurts the feelings of the poor perpetrators who have had a hard life. Well, the majority of folks are getting tired of this and there are a lot more of them than criminals or government employees. When will we, as citizens, wake up?
The Russian government financials are not looking very pretty. At the end of 2022 the Russian government forecasted a deficit for all of 2023 of about 2.4 trillion rubles, about $380 billion US. It looks like the first quarter of 2023 blew past that. Oil revenues were down 45% and state expenses were up 34%.
Another example where you do not have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that this is not sustainable. Rumors are now circulating that the past Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has been receiving covert funds from foreign powers to promote dissension among the Russian people. Not soon enough. If I were him or Vladimir Putin, I would not want to be walking past open hotel windows.
The United States is also facing a tough 2023 and 2024. The housing market is collapsing, the auto industry is facing very traumatic times, and retail sales continue to be depressed. Government jobs are continuing to grow but where are the jobs generating small businesses in America that have always been the strength of our country? The answer is they are not there anymore. Our next two years will be challenging, the toughest we have seen in a long time. Remember 2008?
To get us through this we need strong leadership at the national, state, county, and local levels. Not politicians with their heads in the sand. We should hold our officials accountable for what they do and perhaps more importantly what they do not do. They are supposed to work for us, the people. How has your quality of life been lately? Ask your elected or appointed official what they have done to make it better. The answer might disappoint you.
As always, your thoughts and comments are always appreciated: publisher@ lostcreekguide.com
United Power Connects 10,000th Rooftop Solar System
Co-op Members Double National Average in Solar Installations
Brighton, CO – On Saturday, United Power recognized Cory and Jaime Wagner of Keenesburg for connecting the utility’s 10,000th rooftop solar system. Rooftop solar has quickly become a preferred solution for electric utility customers who are looking to offset their regular energy usage with more renewable options. The growth rate for solar installations on United Power’s system has increased at a rapid pace over the last three years, placing the cooperative at the forefront in connected solar across electric utilities nationwide.
United Power has added more than 1,000 rooftop solar installations in less than eight months and doubled the number connected to its system in the last three years. Nearly 11% of United Power’s residential members now generate power from solar systems at their homes, which is higher than both the state and regional solar penetration averages and more than double the national average. The combined generation potential of these systems is approximately 62 megawatts (MW), which represents a significant part of the cooperative’s 600 MW peak.
“More than 5,000 residential solar systems have been connected to our grid since early 2020, demonstrating our members’ desire to make autonomous energy choices that fit their daily needs,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power’s President & Chief Executive Officer. “We are constantly working in our communities and behind the scenes to develop programs and processes that empower member choice as the energy landscape evolves.”
United Power Board members and cooperative leadership, along with Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA) President Mike Kruger, gathered Saturday to congratulate the Wagner family. United Power presented them with a prize package recognizing the achievement.”
““We are really excited to be in our first home, and happy to be generating our own solar power,” said Jaime Wagner. “Being a United Power member has been great. Once we got our system installed, United Power came right out and connected it, and we are ready to watch the panels start producing.”
United Power is proud to support a robust solar community and is committed to providing a member- friendly connection process. To ensure members like the Wagners realize the most value out of their solar systems, the cooperative offers additional resources like MyGen, an online tool where members can track their system’s production alongside energy use in their Power Portal account. For more information about going solar with United Power or to answer questions about how to size a solar system and choose a contractor, members may visit www.unitedpower. com/going-solar.”
““I’m excited to be here with United Power to celebrate the cooperative’s 10,000th residential solar member,” said Kruger. “It’s phenomenal how many of its members are generating solar power from their homes. United Power is beating large investorowned utilities, municipals, and other Colorado cooperatives in interconnected solar.”
Since powering Colorado’s first community solar farm – Sol Partners – in 2009, United Power has added five utility-scale solar farms and one of the state’s largest battery storage facilities. The solar farms generate a combined 50 MW, enough to power more than 10,000 homes. United Power’s energy portfolio also includes a 3.2 MW methane-capture project at the Erie Landfill. In recognition of these efforts, the cooperative was named one of COSSA’s 2022 Solar and Storage Champions. The cooperative continues to explore renewable and innovative energy projects with the greatest member benefits, including reliability, resiliency, and affordability.
“We appreciate the vision that the United Power community has put forth for a clean future and the ability to partner with them in that,” said Kruger. “I’m happy to celebrate today, and I think it’s a bright future for us all.””
Town of Keenesburg Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Beth Martin, United Power’s Board Chairman, and Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO, summarized the cooperative’s performance in 2022 with a video presentation. Last year, United Power reaffirmed its decision to exit its wholesale power contract in an effort pursue a more flexible, affordable, and reliable power supply. Over the course of the year, the cooperative achieved record-breaking reliability, and introduced its members to Our Cooperative Roadmap, an ever evolving plan outlining the co-op’s vision for maintaining its strength in a rapidly changing electric industry.
“No matter what the future holds, providing reliable electric service will always be at the core of our business,” said Martin. “We made great strides in 2022 – strengthening our system, improving reliability, and protecting our communities.”
“Wildfire danger is an element of risk United Power takes seriously, with a continuously updated fire mitigation plan designed to protect our members and communities. In 2022, the cooperative removed vegetation encroaching on approximately 40 miles of line; applied a fire retardant to more than 400 poles; and added red flag warning procedures, which are activated when suitable wildfire conditions are present.
United Power also continued to evaluate opportunities to expand its electric vehicle (EV) offerings for members in 2022. The cooperative energized its third fast charger, rolled out its United EV pilot program, and launched its EV wiring rebate.
Member Choice grants, which allow members to nominate local nonprofits to receive grant dollars from the cooperative, were renewed for a third year in 2022. Six organizations were selected from dozens of nominations to receive a total of $12,000 through the program.
“Underlying all of these accomplishments is a dedicated team of United Power employees working to ensure they meet your needs,” said Gabriel. “Over 180 cooperative employees show up every day ready to put you first. They keep our systems secure and strong, take pride in working safely, and make sure that our members’ needs are met.”
Keith Alquist, United Power’s Board Treasurer, presented the cooperative’s financials and reported another strong year. The finance team continues to receive compliments from auditors for their professionalism, completeness, and accuracy in preparing financial statements at year-end and on a monthly basis.
Gabriel concluded the business meeting with a presentation about the future of the electric industry. He highlighted the many ways the cooperative has already begun to proactively address the changing utility environment – from driving economic prosperity for its communities through tax revenue and job creation to how it is meeting the crucial needs of large business members. He also discussed local generation and self-generation as well as the technologies that work in conjunction with a robust electrical system that benefit the cooperative, its communities, and the members.
“A distribution utility like United Power stands at the crossroads of a changing energy industry and needs to transition from a simple distribution operator to managing a system that is agnostic to inputs and flexible enough to handle both centralized power and local generation,” he said.
Videos and information presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting, including the cooperative’s 2022 Annual Report, are available at www.unitedpower.com.”
Weld Central FFA at District Contests
The Weld Central FFA Chapter has been busy preparing for and competing at District Contests. On Monday, April 3rd, teams competed at the Fort Morgan Milk and Meat Judging Contest at Fort Morgan High School. The Meat Judging Team and Milk Judging Team both won 1st place for District XIV. Meat Judging Team members were Westin Barrows, Lela Prokop, Frederick Weisenborn, Max Riblett, Marcello Rossi, Cael Schellenberg, Rhett Peake, and John Howard. Westin Barrows was the High Individual for this contest. Milk Judging Team members were Eric Forbes, Peyton Witzel, Gracie Weber, Cole Rushfeldt, Auburn Thoene, and Makayla Hager.
United Power Hosted Annual Meeting on April 12
Douglas Wins East District Seat; Three Incumbents Re-elected
Brighton, CO – United Power hosted its 2023 Annual Meeting on April 12. Members were invited to attend the meeting in person at Riverdale Regional Park in Brighton or watch live on the cooperative’s website. Approximately 500 members and guests participated in this year’s meeting, which included a video recap highlighting accomplishments over the last year, an annual financial report, a presentation on the future of the cooperative, and the certification of the 2023 Director Election. Voting in the Director Election was conducted via mail-in and electronic balloting. The cooperative introduced electronic balloting in 2022 to provide members with a fast, secure, and convenient way to submit ballots and avoid delays in mail handling. Nearly 7,000 member ballots were cast in the election. Mountain District incumbent, Tamra “Tami” Waltemath, ran unopposed and will retain her seat with 5,918 votes. James Vigesaa received 1,960 votes winning the seat in the South District. Jamie Klein, Ken Kreutzer, and Katherine “Kathy” Mills received 1,271, 1,876, and 1,455 votes, respectively. In the West District, Virginia “Ginny” A. Buczek retained her seat after receiving 4,003 votes in this year’s election. Thomas “Tom” Hogan received 2,510 votes. Steven “Steve” Douglas received 3,614 votes to win the East District seat. Robert “Rob” Masden received 2,994 votes.
On Tuesday, April 11th, teams competed at the District CDE Contest at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling. Employment Skills, Livestock Judging, Floriculture, Horse Judging, Vet Science and Ag Sales Teams all received 1st place, Crop Judging received 3rd place and Ag Mechanics received 5th place. Employment Skills Team members were Garrett Hall and Charlotte Goodman. Garrett received High Individual. Livestock Judging Team members were Tanner Rupple, Hannah Auer, Kashley Hayden, Cydni Dudley, Gabby Graver, Alex Culp and Wyatt Gerkin. Floriculture Team members were Sydnee Klausner, Kayla Kitzman, Citlali Calixto, Addie Forbes and Olivia Hood. Horse Judging Team members were Bonnie Koehn, Kennedy Cardillo and Audrey Koehn. Bonnie received High Individual. Vet Science Team members were Cassidy Herman, Emily Spayd, Megan Hopp, Brielle Bange, Makayla Santos and LJ Rome. Ag Sales Team members were Camerin Langley, Aubree Klausner, Torrin Anderson, and Aaron Rodriguez. Camerin received High Individual. Crop Judging Team members were Gavin Kitzman, Briley Cale, Alexis Villela, Brayden Moser, Tayven Rupple, Alan Mazzotti, Austin Essig, and Pierce Thoene. Ag Mechanics Team members were Cody Bydalek and Keegan McWilliams.
Congratulations to all the FFA members for their hard work! State CDE’s are coming up on April 30th-May 2nd. Teams are coached by Sarah Madsen, Emma Curtis, Jess Nighswonger, Brook Nighswonger and Dylan Galligan.”
The Divided States of America
by Bill O’ReillySo, political war has broken out in America, an almost unique historical situation. Obviously, the Civil War was a traditional violent situation, so the national division over the Vietnam War comes closest to what we have now.
Both sides are adamant their opponents are corrupt and destructive. The Trump support cadres believe the former President is the victim of a dishonest justice system and media.
The anti-Trump legions think Trump himself is corrupt and has been destructive to the country.
There is no detente possible with the two positions, they are entrenched, and because there is no reliable messenger for “the truth” any longer, they will remain in stone.
The difference now from the Vietnam days is that a substantial number of Americans are solidly apathetic. With a dreaded draft in place back in the 1960s, ignoring politics was difficult.
Today it’s easy with all the high-tech addiction. Millions of Americans live in trivial bubbles where harsh realities are blocked with the swipe of a thumb.
The 2024 presidential vote will be a major turning point for this country. But getting there promises to be civically painful. The divided states of America are not going to forge a compromise anytime soon, and a major portion of the population doesn’t care anyway.
We’ll continue our fair and smart analysis of the Trump situation tonight on the No Spin News.
Unstoppable Women’s Business Conference Call for Presenters
NORTHERN COLORADO – On October 10, 2023, the Larimer SBDC, East Colorado SBDC, and Loveland Business Development Center will hold the 5th Annual Unstoppable Women’s Business Conference (formerly the NOCO Women’s Small Business Conference). We are excited to bring you a day of discovery and connections. Listen to dynamic female speakers as they discuss what makes an entrepreneur unstoppable. Last year’s event was a raving success, as we connected with over 300 local entrepreneurs and business leaders. We look forward to connecting with even more people this year.
There is so much talent in our region, and while we would like to showcase it all, there is limited time on our agenda. That is why the planning committee is opening a Call for Presenters. We seek speakers who relate to our theme: Educate, Empower, and Encourage. If you or someone you know would like to join us as a presenter, visit our conference website at bit.ly/unstoppablewbc to apply. The deadline to submit your application is May 17, 2023. We plan to reveal the selected presenters in the first week of July. You can find details on our website if you are interested in participating as an attendee or sponsor.
We are Dream Focused & Business Minded and are here to help existing and new businesses grow and prosper. Since 1989, the Larimer and EastCO Small Business Development Centers, part of the Colorado Network (SBDC), has been dedicated to helping existing and new businesses grow and prosper through quality training, free, confidential consulting, and referrals to needed resources. We support the growth and resiliency of small businesses in Northern Colorado. Our networks efforts provide entrepreneurs with crucial information that can mean the difference between success and failure. Our vision is to be your premier, trusted choice of Colorado businesses for training, consulting, and resources.
New Business Opened in Brush to Give the Main Street a Boost
by Merle RhodesFour business owners in Brush were not “fooling” around on April 1 when they opened the newest retail store in downtown Brush. The Brush Emporium and Pizzaporium opened their’ doors at 210 Clayton Street in downtown Brush by Downtown Development Group, LLC which is made up of Dana Sherman, Dan Scalise, Tom Hofmann, and Gilbert Leake.
The mission of the group “is to be an anchor business in downtown Brush that will help revitalize the downtown area”. Their goal is not to only support their business but the surrounding businesses on Clayton Street as well as to offer an opportunity for other small businesses to thrive within the Emporium. By definition, “an emporium is a large retail store, especially one selling a great variety of articles.” The Brush Emporium more than meets that definition with its variety of items. The idea came about after Sherman and Scalise attended Main Street America Conventions when they served as Presidents of the Brush Chamber of Commerce. Brush is one of a few cities in Colorado that has been designated as a “Main Street America Accredited Community.”
For the past several years, there has not been a place in Brush where you could set down and have a pizza. The Emporium is conveniently located across from the Sands Theater which recently reopened. The Emporium’s hours will be 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM and will provide a place to not only eat but to socialize and purchase merchandise from more than 14 vendors that will have merchandise for sale including Guzman Boots, healthy K9 food made locally by K-9 Creations, natural stones by Earth’s Care Treasures, Crazy Cow Creations that sells vinyl items such as tee-shirts, signs, window decals and much more such as a variety of pasta and soup mixes. Turret Creations is a local vendor that does custom embroidery and is known around town for its hats. There is jewelry, art, and a variety of gifts by Brianna Crafty Spot, Something Magikal, Twin Beaters, 3D Tubba, Realeaf Organics, Perplexing Perspective Art by M, Holistic Home and Health, Brush Bear, K&E Fashions, more.
Future plans include more vendors, and more food items such as ice cream, popcorn, and pretzels. The Emporium has several employees that will help you in making your purchases. The owners were assisted by Merle Rhoades, a business consultant from East Colorado Small Business Development Center. Sherman, along with several vendors, were participants of the “Startup Strong” Webinar held by SBDC in Fort Morgan, and Scalise attended the “New Legislation” Workshop that was held in Brush and presented by Business Consultant Raejean Palko from Limon. Rhoades says the owners are well prepared to take on the challenges of running a successful business.
Sheree’s Seniors 2023
Thank you, everyone for all of your generous donations of time and money for this year’s Adopt a Senior Program. We were able to bless five senior homes in the Keenesburg, Ft. Lupton and Brighton areas. 215 seniors in all of the facilities were beyond grateful to receive a special gift this year! As this project grows and grows, so does the awesome support from friends and family who help make this blessing happen.
Thank you, Debby Trupp and the Zoar Baptist Church in Prospect Valley for all of the handwritten Christmas cards to the Seniors!
Thank you, Helen Sirios, Clara Smith, Lynda Pruett, Cathy Yauger, and Peyton Yauger for your help in putting all of the bags together!
Thank you, Mary Wafel for helping me deliver all of the gifts!
Thank you, Debbie Klausner and Rosemary Simpson for sharing your amazing ideas and sewing skills to make bibs for two of my senior facilities. I know they are busy right now creating for this year!
Thank you, Bob Grand for always working with me to get needed exposure and recognition out to the public!
Seniors have so much wisdom and stories to share, if we would only reach out and take the time to listen! They make you laugh and make you cry, but their spirits usually exude kindness and appreciation. As my sponsor base grows, I will be able to reach out to more facilities and of course more seniors!
I have a grand plan for 2023. My goal is to take on one more senior facility in Brighton. I am collecting NOW and throughout the year. SANTA WORKS ALL YEAR LONG WHY CAN’T WE??
Money donations are always crucial for this endeavor. However, donations of time and skills are also appreciated. I am looking for volunteers that can sew, crochet, or knit.
I am so grateful for all of you who participated in this year’s success! It is exciting to watch this dream grow each year. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Call or text me (Sheree Sloan) at 303-359-3940.
WIGGINS SCHOOL DISTRICT 50J APRIL NEWS
GOOD PEOPLE OF TIGER NATION: April 2023
Road Work: As most of you have noticed, Main St. from 3rd St. to 5th St. is being repaved. Currently storm drainage is being installed with curb, gutter and sidewalk to follow. After the last day of school Main St. will be shut down for repaving. The Wiggins School District and Wiggins Town Council understand the timing of this is not ideal and thank all community members for their patience. The final product will be well worth the current hassle.
Construction: The team is aiming to have a punch walk for the Pre-K building during the first week of May. If all goes well the new area will be moved into in June. The playground for the Pre-K building will not be completed until the 2023-2024 school year begins.
Construction on the 3-6 building continues to progress in a timely manner. The RTU’s are currently being set, paint is beginning to be put on walls, and flooring is going down. Potential delays may begin to take place as the required transformer has yet to be delivered for installation. If this transform does not show up soon the substation completion date of June 30 may be pushed back.
Important Upcoming Dates: Graduation will take place on May 14th beginning at 1pm in the Event Center. 8th Grade Continuation will begin at 3pm on May 24th followed by Middle School Academic Awards at 4:30pm and High School Academic Awards at 5:30pm. All of these events will be held in the Auditorium.
Congratulations: Anna Werner and Charlotte Peggram won 1st place at the CACE Art Show. Laith Ibrahim and Pepper Rusher were named to the All State Wrestling team. Cole Kerr for being invited to play the SHOW basketball showcase. Raelyn Koenig, Kennedy Kerr, Riley Hunt, Cole Kerr and Omar Perez for earning All Conference in basketball. Raelyn Koenig for being invited to play in the CCGS All State Basketball Game. Cole Kerr for being named to the All State Basketball team and invited to play in the upcoming All State Basketball game. To Mr. Guilbert and all individuals who participated in the first annual “Wiggins Got Talent” show. Aubryn Ferguson, Jace Dreier and Madison Dreier earned their State FFA Degrees. Congratulations to Wiggins Students who participated in the E-Fair and received investments for their business: Ana Werner (The Sweet Tooth) - $1,000, Michael Pacheco (Pacheco’s Custom Fabrication) - $500, Taylinn and Teresa (Colorado Belle) - $250
Financials:
Looking for a new HVAC system? Air source heat pumps can provide real savings.
By Morgan County Rural Electric AssociationAs we move into spring and away from winter’s high natural gas and propane prices, you might be looking for a way to increase your home’s energy efficiency to save money on heating and cooling. Maybe your propane furnace is getting old, or your home’s AC is ready for a replacement. If an HVAC upgrade is in your future, there is an equipment solution eligible for thousands of dollars in rebates and tax incentives that make it cheaper than a new AC, and bring substantial savings.
These savings can be realized by installing an air source heat pump (ASHP), and there has never been a better time to install one. If you are wondering how they work, electric ASHPs are single systems that can both heat your home in the winter, and efficiently cool it in the summer. In colder months, an ASHP draws heat from outdoors, condenses it, and transfers it to warm indoor spaces. Heat pump efficiencies have increased dramatically in the last 5-10 years. Modern cold climate heat pumps can heat homes efficiently in sub-zero temperatures, even as low as -15 F. In the summer, the ASHP simply reverses directions and transfers heat from indoors to outside, cooling the home using efficient air conditioning technology.
ASHPs can save you money too. Not only are heat pump rebates available from Morgan County REA, ranging from $675 to $2400, but you may also be eligible for federal and state tax credits that can reduce prices even further; though you will want to check with your tax professional to verify your tax credit eligibility. When considering all available heat pump rebates and incentives, it can actually cost more upfront to replace an AC rather than choosing to upgrade to a heat pump, which cools your home in the summer and heats it in the winter—reducing propane or natural gas expenses.
More than that, variable speed ASHPs can pay for themselves in energy savings, especially when replacing electric baseboard heat or a propane furnace, which cost 2-3 times as much to run per year as a heat pump in heating mode. These savings come in the form of significant reductions in energy consumption. A heat pump can transfer 300% more energy than it consumes, compared to a high-efficiency gas furnace’s 95% efficiency rating. New variable speed or cold climate ASHPs maximize these savings in cooling seasons as well, due to very high cooling efficiency ratings. If properly maintained, high-quality heat pumps typically last 10-15 years, which is comparable to modern AC units.
Not only do ASHPs eliminate the need for two separate HVAC systems in your home, there are systems available for homes with ductwork and those without. This makes an ASHP the ideal solution for new homes as well as building renovations and additions. As prices of propane and natural gas increase, ASHPs allow homeowners to switch fuel sources, consolidate their HVAC systems, and save money.
Are you ready to simplify and save on your home’s heating and cooling? Consider an ASHP today. If you have any questions regarding ASHPs and available rebates, please call MCREA’s member services department at (970) 867-5688 or email memberservices@mcrea.org.
Sydney Odle One Of Missouri Valley College’s Top Scholars
MARSHALL, MO (04/12/2023)-- Sydney Odle, a Physical Education major from Brush, Colorado was honored as one of Missouri Valley College’s top scholars during a ceremony April 11 in the college’s Malcolm Center.
To be named an MVC Scholar, students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.3, must be graduating in the current academic year, and must be recommended by a faculty member. One one student per major/concentration is selected after review and confirmation by the MVC Scholar Committee.
Odle will graduate May 6 during the Missouri Valley College commencement ceremony at Gregg-Mitchell Field.
About Missouri Valley College
Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 30 academic programs, study abroad program, extracurricular activities, and a wide variety of sports. The most popular majors include education and business, criminal justice and exercise science. Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval. edu.
Come On, Lets Go Out to the Heritage Fair, Located at the South Platte Valley Historical Park
Saturday, May 6th at 10 AM - 4 PM
The South Platte Valley Historical Society will have its bases loaded with fun and waiting for all of you to come and visit. There will be the Colorado Vintage Baseball Association delivering a grand slam with their 1890’s ole timey baseball game.
No foul balls here, just a cannon being shot off. The Buffalo Soldiers will be running up Old Glory on the flagpole.
The Riders and horses will be on display doing soldier drills.
Just look who has arrived. The Fjellborg Vikings, and yes, I did say Vikings; they will be camping and re-enacting their way of life in the lower level of the park. There will be the Matron Bell Morris Dancers, dancing their way into your hearts.
Well, if that is not enough reasons for you to come out, we have much, much, more; the Revolutionary Re-enactors, the Colorado Historical Military Group, the 23 Regiment of Foot British Re-enactors, US Corps Topographical Engineers, Native American Dancers, American Civil War Re-enactors, and a French Voyageur Camp. Of course, you can still tour your favorites: the fort, the 1850’s Trapper cabin, The 1860’s Donelson House, the 1870’s Schoolhouse and the newly constructed old Barn. Go to our website www.spvhs.org for more information and follow us on Facebook at South Platte Valley Historical Park.
Do not strikeout and miss the day. It will be a remarkable display of living history and encampments!
Cost is $5.00 per Person, Children under twelve free. Members Free (Members, remember your membership cards). Limited classic ballpark food will be on site.
So come on out, the park is located at 2001 Historic Park, Ft. Lupton (Highway 85 North of Ft. Lupton on 14-1/2 turn west). Hit a home run with your family and friends by bringing them out to the historical park. You and your team will have an action packed, crazy good day. See you all soon!
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month in Weld County
The Weld County Board of Commissioners has proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month during their meeting on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. The proclamation reaffirms Weld County’s dedication to preventing child abuse and improving the quality of life for all children and families in Weld County.
This month and throughout the year, Weld County Government encourages all individuals and organizations to work together to prevent child abuse and neglect by promising safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for Weld County children and families. By ensuring parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources to care for their children, we can help promote children and youth’s social and emotional well-being and prevent child abuse within families and communities.
“Collaboration and partnerships are integral in keeping children safe. To build a thriving community, it is necessary to provide children with a safe and nurturing environment to grow. In Weld County, we are grateful to have committed partners who allow us to enhance services and programs and work together to create strong and thriving families,” said Jamie Ulrich, Weld County Department of Human Services (DHS) Director.
Along with kudos to community partners, the commissioners also expressed their gratitude to the staff in attendance representing the various divisions within DHS that assist in child abuse prevention. When children and families need assistance, Weld County DHS is there to provide a level of support to prevent family breakdown and ensure the safety of children. Services and resources are offered to strengthen families.
“I realize we recognize this once a year, but it truly is what you guys do each day. You must be extremely dedicated to our families, and it takes a special person to do the work you guys do, and I want to say thank you. It’s not only benefiting our children but also our families and community as a whole,” said Mike Freeman, Chair of the Board of Weld County Commissioners.
DHS will host its annual sidewalk chalk art event, which celebrates families while providing resources and education on child abuse prevention, from 5-7 p.m. at the county’s southwest building 4209 WCR 24.5 (Longmont/Firestone) on April 26, 2023, and in Greeley on April 27, 2023, at 822 7th St. (by Chase Bank).
For more information about the Weld County Department of Human Services and the prevention division, please visit https://www.weldgov.com/Government/ Departments/Human-Services/Family-Resource.
Magic Spurs News
4-H Officers and Their Duties
by Madison RichmannWhen enrolling in 4-H, one of the tasks new members and their families complete is joining a club. These clubs are organized with club leaders who are adult sponsors of the club. Although the leaders run the club, there is also a team of student officers who take on different duties in the club and are elected every year. The Magic Spurs 4-H Club leaders are Shelli Jacobucci and Sam Dudley. In the March meeting, the Magic Spurs voted on new officers for the 2023 year.
President
The president of the club is normally a high school aged student who is familiar with the ways of the club and officer duties. The president is responsible for assisting adult leaders in meeting preparation, runs meetings and voting using parliamentary procedure. Other duties of president include appointing committees, encouraging all members to be involved, and communication with other officers and adult leaders. Being president requires great leadership, organization, communication, and public speaking skills
The Magic Spurs voted Kashley Hayden, senior in high school, as the club president for 2023 - 2024.
Vice President
The vice president of the club is always a member who is comfortable with all duties of the president for their main job is to take over and preside at meetings if the president is unable to attend. The vice president assists president and adult leaders with all of their duties as needed, and is a great leader and encouragement to all members.
The Magic Spurs voted Megan Hopp as the club vice president for 2023 - 2024.
Secretary
Secretary is one of the most important officer positions for each club. The secretary must be a very organized and focused student. The duties of secretary include keeping accurate and detailed meeting minutes, records club attendance at every meeting, and helps with all club organization.
The Magic Spurs voted Cydni Dudley as the club secretary for 2023 - 2024
Treasurer
The treasurer is in charge of all of the financials of the club. The treasurer works with the club leaders to prepare a budget for approval from the club and keep an accurate record of receipt and expenditures of funds for the club. At each meeting, the treasurer is responsible to present a financial statement to the club and members within. An organized student who is skilled in the math area, is a great choice for this position.
The Magic Spurs voted Mesa Arnold as the club treasurer for 2023 - 2024. Reporter
The reporter of each club is in charge of reporting club activities, writing articles regarding the club, photography, etc. The reporter works with the local news media to publish the articles for the community to stay involved within the clubs. Writing skills, public speaking skills, and organization are important attributes for a student in this position. When reporting, being accurate, clear, and timely is important.
The Magic Spurs voted Madison Richmann as the club reporter for 2023 - 2024. Magic Spurs News can be found in the Lost Creek Guide.
Historian
Last but not least, is the historian position. The historian works closely with the reporter to help with all photography, article writing, etc. The historian will start, keep, and maintain a club scrapbook for the year to preserve the history of the club. The historian must also be organized, timely, and creative!
The Magic Spurs voted Macy Pralle as the club historian for the 2023 - 2024 year. Why become an officer?
Becoming an officer for the Magic Spurs, or any club or organization is intimidating at first, however is great experience, and allows students to represent 4-H as a whole. Good officers are timely and efficient, friendly and uplifting. The officers of the club are leaders, and are looked up to by the other members in the club, and the students of the community. Becoming an officer is a great learning experience that allows students to grow and develop into great leaders for their club, community, and world while learning other important life skills, and making friends and memories.
Congratulations to all of the newly elected officers of the Magic Spurs 4-H Club.
Be on the lookout for more Magic Spurs News in upcoming papers. Including
- Leader Q&A
- Member Spotlights
- Project Spotlights AND MORE!!
Affordable Farmworker Housing Available in Fort Morgan
FORT MORGAN, Colo. — Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation (CRHDC) celebrates 51 years of working collaboratively to build a Colorado where every community is a place of opportunity with safe, affordable, and attainable housing for all. What started as an ambitious dream of addressing the intolerable living conditions plaguing migrants and seasonal farm workers in Colorado decades ago, has now grown into providing an array of holistic programs and services that address affordable housing needs and access to opportunity in communities statewide.
The CRHDC organization has a remarkable history of accomplishments throughout the state of Colorado and within the Rocky Mountain Region. From the beginning in 1971 when CRHDC was first established to address the desperate need for safe, secure, and humane farmworker housing, the organization has stayed focused on its mission to be able to impact families that may most benefit. More recently, CRHDC has built affordable housing developments from Lakota Ridge Senior Apartments, New Castle, CO for senior citizens to Sol Naciente, Ft. Morgan, CO for agriculture worker housing that have created beautiful and vibrant communities. The CRHDC team continues to seek innovative approaches in providing sustainable and affordable housing, lifeskills, and economic development opportunities to benefit low-to-moderate income households throughout Colorado.
Organizational accomplishments include: a HUD certified urban and rural home ownership counseling team that has counseled over 15,000 individuals in financial literacy, budgeting, and prepurchase education, in the last 5 years 6,598 individuals have received counseling - 42% of which identified as a marginalized identity with roughly 30% ultimately purchasing a home, over 2,000 families have built their own homes in 30 different counties through their mutual self-help program, 10 affordable multi-family properties across rural Colorado providing 425 units worth of homes for farmworkers, seniors, low income folks, and people with disabilities are managed 365 days a year.
“The residents at our properties come from many different walks of life but they are all looking for that place to call home. Being able to be a part of a group that truly believes that affordable housing is the foundation to a sustainable community and having the opportunity to work with such a wonderful team of professionals makes me feel grateful every day.” says Monique Antillon, Director of Property Management.
CRHDC has current affordable housing apartments available in Sterling, Colorado for those that income qualify and in Fort Morgan for domestic farm laborers. Those interested in the Sterling apartments can call 970-522-7530 and for the Fort Morgan farm worker property can call 970-370-2028. CRHDC complies with all applicable fair housing laws including those which prohibit discrimination against any person based on race, sex, religion, color, familial status, national origin, or handicap.
Fort Morgan Chamber of Commerce 2023 Annual Meeting continued from page 1
Pictures by Matt Hofman owner of Just Rustic Custom Woodworking and him, his wife Leah, and his son call Fort Morgan Home!
The FMACC’s Business of the Year Award was given to the Cover Theatre whose owners continue to reinvest and focus on improving their business and the downtown area. The Cover Theatre’s practices and professional conduct contribute to a sense of cooperation within the entire business community making Fort Morgan a place people want to call home & do business.
The newest award the FMACC gives out is intended to recognize and act as a symbol of appreciation for those who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, dedication, and commitment to helping others while making a lasting positive impact in the Fort Morgan area. For its first year, the Gene Doty Legacy Award was given posthumously to Virgil Eugene Doty who dedicated much of his life to the betterment of society and the improvement of the quality of life for all who call Fort Morgan home.
The Chamber was honored to be joined by members of the Doty family including Gene’s sister Georgia Holtquist and his nephew Rick Doty and his wife Paula who accepted the award on Mr. Doty’s behalf. Rick Doty noted “Gene’s family came here the same year as the chamber 104 years ago. He loved his community very much, and would be honored to be remembered for his achievements in this way.”
Following the awards was the presentation of some long-awaited information on Home Town Takeover. The first video previewing the upcoming season was shown and the excitement was prevalent with the audience. The official air date was announced for Sunday, April 23rd. Mr. Stieb shared a hopeful message about the potential for the community to benefit from increased tourism from fans of Home Town Takeover. The meeting ended with a thank you to the members for their continued support of the Fort Morgan Chamber. Mr. Stieb’s final message was “Without you all, the chamber would not exist!”
You can learn more about the Fort Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce by visiting their website at www.fortmorganchamber.com
Fort Morgan Chamber of Commerce 2023 Annual Meeting Pictures continued from page 8
Edward Jones, Member SIPC
by Paul Dineen, Get The Picture Sports LLC
