The Lost Creek Guide June 5, 2024

Volume 17 • Edition 11 June 5, 2024

Delivering to over 18,000 homes & businesses including all of Fort Lupton and Lochbuie.

“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

Hudson Accuses Lochbuie of Violating Court Stay With BNSF Annexation

by Christopher Wood, Editor BizWest

BNSF’s tracks run along Interstate 76 in southeast Weld County. The land east of the Tracks would house a massive new intermodal Facility.

An acrimonious public hearing —complete with allegations of “appearances of collusion” between county officials and BNSF Railway Co. — ended Wednesday with commissioners voting 4-1 to vacate a portion of Weld County Road 41.

BNSF requested vacation of the road between Weld County Roads 4 and 6 as part of its massive, planned intermodal facility and logistics park along BNSF tracks on the east side of Interstate 76.

BNSF officials told commissioners that the railroad had worked with neighbors to address issues such as access, emergency services, illegal dumping and maintenance of private irrigation ditches.

Jacob Woods, an attorney representing BNSF, said the vacation was necessary now for BNSF to meet its timeline for the development.

“There is a construction timeline for the project, and moving forward with the vacation at this time allows BNSF to proceed and get the site shovel-ready for future development,” Woods said.

Hudson town officials countered that the vacation would forestall the town’s MSLCAT (Mountain States Line Constructors Joint Apprenticeship &Training) annexation — located south of the BNSF project. Hudson is embroiled in litigation with Lochbuie over competing annexations of rights of way along Weld County Roads 4, 41 and 45.

Hudson officials stated that vacation of portions of WCR 41 would eliminate the contiguity required for the town to complete the MSLCAT annexation.

Nicholas Hartman, town attorney for Hudson, outlined the town’s concern.

“Procedurally speaking, the reason why we’re kind of getting into this argument between annexation and vacation is because the portion of 41 that’s being considered for vacation today, Hudson’s MSLCAT annexation, uses that to make contiguity, so if it’s vacated, it destroys contiguity,” he said.

BNSF on Saturday submitted three annexation requests to Lochbuie, totaling 2,367 acres. Lochbuie’s Town Council gave initial approval to the Lochbuie’s Town Council gave initial approval to the annexations Monday.

Hudson Accuses Lochbuie Of Violating Court Stay With BNSF Annexation continued on page 5...

Heart of the Plains, in Roggen, Annual Memorial Remembrance: Remembering those who served and those that have passed photos by Lost Creek Guide, photographer, Pat Lentell

Devastated:

Colorado’s

Fentanyl Disaster

A documentary produced by Steffan Tubbs of Mountain Time Media and funded by Steve Wells www.devastatedco.com

commentary by Bob Grand. Lost Creek Guide

This is a must watch documentary underscoring the tragic impact fentanyl is having on families in Colorado, and across America. Be prepared, this hour and a half documentary is recommended for mature audiences. It is disturbing, but the message is very real. Access to the documentary is free: www.devastatedco.com

Fentanyl is the leading cause of drug overdose related deaths in America. It has been said this is not a red or blue problem, it is a red, white, and blue problem. It does not discriminate; its victims cover a broad spectrum of the population.

Law enforcement is trying to manage this but is hampered by ill-conceived legislation at the state house. Trace back to Colorado House bill 22-1326 which the Colorado Senate & House passed. The original bill was four pages, the final bill that passed was ninety pages. A key item was that possession of four grams or less of a controlled substance was a misdemeanor as long as the person in possession stated that they did not know it was a dangerous drug. Guess what, it did not take long for dealers to figure that out, so trying to start the legal process to get dealers off the streets was thwarted from the beginning.

We should make it a requirement for our nationally elected officials and our Colorado Governor, his staff, and all elected officials to meet with family members who have lost loved ones. That will get them focused on solving the problem rather than dancing around it. It should not be a scheduling problem as in Colorado we are losing 2,000 people a year to drug overdose deaths, of which almost seventy percent are fentanyl related. Unfortunately, plenty of family members to visit with, far too many.

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE

Page 2: Way of the World

Page 2-3: Letters to the Editor

Page 4: Southeast Weld County Chamber of Commerce Veteran & First Responder Appreciation Luncheon

Page 6: Hudson Fishing Derby & Safety Day

Page 7: Fort Lupton Memorial Day Celebration

Page 9: Hudson Cedar Street Block Party & Market

Page 11: I-76 Speedway Update & Schedule

Page 12: RE3J Annual Art Show at the Hudson Library

Page 14: Southeast Weld County Chamber of Commerce Multi Chamber Derby Day

Way of the World

by Bob Grand, Lost Creek Guide

I attended the Colorado Republican Rumble this past Saturday at the Grizzly Rose in Denver. The Republican Women of Weld and the Lincoln Club of Colorado hosted the event. Platinum Sponsors were Wells Ranch and 4X Industrial with Gold Sponsors being 710 KNUS and the Rocky Mountain Voice. Moderators for the event were: Jesse Paul of the Colorado Sun; Chris Rourke of Rourke Media; Ernest Luning, Political Reporter for Colorado Politics and Kelly Maher, Political Expert for 9 News. An allveterans group of elected officials or candidates did the presentation of the Colors. Weld Country GOP Chair, Tom Van Lone gave the invocation. Celeste Delgado Pelton performed the National Anthem. Congratulations to the Republican Women of Weld and the Lincoln Club of Colorado for a job well done. The event was well attended with close to 200 people signing up.

The first debate was for US Congressional District 8 Republican Primary which included Gabe Evans and Janak Joshi. Each candidate gave a brief biography. Quite different backgrounds. Evans had twelve years of US Army experience ending as a command helicopter pilot with two combat tours and ten years as an Arvada police officer. He currently serves as Colorado House District 48 Representative which includes Brighton, Lochbuie, Fort Lupton, Todd Creek & Platteville. Proud of his Hispanic heritage on one side of the family Evans pointed out he has spent his entire life in what is now the CD 8 area. Joshi, an immigrant from India, is a retired physician after thirty years. He served three terms as a Colorado House of Representative representing the Colorado Springs area. The two have many political similarities in views but Evans appears as a more independent person, focusing on addressing the immediate needs of the constituents rather than trying to be politically correct with the current GOP State leadership. The Colorado GOP Chairman, Dave Williams, has endorsed Janak Joshi.

This writer believes that Gabe Evans presents a far more electable candidate in CD 8 than Janak Joshi. The straw poll taken at the end of the meeting reflected that as a consensus as the vote was 103 for Evans and 29 for Joshi.

The US Congressional District 4 Republican Primary debate included five participants. Lauren Boebert did not participate. The candidates were Deborah Flora, Richard Holtorf, Mike Lynch, Jerry Sonnenberg and Peter Yu. Holtorf, Lynch and Sonnenberg represent many years of experience at the Colorado State House while Flora & Yu have not held elected office. All five candidates came across as sincere wanting to solve problems. The obvious problem is you have to win the nomination. This writer believes it will be difficult for any of them to build a big enough base to catch Lauren Boebert. Boebert has been endorsed by President Trump. Speaker Mike Johnson and the Colorado State GOP Chair Dave Williams. In going through the questions there was not much difference among the candidates in terms of philosophy. They all supported Trump, and decried what state the country is in at so many levels. Straw polling at the end gave the attendees preferences: Flora-35; Lynch-32; Boebert–22; Holtorf–22; Sonnenberg-19 and Yu-11.

The US Congressional District 4 Vacancy (replacing Ken Buck who resigned) Special Election Debate had four participants scheduled but Greg Lopez withdrew the day before the event citing that the Republican Women of Weld did not endorse him. The name of the group and being at an obviously Republican event was insufficient. Gregg Lopez is another candidate that State Republican Chair Dave Williams has endorsed. The three candidates that were there were Trisha Calarese, Democratic, Hannah Goodman, Libertarian, and Frank Atwood (AVP). Without Lopez I am not sure of the value of that discussion. Straw voting results were Gregg Lopez–67; Hannah Goodman (L)– 34; Trisha Calvarese (D)– 9 and Frank Atwood (AVP) – 2.

Listening to the debates, particularly the CD 4 group, there was expressed an ardent desire to want to win. Unfortunately, you have to ask whether the Colorado Republican Party, under Dave Williams control and leadership, really wants that or just wants to remain with a small, purified control group, not allowing anyone who is not approved to be in the tent. By supporting candidates like Boebert, Joshi and several others Dave Williams is not embarrassed about putting his thumb on the scale. That is not the way to entice independents to either return to the Republican Party or entice genuine independents to join. Frank Atwood the AVP candidate who had a strange approach did point out that registration numbers in Colorado were 49% unaffiliated, 27% Democratic and 23% Republican. You do not have to have a PhD in mathematics to figure out if you want to win at the state level you have to do something different. Mr. Williams and his supporters appear to have doubled down on purity is better than winning. I am not sure Colorado citizens understand or accept that.

On a closing note, I recommend viewing the Devastatedco.com video on the impact of fentanyl on our citizens and state. It is a tough documentary to view. It is an hour and half long and it really goes to the heart of the problem. I compliment Steve Wells and Steffan Tubbs, the Producer from Mountain Video for having the courage to make this film. I believe every elected official and citizen should watch it.

We have a small percentage of the total population, the extremes of both parties that are seriously impacting our lives in a terribly negative way. This year vote in the primaries, the special election, and the general election. They do not want you to vote as the more of us who do vote the more effort, they will have to put in. Make them earn your vote, do not give them an unchallenging ride!

As always, your thoughts and comments are appreciated: publisher@ lostcreekguide.com

The LosT Creek Guide, LLC

Bob Grand – Publisher 303-732-4080 publisher@lostcreekguide.com lcgnews.com

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On Donald Trump Conviction

by Jon Caldera, President, Independence Institute

I don’t know what this world is coming to when you can’t trust a porno actress to uphold her non-disclosure agreement. It almost makes one lose faith in the whole pornography industry.

And when faith in that institution is shaken, well, then what can we as a people believe in?

I’ve been pretty clear about my feelings on Donald Trump. In 2016 I reluctantly voted for him. In 2020 I enthusiastically voted for him given his impressive record on policy and regulatory change, appointments, and judges, not for his manners.

I was appalled by his behavior on January 6th. His failure to call on his supporters to stop the capitol riot immediately was unforgivable. If only he had done so he’d be easily riding to a reelection today. (And really, you don’t need to e-mail me back your feelings about that opinion.)

But yesterday’s verdict against Trump was more than troubling.

The issue isn’t really if he slept with a porn star and lied about it (um, Monica Lewinsky?) or if his people didn’t fill out election reports properly. The issue is that if he was anyone else, ANYONE ELSE, this prosecution never would have been started in the first place.

It was purely political. It has a banana republic odor to it.

Growing up I was told the lesson of Watergate was that even the president is not above the law. I thought that to be a very important lesson. And Trump shouldn’t be above the law.

But when the law is unevenly enforced due completely to political purposes, we all should be alarmed, including never-Trumpers.

As a sideline, Trump’s impressive support from black men and Hispanics is worth noting. No Republican in my lifetime has broken into those demographics like the Don. Rightly or wrongly many people of color believe the justice system is unfair, even rigged. I wouldn’t be surprised if this verdict brings even more voters of color to the Trump side. The question is whether that will make up for the suburban voters who are turned off about a “felon” running for president.

If Trump is elected, he will have access to the nuclear codes to launch Armageddon, but because now he’s technically a felon he won’t be able to buy a firearm.

Only in America.

And not that you asked, I still believe this election will come down to how Americans feel about the economy. And no matter what the official inflation numbers are, we all know the real score every time we go to the grocery store.

Don’t be surprised if President Biden drains even more of our strategic petroleum reserves to keep gas prices artificially low before the election.

Here in Colorado you can expect gas prices to jump between $0.50 and a dollar in the coming months. It’s not a supply and demand problem that will cause it. It’s a leadership problem. It comes from one person, Jared Polis.

Our director of policy, Jake Fogleman, explains the ins and outs of Polis’s bait and switch and other mischief that happened under the gold dome.

Remember you can consume our show Devil’s Advocate in a few different ways. You can watch it tonight at 8:30 pm on Channel 12, or you can watch the full episode on our YouTube channel, you can listen to the audio version through our podcast, or watch the episode embedded in this newsletter.

Of course, if you only listen to the audio version you’ll miss the car chase scenes, explosions, and steamy love scenes.

How do you feel about the flagship public university in Colorado giving out scholarships in the name of the domestic terrorists? Well, that’s just what the University of Colorado is doing. Read all about it in my column below.

And a final thought. If we’ve entered the period in American politics where felons can be elected president, what do you think of Martha Stewart 2028?

Letter to the Editor: Dave Kisker, Johnstown

Gabe Evans Hits a Home Run in Weld County CD-8 Neighborhood Meeting

On Saturday, 27 January 2024, a group of residents in western Weld County, near Johnstown met with U.S. Congressional House District 8 (CD-8) candidate, Gabe Evans to learn his views on a multitude of issues, from election accuracy to fiscal responsibility to public safety.

During the 90 minute discussion and fresh from his overwhelming win in the Republican debate on the previous Thursday, Gabe was able to address the many questions by this group of voters, who were mostly Republicans, and who generally recognize the need for honest, intelligent and even wise representation in the US Congress. Because of his background in both the military and law enforcement, Gabe speaks with considerable authority when he describes the crime wave that currently plagues not only Colorado as a whole but Weld County as well. Both property crimes and personal crimes have risen because of the lax attitude of Colorado judges and the legislative majority. Gabe’s position is generally that this must be changed.

Of course, much of the local criminal activity can be traced to the open border policy of the Biden administration which has generally been supported by Evans’ CD-8 Democratic opponent, Yadira Caraveo. Caraveo’s Hispanic heritage would seem to imply sympathy with the large fraction of Hispanic voters in CD-8, especially when it comes to the impact of crime. However, it generally seems that she has minimal concerns.

On the other hand, Gabe Evans’ is keenly aware of the impact on Hispanic voters, not only because of his law enforcement background, but also because of his own Hispanic heritage. Two of his grandfathers were first generation immigrants who build fruitful lives in America, even winning Purple Hearts. As Gabe put it to his audience, “The Hispanic community is especially impacted by property crime. In those cases, the loss of possessions may mean not only a monetary loss but also a loss of their livelihood if they are no longer able to report to their job and perform their work.”

Gabe is an unapologetic fiscal conservative. He understands that unrestrained Government spending is a major threat to our Nation and must be brought under control. He has committed to that as a major goal of his first term.

On balance, the consensus of the group of voters who met with Gabe was that he is evidently the best choice for the Republican nomination for U.S. House CO-8 in the 2024 election, and will therefore be receiving wide support in the Republican primary, not only from those in attendance, but also the many neighbors who have similar views.

Letter to the People – Complacency Is the Enemy

by Dusty Johnson, House District 63 Candidate

June

2024

How did Colorado get worse than California? Obviously, this blue wave didn’t happen overnight. The transition from freedom and common sense that our state once knew to the highly government controlled and tyrant leadership that we now have happened slowly. Chain link by chain link. Just like the dog who doesn’t notice when a single chain link is being removed daily from their leash until the day comes where that dog is left with no chain left to move, we have watched our rights and freedoms slowly be chipped away. We, the people, let this happen. One of our biggest enemies is complacency...

We, as a society at large, have thrown our hands up when it comes to politics. We, as a collective, would rather close our eyes and cover our ears to the things happening under the Gold Dome of our State Capitol in Denver. They say that “ignorance is bliss,” but nothing could be further from the truth when we are seeing bills being passed that are rising the cost to living, criminalizing the law-abiding citizen, and limiting our abilities to enjoy our own private property rights.

Now let me be clear, while there is a large population that seems to have become content in being uninformed, there is also a large population of people who are paying attention and who are aware of just how outrageous things have become in our state leadership. However, out of those who are informed, my question is this: how many of you are actively taking steps to find a solution or help make change, and how many are just complaining within their social circles? Being informed and not acting is just as bad as being dismissive and oblivious to the issues. Change will never happen if we are not consistently and actively trying.

We need to move past the mindset that our voice out here in rural Colorado doesn’t matter, that there is nothing we can do to effect change because the urban areas have the population. Our biggest enemy is not the other party nor is it the urban areas; complacency is the enemy. We are our own enemy when we tell ourselves that it no longer matters. We, the people, need to be active in our government because our government should be by and for the people. You can be a part of the solution by getting involved in local organizations and groups, by reaching out to your elected officials (make calls, send emails, write letters, ask for meetings), and by voting in both the primary and general elections this year.

I Am That Change

My name is Richard Holtorf. As a candidate for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District (CD4) for 6 months, I’ve heard about three crucial topics from voters – border security, the 2nd Amendment, and the US role in the world.

Congresswoman Lauren Boebert from Colorado’s third district (CD3) was not in Washington, DC for 3 important votes last week: 1) HR1210 condemning the Biden border crisis, 2) HR354 broadening law enforcement officers’ ability to carry concealed firearms, and 3) HR8369 ensuring prompt delivery of defense assistance to Israel.

Where was Congresswoman Boebert? She was in a courtroom, but she was not supporting her troubled son in his courtroom at Garfield County Court in Colorado. No. She was in New York City sitting in the audience at President Donald Trump’s court hearing.

Congresswoman Boebert abandoned CD3, again, to pursue her own TV time and publicity. President Trump has a capable legal team and loving family supporting him, he doesn’t need publicity-seekers using him for their own purposes. Colorado deserves a change from publicity-seeking, selfish politicians. I am that change.

In 5 years at the Colorado House, I only missed votes for family emergencies. I give everyone in CD4 my word that I will never abandon you or my mission. Unless there is a family emergency, I will be in Washington, DC representing you, especially for crucial issues like border security.

Congresswoman Boebert carpetbagged from the western slope to the plains hoping to find an easier race to keep her celebrity. CD4, don’t be fooled by her act or give her the chance to abandon you too. I am a proven selfless statesman, 29-year US Army combat veteran, and 5-year Colorado House Representative.

Endorsements or Cheap Prizes?

by Gillian Smith

Over the past few weeks, the Colorado State GOP has been handing out endorsements like candy to reward the candidates that answer their questionnaire correctly and sign their pledges. Endorsement by a group, business, or entity that seems questionable in their ethics raises suspicions that a candidate is not trustworthy or ethical. If a candidate caters to a specific group, who will buy them under the Golden Dome or in Washington?

In September of 2023, the State GOP revised their by-laws to allow for pre-primary endorsement of candidates who went through the Assembly process. This has caused further division in the GOP. Many feel the State GOP’s functions are to raise money, support all Republican candidates equally up to primary, then rally behind the nominees and use those funds to help them get elected. Instead, Caucus has become a popularity contest and Republican purity test decided by the select few who were elected to promote the Party. With over 900,000 Republicans in Colorado, the audacity of less than 2,300 people at State Assembly to dictate all things Republican seems short-sighted. It is a simple arithmetic problem and the State GOP is using common core math. Party purists blame those who don’t participate rather than look at the reasons why people don’t. Let’s explore those reasons in upcoming editions. Building relationships with candidates is a valuable endeavor. There are a variety of events which offer voters an opportunity for one-on-one time with candidates to ask questions and get a better feel for who a candidate really is and what they stand for. Debates and campaign speeches offer a variety of clues however nothing can replace face time and relationships. Endorsements can be misleading so don’t rely on those alone. Get to know the candidates directly.

Letter to the Editor:

Dear Residents of Weld County District 3,

My name is Adrienne Sandoval, and I am running to be your next Weld County Commissioner in district 3. During my decade of service to the residents of Platteville as a trustee and then as the mayor for the last 6 years, I have found a love for being a public servant and working hard for what the people want with my other board members. When I ran for mayor in 2018, I ran under the motto or slogan (personal belief) of “Be the change you want to see in the world”. I was sick of my board fighting amongst themselves and mostly focused on what they wanted and not what the people wanted. I was sick of the state and federal government always bringing hate and divide to the name of what we do. THAT’S NOT WHAT A SERVANT DOES. I didn’t then, and still don’t today, know how to fix it other than to just jump in and be a part of it. If I could change the way just a few people do it, I would be winning. Because of this approach, for the last 6 years, the Platteville board of trustees has been a high preforming board for the residents of Platteville. Nobody was focused on what they wanted, we were all focused on what the residents wanted and needed. Because there was no divide and personal vendettas, we all had the residents at the top of our minds.

The residents of Weld County deserve that same focus. I hear screams of transparency needed, a lack of being present and accountable, and so much more. Those are big topics that cannot be addressed by a board who is clearly divided. The people of Weld deserve 5 commissioners who are all working for the same goal and purpose. Naturally, with 5 people on a commission, there will be 5 different ideas on how to get there. That’s where they must come together. They need to work out the best way to bring solutions and action to the residents.

I will bring my ability and reputation to unite to the table and we will have a board of county commissioners who work for the people, just like our forefathers intended.

Be the change you want to see in the world.

Adrienne Sandoval www.SandovalForWeld.com 970-222-3238 adrienne@sandovalforweld.com

Letter to the Editor:

Lynette “Kilpatrick” Peppler is Candidate for Weld County Commissioner District 3

A Weld native raised on the family dairy farm, she shoveled ditches, set tubes, drove trucks, fed, castrated, branded, milked, and shoveled “stuff”. She is willing to work hard and not afraid to get her hands dirty to get a job done.

Her love for marching band eventually led to marching to a different drum, and she was in the first company of female marines to qualify as marksmen. She believes in a strong military and providing law enforcement with what they need to serve and protect citizens.

She worked for Public Service Company, where she completed purchasing/ receiving, budgeting, payroll, served as an executive secretary, and handled billing and dispatch for high-pressure gas, electric meter, and electric line departments. This gave her a good understanding of the financial aspects of business and working in high-stress environments.

The next 21 years were dedicated to raising and homeschooling her children. She emphasized Biblical values, the U.S. Constitution, and government. Additionally, Lynette taught trade skills including basic automotive, plumbing, drywall, and electrical. This was a season when the family learned to live on one income and become very fiscally conservative. She will also be frugal with county funds and discourage any tax increases. She has fought for issues ranging from local to national, including pro-life initiatives, school choice, and water preservation for agriculture. We need to make plans to start protecting our agricultural lands and water to remain food independent rather than becoming reliant on other counties.

Volunteering has been a significant part of daily life, including thousands of hours with the Weld County and State Sheriff’s Posse, and the Colorado Mounted Law Enforcement Association. This work has involved training and collaborating with the Secret Service, Border Patrol, Federal Marshalls, and agencies across the country. She has volunteered at over a dozen food bank locations, participated in Holocaust Memorial Observances, served on numerous boards and committees, provided transportation for elderly and disabled, and made hundreds of visits to care facilities, hospitals, and hospice patients. She places value on all lives regardless of age or abilities and believes in giving back to the community.

As an empty nester and a natural teacher, Lynette remains actively involved in assisting adults with disabilities. She has been working as a commercial driver and trainer, specializing in school buses, transit, Class B, and even 70 ft Class A semitrucks. She is a state-certified third-party Commercial Driver’s License tester, a demanding role not suited for the faint of heart. She also cares for her 98-year-old mother, helping her to continue living on the family farm where she has resided for over 55 years.

Lynette is a grassroots conservative that will fight for you.

Pepplerforweld.com

Pepplerforweld@gmail.com

Southeast Weld County Chamber of Commerce Holds Its First Military & 1st Responder

Appreciation Luncheon At The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado

by

Bob Grand, Lost Creek Guide, Photos by Lost Creek Guide, Photographer Pat Lentell

The Southeast Weld County Chamber of Commerce held its first Military & 1st Responders Appreciation Luncheon at the Wild Animal facilities in Keenesburg. The event’s prime Five Star General sponsor was the Hudson Terminal Rail Services, supported by the Wild Animal Sanctuary, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, United Power & TBK Bank. The Chamber believed it was important to demonstrate our support for our veterans and first responders who do so much for all of us. This event will be an ongoing signature event for the Chamber recognizing the Chamber’s and the community’s support for our veterans and first responders who were and are there for us every day.

There were over 150 folks registered for the event with actual attendance estimated at about 125. The BBQ lunch which ran from 11:00 to 13:00 was provided by Amazed by Grace. Deejay Johnson and Marla Downer donated their time and equipment for the live entertainment. They have been singing together with the Young Heart Dance Band for four years as a duo at many senior facilities. Maria recently competed in the Ms. Colorado Senior America Pageant and was the second runner up! She has been awarded the Female Vocalist of the Year by the Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame and now volunteers as a talent scout for the Hall of Fame. Deejay has also won the Female Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. She is currently the Program Director of the Hall of Fame Board. We were so honored that they chose to donate their talent to our heroes. They were a treat to listen to and their sincerity in what they were doing just shone brightly throughout their performance!

The official program began at 13:00 with Tammy Whitaker, the Southeast Weld County Chamber Administrator welcoming everyone. The Northridge High School Marine Corp Junior ROTC did the presentation of the colors. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Geore Tendick, a Hudson resident, and a Marine Veteran. Deejay Johnson and Maria Downer sang the National Anthem. The Invocation was given by Taylor Callen of Destination Ministries.

Police Chief Jim Jensen of Keenesburg gave his view on the effort that all first responders put forward in performing their duties and the many personal sacrifices it often requires. He noted it takes a special person who has the support of their families as the road is not an easy one. Chief Jensen has a wealth of experience from two major Colorado Sheriff’s offices. He began his career as a military police officer in the Unted States Marine Corp.

The keynote speaker was Gabe Evans who currently is our Colorado State House District 48 representative. Gabe served 12 years in the United States Army and Colorado National Guard as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot-in-command and a school trained military intelligence officer. A veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, he also mobilized to battle wildfires and other disasters in Colorado. After the military Gabe served for ten years in the Arvada Police Department as an officer, sergeant, and lieutenant. His sharing of firsthand experiences in both the military and police department made him an ideal speaker to convey what the real world is like in both areas. Losing comrades is never easy. He certainly connected with the audience. Gabe is currently running for the Republican nomination to run for the United States House of Representative CD 8 seat in November.

Joesph Reeves, of Hudson Terminal Rail Services, gave a comment on the ongoing support for this program that recognizes the service and sacrifices made by our veterans and first responders. The company was honored to participate.

Kati Marcum, Director of Operations for Hudson Terminal Services, presented $500 to the Jason Humphrey Memorial Fund, which was accepted by Deputy Humphrey’s wife. The fund was started for the late Sr. Deputy Jason Humphrey who lost his life in a traffic accident on US 85 on February 21, 2024, leaving a wife and three children. Deputy Humphrey had served in the US Marine Corp, US Air Force Reserves, and the US Army National Guard before joining the Adams County Sheriff’s office.

Missing/Fallen Comrade presentation was made by Wilfred Europe III, representing the Adams County Sheriff’s Department and Hudson Police Chief Scott Sedwick.

Attendees could remember those who are no longer with us at the Missing/Fallen Comrade Table. As of the latest update of May 22,2023 more than 81,000 Americans from WW II, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War and other conflicts. Each item on the table was of special significance.

There was also a Wall of Honor where attendees could place a star with the name of their loved one on our Wall of Honor.

As a last note RE3j School District students provided

hundreds of letters to service members of which Tammy Whitaker read one where the student expressed her thanks to the soldier for his service, wished he was well and thanked him for his service. Tammy will arrange to get them delivered appropriately. It was a wonderful event with many sharing of stories and remembrances. What it was meant to be.

Congratulations to Southeast Weld Country Chamber of Commerce for organizing the Military & First Responder Appreciation Luncheon. A job well done!

Special thank you to Tammy Whitaker, the Chamber Administrator, and her Event Committee: Joyce Fedrizzi of B&G Financial, KC Baker, Hudson Public Library and Anna Smith of Jack Rabbit Floral &Design.

Hudson Accuses Lochbuie of Violating Court Stay With BNSF Annexation

continued from page 1...

A BNSF spokesperson, in an email to BizWest, stated, “On May 4, BNSF Railway filed Petitions for Annexation with the Town of Lochbuie to support BNSF’s plan of operating an Intermodal Facility and Logistics Park in Weld County. Lochbuie is well positioned to meet the project’s infrastructure demands and help the railroad keep pace with future customer growth. BNSF has existing operations in Hudson at its established Logistics Center and continues to invest in northern Colorado, bringing world-class freight logistics that benefit the Rocky Mountain region’s economy. Wel look forward to a continued partnership with both Lochbuie and Hudson.”

At Wednesday’s hearing, however, Hudson councilmember Candace Nolf, reading a letter from the Town Council, suggested that BNSF and Lochbuie might have had prior knowledge of the board’s expected action on the vacation request.

The letter, obtained by BizWest, states, “ … What is more troubling is that BNSF developed a plat that presupposes the vacation of the portion of WCR 41at issue today, and Lochbuie has accepted it in on Monday without any acknowledgement of the creation of an additional conflicting annexation with MSLCAT — seemingly also presupposing the vacation of that portion of WCR 41 and the dismissal of Hudson’s annexation of MSLCAT.

“Unless Lochbuie and BNSF can read the (Board of County Commissioners’) minds or see into the future, it seems that Lochbuie and BNSF already know what the BOCC is going to do today before the BOCC has even met. We hope that the County has not already decided on the vacation of WCR 41to pave a path forward for Lochbuie by destroying the one laid by Hudson.”

Hudson asked the commissioners to delay a decision on the vacation until an annexation election occurs. “Hudson requests that the county not vacate right away at County Road 41 because doing so would not only short circuit Hudson’s ability to pursue the conflicting annexation, but more importantly, it would eliminate the possibility that citizens adjacent to the conflicting right away could have a voice in resolving this matter.” Nolf reiterated concern that the board had already decided to vacate the road.

“As a council member standing up here, it already looks like a decision has been made,” Nolf said.

That prompted Commissioner Lori Saine to say that she was “particularly alarmed when I hear things like, ‘it sounds like we’ve already made a decision.’ I hope that that’s not the case. I hope that there wasn’t a thumb on the scale type of effect from anyone at Weld County government because we should be neutral between two towns. That’s fair to both towns.

“Any type of appearance of collusion would be really bad,” Saine added.

Weld County board chair Kevin Ross objected to Saine’s reference to collusion. “I do take exception to saying there was collusion with this board or myself,” Ross said. “I have not contacted the town of Hudson, or been contacted by you (Hudson). I have not contacted nor been contacted by the town of Lochbuie, nor have I contacted BNSF or had BNSF contact me. I take those comments extremely seriously, as it takes a hit at my character, just as I’m sure all board members would do the same.”

Commissioner Perry Buck agreed. “It just infuriates me, though, that the commissioner is impugning the motives of the board,” Buck said. “And let that be on record that is such an insult. So I’ll leave it there.”

“There should be no reason for offense, unless you’re actively taken … I said, ‘the appearance of, ’ma’am,” Saine said. “Ms. Saine, you’re done,” Ross interjected. Saine: “Thank you, Mr. Chair. I said ‘the appearance of’ …”

Ross: “Ms. Saine, I have not given you the floor to speak” Saine was the lone “no” vote on vacation of the right of way, with other board members stating that BNSF had met all requirements for vacation of rights of way as outlined in the Weld County Code. Hudson and Lochbuie have locked horns over multiple annexations, with both communities vying to annex land around BNSF’s multi-billion-dollar project.

Hudson annexations around BNSF include:

MSLCAT, 120 acres owned by Don Sack at the southwest corner of Weld County Roads 4 and45. The property would provide a new facility for Mountain States Line Constructors Joint Apprenticeship & Training, which serves the electrical construction industry. The MSLCAT annexation also includes rights of way along the Interstate 76 frontage road southwest from Hudson to the Lochbuie town limits, along with rights of way along Weld County Roads 4, 41 and 45.

Hudson in February approved the Long annexation, including 323 acres between BNSF’s intermodal development and new logistics park. The property is near the northwest and southwest corners of Weld County Roads 8 and 45. Ranchos East Annexation No. 1, encompassing 80 acres, not counting rights of way. The properties are owned by Shawn and Susan Wiant, and Rancho De Los Tiempos Buenos Partnership LLC. The parties applied to the town for annexation on March 29.

Lochbuie annexations include:

South Weld Annexation Nos. 1, 2 and 3. SouthWeld Annexation No. 1 includes 194 acres immediately south of the planned BNSF facility, at the northeast corner of I-76 and Weld County Road 4. The property is part of 700 acres owned by South Weld Holdings LLC, an affiliate of Bromley Cos. South Weld Annexation No. 1 does not conflict with planned Hudson annexations, but South Weld Annexations 2 and 3 would include rights of way that overlap with Hudson’s annexation. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Annexation Nos.1, 2 and 3, including 2,367 acres.

Ongoing litigation:

Hudson and Lochbuie have been embroiled in litigation over the MSLCAT annexation and SouthWeld Annexation Nos. 2 and 3. Lochbuie filed a petition for an annexation election in Weld County District Court on Feb. 1, noting overlapping annexations undertaken by the two towns for rights of way along WCRs 4, 41 and 45. The two parties dispute who could actually vote in an annexation election involving rights of way, with Lochbuie arguing that Weld County itself, as owner of the rights of way should be the only elector and should be the only elector, and Hudson arguing that adjacent property owners should be allowed to vote.

A Weld County District Court judge extended a mediation deadline for that dispute to May 29.Lochbuie on Tuesday filed similar petitions for annexation elections over the Ranchos East annexation into Hudson, arguing that the annexations overlap with BNSF annexations to Lochbuie.

Hudson has not yet filed responses. Hudson on Tuesday filed a motion with Weld County District Court, seeking a declaration that Lochbuie violated a court order on stay in

annexation proceedings when it gave initial approval to annexation of 2,367 acres owned by BNSF on Monday. Lochbuie has not yet filed a response.

Additional exchange between Saine and Ross:

Exchanges between Saine and Ross were heated throughout Wednesday’s meeting. Here is another: Saine: “I do believe our constituents in Hudson have pointed out this will adversely affect our constituents in the county should we take this vote. And we do have to absorb that into our decision-making. … But as far as this goes, when there’s an appearance of collusion here, sir, and I might just ask for some records to be brought to light if that’s the case …”

Ross: “Your assertions that there has been collusion— and if you’re indicating this board — is gross misrepresentation and false.”

Saine: “So when people tend to talk back quickly, there’s something going on there.”

Ross: “Ms. Saine, you can stop right now.”

Saine: “I will also start asking for records to take a look at this because I’m very concerned even hearing that, even if our decision is a ‘no’ today.”

Weld County Code on vacations of rights of way Section 8-16-40 of the Weld County Code delineates the following requirements for vacation of rights of way.

Petitioner shall pay an application fee.

The Board of County Commissioners may approve or deny any request to vacate public road right-of-way as it determines to be in the best interests of the county. The Board may consider any information or evidence it determines appropriate, including, but not limited to, the following, to be provided by the Department of Public Works: Existing and future access, and whether the right-of-way is a maintained or non-maintained public road, and what the road classification is identified on the County’s current Functional Classification Map, and whether there is enough information to determine if the public needs this rightof-way in the future for items such as utility easements, etc. A title commitment or land survey plat may be required. No public road right-of-way that borders another county or the boundaries of an incorporated municipality may be vacated without the Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners and the consent of the governing body of the other county or municipality. No public road right-of-way may be vacated if any adjoining property would be without access (landlocked) by either public road or private easement.

The Resolution vacating the public road right-of-way shall reserve rights-of-way or easements for existing sewer, gas, water or similar appurtenances, for ditches or canals and appurtenances and for electric, telephone and similar lines and appurtenances. Reprinted with permission of BizWest.

Christopher Wood

Christopher Wood is editor and publisher of BizWest, a regional business journal covering Boulder, Broomfield, Larimer and Weld counties. Wood co-founded the Northern Colorado Business Report in 1995 and served as publisher of the Boulder County Business Report until the two publications were merged to form BizWest in 2014.From 1990 to 1995,Wood served as reporter and managing editor of the Denver Business Journal. He is a Marine Corps veteran and a graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder.

Here’s to the last 85 years and the brilliant future we’ll create together. We’ve evolved, but our dedication to powering progress and making connections that contribute to a stronger tomorrow remains unwavering. We’re here for tomorrow - we’re here for good. www.unitedpower.com

Hudson Fishing and Safety Day

[HUDSON, COLORADO, June 01, 2024] The Town of Hudson held its annual Fishing Derby and Public Safety Day a few weeks ago at the Hudson Pond, and it was a fun, if windy day! Colorado Parks & Wildlife stocked the Hudson Pond just two days before the event with over two thousand fish, and the kids caught their fill! Children won prizes for the smallest fish, the largest fish, the fish with the nicest smile, the ugliest fish, and the first fish caught! The kids also got to keep their rods and reels! Meanwhile, in Memorial Park, there were trucks, tractors, and other heavy equipment for the kids to play on. The Hudson Police let the kids climb in the squad cars and play with the sirens, and they held a canine demonstration. Adam’s County Sheriff’s Department and the Lochbuie Police Department joined the event. To add to the fun, I-76 Towing brought their Jurassic Dinosaur. And they brought a car that the Fire Department cut apart with the “Jaws of Life”! Folks also enjoyed the food trucks and homemade ice cream from the Connelly Creamery! Finally, Airlife Denver flew one of their helicopters in and taught the kids all about what they do and how they save lives!

This year, we have a packed events calendar in Hudson, and next up is the Summer Music Mas on June Saturday, 22nd at 1:00 PM in Memorial Park. A first this year, the Music Mash will have bounce houses and a kid’s maze, a petting zoo, all kinds of market vendors, food and ice cream trucks, a beer garden, and four (4!) live bands, including, The Atomic Drifters, David Michael Boyd & Blues Behind Bars, Greg Schocket & Little America, and Los Bohemios (The Bohemians)!

On the heels of Music Mash comes Lunch and Lawn Games on Saturday, July 20, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. With water slide bounce houses, a water dunk tank, and lots of food and fun, this is an event for anyone looking to cool off, play some fun games in the park, and have some great food!

And on September 21, we have the Hudson Harvest Festival! Those who came to the Harvest Festival last year will remember that we had over 70 vendors, bounce houses, a maze, a petting zoo, a kid’s train, a car show, a beer garden, and fireworks! This year, we also have Colorado Music Hall of Fame artists Chris Daniels & The King with Freddy Gowdy headlining the Harvest Festival! Chris was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in 2013 with Judy Collins, and The KINGS have been the backup band for Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Oates, Bonnie Raitt, and many more. The Kings have also appeared with The Lumineers, Uncle Kracker, Blues Traveler, The Neville Brothers, The Doobie Brothers, Little Feat, The Pretenders, Toto... and the list goes on!

Please check out our calendar of events at: https://www.hudsoncolorado.org/ Calendar.aspx. Stephen Snow

Culture and RelationsManag Town of Hudson, Colorado

Memorial Day Service at Fort Lupton’s Hillside Cemetery

by Jackie Smith

On May 5, 1868, then Major General John A. Logan head of the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union Soldiers) sent out General Order No. 11, to its posts across the U.S. to establish the first widespread Decoration Day to be held yearly on May 30th. In this order, Logan refers to “the strewing of flowers or the decoration of graves of the comrades who died in the defense of their country”.

After the world wars the term Decoration Day began fading and more people were referring to the holiday as Memorial Day. It wasn’t until 1971 with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act that moved Memorial Day to the last Monday of the month. This gave federal workers a three-day weekend and officially change the name to Memorial Day.

The Fort Lupton Library Serves the Perfect Spot of Tea

by Jackie Smith

On May 11, it was a magical day at the Whimsy in the Garden tea hosted by the Fort Lupton Library. People including library participants, would not expect a spot of tea at the library, but it happened. The perfect tea was part of the annual springtime event celebration of moms. The library estimates the mother’s celebration has been going on for approximately 20 years.

According to an online article the “History of Afternoon Teas,” the first tea took place in the 1660’s with King Charles II and his wife Caterine de Braganza. During the 1840’s, the Seventh Dutchess of Bedford introduced the afternoon tea for something to quell the hunger coming between lunch and dinner. She would often invite her friends. During the 1880’s the teas fast became a social event for the elite. Today teas are more mainstream enjoying a good cup a tea with family and friends.

Today, the flag will fly half-staff until noon as we celebrate the holiday as the official opening of the summer. Every year, our community comes together on Memorial Day to pay tribute and to honor our dead, the brave soldiers who sacrificed with their lives for each and every one of us. Mayor Zo welcomed the crowd; the national anthem was sung by Madison McKay followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. A brief talk about patriotism by Sheri Barr, Fort Vasquez Chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution). White crosses marked the memorial, and a wreath was laid there by American Legion Auxiliary, Post 102. Colorado Harmony provided Amazing Grace on the bag pipes and Taps on a horn.

In past years, the local United Methodist Church has provided a choir that sang beautiful patriotic music. This choir was one of the lovely highlights of the service. They were absent this year and were truly missed! I hope the people in charge get them back for next year. The music is what makes this communities services just a little more special. It just wasn’t the same without them.

At the tea, children were given their fairy wings and adults crafted a flowered band to wear. A wonderful menu of tea was on the magnificently decorated tables to choose from. Humm, so what tea should I choose? A Blood Orange Smoothie tea with a blend of South African red rooibos, orange peel and hibiscus, or the Choco Mint Truffle tea that was described as tasting like a Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie, or maybe a soothing cup of Pink Rose Lemonade tea made from lemon, rose, and mint. With these choices it was almost impossible to choose. Kate Merrell, Assistant Library Director, a kind of tea aficionado, recommended a local online tea shop in Louisville for the tea. The tea spot delivered on one of the most delicious decadent teas I have ever tasted. It was so delightful.

It was not long before the librarian’s served an individual charcuterie box with dried apricots, a beautifully crafted hard salami rose, brie and other cheeses, crackers, and nuts. Dessert was a cute mini cupcake. The event was absolutely enchanting!

A special thanks to Michelle Finch, Marketing & Programming Specialist, and brainchild of the day’s tea; aided by Julia Danico, Adult & Teen Services Librarian, and all the other wonderful associates, for a perfect day. When speaking with Michelle and Julia, I tried to get them to disclose how they were going to top this tea next year and give us a clue or a hint as to what the theme might be. Frustrated, I could not get them to divulge, not even a little bit. So, for now it looks like next year’s tea is going to be hushhush, and we will have to wait an entire year to find out the theme. All I can say is, you do not want to miss it.

Roots Local Goods Expands Offerings for Summer Season in Keenesburg

by Taylor Ann Cantwell

Keenesburg, CO –As summer approaches, Roots Local Goods, a yearround farmer’s market in Keenesburg, is firing up the season with a bounty of fresh offerings.

The store, known for its commitment to fresh, local goods, has recently introduced a wider variety of high-quality meats perfect for grilling. Customers can now find succulent ribs, juicy hamburger patties made from locally sourced beef, and a selection of brats in various flavors.

Recognizing the demands of busy schedules, Roots Local Goods has also begun offering a selection of pre-made meals and sides. These oven-ready options allow customers to enjoy delicious home-cooked meals without any prep work or planning. Options include Casa Crobu lasagna’s, Postcard Foods meals, and Hinman Pies pot pies in a variety of sizes.

Roots is stocked up on delectable cookie dough flavors, Ummber’s ice cream, baking supplies, seasonings & sauces, and an array of snacks including Boulder Canyon chips. Along with the changing of the season, customers can also expect to see a wider range of fresh produce available including novelties like pink pineapple.

“This summer, we’re excited to offer even more ways for our customers to enjoy fresh, local food,” says co-owner, TaylorAnn Cantwell. In addition to the expanded product selection, Roots Local Goods has implemented several new initiatives:

• Weekly Sales: Customers can look forward to rotating weekly sales on a variety of products.

• Customer Loyalty Program: A new customer loyalty program rewards frequent shoppers with points redeemable for discounts.

• Weekly Meal Kits (Once a Month): For a limited time, each month, Roots Local Goods will offer pre-portioned meal kits, specially curated to feed a family of four, featuring seasonal ingredients. This is a convenient option for busy families looking for delicious and healthy meals.

• Produce Boxes (Coming Soon): To further enhance the customer experience, Roots Local Goods plans to roll out produce boxes shortly. These boxes will allow customers to receive a myriad of seasonal fruits and vegetables for their families.

“By shopping at Roots Local Goods,” TaylorAnn continues, “customers are not just getting delicious food, they are also supporting Colorado small businesses.” The store’s dedication to fresh, local ingredients, an inviting shopping experience, and innovative offerings make it a one-stop shop for all things summer in Keenesburg.

Visit Roots Local Goods at 87 South Main Street, Unit A, Keenesburg, CO. They are open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. Stay up-to-date on their latest offerings by following them on Facebook and Instagram, or subscribe to their email list at: https://www.rootslocalgoods.com.

Common Sense Institute Analysis: $2.8 Billion

Taken from TABOR Refunds by New Legislation

By Lang Sias, Common Sense Institute

Legislators focused intensely on TABOR refunds this session Denver, CO – According to a new CSI analysis, 101 bills passed in the 2024 session will reduce TABOR refunds by $2.8 billion between FY24 and FY26.

“Amid unprecedented revenue growth and a $40 billion state budget, lawmakers circumvented the standard refund mechanisms through a long list of proposed tax rate reductions, tax credits, and distribution efforts,” said Chris Brown, CSI VP of Policy & Research.

“Legislators focused intensely on TABOR refunds this session,” said Lang Sias, CSI Mike A. Leprino Fellow. “What started a few years ago, has snowballed into what we saw play out during the 2024 session where more than 100 bills redirected TABOR refunds.”

Among the key findings,

• 101 bills were passed during the 2024 legislative session that, if signed into law, will reduce projected TABOR refunds by a combined $2.8 billion (47%) of the $6 billion projected between FY24 and FY26.

o These bills propose to reduce the TABOR refund by a combined $523 million in FY24, $1.06 billion in FY25, and $1.25 billion in FY26. The recent announcement that an additional $67 million in TABOR refunds is owed to taxpayers due to an accounting error is not reflected in this report.

• The reduction in refunds over the next three years is similar in size to the FY23 TABOR refund. Of the $3.28 billion available, $3.1 billion was distributed as direct payments of $800 to each Colorado taxpayer. The remaining $180 million was diverted via an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit approved during the 2023 session.

• SB24-228, which is expected to be signed into law shortly, proposes to change the TABOR refund mechanism by lowering the state income tax rate according to the level of excess state revenue. When it comes into effect, Coloradans’ TABOR refunds will be partially replaced by income tax reductions.

United Power Partners with TEA Solutions for Wholesale Power Services

Brighton, CO – On May 1, 2024, United Power officially departed from its prior wholesale power contract, allowing the cooperative to restructure the energy resources in its power mix and provide a more flexible framework for its members. TEA Solutions, a sister company of The Energy Authority, worked with the cooperative’s team to complete the transition from a single supplier to multiple wholesale energy providers.

“United Power is excited for our revolutionary new energy future,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “Our move away from a single, central power supplier will give us the flexibility and responsiveness that a utility needs to be competitive in the changing power market. We will be able to better meet the varied needs of our members and provide more predictable costs in the future.”

The cooperative’s partnership with TEA Solutions will provide for a variety of services on the power delivery side, including portfolio management, trading, and load forecasting. The full suite of services will ensure that the cooperative has adequate oversight of its multiple power sources and has an experienced team of specialists working to manage risk in the forecasting and trading markets.

“We’re proud to be United Power’s partner of choice as they begin their next chapter operating as an independent utility,” stated Joanie Teofilo, President and CEO of TEA Solutions. “This partnership demonstrates our commitment to assisting communityowned utilities in delivering reliable and affordable service to their residents.”

United Power’s decision to leave its former power supplier grew from a variety of changes in the electric delivery market and the fact that wholesale power represented 74% of all the cooperative’s costs prior to its departure. The previous contract also made it difficult to meet the growing demand for the integration of local generation sources, including rooftop solar. Additionally, the structure required that the cooperative cover a growing percentage of the power supplier’s costs that did not directly benefit United Power members.

“TEA Solutions offers a customized solution for electric utilities to provide the depth and experience we need to efficiently manage our power acquisition and delivery,” said Gabriel. “We are excited to work with an experienced and accomplished team of professionals who, along with cooperative staff, were able to manage our transition smoothly and without interruption.”

TEA Solutions will provide support for United Power’s unique energy needs, helping the cooperative meet its goals for delivering sustainable and economical power to its members.

“We are proud of our team’s hard work throughout this entire process and look forward to continuing our partnership with United Power,” said Teofilo. “We are dedicated to ensuring their success in this new market and future expanded markets while supporting their continued excellent service to their communities.”

United Power’s Board and staff were committed to finding a power solution that provides members with reliable power at more predictable prices into the future. Changes in the wholesale power market, increasing needs for flexibility in the delivery system, and growing ongoing operational costs from the cooperative’s former wholesale energy provider drove the need to seek out a change. United Power completed its withdrawal from its wholesale contract with Tri-State Generation and Transmission on May 1, 2024, with a historic funding agreement signed in April 2024.

United Power Announces 2024 Scholarship Recipients

Brighton, CO – United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2024. This year, the cooperative awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected 18 high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and a written essay. Applications are made available on the cooperative’s website by December each year.

2024 scholarship recipients:

• Harley Baas, Branson School Online, United Power Community College Scholarship, $1,000

• Lucas Burela, Brighton High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000

• Lilliana Ritter, Prairie View High School, United Power Technical Scholarship, $1,000

• Rachael Schmidt, Frederick High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000

• Giselle Sixtos, Fort Lupton High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000

• Alanna Snyder, Horizon High School, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000

• Skylar Whalen, Mead High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500

Additionally, United Power dedicates a Bright Futures Scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided students from those schools submit applications. This year, United Power distributed 11 scholarships for $2,000 each, including one “at-large” selection.

Bright Futures scholarships for 2024 were awarded to Cody Bydalek, Weld Central High School; Elizabeth Clement, Stargate Charter School; Sydney Dawson, Eagle Ridge Academy; Paige Gibbs, Fort Lupton High School; Josh Goodrich, Mead High School; Colt Lanaghen, Mountain Territory; Devyn Nabarrete, Erie High School; Joaquin Rodriguez, Riverdale Ridge High School; Paige Walker, Prairie View High School; Nicholas Aasmundstad-Williams, Frederick High School; and Owen Woodford, Brighton High School.

More information about United Power’s scholarships, including a video commemorating this year’s recipients, can be found on the co-op’s website.

Colorado Pork Producers To Hold Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Colorado Pork Producers Council will be held June 25, 2024, at the Valley Trading Post Event Center, 23056 US 350, La Junta, CO and will begin at 4:00pm with a CPPC business meeting, the election of board members and Pork Act Delegates. The program and meal will begin at 5:30 pm . All pork producers, veterinarians, Extension Agents, leaders who collaborate with swine projects, students, educators, youth, and other allied members and interested parties are invited to attend.

The highlight of the evening will be election of new board members, 2025 Pork Act Delegates and educational programming for teaching youth and others about foreign animal disease preparation, certification efforts of pork quality assurance and updating industry leaders on challenges, successes and looking ahead. There will be great door prizes and other takeaways for the meeting.

Youth and youth workers are encouraged to attend. If you are interested in serving as a board member, let the CPPC management know of your intentions and service expectations will be shared with you. The election of Pork Act Delegates for the 2025 Pork Forum will also be conducted. Proof of payment of check off fees is required to run and vote in this part of the election. More information can be found by contacting the office. RSVP is requested by May 20, 2024, at 5:00 pm. For more information, contact Colorado Pork Producers Council, PO Box 116, Lucerne, CO 80631, (970) 356-4964, jkelly@copork.org.

Fort Lupton High School Introduction to Engineering Students Design, Build and Test Their Mousetrap Cars

Introduction to Engineering students at Fort Lupton High School, in Mr. Colton Cline’s class, were recently presented with a new design challenge, to design and build a car powered by a mousetrap that will travel a minimum distance of 10 feet in a straight line.

Students were provided with design criteria, constraints, approved materials and competition guidelines. Additionally, students were provided success criteria within a rubric.

Success criteria included an engineering log, repeatability, distance and stability, and an accounting for approved materials. Students were also required to track their engineering “journey” via assignments requiring identification of the problem, research sources, six potential designs for their car, submission of their final design, material measurements and quantity. Other elements they were required to track included the distance traveled in their minimum of three trials, design adjustments and their resulting impact.

Lastly, students completed a reflection and self-assessment of their prototype’s performance and what they might do differently next time along with projections of what these changes might do.

Students were given the choice of working with a partner or independently. So the challenge began with a clear goal, success criteria, multiple opportunities for feedback aligned with their design decision making and the principles affecting their construction process and precision.

Engineering students were growing their understandings of key points and principles of mechanical design. Elements included understanding mass, the location of the mousetrap, the purpose, location and design of the pull cord and the function of the axle and wheel alignment.

Students deepened their understanding of key vocabulary including alignment, the chassis, control’s impact on speed and direction, friction and guidance systems. Engineering students furthered their understanding of the ways shape and size influence structure. Along with understanding suspension and its relationship to keeping the vehicle in contact with the road.

Design work took place in the classroom guided by an important engineering principle, time management. Students were given a calendar to assist them in managing their time during the design phase, along with multiple opportunities for feedback. Mr. Cline facilitated numerous feedback conversations with his future engineers in what might be called “learning conversations”. Using meditative questions to elicit the student’s current thinking about their design in relation to their goal and success criteria. Each day students began with a warm-up check-in, displayed graphically, about what percent of your design is complete. Students were reminded of where they were relative to the class and then given “daily” goals

Then once final designs were complete, engineering students migrated to the school’s engineering lab to begin construction on the Mousetrap car prototype. As student’s design work began to take form in the construction process, still more opportunities for feedback relative to their goal and success criteria took place.

Lastly, the day arrived for students to test the outcomes of their hard work designing and building their Mousetrap prototype vehicles! The hallway outside of the engineering lab was prepared for testing and the competition began! Students were

provided with immediate feedback related to their design and construction. All students tested their prototypes a minimum of three times. Numerous adjustments and design changes were applied. It was fun to witness the smiles, the cheers and eagerness to refine and adjust to create an opportunity for success. Cars traveled a variety of distances. Students responded with design changes to get the full energy out of the spring. Car designs were all unique and varied and distances varied as well. Some traveled only 10 feet while others traveled 32 feet, 38 feet 7 inches, 35 feet, 38 feet 8 inches, 39 feet 10 inches and the maximum distance was 43 feet and 4 inches. Excitement, success, perseverance, focus and effort was visible and reflected in the success of the distances traveled.

Clearly these students made their learning visible through the outcomes of their Mousetrap prototype cars in their multiple trials. Learning evidenced in their clear goal and success criteria!

Winners Circle Updated article from Dirt, Vol I, Issue 6, May 2002

Submitted and updated by Butch Speicher, Photos by Speicher family

“When you look through the memorabilia Butch Speicher has collected through out the years, it becomes instantly obvious that his passion for racing extends far beyond his racing career. It is not surprising that Speicher now owns and operates one of the most successful dirt tracks in the state. Sitting around surrounded by five decades of carefully documented racing history, I realized that not only has he helped bring back a rebirth of dirt track racing in Colorado in the last years but has also preserved our stock car racing past by preserving programs, newspaper articles and photographs.

Speicher’s 27 +years in racing alone could easily fill the Winner Circle pages, as could his 35 years as a successful track owner; therefore I will attempt to summarize multiple track championships, countless main events wins, and years of stories and memories that were his first 15 years of his career... and squeeze in the last impact of the last 15 years have had in Colorado’s racing scrap book.

All racing careers start somewhere and Butch Speicher’s started in 1966 when he attended a night dirt track race. The very next day Speicher approached a friend, Herman Facinelli and said, “Let’s build a stock car.” And so they built a 55’ Chevy. Barely...

It was a lot of trial and error, but almost instantly Speicher seemed to turn error into triumph ... and the trophies started piling up. His natural talent and ability mixed with top-notch technical ability moved Speicher up quickly through the ranks. Literally within a few races people were sitting up and taking notice within a few years he was running with the top drivers every week, often times winning and that is where he would remain.

Speicher changed cars many times through out the years, but his ability to win was constant. He accumulated so many trophies he used to give them back to the track to take apart and use again.

Speicher raced his trademark “lucky” red # 73 at Englewood Speedway, Century-21, Lakeside Speedway and throughout the Midwest and Western United States. His favorite track was the 1⁄2 mile clay oval at Colorado National Speedway. He won 4 Track Championships there, including the last Championship before it was paved in 1988, when his late model #2 the “Sereine Machine” took him to victory.

Speicher has raced Midgets, Late Models, I.M.C.A. Modifieds and Enduros on both dirt and asphalt. In 1989 his love for dirt track racing led him to purchase a race track located in Fort Morgan, Colorado. He immediately changed the name to I-76 Speedway and completely renovated the entire grounds. Thos Speicher’s 36th season as the track’s owner and operator. He always puts the drivers first while implementing fair rules and regulations. Speicher does not run the track from behind a desk. Ay every trace you can find him with his hands in the “dirt” ...

Working alongside in the pits, making calls, running the tow truck, the water truck ... and doing what else needs to be done. That is what makes I-76 such a great track and every year it seems to get better.

Speicher has two sons, Rock and Beau, who also took to racing. Rock raced in Enduros and Beau has raced and still races in I.M.C.A. Modified. Beau now uses the # 73. In 2001, Beau Tom Webb’s Modified Lite in the first race for Mod Lites here in Colorado. He competed against seasoned Dwarf Car drivers and visiting Mod Lite drivers and won the main event. Avery impressive win considering he’d never driven a Mod Lite before!

Rock owns a successful graphic design company, Progressive Signs, in Arvada. They are following in their father’s footsteps both in racing and as successful businessmen. Everything Speicher has done takes a lot of hard work and determination. It is easy to give up when your car flips in the first lap of your first race, but he never did. He rebuilt his car and made it better for the next week. It is with that determination that he runs his racetrack, making it a safe, fun and fair place for drivers and fans alike.

Maybe the secret to al of his success is his passion for the sport, maybe red really was “lucky” or maybe it goes back to the pages and pages of pictures of other drivers and his admiration of them that led him to this point. Either way, it is safe to say that in another 20 years, a lot of people will look back at their own memories, their own photos, their own trophies and think ... I’m glad Butch Speicher went to a race on a Saturday night in 1966.”

Celebrating Creativity: Weld County School District Re-3J’s Annual Art Show

by RE3J School District

Photos by Lost Creek Guide, photographer Pat Lentell

The Weld County School District Re-3J Annual Art Show took place from April 22- May 6. Hundreds of families and community members attended opening night to see the featured collection of art from all schools within the district, including Weld Central High School, Weld Central Middle School, Cardinal Community Academy, Hoff Elementary, Hudson Elementary, Lochbuie Elementary, and Meadow Ridge Elementary. The exhibition showcased a wide range of artistic works, including drawings, paintings, sculptures, clay pieces, digital art, and more. These pieces were created by students and curated by art teachers for display.

This long-standing event has been district sponsored and hosted by the Hudson Public Library for many years. WCMS art teacher Jessica Mahoney shared, “I have been involved over the past two years, and I am inspired by what students decide to make and the skills they use to put art together, from the planning and envisioning to the final artwork.”

Students whose work was featured in the show were notified and encouraged to attend the opening night. The artwork of the winners is being photographed and turned into bookmarks for the Hudson Public Library as part of its summer reading programs. Congratulations to the numerous student award-winners and to the art teachers who facilitated such a successful event.

RTD: A Fork in the Railroad

Common Sense Institute by Kelly Brough & DJ Summers

Growing budget, rising crime, and diminished ridership define the Denver Metro transit system today.

Denver, CO – Today, CSI released RTD: A Fork in the Railroad, an examination of the Denver metro region’s transit system. Authored by CSI Urban Development Fellow Kelly Brough and CSI Director of Policy & Research DJ Summers, the study looks back at the history of the agency and examines the budget, ridership, and crime that define the system today.

From 2020 through 2022, 66% of RTD’s revenue came from sales and use taxes in participating counties, amounting to $275 per Denver metro area resident. “RTD is a significant investment for taxpayers and ensuring the viability and ridership of the system is paramount to many goals in the region including transportation, housing, and climate goals,” said Brough.

“To better incentivize ridership and improve the system, we first have to understand how the system is operating today,” said Brough.

According to the study, one of the biggest challenges for RTD is crime. According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, crime has spiked at air/bus/train terminals – for instance, the number of drug violations rose by 248% between 2019 and 2023. Similarly, citations issued by RTD police rose in 2023 after falling for several years. RTD police issued an average of 372 citations per month in 2022. That number rose in 2023 to 526 citations per month. In 2024, RTD has already recorded three homicides. One occurred in every month of the first quarter.

The good news according to Brough, RTD has made great strides toward improved safety. “RTD has dramatically increased the size of its police force from 19 officers in 2022 to a projected 119 by the end of 2024. We hope this trend continues to the fullest extent possible.”

“In addition to crime, CSI examined budget and ridership numbers,” said Summers. “The bottom line is ridership is not keeping pace with the growing budget. RTD would have to nearly triple its ridership in order to recover 30% of its operating costs through rider fares, as it was officially required to do until 2021.”

Key Findings:

• Budget

o RTD’s budget has been climbing as its ridership has fallen. Between 2019 and 2022, ridership fell 46% while its operating budget increased 3%.

o FasTracks has completed 78 of the planned 119 miles of rail at the cost of $72 million per mile.

o In 2014, the system’s operating budget was $477 million. That rose 35% by 2019 to $644 million, then sank to $570 million by 2021 largely in response to COVID-19 interruptions. RTD’s budget has grown rapidly since then. By 2023, it had grown to $856 million, and RTD has proposed a $1 billion budget for 2024.

o From 2020 through 2022, 66% of RTD’s revenue came from sales and use taxes in participating counties, amounting to $275 per Denver metro area resident.

o Operating assistance grants (primarily federal dollars) contribute another 25%.

• Ridership

o As of January 31, 2024, fares only recovered 4.4% of RTD’s operating costs. In 2022 the state legislature eliminated a standard that required higher fare recovery ratios. Unless ridership increases, this lower level of fare recovery means there is a greater level of public subsidy expected to maintain RTD.

o RTD’s budget has been climbing as its ridership has fallen.

o In 2022, RTD ridership was 54% of its 2019 level.

o Ridership had already decreased 5% from 2014 to 2019.

o RTD would have to nearly triple its ridership in order to recover 30% of its operating costs through rider fares, as it was officially required to do until 2021.

• Crime

o According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the number of crimes occurring at Colorado air/bus/train terminals has spiked.

o Between 2019 and 2023, violent crime rose by 53%, including a 300% rise in murder, an 86% rise in aggravated assault, a 32% rise in non-consensual sex assault, and a 32% rise in robbery.

o Property crimes also increased by 89% during the same timeframe, including an 89% rise in larceny, a 13% rise in burglary, a 48% rise in fraud, and a 202% rise in motor vehicle theft.

o Drug crime increased even more sharply. The number of drug violations at air/ bus/train terminals rose by 248% between 2019 and 2023 and the number of drug equipment violations rose by 858%.

• National Context

o Among 23 U.S. public transportation systems spanning bus, light rail, and heavy rail, RTD ranked 17th in overall spending, 15th in the number of unlinked trips, 10th in the amount of operational expense per trip, 19th in use rate per service area population, 17th in number of miles transported, and 17th in spending per mile of rider travel in 2022.

The Satire Brewing Company

Satire Brewing Company is a creative brewpub and restaurant near 120th and I-25 in Thornton, Co. They serve unique cheeky beers, hard seltzers, and special limitededition cocktails. The name Satire Brewing Company was picked because satire represents humor & fun. Their politically incorrect beer menu and eclectic food menu are as delicious as they are distinctive. Westword magazine recently named Satire Brewing Company one of the top 5 Denver breweries you should be following on Instagram.

Todd Waufle started out brewing as a homebrewer in his backyard and garage. His wife bought all of the brewing equipment to start homebrewing at an estate sale; however, it sat in his basement for two years collecting dust. Eventually curiosity got the best of him. He became a serial homebrewer making 293 batches of beer in a five year span and because of this obsession decided to open Satire. Simply put it was a moth to a flame.

The Waufle family sat around their home kitchen counter creating the food menu featuring Grandma Waufle’s over 100 year old secret family bread recipe. The food side of the business is called The Loaded Squirrel, a name the youngest daughter thought of when she was ten, thinking of a fat chubby cheeked squirrel.

The relaxed Thornton brew pub facility is over 7,000 square feet, with a small intimate “old world” beer tasting room and a large beautiful outdoor patio, with a nearby creek. North Metros Women’s Magazine (Todd is a subscriber) recently named Satire Brewing Company a top choice for patio dining in the north Denver area. The beer garden is a real “garden” with lots of vegetation and pretty flowers. Satire Brewery is a true nano-brewery starting on a small 3-barrel system. Featuring thirty two highly creative beers, limited-edition cocktails, and seltzers all handcrafted in house.

The Loaded Squirrel food menu has lots of locally sourced ingredients, meats, cheeses, and special recipes (no squirrels were harmed or used in this delicious food)! The grub is made from scratch with homemade bread and ooey-gooey special fillings. You haven’t lived until you have tasted their squirrel-inspired menu.

Satire Brewing Company is also a perfect location for any small party, event, or business meeting with both indoor and outdoor space. Their legendary Moose Room small event space, is a small group meeting room that gives off the rustic vibe of an old cabin or lodge. The room whispers intimacy for private parties and is something creative and unique. Made for people who are tired of the typical hotel room or industrial-look brewery. Follow on Facebook or Instagram, and check out their events calendar online.

Frequently called a hidden gem, Satire Brewing is an authentic Colorado family story with both the Mom and Dad and two sons running it, and three daughters helping out when they aren’t playing basketball or in school.”

Celebrating Achievements: Aims Community College Hosts Spring Commencement 2024

GREELEY, CO – April 30, 2024 – Experience the pride and excitement as Aims Community College sends off its Spring and Summer 2024 graduates into the future, ready to make an impact.

Aims Community College celebrates graduating students on Friday, May 10, in the Aims Welcome Center, 4901 West 20th St. in Greeley. A commencement ceremony for graduates in Arts & Sciences and Business Technology programs is at 11 a.m. The second ceremony for Allied Health, Public Safety & Transportation graduates is at 3 p.m.

“The commencement ceremony is the most gratifying event we hold at Aims. This is why we do what we do,” said Dr. Leah L. Bornstein, Aims Community College CEO and president. “You can feel the enthusiasm in the auditorium as we come together to celebrate students’ hard work and success.”

Below are a few facts about Aims students participating in the Spring 2024 commencement:

• 450 students will take part in the official ceremonies

• Graduates range in age from 15 to 64

• 971 students graduated or are potentially graduating

• 1446 credentials are being awarded or potentially awarded (students may get multiple credentials)

• The following are to be awarded:

o 250 Associate of Arts Degrees

o 43 Associate of Science Degrees

o 13 Associate of General Studies Degrees

o 157 Associate of Applied Science Degrees

o 983 Certificates

“Commencement does not signal a culmination. It is a renewed commitment to lifelong learning,” said John W. Haefeli, Aims Board of Trustees member. “Aims strives to ensure that every student, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status, gets the chance to experience this milestone.”

- Obituary -

Ralph Ervin May

Ralph Ervin May was born in Brighton, CO to Frances and Claude May on Feb. 21, 1940. He was an only child that moved between Colorado and Oklahoma. He married the love of his life Barbra May (Stevens) on Nov. 4, 1960. Ralph Served in the army reserve in Kansas.

Ralph Spent the majority of his life living outside of Hudson CO. He was a semi-truck driver for USA postal, EF Custer, Rainbo (Saralee) and for a tree farm. Ralph also worked for the canning factor in Brighton, CO. His love for his farm and livestock was a big part of Ralph and his wife Barb, along with his two daughters Linda and Rebecca (Becky). He retired from trucking and started his own business of selling livestock until he sold the farm in 2013.

Ralph spent the next part of his life living with his daughters in Lochbuie, CO. and spending time with his grandchildren Jessica, James, Hannah, Daniel and great grandchildren Wyatt, Ely, Bailey, LilyAnn. He also enjoyed driving around the country-side and visiting family and friends. Ralph loved to go to coffee.

Ralph survived by his daughter Linda May and Rebecca & David Haynes along with three grandchildren Jessica & James Arasmith, Hannah Haynes, and Daniel Haynes, and four great grandchildren Wyatt, Ely, Bailey, and LilyAnn Arasmith. He is preceded in death by his parents Claude & Frances May, and the love of his life Barbra Ilene May.

Southeast Weld County Chamber of Commerce Hosts its Annual Derby Day

Multi Chamber Event at the Weld Animal

Sanctuary in Keenesburg

by Bob Grand, Lost Creek Guide, pictures by Lost Creek Guide, photographer Pat Lentell

The Southeast Weld Chamber of Commerce held its annual Multi Chamber Derby Day event at the Wild Animal Sanctuary. Sponsored by United Power and the High Plains Bank there were well over 100 in attendance. Beverages were provided by Satire and Molly Brown Brewing. Food was catered by Amazed by Grace. There were five races with prizes awarded to the first three positions for all. An enjoyable evening of fun and networking.

Morgan County, CO

GRAFF’S TURF LAND AUCTION

669± Total Acres | 5+ Parcels 12± mi west of Fort Morgan, CO LIVE Auction | June 20, 2024 10:30am MT in Fort Morgan, CO The Block - 19592 E 8th Ave

QUICK

FACTS

• Located 9-11± miles west of Fort Morgan, CO

• I-76 Interstate frontage—easy access to Denver, DIA, I-70, I-25 & I-80

• Currently operated as turf farm; also ideal for corn, alfalfa, sugar beets, vegetables, etc.

• Excellent growing conditions—sandy loam soils, level terrain, irrigation water

• 447± pivot irrigated acres w/ blend of surface water & 4 irrigation wells

• 185.38 Bijou Irrigation District Acres

• 42 Bijou Irrigation Company Shares

• Office, 3 homes, multiple shops/outbuildings in 3 locations on 17± total acres

• 135± acres Bijou Creek bottom w/ live water

• Offered in 5 Parcels, 1 Combo, Pivot Irrigated Unit, & Single Unit

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Marc Reck, Broker Ben Gardiner, Broker Assoc. 970-522-7770 or 1-800-748-2589 | reckagri.com

Well-established irrigated turf farm with 5 pivots, 3 homes, office & outbuildings located in a productive farming area near Fort Morgan, Colorado. Scan QR for more info, photos & maps