Arvada Press 1229

DECEMBER 29, 2016

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USER’S GUIDE:

Tips for assembling your New Year’s plans JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

P12

SO LONG 2016:

Arvada saw new heights and some sad setbacks this year. Read the year’s top stories on P5 NEW DIRECTION: Jeffco schools looking to replace current superintendent Dan McMinimee P4

SANTA STOP: Arvada volunteers make sure area children have a merry Christmas P2 VICTORY IN OT: RV gets some help from the bench in double overtime P18

THE BOTTOM LINE

‘With the election behind us, it is time to get things done that will make life better for individual Coloradans who are working hard and playing by the rules.’

Rep. Jessie Danielson, D-24 | P8 INSIDE

VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 12 | CALENDAR: PAGE 16 | SPORTS: PAGE 18

ArvadaPress.com

VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 32

2 Arvada Press

December 29, 2016D

Santa House ensures a merry Christmas for thousands This year, 852 families and 2,054 children were served

A My Little Pony toy sits high on the toy shelves at the Santa House.

Toys that are donated, or purchased with donated funds like this one, help give children a merry Christmas they might not otherwise get.

BY SHANNA FORTIER SFORTIER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Shanyn Jarus, of Arvada, with son Jordan Culpepper, 3, stood in a room filled with toy selections. It was their first time attending the Santa House, which they learned about through the Arvada Head Start program.

Even after he had made his selections, Jordan wanted to see the other toys on the shelf.

“You want to look at some books?”

Jarus asked her son.

“Noooo,” he replied, reaching back for the truck set that had caught his eye.

At Santa House, which is in its 11th year, families identified as in need can select holiday gifts for their children ages infant through school age.

The families are referred by Jeffco Schools.

This year, Santa House served 17 schools: Allendale, Arvada K-8, Arvada Head Start, Campbell, Foster, Fremont, Fitzmorris, Lawrence, Little, Parr, Peck, Secrest, Swanson, Thomson and Vanderhoof in Arvada; and Kullerstrand and Pennington in Wheat Ridge.

And 852 families and 2,054 children benefitted from the generosity.

The Arvada Police Department also

GLENN WALLACE

Volunteers Mark Hoskins, left, and Larry Romero sit at the welcome table at this year’s Santa House event, with signs made by some of the 17 schools served by the annual program. Both said they enjoy helping out the community’s less fortunate. Romero said he takes special joy in helping to translate for the many Spanish speakers that the Santa House serves. “When somebody speaks to them in their native language, they feel more relaxed,” Romero said.

GLENN WALLACE passed out vouchers to families they met who needed help.

Such was the case for AYlssa Vigio, of Arvada.

“My car was hit overnight, so a cop told me about this,” Vigio said, adding that with three sons and a daughter, adding car repairs to existing bills have strained the family budget.

Santa House attendees received two main gifts for each child, coloring books and crayons, reading books, caps and gloves, a family game and stocking stuffers. There also was a

free table of Christmas decorations.

“When they walk out, it’s generally with a grocery cart,” said Duane Youse, one of the founders of the Santa House.

The Arvada community donates the toys, clothes, books for the event — and money to purchase what’s needed.

Many organizations contribute to Santa House’s success: Arvada-Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth; Kiwanis Optimist, Rotary and Sertoma service clubs; Red Rocks Community College; the Arvada Chamber of

Commerce; churches, schools, community leaders, businesses, community groups and individuals.

Volunteer Larry Romero enjoys helping out at the Santa House. He helps translate for the Spanish speakers.

“When somebody speaks to them in their native language, they feel more relaxed,” Romero said.

Over the past 10 years, the Santa House has served 9,337 families and 26,429 children.

All thanks to Arvada’s caring community, Youse said.

“The Arvada community is so unique in the fact that the people here like to help other people,” Youse said.

“There’s a fabulous volunteer base here in Arvada.”

— Reporter Glenn Wallace contributed to this report

Arvada Press 3

December 29, 2016

REGIONAL NEWS IN A HURRY WR hosting Volunteer Academy The Wheat Ridge Police Department is accepting applications for its 2017 Volunteer Academy.

Participants learn about all the aspects of community policing and the role they can play as volunteers for the department. Police and civilian personnel will present lectures and demonstrations in order to give participants an understanding of the department’s mission, practices and operations, and well as such areas as community relations, crime prevention, Crisis Intervention Training, personal safety, and wildlife safety and recognition.

Volunteers who graduate from

the academy attend monthly dinner meetings on the first Thursday of the month and agree to participate in special events and commit to volunteer opportunities that arise.

Those who are interested must complete an application, an interview, and submit three references as well as agree to a background investigation.

Criteria for applicants to the Volunteer Academy must: live or work in the City of Wheat Ridge; be 21 years of age or older; be willing to sign a Waiver of Liability; not have any felony convictions; not have any domestic violence convictions; not have any significant or recent

misdemeanor convictions; and not be a registered sex offender.

The academy is scheduled to begin Wednesday, January 18, and classes are held from 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday night for 10 weeks.

Graduation occurs on April 26 during Volunteer Appreciation Week.

For more information and an application, go to our website www. ci.wheatridge.co.us.

LWV hosting democraphic discussions The League’s Applewood Unit will meet to discuss statistics, impacts and strategies to deal with the “Silver Tsunami” at six meetings around the county in January.

The first meeting will be at 9:15

a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at Westland Meridian, 10695 W. 17th Ave., in Lakewood. Call Darlene 303-2388996 for more information.

There will also be an evening meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the LWV office, 1425 Brentwood, Suite 7, in Lakewood. Call Teresa at 303-972-4238 for more information.

They will host another meeting at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at the Cason Howell House, 1575 Kipling St., in Lakewood. Call Terri at 303618-6931 for information.

To learn more about the League, including the January book club, visit www.lwvjeffco.org.

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Happy New Year! What Will the Real Estate Market Be Like in 2017?

2016 was quite a year for real estate, of active Jeffco listings exceeded 2,000. with prices across the metro area rising That is what I call a tight market! above what they were before the 2008 recesGiven this data — especially how many sion began. The surge in prices REAL ESTATE buyers are still looking to purwas driven by classic supply and chase a home — you can underTODAY demand market forces. Quite stand my prediction that the simply, there are dramatically seller’s market will continue into fewer homes on the market and and through the New Year. dramatically more home buyers Mortgage interest rates are competing for them. This situacreeping up, but my prediction is tion began at least two years that they will remain under 5% ago, and it is still the dominant throughout 2017. As always hapcharacteristic of our market topens, rising rates are causing day. fence-sitting buyers to jump off Looking forward to 2017, it’s the fence and actively seek to pretty clear that this market dybuy a home before rates go even namic will last well into and pos- By JIM SMITH, higher. That makes right now an Realtor® sibly through the coming year. even more attractive time than Last week I described how one of our newest ever for any would-be seller to put his or her listings, priced at $350,000, drew 50 show- home on the market. ings and six competing offers within three As strong as this seller’s market is, there days of going active on the MLS. Forty-nine are many would-be sellers who want to sell of those buyers are still looking, waiting for their home but who are afraid to put their the right opportunity to come along and hop- home on the market because they worry that ing that they win the next bidding war. they won’t be able to buy a home and could As I write this week’s column, there are end up homeless.

6,016 active listings on the MLS, and there This is an understandable fear, but I can are 6,294 listings under contract. About assure you that it is unfounded — if you have 5,100 listings closed in the last 31 days. a smart Realtor like one of us at Golden Real Those numbers tell me that it will take a long Estate. time for supply and demand to come into How do we help you avoid the nightmare balance. In other words, our seller’s market of having to move and not having a home to will continue for many months to come. move in to? This is where you can make the In Jefferson County, there are, as I write, seller’s market work in your favor. Here’s only 710 active listings and 999 listings under how we’ve made it work for one buyer after contract. Five years ago in December, there another throughout this seller’s market. were nearly 5,000 active listings in Jeffco, The key is to price your home right — low but it has been 38 months since the number enough that you receive multiple offers. Too many sellers look at what a neighbor’s house sold for Active Listings in Jeffco and compel their agent to list 2011 to Present their home for too high a price. When you do that, you don’t get multiple offers and you lose all your bargaining power.

If, on the other hand, you price your house “at the market” instead of above it, you will get multiple offers and have tons of bargaining power. That power can be used to get exactly the terms

that suit your needs. Some agents will put in their broker remarks that any contract must be contingent on the seller finding and purchasing a replacement home. I don’t recommend that strategy, because it reduces the number of possible bidders dramatically.

Rather, you price the home right, get those multiple offers and then your agent starts talking to the various agents who have submitted offers, not just to bid up the offers by disclosing what the current highest price is, but also to get terms such as a flexible closing date. Your highest bidder might be someone who can’t be flexible enough, but the existence of unworkable offers nevertheless can help you get a higher price from buyers who can provide that flexibility.

We have used this process with consistent success to negotiate post-closing occupancy agreements, rent-backs, sale of furniture to the buyer outside of closing, and so much more. I can cite a half dozen transactions in 2016 where we got a seller’s home under contract and, despite the seller’s market, got the seller under contract for his re-

placement home with a simultaneous closing on both properties. Trust me, it can be done!

An alternative strategy is just as effective if the seller can get approved for purchasing without a contingency on the sale of their current property. In those cases, we get under contract for the replacement home first — typically with a 45- to 60-day closing — and then immediately put the client’s home on the market. By pricing that home correctly, we get it under contract right away with multiple offers and negotiate the closing date to match the closing date on the replacement home. Then, our buyer is able to use the proceeds from his current home in purchasing the replacement home, canceling any bridge loan or mortgage that may have been part of the original purchase contract.

So if that fear of homelessness is preventing you from taking advantage of the current seller’s market, call Golden Real Estate, where all of us have been schooled in making the process work for our clients. It is possible to get top dollar for your home and buy that new one too!

Coming: Golden Ranch With Walk-Out Basement This home at 17205 Rimrock Drive has several things going for it. First, it’s in the City of Golden, one of the most sought after locations for home buyers. Second, it’s a spacious ranch home with walk-out basement, which older home buyers in particular seek.

More info at www.SouthGoldenHome.com Third, it’s across from open space, with a trailhead a short walk away.

Fourth, it’s within walking or biking distance of downtown Golden and the Colorado School of Mines. Fifth, it has a legal Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in the walk-out basement, currently drawing $1,900 in monthly income to help cover the mortgage obligation, if you don’t want to use the space yourself. Sixth, within four blocks are multiple restaurants, King Soopers, a bank, Walgreen’s, multiple auto service and parts stores, gas stations and more along South Golden Road. Coming on the market Jan. 4th. Call me at 303-525-1851 now to see it first!

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4 Arvada Press

December 29, 2016D

Jeffco school board may be looking for new leadership Superintendent Dan McMinimee’s three-year contract expires in June

BY SHANNA FORTIER SFORTIER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As the Jefferson County Board of Education looks to the future, they are questioning if Jeffco Schools Superintendent Dan McMinimee should be part of it.

“I believe that Dan McMinimee has been a very good superintendent for Jeffco Schools and has worked hard,” board president Ron Mitchell said. “But if we look at the future, is he the best person to lead Jeffco forward?”

The Board of Education met in executive session on Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 to discuss personnel matters.

According to the district, the nonrenewal of McMinimee’s three-year contract was one of the decisions reached during those meetings.

“It was clear during our executive sessions that the board felt we should explore our options to support the vision and direction of our school district,” Mitchell said.

“This is a very difficult discussion, especially since Dan has led Jeffco Public Schools through some chal-

lenging times and we all appreciate his work.”

The board’s next regular meeting is Jan. 12, at which time the board is expected to vote on whether to start a search process for a new superintendent.

“I am deeply saddened by this decision,” McMinimee told Colorado Community Media.

“I believe many in our community are optimistic about the direction that Jeffco Public Schools is headed. We know we still have much work to do, but as presented to the Board McMinimee of Education earlier this year, we are seeing some positive results due to the focus and commitment of staff and students.”

McMinimee became superintendent of Jeffco Schools in July 2014, replacing longtime Superintendent Cindy Stevenson. He was selected on a 3-2 vote, with the support of Ken Witt, Julie Williams and John Newkirk. Those three board members, all elected in 2013 on a conservative reform platform, were later the target of a successful recall campaign in 2015, during which McMinimee’s hiring became an issue.

McMinimee was a former assistant superintendent of secondary

From our family to yours...

education in the Douglas County School District. He served under former Superintendent Elizabeth Fagen, who left Douglas County last summer for a school district in Texas after six years of new initiatives and policies that created controversy among many teachers and parents.

He previously worked for the Salem-Keizer School District in Salem, Oregon, as a principal, teacher and coach.

Over the past 2 1/2 years, the district has faced a teacher sick-out protest over low pay, student protests over proposed changes to the Advanced Placement U.S. History curriculum, contentiousness over teacher evaluation and pay systems, and the recall election.

Several parents, however, disagreed with the board’s decision.

“I believe it is a great mistake of this board to not renew his contract,” Lakewood parent Lisa Papke said. “In a district this large and facing many challenges, having a superintendent with longevity would be of benefit to staff and students alike. In our local schools, when principals are turned over every two or three years, the community struggles to have continuity and for goals to consistently be achieved.”

Papke said she believes McMini-

mee has been a strong superintendent and has provided solid leadership during some of the most tumultuous times in the district.

South Jeffco parent Kim Gilmartin is worried the board’s decision will cause more trouble for the district.

“Mr. McMinimee has been able to pull this community together and lead the development of Vision 2020, which focuses on what students need to be successful,” Gilmartin said. “If this board didn’t like that path, why wasn’t something said a long time ago? Between countless months of efforts put toward a recall of the former school board, a failed billion dollar tax increase, and now a new superintendent search, how much more Jeffco taxpayer money is going to be wasted?

When will student achievement finally be put at the forefront of Jeffco’s vision? This will throw the district into turmoil once again — and for what?”

McMinimee’s contract with Jeffco Schools — which lists his base salary as $220,000 with up to an additional $40,000 of performance pay bonuses — is set to expire June 30.

Mitchell said that if the school board decides to begin the search SEE MCMINIMEE, P23

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Arvada Press 5

December 29, 2016

A look back at 2016: celebration, tragedy, challenges A mid-morning fire engulfs the Scenic Heights Office Building, 6475 Wadsworth Blvd., on Jan. 2, claiming one life. The building was a complete loss and has since been demolished.

BY SHANNA FORTIER SFORTIER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Arvada saw celebration and growth this year along with new challenges.

Community mainstays enjoyed a memorable year. The Arvada Center celebrated its 40th year and Red Rocks Community College Arvada campus offered new programs. Development is booming, including redevelopment in Olde Town Arvada.

At the ballot box residents passed a bond for the Apex Park and Recreation District and voted Democrat Rachel Zenzinger back into the Senate District 19 seat, but rejected the city’s proposal for a new transportation tax.

But the city also saw unhappy notes this year, including the death of an Arvada man fighting ISIS with the Kurdish People’s Protection Unit and a rise in the homeless population.

Fires in older buildings also killed four people and brought city fire codes into question. The Gold Line commuter rail, which was supposed to bring people into town was delayed with no timeline on its opening.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ARVADA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

abuse counselor John Rutter died, a fire department investigation listed the cause as undetermined.

The building, now torn down, was built in 1974 and had single-station smoke alarms — like those commonly installed in homes — rather than a fire alarm system required in many commercial structures today, Arvada Fire Marshal Kevin Ferry said.

A more updated system would have connected the alarms and all would have gone off at the first detection of smoke.

Fires in Arvada buildings kill four, The building also had no sprinklers, city codes questioned now required now under city code for In December, a Jefferson new buildings, depending on height, County grand jury began building occupancy and size. Sprinreviewing a May fire in Arvada that klers, Ferry said, add an increased killed three people. level of protection for all buildings.

The fire happened early May 14 at On Feb. 20, faulty wiring in a kitch6152 Robb St., which was operated by en wall started a fire at Schoolhouse Parker Personal Care Homes as a host Kitchen and Libations, an Americanhome for developmentally disabled style restaurant at 5660 Olde Wadindividuals. sworth Blvd. in Olde Town Arvada.

A 39-year-old disabled woman, a Before opening, the restaurant had young mother and her 4-year-old daughter died of smoke inhalation, ac- undergone a major renovation in the winter of 2014, which brought much cording to the Jefferson County coroof the building up to today’s safety ner’s report. The mother had burns to standards. But the wall that caught her airways and lungs. fire was not part of the remodel, and Details about the fire, including the wiring inside was not required to any potential causes, have yet to be be brought up to modern standards. released by fire investigators or DA’s An August investigation by the office. The home had been built in the Arvada Press found none of the 1960’s, meeting the safety codes of buildings violated Arvada building, the time, but not including basement safety and fire codes. Those older egress windows which modern safety buildings fell under previous codes’ experts recommend for every baseless stringent safety requirements. ment bedroom.

But the report found these incidents Other fires in older buildings also reflect a national dilemma: Constantly broke out throughout the year. evolving safety standards leave aging In the Jan. 2 fire of the Scenic structures falling behind, with cities Heights Professional Building at 6245 MtnVista Ad 10.25x4 Aug2016_Layout 1 9/30/16 12:47 PM Page 1 and property owners grappling with Wadsworth Blvd., in which substance

1.

how to balance incremental safety improvements against expense, according to fire and building code experts.

The City of Arvada routinely evaluates and updates building, safety and fire codes every few years.

2.

Arvada Center celebrates 40 years With its three stages — the Main Stage Theatre, Black Box Theatre and Amphitheater — the Arvada Center has produced more than 170 musicals.

It was a big year for the center, celebrating its 40th anniversary as well as the transition from a city-run department to a full-fledged nonprofit.

Since its inception in 1976, the Arvada Center has been a department of the City of Arvada. Over the past 40 years, the city’s financial contribution — both in-kind and financial donations — to the center has grown to about $4 million a year. In the early 1990s, that contribution reached a high point, one that needed to be stabilized.

That’s when the councils of the time, and several that followed, decided to research alternatives.

Those methods came to fruition this year with the center’s nonprofit status.

Over the next five years, the center will operate as a nonprofit, taking over all programming, operations and fiscal responsibility.

3.

Residents vote for Apex bond With 14,294 votes, Arvada residents said `yes’ to six new recreational facilities in a special election this spring. And within the next 2 1/2 years, Apex Park and Recreation District residents will begin

to see the renovation and creation of those facilities around the city.

The passing of the $25 million bond will extend the district’s current package for 20 years. This package will tax district residents $11 per every $100,000 of home value to pay an estimated $28.2 million for the six projects.

Projects include replacement of the Secrest Center, construction of the Fitzmorris Site Center/Pool, renovation of outdoor and indoor courts at Arvada Tennis Center, Lutz Sports Complex improvements, renovation of the Apex Center and a splash pad addition, and Long Lake Ranch Regional Park improvements.

4.

Red Rocks Community College expands in Arvada History was made at the Arvada Campus of Red Rocks Community College recently, when the newly rebuilt facility became the first community college in the nation to offer a master’s degree program.

The campus renovation and expansion, which took exactly one year and one month to complete, tripled the size of the campus adding approximately 54,000 square feet. The project cost $22.5 million and is the largest building campaign in the history of Red Rocks for either the Arvada or Lakewood campuses. A number of community organizations contributed — the State of Colorado invested $10 million, Red Rocks Community College Reserves invested $7.5 million, Community First Foundation and the City of Arvada each provided $1 million, $250,000 came from the Red Rocks Community College Foundation Board and $50,000 from the Caring for Colorado Foundation.

The school is expected to serve an additional 800 students seeking a career in health sciences.

5.

Homelessness on the rise in Arvada The growing population of homeless people in Arvada, particularly in Olde Town, is reflective of a metrowide issue that is seeing more and more homeless navigate to the suburbs following sweeps SEE 2016, P6

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6 Arvada Press

December 29, 2016D

2016

RTD officials now say it won’t open until 2017.

The G Line is being built and managed by Denver Transit Partners, which has been under fire for its handling of the University of Colorado A Line to Denver International Airport.

The problems stem from a software glitch that causes the crossing arms at at-grade crossings to come down too early and stay down too long.

Currently, the RTD A Line, which opened in April, and the B Line to Westminster, which opened in July, are operating on a waiver from the Federal Railroad Administration.

Flaggers, who are paid by the contractor, are stationed at the crossings to ensure public safety. These lines are on waiver through February, while the software glitch is worked out.

The G Line will not open until the A Line and B Line are fixed.

FROM PAGE 5

of homeless camps in Denver, city and police officials say.

In August, more than a dozen homeless people — who had been living along a stretch of Clear Creek Trail just north of I-76 between Arvada and Wheat Ridge — were relocated by a multi-agency partnership providing support and housing resources.

The largest homeless population in Arvada live in Olde Town, but Arvada Police Sgt. Kate Herrlinger said it spreads up to 80th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard, where many are living in vehicles. There also are homeless camps underneath Interstate 70 near Wadsworth Boulevard, Herrlinger said, which have between eight and 10 people at any given time.

One of the biggest initiatives the police department is working on is creating a severe weather shelter similar to one in South Jeffco that is comprised of a group of churches that provide shelter on cold nights, on a rotating basis.

6.

Arvada man who died fighting ISIS comes home After weeks of strenuous planning on the part of several departments in the U.S. and abroad, the bodies of Levi Shirley, of Arvada, and two other Americans, including one from Castle Rock, finally made it home on Sept. 16. All three died fighting ISIS with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), a

Kenny Levan, a homeless man in Olde Town Arvada, helps unpack food for The Rising Church’s food back. He has volunteered with the pantry for four years.

SHANNA FORTIER militia group in Syria.

Shirley was killed by a land mine on July 14.

Shirley’s mother, Susan, recalled learning about Levi’s death on July 19, days after he had died. It is the call Susan said she’ll never forget. Susan described Levi as her fearless son, who was never deterred by things that scared the average person.

7.

Road projects on hold after tax failure This November, Arvada voters rejected Ballot Measure 2G — the proposed half-cent sales tax

increase that would have generated approximately $9 million annually for street maintenance and repairs.

The more than 55 percent of `no’ votes sent the message that the city needs to figure out how to make those improvements without raising taxes and within existing resources, City Manager Mark Deven said.

Specific road projects 2G would have paid for included widening existing lanes and improving sidewalks on Ralston Road between Yukon Street and Garrison Street, and adding lanes and sidewalks on West 72 Avenue between Simms Street and Ward Road.

Those projects, Deven said, are now on hold. Moving forward, city council and city staff will explore how funds might be redirected to meet street maintenance needs.

8.

Zenzinger wins Senate District 19 race In the race for Senate District 19, Democrat challenger Rachel Zenzinger narrowly beat Republican incumbent Laura Woods.

Zenzinger was appointed to the seat before losing to Woods in the 2014 general election.

District 19 includes the western half of Westminster, and the eastern and central parts of Arvada.

This year’s race was touted by pundits to be one of the most fiercely contested of the year, based on previous races and the evenly balanced number of registered district voters.

Zenzinger described the race as uglier than anticipated. She filed a criminal complaint against Colorado Citizens for an Accountable Government, which is not affiliated with Woods’ campaign, to halt a direct mail campaign in which it accused Zenzinger of wanting to use Arvada city money to pay for a trip to China that she says is false. The Jefferson County District Attorney’s office investigation into the ads is ongoing.

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Commuter rail in Arvada delayed The 11-mile Gold Line commuter rail connecting Denver Union Station to Wheat Ridge, via Arvada and Adams County, was expected to be completed this fall, but

10.

Development booms About 40 years ago, Olde Town Arvada had a few staple businesses, such as the Army Navy Surplus store and Rheinlander Bakery. But many storefronts in the city’s historic heart stood empty or showcased antiques, attracting few to wander its streets.

The metaphorical tumbleweed blew down the road for decades, longtime residents say.

But not anymore.

Business owners and city leaders credit a handful of factors in the area’s rebirth: a thriving mix of entrepreneurs, an influx of young professionals and families, and a series of infrastructure improvements to attract shoppers and residents.

New arrivals include Americanstyle restaurants, such as Steuben’s Arvada and Homegrown Tap and Dough, alongside specialty bars and brew pubs like Kline’s Beer Hall and New Image Brewing Company.

In August, Denver Beer Co. announced it will take over the old Craig Chevrolet Dealership building on Olde Wadsworth for its newest tap room.

Arvada’s oldest building was also restored and opened as Gallery 1874, a fine art gallery and event space in October. And Hunter Bay Coffee Roasters opened in December.

Arvada Marketplace, located at Wadsworth Bypass and West 52nd Avenue, is also getting a makeover. Pine Tree, the center’s new owners, has signed leases with four new fast-casual restaurants — Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, Smash Burger, Pie Five Pizza and Costa Vida, which will all be on the center’s west end.

Last summer, development also began on the northwest corner of the Arvada Square shopping plaza with the redevelopment project, the Shops at Ralston Creek — the first phase of development in the Arvada triangle area at Ralston Road and 58th Avenue.

The mixed-use area, currently occupied by the now-closed Big O’Tires and the liquor store, will include one- and two-story buildings, which will have outdoor patio seating and a rooftop deck for a potential brewpub.

It will also be bike and pedestrian friendly, including 54 bike parking spots, 156 vehicle parking spaces and a new streetscape.

Arvada Press 7

December 29, 2016

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December 29, 2016D

Jeffco’s state legislators look forward to 2017 session

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Jefferson County’s senators and representatives are looking forward to working hard in the Legislature and in their assigned committees this upcoming legislative year.

Opening day of the 2017 session is Jan. 11.

Rep. Jessie Danielson “There is a lot to work on this year,” said Rep. Jessie Danielson, D-24, which is Wheat Ridge and Golden.

“With the election behind us, it is time to get things done that will make life

better for individual Coloradans who are working hard and playing by the rules.”

Selected by Speakerdesignate Crisanta Duran, Danielson will serve as the new Speaker Pro Tem. In this role, Danielson will preside over the House when Duran is not present and help ensure Danielson that the chamber runs efficiently and fairly, she said.

“Making sure that rules are followed will be critical to ensuring that the interests of Coloradans are being heard in their Legislature,” Danielson said.

This session, Danielson also plans on continuing to fight elder abuse, work for equal pay for women and prioritize policies that support families, such as finding solutions that make housing, health care, transportation and child care more affordable.

Sen. Cheri Jahn One issue that Sen. Cheri Jahn, D-20, which includes Wheat Ridge, Arvada and Lakewood, is hoping to take care of is construction defects.

Different cities have different policies, Jahn said. “We really need a statewide policy for that.”

Jahn is assigned to the Business,

Labor and Technology committee, which she served on for four years when she was in the House, and the past six years as a senator.

She is a small business owner and said she will continue to work to make sure there is a good balance for consumers and business owners.

Jahn Businesses like certainty, she said.

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Arvada Press 9

December 29, 2016

LEGISLATORS FROM PAGE 9

helps our job market,” Jahn said.

And “if a business is doing well, then their employees are doing well.”

Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp Similarly, Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp, D- 29, which consists of north and east Arvada and part of Westminster, believes she has a good grasp on the needs of the business community. She has owned a small business for 16 years, and has been vice chair of the Business Affairs and Labor Committee in the House for the past four years. She will chair it Kraft-Tharp again this year.

“Colorado has one of the top economic situations in the U.S.,” Kraft-Tharp said.

So along with having one of the fastest-growing economies, there are three important aspects, she said — making sure nobody is left behind, that everybody has an opportunity to obtain a good-quality job and working toward bringing back the middle class.

Although not on the Transportation committee this upcoming year — a committee she sat on for the past four years — Kraft-Tharp will stay informed on transportation issues, she said, including being involved with local committees and coalitions.

Rep. Chris Kennedy “So much of the role of a legislator is about details,” said Chris Kennedy, the incoming representative in District 23, which covers northern and western Lakewood and some of unincorporated Jefferson County with Golden addresses. “Even if it’s not glamorous or big, there are a lot of little things we can do that add up.”

Kennedy is looking forward to serving on the Finance and Health, Insurance and Environment committees, he said. The committees will give him a “real opportunity to dig in.”

The Finance committee will review all existing tax credits, he said.

“We’ll be taking a close look and making sure all the tax credits are doing Kennedy what they’re supposed to be doing,” Kennedy said.

Although he doesn’t know what will happen on a federal level with healthcare, Kennedy will be paying close attention to it, he said. He hopes to determine what is driving healthcare premiums and focus on the cost and quality of healthcare that Coloradans receive.

Sen. Rachel Zen zinger Along with serving on the Transportation and Education committees, Rachel Zenzinger, the incoming senator in D-19 in Arvada, will also serve on an interim committee called School Safety and Youth in Crisis. This committee will make recommendations Zenzinger to the General Assembly concerning potential bills to enhance school safety, and will work toward the prevention of threats to the safety of students, teachers, school employees, administrators and volunteers in public and private schools.

“Every family wants to ensure their children have the opportunity to get a world-class education, no matter their zip code,” Zenzinger said in a news release. “With my deep background in education, I believe I can be a strong advocate for fully funding our classrooms and leveling the playing field for kids from every part of the state.”

STAY INFORMED Contact your legislators by phone or email. The public also has access to the Legislature by visiting the state capitol in person or through online streaming.

Visit http://leg.colorado.gov/ to learn more.

Sen. Tim Neville As far as education is concerned, the state legislature is waiting to see what changes may occur at the federal level, said Sen. Tim Neville, R-16, which represents Golden and the Foothills area and who will join Zenzinger on the Education committee.

However, education is one of the largest pieces of the Neville state budget, so it won’t be overlooked, he added.

Neville does anticipates a discussion about the equalization of funding for charter schools.

“Jeffco has it,” Neville said, “but other counties don’t.”

Neville has a big interest in energy policy, so even though he is not on the Energy and Natural Resources committee, he said he plans to keep up with those issues.

“There is a lot to come,” Neville said of the 2017 session. “We need to be prepared and ready with ideas.”

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WHO’S DOING WHAT? House of Representatives HD 23, Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood — Finance; Health, Insurance and Environment HD 24, Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge and Golden — Speaker Pro Tem; vice chair of Public Health and Human Services; Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources; Appropriations HD 27, Lang Sias, R-Arvada —Business Affairs and Labor; Education HD 28, Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood — chair of Education; Public Health and Human Services HD 29, Tracy Kraft-Tharp, D-Arvada — Ap-

propriations; chair of Business Affairs and Labor Senate SD 16, Tim Neville, R-Golden — vice chair of Business, Labor and Technology; chair of Finance; Education; Legislative Audit Committee SD 19, Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada — Education; Transportation SD 20, Cheri Jahn, D-Wheat Ridge, Arvada Lakewood — Business, Labor and Technology SD 22, Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood — Business, Labor and Technology; Appropriations; Finance

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10 Arvada Press

LOCAL

December 29, 2016D

VOICES End of the year and talking to my (younger) self once again

A

HITTING HOME

Michael Alcorn

n open letter to my younger self: Dear … me— Hi. It’s me. Er, it’s you. Er, it’s … um, it’s us at different places in our lives. Never mind how, just listen, I don’t have much time. There are a couple things I’d like you to try to learn. It’ll make your life simpler, and, hopefully, make my life a little easier.

First of all, try to stop assuming things of other people. A wise person once said that we tend to judge ourselves by our intentions, while we tend to judge others by their actions. And yet, for some reason, we spend an awful lot of time making assumptions about other people’s intentions. I have

discovered that, most of the time, people act in what they perceive to be their own best interests, or, at least, the best interests of their families. You may not like what that means for you, but it doesn’t make others mean, or inconsiderate, or evil. You will get a lot further if you try to figure out what they think is in their best interests — it will save you a lot of energy, it will probably be better for developing relationships, and, sometimes, just maybe, you may discover that you can help somebody get what they need in a way that helps you get what you need. You know what that’s called? Teamwork. Great way to accomplish important things.

Yes, it would be wonderful if you could operate on the assumption that people are good, and nice, and caring. It would also be wonderful if unicorns were real, and the Platte River were made of marshmallow cream. But all of human history should teach you that people aren’t that way. People are complex, complicated, beautiful organisms — treat them as such.

And, also, don’t assume you know what other people think. Ask them. When you want something — a date, help publishing (yeah, that will be a thing for you someday), a job, a writing gig — ask. Don’t assume SEE ALCORN, P11

Sharing the language of love with children

O

ne of the greatest pleasures of reading to children is reassuring them that we love them by speaking the words of love out loud.

According to Dr. Gary ChapLIFELONG man, counselor and author of the series of books ”The Five Love LEARNING Languages” for all members of Esther Macalady the family, we can never say the words enough. He writes about all the ways we can say the words so others will understand and be reassured they are loved.

Each child is a distinct individual with a distinct personality and individual “love languages.” One or more might be more powerful than the others.

The key, according to Chapman, is finding out the love language that works best for each of our loved ones and then communicating our love in their language.

Successes in development, governance, community highlight year GUEST COLUMN

Marc Williams

At the end of every year, we reflect both personally and professionally on the changes, challenges, successes and disappointments of the last 12 months.

As mayor, I do the same when thinking about the community of Arvada. We are witnessing profound transformations—in particular the coming G Line commuter rail system, the construction of the Transit Hub in Olde Town, growth on our west side, and demolition and new construction at the shopping centers on Ralston Road.

A publication of

722 Washington Ave, Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 Mailing Address: 9137 Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 Phone: 303-566-4100 Web: ArvadaPress.com To subscribe call 303-566-4100

We have had many successes. Voters approved Ballot Measure 2H to give the City more flexibility in controlling our broadband/internet future; we completed our portion of the Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail; construction began on major projects including the Hilton Garden Inn, Solana Olde Town Station and Walmart; our Public Works and Utilities Departments were awarded accreditation through the American Public Works

Love languages Dr. Gary Chapman’s five love languages are affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch.

If a child thrives on words of affirmation here are a few ideas from Dr. Chapman. Post encouraging words, praise, or other kind words on your children’s door, in their mittens, or lunch. Compliment your children in front of others.

Catch your children doing well or something good and thank them. “Thank you for doing your chores today without be reminded.”

Look for strengths and notice their strengths.

Cut up an uplifting note into pieces so your older children can put the words together. Text words of

SEE WILLIAMS, P15

SEE MACALADY, P11

JERRY HEALEY President

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Majors/Classified Manager

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Arvada press A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Arvada Press is published weekly on Thursday by West Suburban Community Media, 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401.

Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

Arvada Press 11

6December 29, 2016

MACALADY FROM PAGE 10

affirmation to your teens, twenties, and older children often.

Let them know when choices are intelligent, kind, and thoughtful, rather than only speaking out when there is a need to correct.

Say “I love you” often.

Love books When families read out loud to children starting with babies, we share all five of the love languages. Here are some beautiful books that help us speak the language of love.

“Take Heart, My Children: A Mother’s Dream” by Ainsley Earhardt; “ That’s Me Loving You” by Amy Rosenthal; “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch; “I Love you, Stinky Face” by Lisa McCourt; “Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney;

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ALCORN

“The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams; “Juggle Puppy”

by Sandra Boynton; “The Wonderful Things You Will Be” by Emily Martin; ”Molly Spreads Love Wherever She Goes” by Suzanne Marshall; “Mama, Do You Love Me? “by Barbara M. Joosse; “What Do You Love About You?” by Karen Lechelt; ‘I’m Wild About You” by Sandra Magsamen; “You Belong to Me” by Mamoru Suzuki;”This is Our Baby, Born Today” by Nancy Paulsen; “Sometimes We Think You Are a Monkey” by Johanna Skibsrud; “Everyone Says Goodnight” by Hiroyuki Arai; “At Night” Helga Bansch.

FROM PAGE 10

they’re not interested or would rather go another direction. Give people the opportunity to say “no”. The worst thing that can happen is that they will say “no,” and, honestly, hasn’t that happened enough to us already for you to finally believe that you will survive? Remember Jill? And Tracy? And Lauren?

You get my point.

The second thing I’d like you to try to learn is related, but not quite the same. It’s actually a little more from the realm of Eastern philosophy, but it does come in handy. It is this: learn not to have expectations of other people until they have established, in your life, what sort of expectations you should have.

To paraphrase Buddha (or maybe it’s Yoda): expectations lead to disappointment, disappointment leads to anger, and anger leads to suffering.

For instance, just because you seem to have enough energy for work and play

Esther Macalady is a former teacher who lives in Golden and participates in the Grandparents Teach Too writing group. For more learning tips see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com the wnmufm.org/ podcasts and the website grandparentsteachtoo.org.

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and creating and hobbies, it’s not fair to expect the same thing of other people.

Doesn’t make them bad — their priorities are different. It’s not fair to expect people to be understanding, or forgiving, or in a good mood, or excited about the same things as you are. Be you. Be whoever you are, and then you can be pleasantly surprised when you find people who share your outlook.

This is not, by the way, to say that you should lower your expectations of your students — high expectations are the cornerstone of good teaching. But it’s not fair to expect them to be able to do things you haven’t taught, to have habits you haven’t created, or to love music as much as you do. It’s your job to build those, and then you can start to have expectations for their performance.

I hope this helps. Oh, and, seriously, pick up some cleaning supplies and use them every once in a while. Ciao!

In Loving Memory Place an Obituary for Your Loved One. Private 303-566-4100 Obituaries@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

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A

December 29, 2016D

LOCAL

LIFE

user’s guide to

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New Year’s Eve celebration options for families Sometimes it’s tough keeping children up all the way until midnight, but fortunately there are plenty of daytime activities where families can celebrate 2017 early.

The Evergreen, Golden, Lakewood and Standley Lake branches of Jeffco Libraries all have free activities going on during the day to celebrate the holiday, with Golden, Lakewood and Standley Lake hosting a balloon drop at noon.Go to www.Jeffcolibrary.org to register.

Families looking for more active options can head to The Rink at Belmar, 464 S. Teller St., where there will be a skating performance by the Mountain Edge Figure Skating Club from 10:50 a.m. to 11:20 p.m., followed a New Year’s Eve countdown at noon.

Admission is $9.50 for adults, $7.50 for children, $5 for entrance without skate rental and veterans, and free for children 2 and younger and for seniors 65 and older.

BY CLARKE READER CREADER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The year 2016 is just days away from ending, and there are all kinds of activities, both fun and necessary, that people need to think about.

There’s questions of if one should go to a party, throw one, or just stay off the roads altogether? And if one does decide to go out, what are the options, and the best way to get there?

Is there even a point to making New Year’s resolutions?

And after all the celebrating, there is still the Christmas trees and decorations to take down, but what’s the best way to get rid of these items?

To help make the transition from one year to the next a little easier, we tackled some of these questions for our readers. Thank us later.

New Year’s Eve celebration options for adults

For families with older children, For those wanting a quiet and reGolden Mount Vernon Country laxing evening, Parker’s Elev 5900 Club has plans for both children Kitchen and Bar, 19751 E. Mainand their parents. street, will be ringing in the New For the parents, there is an $85, Year with a wine dinner, beginning four-course dinner and compliat 6:30 p.m. mentary Champagne toast at “This is something we’ve done for midnight, plus music by Chris the past several years, and it’s usuDaniels and The Kings and apally done by 10 p.m.,” said Richard petizers.

Esper, owner of the restaurant. “It The country club will be hostwas designed so that if people want ing a to go separate out later event for in the children evening ages 4 they to 14 at can, or GO Banking Rates conducted a survey at the end of $25 per if they 2015 to see what the most popular resolutions for 2016 child, want to were. The most popular answers are as follows: which go out includes but be Enjoy life to the fullest Save more, spend less pizza, home snacks before Live a healthier lifestyle Pay down debt and the drinks, roads Lose weight Spend more time with games get bad, family and friends and this also movies. works.”

Top New Year’s resolutions

Tree cleanup As people begin taking down their holiday decorations, one of the biggest questions is often what to do with the tree, especially if someone wants to keep the tree out of a landfill.

Lakewood is just one community that offers tree recycling to its residents as a way to environmentally dispose of Christmas trees.

“Recycling allows the tree to be put to a positive use after the holidays and its primary purpose has been met,” wrote Steve Carpenter, Parks Manager in the

Options for New Year’s Eve events, travel and cleanup

city’s Parks Division, in an email interview. “If it just gets tossed in the trash it ends up in a landfill, and no further benefit is derived from it and it contributes to a growing refuse problem.”

Recycled trees are chipped up, and the mulch is available to residents and any leftovers will be used for park operations.

Arvada and Westminster will also offer tree recycling to residents, and Douglas County will have tree recycling locations in Parker, Castle Rock, and Highlands Ranch.

The theme for the year’s dinner is Red-White-Pink Masquerade, and will feature six courses of food and wine, as well as unlimited Champagne.

Reservations are required, and are $89 per person.

“New Year’s is one of the busier nights of the year for us,” Esper added. “We’re glad to be a place people can go to celebrate with friends.”

Westminster’s Hoffbrau, 9110 Wadsworth Parkway, has performances from The Corporation and Wash Park beginning at 9 p.m. and going to 1 a.m. A ticket to the event is $25 in advance and $30 at the door, and also includes party favors and Champagne.

If a night at the theater sounds better Lakewood The Edge Theatre, 1560 Teller St., is performing Arthur Miller’s “A View From the Bridge,” followed by a New Year’s Eve party after the show. Tickets are $30.

Traveling safe during the holiday For the eighth year in a row, the RTD is partnering with Coors Light and Coors Distributing Company to offer free rides on New Year’s Eve on all regularly-scheduled bus and rail service, as well as Access-aRide and SkyRide services.

The free service begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31 and ends at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1.

“We want to remind the community to ring in the New Year safely and take advantage of Coors Light Free Rides,” said David Genova, General Manager and CEO of RTD, in a statement.

Service will operate on a Saturday schedule on New Year’s Eve and a Sunday/holiday schedule on New Year’s Day. Passengers should check both the late night weekday schedule and the early morning Sunday/holiday schedule for trips after midnight on New Year’s Eve. Service hours will not be extended.

For fare and schedule information, visit www.rtd-denver.com or call RTD Customer Care at 303299-6000 or TDD 303-299-6089 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

Arvada Press 13

December 29, 2016

Top 5 Jeffco School stories of the year STAFF REPORT

The Jefferson County School District faced a number of challenges in this year, starting with the rollout of the 2016 master facilities plan that proposed closing a number of schools.

After negotiations with the teacher’s union, the Board of Education settled on a 2 percent raise for teachers. And all district schools underwent lead testing after elevated BPA levels were found at several schools.

The Board of Education voted on a plan to move all sixth-grade students to middle school buildings, a plan that will now be delayed after the $586 million bond and mill package presented to voters in November failed. The failure of the ballot measures sparked budget discussions including, once again, the possible closure of schools.

Most recently, word has come down from the school board that the district will likely change superintendents this summer.

1.

The failure of 3A/3B In November, voters rejected a $535 million bond issue and a $33 million mill levy override the Jeffco Board of Education said the district desperately needed to update and repair school buildings, improve compensation to retain the best teachers and add much-needed mental health and other programs.

The bond would have paid for both phases in the district’s Facilities Master Plan, including the creation of several new and replacement schools, renovation and overdue maintenance in every area of the district. The mill would have provided additional operating costs for compensation increases, the ability to hire additional mental health employees and increased funds for technology, security, school budgeting and more.

Voters rejected the 3B bond measure 52.7 percent to 47.3 percent and the 3A mill levy override 52 percent to 47.9 percent.

Those in the community critical of the bond measure said the rebuke from voters was well deserved, for being poorly structured fiscally, and not focusing enough on maintenance of existing schools.

In the wake of the defeat, the board

“What an exciting and beautiful day this is for Jeffco Schools,” said Dan McMinimee, Jefferson County Schools Superintendent, of the groundbreaking in May for Arvada’s new school at 19486 West 94 Ave. in the Candelas housing development.

The school, the first created in the last 10 years, will house 1,000 - 1,200 students in northwest Arvada. It will help alleviate capacity concerns at West Woods and Meiklejohn elementary schools. The site also has space to incorporate a high school later.

COURTESY PHOTO of education named competitive teacher compensation as its top priority going into the new budget year.

“The defeat of 3A has really left our teachers, leaders and support staff feeling undervalued,” board member Ali Lasell said at a November board meeting.

In December, the talk of closing and consolidating schools came up in board discussion as a way to reallocate dollars within the district. No decisions have been made at this time and the district is working on a community engagement tool to gather input from communities.

2.

Lead found in water inside schools A Jeffco schools building in Arvada used as a Head Start preschool reported high lead readings in April, which sent the school district on a mission to test all district schools over the summer.

It began with the oldest facilities, built long before the EPA raised the standards in 1986 on how much of the heavy metal could safely be in the water supply.

All Jeffco Public Schools (not including charter schools) were tested for lead content in drinking water between June and October.

Of the 7,648 samples taken at 147

schools, 92.6 percent had lead levels below the 15 ppb recommended by the EPA. Of the 147 schools, all but 34 had at least one drinking source affected.

If any results above the EPA recommended levels were found, the water source underwent mitigation — changing out fixtures and feed lines.

Retests to see if lead levels had been reduced on water sources that had elevated lead results were conducted

by December. Full results can be found at www.jeffcopublicschools.org/business/lead_tests/.

A five-year rotation of lead testing will begin next school year. Every school will have drinking water sources tested sometime in the next five years and then every five years afterwards. Mountain schools will have more testing since Jeffco Public Schools is the water provider for those locations.

3.

McMinimee may be out as superintendent Dan McMinimee, the district’s superintendent over the tumultuous last 2 1/2 years, may not be returning to his post for the 2017-18 academic year.

The Board of Education met in executive session on Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 to discuss personnel matters. According to the district, the non-renewal

Jefferson County Public Schools plumber Joe Centeno changes some of the water lines leading to a sink in Peck Elementary on July 15. The Arvada-area school was found to have 10 water fixtures that tested high for lead. The school is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and Centeno said some of the fixtures he had changed out looked to be at least a couple decades old. “The way they had it piped back in the day was proper,” but times change, Centeno said.

GLENN WALLACE

Lakewood resident Addie Cravens gets her face painted during the Pink Showdown tailgate at Jeffco Stadium Oct. 14. The event was one of several efforts by the Jeffco schools athletic community to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

SHANNA FORTIER of McMinimee’s three-year contract, which expires this summer, was one of the decisions reached during those SEE TOP FIVE, P23

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14 Arvada Press

December 29, 2016D

Don’t let your family dog become a pup-sicle

BY STEPHANIE MASON SMASON@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

While your playful pup may enjoy romping in the snow, the cold weather is not the place your pet should stay for long periods of time.

Coloradans are infamous for their love of dogs. Bill Bellerdine, sergeant in charge of animal services for the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, notes this fact after receiving several calls a day during a snowstorm from people concerned for pets in

their neighborhoods.

Shelter requirements The below-freezing temperatures during Colorado winters call for extra care of pets.

Bellerdine said if dogs are not inside or do not have a doggy door, it is important they have a shelter set up for winter weather.

Centennial, for instance, has an ordinance about pet safety in the winter season.

According to the ordinance, pets must be protected from the wind, rain, sun and snow

by having a shelter that is large enough for the dog to turn around, is well ventilated and clean, is structurally sound and has adequate bedding. Animals should have access to fresh water at all times.

The size and breed of the dog has a large influence on the amount of time it should be in a snow.

Bellerdine received a call from a neighbor about a Siberian husky who was left

SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO

SEE DOGS, P17

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Arvada Press 15

6December 29, 2016

WILLIAMS FROM PAGE 10

Association; the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities transitioned to non-profit governance; Arvada held its first-ever Day of Service on Sept. 10 with over 140 volunteers; the City was named a Top Ten Digital City by the Center for Digital Government; and much more!

We have also had some disappointments. We had hoped and planned for the opening of RTD’s G Line in October of 2016, but due to the challenges RTD has experienced with the A Line to DIA, the G Line is now delayed until 2017.

The City Council initiated a seri-

ous discussion with Arvada residents on our deteriorating street infrastructure, conducting surveys, hosting a telephone town hall and ultimately voting to place a tax increase proposal on the November ballot to address street maintenance.

While we learned through our community conversation that citizens concur our streets need to be a top priority, the voters also told us that a tax increase was not the solution. A big challenge for 2017 will be to find ways to improve our streets within our existing resources.

Also in 2016, we launched our new organizational Vision, Mission and Values. Our new Vision Statement, “We Dream Big and Deliver,” truly reflects the work of our incredible staff.

ce To pla listing YOUR in the OARD JOB B n, sectio ur call yo s d Sale e i f i s s Cla ltant Consu Y! TODA 00 66-41 5 3 0 3

As I look back on 2016, it is clear that we have, indeed, dreamed big.

We are creating a vibrant and economically sustainable community that is a great place to live, a great place to work, and a great place to visit. We dreamed, years ago, of a commuter rail system that would serve Arvada, and have delivered transit-oriented development projects in the vicinity of transit stations that take full advantage of this coming amenity. We dreamed of adding more primary employers and jobs to Arvada, making us more than just a bedroom community, and we continue to enjoy numerous new and vibrant businesses choosing to locate here.

We are excited for what 2017 has to offer, including, the opening of

the G Line, the Hilton Garden Inn, Walmart and Solana Olde Town Station! On behalf of the entire City Council, I wish you and yours a blessed holiday season, and great things for 2017.

Mayor Marc Williams has been a part of the Arvada City Council since he was first elected in 1999. Williams has served as President of the Northwest Metro Chamber of Commerce and the First Judicial District Bar Association and as a Trustee for 10 years on the Jefferson County Library Board. He is married to Luanne Williams, the Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation and the Mother’s Milk Bank in Arvada.

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16 Arvada Press

THINGS to DO

THEATER

‘A View From the Bridge’: through Saturday, Dec. 31 at the Edge Theatre, 1560 Teller St., Lakewood.

Focuses on the strengths and imperfections of the domestic world of middle-class individuals.

Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 6 p.m. Sundays.

Call 303-232-0363 or go to www. theedgetheater.com.

Performance Now `Man of La Mancha’: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, from Jan. 6-22 at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway. The misadventures of the mad Spaniard who imagines himself the knight Don Quixote. Tickets available at www.performancenow.org or by calling 303-987-7845.

December 29, 2016D

this week’s TOP FIVE Winter Break Fun: Lego: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at the Arvada Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada. Enjoy Lego Cubelet robots and popcorn.

Call 303-235-JCPL (5275) or go to www.jeffcolibrary. org.

Sherlock Holmes and the Jewel of Gallymoor: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, Saturday, Dec. 31; and Friday, Jan. 6 and Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Colorado ACTS Theatre, 11455 W. Interstate 70 Frontage Road North, Wheat Ridge. Dinner theater tickets and show-only tickets available. Call 303-456-6772 for reservations and more information.

Masquerade Gone Baroque: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 31 at Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood. A musical masquerade featuring the Boulder Chamber Orchestra. Masks included. Go to http://www. boulderchamberorchestra.com/masquerade/ 80s New Wave New Year: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 at Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave., Golden. Enjoy great music, food and a champagne toast at midnight. Price includes concert, buffet and toast. Features a tribute to David Bowie. Go to http://www.minersalley.com/ new-years-eve/.

Golden Library Blood Drive: 10-11:40 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 1019 10th St., Golden. Call the Bonfils Appointment Center at 800-365-0006 ext. 2 or go to www.bonfils.org.

Concordia Lutheran Church Blood Drive: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at in Beil Fellowship Hall, 13371 W. Alameda Parkway, Lakewood.

Contact Sue Darnell at 303462-3816 or go to bonfils.org.

Jefferson Symphony International Young Artists Competition: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Colorado Christian University, 9200 Ellsworth Ave., Lakewood. Top three finalists will perform. Tickets available at 303-278-4237. The winner will perform Saturday, March 18.

Go to http://www.jeffsymphony.org/young_artists for details.

enza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History” by John M. Barry; join the conversation of the Jefferson County League of Women Voters nonfiction book club. Call Lynne at 303-985-5128.

Food Pantry: open from 9-11 a.m. Wednesdays at New Apostolic Church, 5290 Vance St., Arvada, rear entrance (across the street from Beau Jo’s restaurant). Contact Gertrude at 303-902-6794.

EVENTS

Winter Break Fun: Ghostbusters: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 2, at the Arvada Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada. Enjoy a movie and popcorn. Call 303-235-JCPL (5275) or go to www.jeffcolibrary. org.

Winter Break Fun: Kubo and the Two Strings: 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 4, at the Arvada Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada.

Enjoy a movie and popcorn. Call 303235-JCPL (5275) or go to www. jeffcolibrary.org.

Winter Break Fun: The Secret Life of Pets: 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 5, at the Arvada Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada.

Enjoy a movie and popcorn. Call 303235-JCPL (5275) or go to www. jeffcolibrary.org.

Round Table Issues Breakfast: 7 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at American Legion Wilmore-Richter Post 161, 6230 W. 60th Ave., Arvada. Learn

about local projects and events.

Open to the public. Contact 586-291-7351 for cost and other information.

reputation. Continental breakfast included. Contact Author U at www.authoru.org, info@authoru. org, or 720-588-9838.

Fur Coats and Cozy Caves: 10-10:45 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 7, at Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada. Ages 3-6 years. Register at Arvada.org/ public-classes.

Art of Bragging for Authors: 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Colorado Auto Dealers Association, 190 E. Speer Blvd.

Writers learn how to brag and how to use brag statements to increase books sales and build a

303-989-4496.

Trollheim Sons of Norway Lodge Lutefisk Dinner: 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at 6610 W. 14th St., Lakewood. RSVP by Jan. 7; event sells out quickly. Call

Great Influenza Topic of Book Club: 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 at Westland Meridian, 10695 W. 17th Ave., Lakewood. Get the book now and read “The Great Influ-

HEALTH

Belmar Library Blood Drive: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 at 555 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood, Contact Linda Colbert at 720-984-5312 or go to www.bonfils.org.

Ian Tuthill Memorial Blood Drive: 10-11:40 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at 13150 W. 72nd Ave., Arvada. In the Randal Room. Contact the Bonfils Appointment Center at 303-363-2300 or go to www. bonfils.org.

Whole Foods Belmar Blood Drive: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 2, at 444 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood.

Contact Stephanie McCubbin at 303-935-5000 or go to bonfils. org.

Standley Lake Blood Drive: 10-11:40 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 8485 Kipling St., Arvada. Donations inside the bloodmobile. Call the Bonfils Appointment Center at 800365-0006 ext. 2 or go to www. bonfils.org.

Mile Hi Church Blood Drive: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at 9077 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood. Call the Bonfils Appointment Center at 800365-0006 ext. 2 or go to www. bonfils.org.

Editor’s note: Calendar submissions must be received by noon Thursday for publication the following week. Send listings to calendar@coloradocommunitymedia.com. No attachments, please. Listings are free and run on a spaceavailable basis.

Arvada Press 17

December 29, 2016

DOGS FROM PAGE 14

out all day. When officials responded to the call, they discovered the dog could use a doggy door to go inside, but would rather be in the snow.

Bellerdine emphasized dogs should always have access to fresh water.

Even though Bellerdine said that 90 percent of the calls he receives about dogs left out in the cold result in no safety action needed, the calls have helped save the lives of some animals. . “If it is too cold for you to be outside,” Bellerdine said, “it is definitely too cold for your dog.”

On the leash Certain precautions should be

taken when pets are taken for walks in the cold and snow.

The salt used to clear sidewalks can dry out and damage paws. Bellerdine suggested washing the paws and the bellies of pets after a walk to clean off salts and chemicals.

In the same way that people put on lip balm, Bellerdine suggested putting petroleum jelly on your dog’s paws.

It will help prevent the effects of cold weather on the exposed skin. In addition, it will protect pets with lots of fur on their paws from getting ice stuck in their feet.

January 6 January 7 January 8

Who to call If an animal is not receiving proper care in winter conditions, call Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region at 719-444-0179 or your local animal control services.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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O OPOCS SINGLES CLUB-55 PLUS A CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Social hours monthly 4-6pm S Lakewood 3 Margaritas L 2nd Wednesday of the month 2 Guest Hostess Carol @ G 720-389-7707 72 Lakewood Chad's L 4th Tuesday of the month 4 Hostess Darlene @ H 720-233-4099 72 4th Thursday 4 Denver - Baker Street Pub D 8101 East Bellview 8 Host Harold @ H 303-693-3464 3 For more info and monthly F newsletter call JoAnn membership n cchairman or Mary President @ 303-9858937 8 W Want To Purchase m minerals and other oil/gas iinterests. Send details to: P.O. P Box 13557 Denver, D CO 80201

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LOCAL

December 29, 2016D

SPORTS

Mustangs win against Cheyenne Central

BY DENNIS PLEUSS JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ARVADA — There was a little bit of overtime to deal with before Ralston Valley’s boys basketball team could focus on winter break.

The Mustangs (5-3 record) battled to win 70-66 in double overtime Dec. 20 against Cheyenne Central from Wyoming at Ralston Valley High School.

Freshman Caden Gigstad, junior Jake Nishida and senior Travis Torline combined to go 6-for-8 from the free-throw line in the second overtime period and senior Mike VanderWerff had a breakaway layup in the final minute to push the Mustangs to victory.

“It definitely boosts our confidence heading into league,” said Nishida, who iced the victory with a free throw with 1.9 seconds left that gave Ralston Valley a 4-point lead. “We have Lakewood our first game back. We’ve just got to get that confidence up and keep working in practice.”

Ralston Valley opens Class 5A Jeffco League play when it hosts Lakewood (5-2) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, in the first game after winter break.

The Mustangs looked like they would slide into the holiday season with a relative easy victory. Ralston Valley had a 25-15 lead at halftime against the Indians from Wyoming, but Cheyenne Central poured in 25 points in the third quarter to tie things up at 40-40 going into the fourth quarter.

“We pride ourselves on our defense.

We think we are one of the toughest defensive teams,” Ralston Valley coach Mitch Conrad said. “That third quarter, you have to give them credit.

(Cheyenne Central) knocked down shots.”

Besides the Indians getting their offense on track, the Mustangs had to deal with major foul trouble. Starters Trey Conrad, Jerrod Parker (15 points) and Trey Sayers (14 points) all fouled out.

Sayers had a huge layup with 14

A Ralston Valley freshman Caden Gigstad dribbles at the top of the key while being guarded

by Cheyenne Central junior Daniel Shumway during a non-league game Dec. 20 at Ralston Valley High School. Gigstad scored seven of his team-high 16 points in the two overtime periods. The Mustangs rallied for a 70-66 victory in double overtime. DENNIS PLEUSS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS seconds left in regulation time and a steal on the next Indians’ possession that sent the game to the first overtime period. He fouled out with 47 second left in the first overtime period.

Cheyenne Central also had foul trouble with three of its players fouling out. A total of 54 fouls were called during the 40 minutes of play.

“We’ve got to learn and make adjustments,” Conrad said of the 27 fouls called against the Mustangs. “What I loved was the next guy up came in and we really didn’t drop-off that much.

That’s a credit to our bench guys that they were ready to go.”

Gigstad showed he was ready with a trio of 3-pointers during regulation time. He came up even bigger in the overtime periods with seven points to finish with a team-high 16 points.

Gigstad admitted there were a lot of nerves on the free-throw line in the overtime periods. The freshman went 5-for-6 from the charity stripe over the final eight minutes to help the Mustangs lasso the victory.

“I thought coming out as a freshman I’d get some spot minutes here and

there,” said Gigstad, who is one of the Mustangs’ leading scorers. “It feels great to be welcomed by this team and for (Conrad) to play me and have trust in me.”

Nishida, the Mustangs’ starting point guard, didn’t have any hesitation on the court despite having three bench players on the court during the overtime periods.

“I have trust in my bench players, especially him (Gigstad) right here,” Nishida said standing next to the Mustang freshman after the game. “He comes up big with the 3-pointers. You have to have faith in him.”

It was the fourth one-possession game of the season for Ralston Valley.

Conrad believes being in those tight situations late in games already this year helped his squad Tuesday stay poised during the double-overtime victory.

Dennis Pleuss is a communications specialist for Jeffco Public Schools with a focus on athletics and activities.

For more Jeffco coverage, go online at CHSAANow.com/Jeffco.

Lakewood wrestling pins down dual win over Jefferson

BY DENNIS PLEUSS JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

LAKEWOOD — If you were late to the wrestling dual between Jefferson and Lakewood on Dec. 21 you were likely out of luck.

The dual between the two Jeffco programs lasted about 30 minutes from start to finish. Six forfeited matches, seven pins and one technical fall made for a quick dual at Lakewood High School. No bout went the full six minutes.

Lakewood came out victorious with a 41-36 victory. The Tigers jumped out to a 36-0 lead with pins by David Schadler (170 pounds), Brayton Stieger (182) and Michael Inouye (220) to go

Here are some hopes for 2017

along with three forfeit victories.

Stieger had the quickest pin of the night. He pinned Jefferson freshman Kyler Tolka in nine seconds.

“I went in there serious and ready to go. I put a fireman carry on him and won,” Stieger said of his fastest pin of his career. “That’s all there is to it.”

Once the dual got to the lighter weights, Jefferson showed why it currently sits at No. 5 in Class 3A by Tim Yount’s On the Mat rankings. Saints’ Cruz Ortega (106), Randy Duran (126), Nick Gallegos (138) and Brandon Onofre (152) all won by pins and Jefferson picked up two wins by forfeit.

“Just for our kids to compete and get better in every position,” Jefferson coach Oscar Fonseca said of his objec-

tive in the dual before winter break.

“That is all we are looking at right now.”

The Saints’ returning state champion senior Kyle Cisneros didn’t wrestle with Lakewood, forfeiting at 132 pounds. Cisneros won the 3A 126-pound title last winter and On the Mat currently has him ranked No. 1 at 132 pounds in 3A. “We don’t pay attention to that stuff,” Fonseca said of his five wrestlers currently ranked in the top eight of their weight class in 3A. “Rankings are settled at the last day of state (tournament).”

Fonseca added he believes that with SEE WRESTLING, P22

nother year is about to begin, and each new year brings a chance for change.

Here are my wishes for the OVERTIME new year, when it comes to area high school sports: For the Pomona football team, just one more win to cap off a championship season.

Jim Benton An olive branch for the Highlands Ranch and ThunderRidge football programs so they can get together, talk and maybe end their differences.

Contending football teams for Douglas County and Castle View, so that Castle Rock football gets back on the map.

No additional classifications added by the Colorado High School Activities Association.

There are already too many.

For Westminster football, another season like 2015, which created so much spirit and excitement.

In baseball, that CHSAA finds a way to add a pitch-count scoreboard for the playoffs so discrepancies can be discussed before the final innings.

In soccer, that state playoff games can be determined without shootouts.

A couple seventh-inning hits so that Heritage’s baseball team can get out of the district tournament and advance to the doubleelimination state tourney.

From a spectator’s viewpoint, a mercy rule for basketball.

That all coaches, especially wrestling coaches, can file results of dual meets, along with the major tournament results.

And rosters would really be helpful. High school hockey, for one, has a great website for results.

Fun for cross country runners and 1,600-meter athletes in track — because it sure doesn’t look enjoyable for many runners at the end of races.

That somehow the state-qualifying golf tournaments will be 36-hole events instead of one-day 18-hole affairs.

In all sports, that rivalries continue in a competitive, but friendly fashion.

And most of all, a happy and healthy 2017 for everyone.

Jim Benton is a sports writer for Colorado Community Media. He has been covering sports in the Denver area since 1968. He can be reached at jbenton@coloradocommunitymedia.com or at 303-5664083.

Arvada Press 19

6December 29, 2016

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December 29, 2016D

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22 Arvada Press

December 29, 2016D

WRESTLING FROM PAGE 18

hard work “any kid” has a shot to place at the state tournament come the middle of February at Pepsi Center in Denver.

Lakewood has its own returning state champion. Junior Gabe Dinette captured the 5A title at 145 pounds last season. Dinette and a handful of other Tigers were held out for Wednesday’s dual because of injury.

“A few of our kids are out nursing some small injuries,” Lakewood coach Daren Stennes said, who added Dinette will be good to go after the winter break. “We could have had some good match ups, but we didn’t.”

The 145-pound match was eventually decided when Lakewood’s Rylan Morgan won by technical fall, 15-0, in the third period to give the Tigers an 11-point lead with one match to go.

However, Jefferson finished the match strong with Onofre’s first

round pin to close out the dual.

“You get anxious, but you work through it,” Onofre said waiting for his match, the last of the night.

Onofre is currently ranked No. 4 at 152 pounds. The Saints’ depth this season has Jefferson primed to make some noise at state in the team standings and cement the wrestling program as the flagship athletic program for the school.

“I think it’s fun to be competing at a high level,” Onofre said.

The Saints and Tigers get back to action with duals during the first week of January after the holidays.

“I’m just going to do a lot of running and weight lifting to keep my strength up. Going to eat right too,” Stieger said of his plans over the next two weeks. “Relax of course, it’s break.”

Dennis Pleuss is a communications specialist for Jeffco Public Schools with a focus on athletics and activities.

For more Jeffco coverage, go online at CHSAANow.com/Jeffco.

© 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.

TO SOLVE SUDOKU: Numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Answers

Lakewood’s 145-pound wrestler Rylan Morgan, top, works on getting back points against Jefferson junior Jose Soto on Dec. 21 at Lakewood High School. The Tigers won the dual 41-36.

DENNIS PLEUSS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Arvada Press 23

December 29, 2016

MCMINIMEE FROM PAGE 4

for a new superintendent, that action should not be viewed as a commentary on the Board’s estimation of McMinimee’s abilities or his performance in the role of superintendent.

“If you look at what Jeffco has been through over the past three years, he has helped us get through some difficult transitions,” Mitchell said of McMinimee. “The board will be exploring whether or not his leadership and skill set is the set that will lead us into the future in a bright way. Because I think we all want a bright future for our kids.”

But the board called it “prudent to start the discussion early even though, by contract, the Board does not need to notify the Superintendent of a decision until March 31.”

While the decision to re-

placed McMinimiee has not been officially made by the board, Mitchell said based on conversations in the executive sessions, he feels it is the most likely action the board will take in January.

“We’ve had lengthy conversations about the pros and cons of each,” Mitchell said. “There is strong interest on the board of putting the search on.”

John Ford, social studies teacher and President of Jefferson County Education Association said he will be at the Jan. 12 meeting to address the board. “(I) will ask the Board of Education to engage in an open and transparent process that this community was denied by the previous board majority when they hired Mr. McMinimee,” Ford said. “JCEA looks forward to continued collaboration with the district to ensure we have the schools Jeffco students deserve.”

McMinimee said that no matter how the board votes in

January, he intends to honor the duration of his contract.

“I want to ensure to the entire Jeffco community that I will continue to work with my team,” he said.

Criticism of the district’s facilities’ plan and the failure of 3A and 3B did not factor into the board’s decision, Mitchell said.

“The criticism of the facilities plan was mostly unfair and it was not very honest in my opinion,” Mitchell said. “The failure of 3A and 3B, I think all of us, and that includes me, have to take responsibility for that. We have to analyze what each one of us could have done differently. I personally worked with and watched McMinimee work really hard on 3A and 3B.” Mitchell added, “I want the community to understand that these things are difficult and the goal of this board will always be what we think is best for our students and Jeffco schools.”

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The approval came after months of board discussions, community surveys and union negotiations. Along with the compensation increase, the board approved hiring full-time mental health FROM PAGE 13 employees, expanding clinic aide hours, increasing paraprofessional meetings. Board members reached support and contracting a review

by Colorado Community Media indiadministrator to work in the human cated that the group would likely vote resources department on employee to begin looking for a replacement at contracts. their Jan. 13 meeting.

“What we did with the budget does reflect the priorities that we told the Teachers get 2 percent raise community In June, the Jefferson Public Notice we would implement when we were running,” said board PresiCounty Board of Education NOTICE OF HEARING dent Ron Mitchell, referring to increasapproved a raise of at least UPON APPLICATION FOR A NEW AND RESTAURANT LICENSE ing compensation for all staff and hir2 percent for all teachers and staffHOTEL as OF ARVADA HOTEL INVESTORS LLC D/B/A: HILTON GARDEN ing moreINN mental health workers. But part of the $1 billion 2016-17 budget DENVER/ARVADA “I am saddened by the fact there are so ratification.

5455 OLDE WADSWORTH BOULEVARD

4.

ARVADA, CO 80002 Notice is hereby given that an application has been presented to the City of Arvada Local Liquor Licensing Authority for a Hotel and Restaurant License from Arvada Hotel Investors LLC d/b/a: Hilton Garden Inn Denver/Arvada, located at 5455 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada, CO 80002, whose controlling Officer is: Kevin Brinkman, 5455 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada, CO, 80002.

The license would allow sales of malt, vinous and spirituous liquor by the drink for consumption on the premises at 5455 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada, CO. Said application will be heard and considered by the City of Arvada Liquor Licensing Authority at a meeting to be held in the Arvada Municipal Complex Council Chambers, 8101 Ralston Road, at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2017. The application was submitted on September 30, 2016.

For further information call Teri Colvin, Deputy City Clerk, at 720-898-7544.

Dated this 29th of December, 2016. /s/ Teri Colvin, Deputy City Clerk CITY OF ARVADA, COLORADO

Shift eyed at Jeffco middle schools The reconfiguration of middle schools in Jefferson County to include sixth grade is a key initiative in what school district officials describe as a way to better utilize existing facilities, alleviate overcrowding at the elementary school level and give students more educational and recreational opportunities.

But although school officials say nearly 75 percent of sixth-graders across the country attend a sixth-

Public Notices Government Legals Public Notice

NOTICE OF HEARING UPON APPLICATION FOR A NEW HOTEL AND RESTAURANT LICENSE OF ARVADA HOTEL INVESTORS LLC D/B/A: HILTON GARDEN INN DENVER/ARVADA 5455 OLDE WADSWORTH BOULEVARD ARVADA, CO 80002 Notice is hereby given that an application has been presented to the City of Arvada Local Liquor Licensing Authority for a Hotel and Restaurant License from Arvada Hotel Investors LLC d/b/a: Hilton Garden Inn Denver/Arvada, located at 5455 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada, CO 80002, whose controlling Officer is: Kevin Brinkman, 5455 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada, CO, 80002.

The license would allow sales of malt, vinous and spirituous liquor by the drink for consumption on the premises at 5455 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada, CO. Said application will be heard and considered by the City of Arvada Liquor Licensing Authority at a meeting to be held in the Arvada Municipal Complex Council Chambers, 8101 Ralston Road, at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2017. The application was submitted on September 30, 2016.

For further information call Teri Colvin, Deputy City Clerk, at 720-898-7544.

Dated this 29th of December, 2016.

Government Legals

Legal Notice No.: 46431 First Publication: December 29, 2016 Last Publication: December 29, 2016 Publisher: Golden Transcript Wheat Ridge Transcript and the Arvada Press Public Notice NOTICE OF HEARING UPON APPLICATION FOR A NEW RETAIL LIQUOR STORE LICENSE OF A & B ENTERPRISES INC. D/B/A: BROWN JUG 6205 CARR STREET, ARVADA, CO 80004 Notice is hereby given that an application has been presented to the City of Arvada Local Liquor Licensing Authority for a Retail Liquor Store License from A & B Enterprises Inc., d/b/a: Brown Jug, located at 6205 Carr Street, Arvada, CO 80004, whose President is Davinder K. Samra, 6205 Carr Street, Arvada, CO, 80004.

The license would allow sales of malt, vinous and spirituous liquor in sealed containers not for consumption on the premises at 6205 Carr Street, Arvada, Colorado.

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many things that I dreamed we would do and hoped we would do, but we couldn’t do due to the funding restrictions placed on this budget.”

5.

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through eighth-grade middle school, the change has some Jeffco parents asking about social and educational effects of the transition.

Of the district’s 17 middle schools, five already include sixth graders.

The district also has three K-8 schools, which will remain as they are, according to the district’s plans.

The Jeffco Board of Education apPublic Notice proved the middle school plan this FOR BIDS summerADVERTISEMENT as part of its Facilities Master Sealed bids for the construction of City of Arvada, Project 17-DR-04, Project Title, Plan, which calls forNo. $535 million in capDavis Lane Park Pond Dredging, will be reital renovation and construction costsuntil ceived at the office of the City Engineer 10:00 am on155 January 11, 2017 and then for the district’s schools.

While most publicly opened and read aloud. of the facilites plan is now on indefi nite The BID DOCUMENTS, consisting of Advertisement for Bids, Information for Bidders, Special hold, following the failure of this fall’s Conditions, Addendum when issued, Bid Bond, Bid Proposal, Schedule, and the Project bond proposal, theBid middle school shift is Drawings may be examined at the following expectedlocations: to proceed regardless.

Notices

NOTICE OF HEARING UPON APPLICATION FOR A NEW RETAIL LIQUOR STORE LICENSE OF A & B ENTERPRISES INC. D/B/A: BROWN JUG 6205 CARR STREET, ARVADA, CO 80004 Notice is hereby given that an application has been presented to the City of Arvada Local Liquor Licensing Authority for a Retail Liquor Store License from A & B Enterprises Inc., d/b/a: Brown Jug, located at 6205 Carr Street, Arvada, CO 80004, whose President is Davinder K. Samra, 6205 Carr Street, Arvada, CO, 80004.

The license would allow sales of malt, vinous and spirituous liquor in sealed containers not for consumption on the premises at 6205 Carr Street, Arvada, Colorado.

Said application will be heard and considered by the City of Arvada Liquor Licensing Authority at a meeting to be held in the Arvada Municipal Complex Council Chambers, 8101 Ralston Road, at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2017. The application was submitted on September 30, 2016.

For further information call Teri Colvin, Deputy City Clerk, at 720-898-7544.

Dated this 29th of December, 2016. /s/ Teri Colvin, Deputy City Clerk CITY OF ARVADA, COLORADO

Government Legals

Legal Notice No.: 46432 First Publication: December 29, 2016 Last Publication: December 29, 2016 Publisher: Golden Transcript Wheat Ridge Transcript and the Arvada Press Public Notice ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed bids for the construction of City of Arvada, Project No. 17-DR-04, Project Title, Davis Lane Park Pond Dredging, will be received at the office of the City Engineer until 10:00 am on January 11, 2017 and then publicly opened and read aloud.

The BID DOCUMENTS, consisting of Advertise-

City of Arvada Engineering Division - 8101 Ralston Road, Arvada, Colorado 80002 Dodge Plan Room – www.construction.com ISqFt Plan Room – 1030 West Ellsworth Ave., Unit G, Denver, Colorado 80223 Reed Construction Data - www.reedpsp.com Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com No cost bid documents may be obtained at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com on or after December 20, 2016. Bid documents may also be obtained at the office of the City Engineer upon payment of $30.00 per set, which is To advertise yournon-refundable. public notices call 303-566-4100 ESTIMATED QUANTITIES OF THE MAJOR Public Notice ITEMS OF WORK ARE: 5,500 cy Pond Sediment Removal and Disposal ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Bidders, subcontractors and suppliers must be Sealed bids for the construction of City of familiar with the current City of Arvada EnginArvada, Project No. 17-DR-04, Project Title, eering Code of Standards and SpecificaDavis Lane Park Pond Dredging, will be retions for the Design and Construction of ceived at the office of the City Engineer until Public Improvements, dated January 12, 2016, 10:00 am on January 11, 2017 and then which will be combined with the Bid Documents publicly opened and read aloud. to form the Contract Documents for the Project.

The BID DOCUMENTS, consisting of AdvertiseA copy of the Standards may be obtained from ment for Bids, Information for Bidders, Special the office of the City Engineer upon a non-reConditions, Addendum when issued, Bid Bond, fundable payment of $50.00. Holders will be noBid Proposal, Bid Schedule, and the Project tified when supplemental revisions and addiDrawings may be examined at the following tions are available as they are adopted. The locations: Standards are also available at no cost on the City of Arvada Engineering Division City's web site at www.arvada.org. Holders are - 8101 Ralston Road, Arvada, Colorado 80002 responsible for keeping current their City of ArDodge Plan Room – www.construction.com vada Engineering Code of Standards and ISqFt Plan Room – 1030 West Ellsworth Ave., Specifications.

Unit G, Denver, Colorado 80223 The Project Engineer for this work is Reed Construction Data - www.reedpsp.com Patrick Dougherty P.E, at 720-898-7642.

Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System at CITY OF ARVADA www.rockymountainbidsystem.com Date: No cost bid documents may be obtained at Timothy R. Hoos, P.E., City Engineer www.rockymountainbidsystem.com on or after 8101 Ralston Road December 20, 2016. Bid documents may also Arvada, Colorado 80002 be obtained at the office of the City Engineer upon payment of $30.00 per set, which is Legal Notice No.: 46433 non-refundable.

First Publication: December 29, 2016 ESTIMATED QUANTITIES OF THE MAJOR Last Publication: January 5, 2017 ITEMS OF WORK ARE: Publisher: Golden Transcript 5,500 cy Pond Sediment Removal and Disposal Wheat Ridge Transcript Bidders, subcontractors and suppliers must be and the Arvada Press familiar with the current City of Arvada Engineering Code of Standards and Specifications for the Design and Construction of Public Improvements, dated January 12, 2016, which will be combined with the Bid Documents to form the Contract Documents for the Project.

A copy of the Standards may be obtained from

Government Legals

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24 Arvada Press

December 29, 2016D

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