1
April 3, 2014 Adams County, Colorado | Volume 6, Issue 14 A publication of
brightonbanner.com
Hello readers
WEEKEND WHEELING
A man with his bike loaded up with fishing gear makes his way around Adams County Regional Park Sunday morning. Many people enjoyed the early morning air. Photo by Mikkel Kelly
South Platte continues to be a focus for Hodge State senator also works on CPR grant program, provisional PT license By Tammy Kranz
tkranz@coloradocommunitymedia.com State Sen. Mary Hodge has paid close attention to legislation regarding the South Platte River since 2002 when she served as House District 30 representative. Now as the state senator representing District 25, her work continues on the body of water that flows through Adams County. “It’s important we get the South Platte fixed, whatever that fix may be,” she said of House Bill 14-1332, which she is a primary sponsor. Two years ago the Colorado water conservation board did a study of the South Platte River basin and made recommendations for such things as long-term sustainable use of water and how to mitigate adverse impacts in areas experiencing high ground water levels. HB 14-1332 would implement the recommendations by the board, such as pumping water from tables that are high back into the river, Hodge said. This bill is working its way through the House. Another bill that Hodge is a prime sponsor of is Senate Bill 14-099, which allows the physical therapy board to issue a provisional license to applicants who have successfully completed a physical therapy program and met the educational requirements.
Rep. Claire Levy, Sen. Pat Steadman, Rep. Crisanta Duran, Sen. Mary Hodge, Rep. Cheri Gerou stand behind Gov. John Hickenlooper as he signs the 2013-2014 long bill during the last session. Courtesy photo Hodge said the licensing tests for physical therapists are only conducted four times a year, which leaves some people in a financial bind. “You can’t practice (physical therapy) because you don’t have a license,” she said. “If you graduate at the wrong time, you have debt due but can’t work to pay it off.” This bill is working its way through the Senate committees. Hodge is also the prime sponsor of HB
POSTAL ADDRESS
Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.
14-1276, which allows schools to apply for grant money to provide training to students in grades 9-12 on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The program would be administered by the state board of education. The bill creates a fund for the grant money. “I think it’s important we have people available to save lives,” Hodge said of the bill, noting that it’s never too early for a person to learn life-saving skills. This bill is working its way through the House committees. One of the bills that Hodge worked on that has been signed into law is SB 14-009, which requires a seller to disclose the sale of real property that a separate mineral estate may subject the property to oil, gas or mineral extraction. Hodge said people should be made aware of the potential that someone may show up on their land and start drilling before they purchase a property. “It’s a good transparency bill, so there are no surprises,” she said.
Welcome Brighton Banner readers, to the Colorado Community Media family of newspapers. Last week, we purchased the Banner from Mark Humbert and his wife Allison. We consider Brighton a great addition to our newspaper group. With your proximity to D.I.A. and Denver, a strong workforce, abundant natural resources, interesting history and affordable land and housing, you’re the size and type of community we love to serve. Colorado Community Media is locally owned Healey and managed. We publish 21 other publications in the state, including two others in Adams County. In February, we were awarded 132 Colorado Press Association awards, proving that quality is important to us. You can expect the same commitment and quality that Mark and Allison Humbert gave the Banner ever week from our staff as well. The new publisher for the Banner is Mikkel Kelly. Mikkel has over 20 years of experience in the newspaper industry and has been the editor of the Westminster Window and the Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel for the better part of 10 years. He knows and lives in Adams County and will use that knowledge to make the Banner an interesting and informative read, week after week. Expect more color and more local news in your Banner as well. We will honor your current subscriptions, and new subscriptions can be purchased at www.coloradocommunitymedia. com. The website will continue to be updated and found at www.brightonbanner. com. We are excited to work with Brighton’s local businesses. We provide a full suite of print and digital advertising products. We can help you advertise in just the Banner, or in any (or all) of our now 22 publications … reaching more than 400,000 weekly readers. We look forward to continuing to bring you Brighton’s hometown newspaper and website. Thanks for letting us serve you. We’re proud to have you in the family. Jerry Healey President
Feeling confident in her role By Tammy Kranz
tkranz@coloradocommunitymedia.com Mary Hodge has been serving as a state legislator since 2000, when she was elected as the House District 30 representative. After serving eight years on the House side, she moved over to the Senate. Hodge is now serving her Hodge second term as a state senator for District 25, which encompasses eastern Adams County. In comparing her time in the Legislature 10 years ago to today, Hodge said confidence was the main difference. Role continues on Page 2