STANDARD BLADE B R I G H T O N
SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1903
75cI
VOLUME 118
Issue 22
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2021
HIP HIP HOORAY!
Crews cart a section of reinforced fiberglass pipe into place along the Second Creek pipeline corridor. Work on the pipeline, which begins south of Denver International Airport and continues north east to the Metro Wastewater Districts Northern TreatCOURTESY ment plant in Brighton, is expected to continue through 2023.
Second Creek Pipeline work kicks off Wastewater treatment district touts project as aid to Northern metro growth BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Officials virtually kicked off work on a 17-mile-long pipeline May 20 designed to bring wastewater from Metro Denver’s northern communities up to the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District’s Northern Treatment Plant in Brighton. “This solution allows us to plan for along term growth in each of our regions. Growth is not slowing down any time soon and we have to plan for the future, and in ways we’ve never had to plan before,” Adams County Commissioner Chaz Tedesco said during the virtual groundbreaking ceremony. Tedesco spoke via his smartphone while others logged on from around the area. “This service is essential, not optional, as our communities grow,” Tedesco said. “By providing 17 miles of new pipeline that connects to the newest treatment plant, we’ll be able to expand our current water reclamation services to our northeastern portions of the metro region. Rec-
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lamation will be more efficient and will use fewer resources.” The pipeline will take wastewater from several communities in Denver’s northern area, including Aurora, Denver, Commerce City and Brighton as well as Denver International Airport and the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District. Work on the pipeline is supposed to continue through 2023, with it being brought into service in 2024. It’s been a long time coming, according to District Manager Mickey Conway. “It’s promising that when this project concludes, we will be able to get together and really celebrate. It’s something for us all to look forward to,” Conway said. “This project not just a 17-mile long piece of pipe. It represents a connection between communities that care about public health and the environment and the regional entity made up of those communities that its committed to making sure those values are taken care of.” The need for the pipeline was first noted by the Denver Regional Council of Government in 1982. The Metro Wastewater district, which is made up of 60 local governments SEE PIPELINE, P3
Eagle Ridge Academy grad Ramon Ranzinger celebrates his diploma and the end of high school May 19. See more photos of the commencement ceremony and other local PHOTO BY STEVE SMITH graduation coverage beginning on page 6.
Tri-County lets local mask order expire State’s newly adjusted mask order will still apply BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
When the local public health agency for Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties amended its mask-wearing order to remove the requirement that masks be worn in outdoor public spaces — a change announced April 5 — the agency also announced the order was expected to remain in place until June 30. Tri-County Health Department instead let its order expire early on May 16, allowing its counties to follow only the state’s mask order.
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GRADUATES EYE THEIR FUTURES Area high school graduates reflect, look to years ahead
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“We amended our mask order (again) on April 9, the same day we issued our dial extension order,” said Jennifer Ludwig, the agency’s deputy director. Tri-County’s dial extension was essentially an order for a modified version of the state’s “dial” system of coronavirus restrictions for one month until May 15. “The reason we amended the mask order changing the (end) date from June 30 to (through) May 15 was to align with the first phase of the dial extension order and to be more in-line with our regional partners,” Ludwig said. Colorado’s statewide mask mandate still applies. Gov. Jared Polis on May 14 announced a move from a SEE MASK ORDER, P5
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