Brighton Community Guide 2021

BRIGHTON Community Guide

A Special Publication of

STANDARD BLADE B R I G H T O N

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1903

75cI

INSIDE THIS GUIDE

The stage curtain at the Pleasant Valley Grange from around 1950. Owned

by Ken and Lou Ellen Bromely, the curtain can be seen at the Brighton City Museum in Brighton’s Historic City Hall.

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WELCOME

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COUNTY GOVERNMENT

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SERVICE DIRECTORY

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RECREATION

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CITY GOVERNMENT

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BRIGHTON EDUCATION

COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA 143 S. Second Place Brighton, Colo. 80601 (303) 566-4100 thebrightonblade.com

METRO NORTH EDITOR Scott Taylor

AD MANAGER Teresa Alexis

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WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS Liam Adams, Steve Smith, Scott Taylor, Belen Ward

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BRIGHTON

PROSPEROUS PAST, BRIGHT FUTURE

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t’s hard to imagine a bronze sculpture capturing so much of the essence of a community, but artist Gary Alsum’s 2007 piece “A prosperous past, a bright future” does an admirable job of spelling out what makes Brighton special.

Alsum’s sculpture captures many different aspects of Brighton. The basket of vegetables at the family’s feet represents the city’s agricultural roots, such as the Kuner’s canning and shipping facility that opened in 1917 and Great Western’s sugar factor that operated throughout the 20th century.

The child’s toys represent more recent economic aspects of the region. The toy train symbolizes the rail lines that made Brighton’s agricultural growth possible, connecting the burgeoning city to markets in the east and the west.

The toy airplane represents Brighton’s different ties to aviation. One is the city’s proximity to Denver International Airport and the boost it has given the city.

But it also has represents the aviation industry’s early days, when pilots relied on the Platte River to guide them to Denver and residents put up lighthouses to help guide the pilots or painted directional signs on their roofs.

But above all, Alsum’s piece exudes a feeling of affection and family, something Brighton came to rely on during 2020.

When the hospitals needed protective equipment to help slow the spread of COVID-19, residents responded, collecting rooms full of masks, gloves and disinfectants. Those same community members led food drives to make sure no members of the community went hungry.

And when hurricane-scale winds tore through the community, leveling the evergreen tree that had stood outside old Brighton City Hall for more than 80 years – the city’s official Christmas tree – the city erected a temporary tree in the newly finished Founders Plaza.

As we’ve come to understand, the community’s future – much like its past – relies upon its people, coming together to work, to play and to care for each other.

On the cover, Gary Alsum's bronze sculpture “A Proserpous Past, a Bright Future,” located at North Cabbage Avenue and Main Street in Brighton.

Above, Brighton councilman Tim Watts helps out at a food distribution drive at Old City Hall. Below, the community responded to COVID-19 by collecting and donating personal protective equipment such as masks and cleaner to Platte Valley Medical Center.

TRANSPORTATION IMPACTS PUBLIC HEALTH The ability to move is a universal need.

Everyone needs safe, affordable, and accessible transportation options. Many of Via’s clients use our services to get to medical appointments or lifesaving treatments like dialysis.

In response to the pandemic, Via found new ways to support riders’ health and independence while also serving the community as a whole.

We instituted new safety guidelines and social distancing on our vehicles.

We waived fares to make our service more accessible to all.

We began delivering food and prescriptions so you can stay safe at home.

We’re bringing you to your vaccination appointments.

Support mobility for all today at ViaColorado.org/give.

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B R I GHTON SERVIC E DIRECTORY

New to Brighton? Here’s a look at the city’s essential services DRIVERS LICENSE BUREAUS Northglenn (Adams County) 11900 Washington St., Northglenn, CO 80233 720-929-8636 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday Greeley (Weld County) 2320 W. Reservoir Road, Greeley, CO 80634 303-205-5600 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday UTILITIES United Power 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton, CO 80601 303-637-1300 www.unitedpower.com Xcel Energy 12466 County Road 2 ¼ Brighton, CO 80601 1-800-895-4999 www.xcelenergy.com

Directory continues on page 5

Waymire Battelle As COVID-19 began to spread, hospital and doctors’ offices became concerned about having enough masks and other protective equipment to keep doctors and nurses safe. The Federal Emerency Management Agency contracted with national logistics consultant Battelle to set up a facility to decontaminate the masks with hydrogen peroxide vapor in Adams County’s Fairground Exhibition Hall. Here, technicians load masks into a decontamination chamber.

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B R I GHTON SERVIC E DIRECTORY LIBRARY Anythink Brighton 327 E. Bridge St. Brighton, CO 80601 303-405-3230 www.anythinklibraries.org/location/anythink-brighton ANIMAL CONTROL/SHELTER Riverdale Animal Shelter 12155 Park Boulevard, Brighton 303 720-523-7387 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Lifeline Puppy Rescue 15171 Riverdale Rd. Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-9696 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday TELEPHONE SERVICE CenturyLink (formerly Qwest) 1-866-642-0444 Retail location at Orchard Town Center, 14456 Delaware St., Westminster, CO 80020 (303) 457-1881 Comcast 800-934-6489 Service Center at 965 E. Bridge St. Brighton, CO 80601 SEWER AND WATER City of Brighton 500 S. Fourth Ave. Brighton, CO 80601 Issues: 303-655-2068 Billing: 303-655-2009 After Hours: 303-696-4061 EMISSIONS TESTING Air Care Colorado 303-456-7090 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday 1950 E. 112th Ave. Northglenn, CO 5222 Silver Peak Ave. Dacono, CO 80514 HOSPITAL/MEDICAL Platte Valley Medical Center 1600 Prairie Center Parkway, Brighton, CO 80601 303-498-1600 www.pvmc.org Visitors allowed 24 hours a day, some limits for Critical Care and medical/surgical/ pediatric/newborn areas.

El Cameron Loco Scenes like this were common during 2020 as restaurants had to close their doors for in-person service. El Cameron Loco in Brighton became a drive-through facility.

LICENSE PLATES Adams County Government Center 4430 S. Adams County Parkway 1st Floor, Suite E2001 Brighton, CO 80601-8215 720-523-6010 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday PROPERTY TAXES Adams County Office of the Assessor 4430 S. Adams County Parkway Brighton, CO 80601-8203 Phone: 720-523-6038 Fax: 720-523-6037 8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

Your home and car are more than just things. They’re where you make your memories – and they deserve the right protection. We get it. It’s why we’re here.

LET’S TALK TODAY.

POLICE/CODE ENFORCEMENT Brighton Police Department Chief of Police: Paul Southard 3401 E. Bromley Lane, Brighton, Colorado 80601 303-655-2300 Emergencies: Call 911 Non-Emergency: 303-288-1535 Crimestoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800- 444-3776

Gene Watada, Agent

Eddie Olivas, Agent

2700 E. Bridge Street Brighton, CO 80601 Bus: 303-654-1306 gene.watada.b7b0@statefarm.com

27 S. 4th Ave., Unit B Brighton, CO 80601 303-288-8890 eddie@segurosolivas.com Hablamos Español

Directory continues on page 6

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B R I GHTON SERVIC E DIRECTORY Code Enforcement Office: 303-655-2025 Email: code.enforcement@brightonco.gov Graffiti hotline: 303-655-2097 FIRE DEPARTMENT Greater Brighton Fire Protection District Fire Chief: Mike Schuppe 500 S. Fourth Ave., third floor Brighton, CO 80601 Phone: 303-659-4101 Fax: 303-659-4103 www.colorado.gov/brightonfire.org MUNICIPAL COURT Police and Municipal Court Building 3401 E. Bromley Lane Brighton, CO 80601 Phone: 303-655-2064 8 a.m.to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday CULTURAL The Armory at Brighton Cultural Center 300 Strong St. Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-2026 www.brightonarmory.org info@brightonarmory.org

First responders stop by Platte Valley Medical Center to salute hospital staff for its efforts to fight the pandemic.

We are here for you.

As Colorado reopens for business and our communities adjust to new challenges, rest assured that Platte Valley Medical Center and our clinics are here to safely serve you and your family. From virtual visits and walk-in care to making sure that our hospital is safe for all patients who need life-saving emergency care, we are here for you.

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Learn more and see how we are protecting your health at pvmc.org/safety

B R I GHTON C IT Y GOVERNMENT

CITY OF BRIGHTON 500 S. Fourth Ave., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-2000 www.brightonco.gov info@brightonco.gov

CITY COUNCIL - WARD 1 Matt Johnston, mayor pro tem 303-655-2265 mjohnston@brightonco.gov

CITY COUNCIL - WARD 3 Clint Blackhurst 303-655-2267 cblackhurst@brightonco.gov

CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE Jane Bais DiSessa, City Manager Phone: 303-655-2043 Fax: 303-655-2047 mfalconburg@brightonco.gov

Tim Watts 303-655-2261 tbwatts@brightonco.gov

Kris Jordinelli 303-655-2263 kjordinelli@brightonco.gov

CITY COUNCIL - WARD 4 BRIGHTON MAYOR Greg Mills 303-655-2268 gmills@brightonco.gov

CITY COUNCIL - WARD 2 Mary Ellen Pollack 303-655-2264 mpollack@brightonco.gov

Ann Tadeo 303-655-2266 ataddeo@brightonco.gov

Mark Humbert 303-655-2269 mhumbert@brightonco.gov

Adam Cushing 303-655-2260 acushing@brightonco.gov

CITY CLERK’S OFFICE Natalie Hoel Phone: 303-655-2056 Fax: 303-655-2158 nhoel@brightonco.gov

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One piece of normal life in Brighton, the annual Festival of Lights parade in December, didn’t take place in 2020 because of the pandemic. Earlier in the spring, a derecho knocked over the tree in front of Historic City Hall that crews used to adorn with lights during the holidays.

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ADAM S COUNT Y GOVERNMENT ADAMS COUNTY OFFICIALS

ADAMS COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER

Adams County Government Center 4430 S. Adams County Parkway, Brighton, CO 80601 720-523-6100

Josh Zygielbaum adams.recording@adcogov.org 720-523-6020

ADAMS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS District 1 Eva J. Henry ehenry@adcogov.org

ADAMS COUNTY MANAGER Raymond Gonzales rgonzales@adcogov.org 720-523-6829

District 2 Charles ‘Chaz’ Tedesco ctedesco@adcogov.org ADAMS COUNTY SHERIFF Richard Reigenborn rreigenborn@adcogov.org 303-654-1850

District 3 Emma Pinter epinter@adcogov.org

ADAMS COUNTY TREASURER Lisa Culpepper treasurer@adcogov.org 720-523-6160

District 4 Steve O’Dorisio sodorisio@adcogov.org

District 5 Lynn Baca lbaca@adcogov.org

JACLYNN SPENCER D.D.S.

FAMILY DENTISTRY

30 South 20th Ave., Suite D, Brighton 303-659-3062 • www.brightonsmiles.com

Bob Bratten, DVM Talor Lingus, DVM 303-659-7533 bsvc1245@gmail.com bridgestreet.vet 1245 E. Bridge St., Brighton 8AM - 6PM Monday-Friday • 8AM - 12PM Saturday

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R ECR E AT ION AND OUTDOORS

At 13401 Picadilly Road, Barr Lake State features birdwatching, fishing, hiking trails and a 12 lane archery range.

GOLF

Brighton’s Only Locally Owned Pharmacy Se Habla Español Fast Friendly Service • Wide Selection of Medical Equipment Free Local RX Delivery • Prescription Compounding Services Most Insurance Plans and Workers Comp Accepted Boutique Gifts, Cards & Flowers

303-483-7455 1610 Prairie Center Pkwy., Suite 2110 Brighton, CO 80601 Located next to PVMC Mon.-Fri. 9am-6pm, Sat. 9am-2pm

Riverdale Golf Course 13300 Riverdale Road, Brighton 303-659-6700 www.riverdalegolf.com Todd Creek Golf Club 8455 Heritage Drive, Thornton 303-655-1779 www.toddcreekgolfclub.com

STATE PARKS Barr Lake State Park Brighton’s Barr Lake, 13401 Picadilly Road, was designated a state park space in 1977. It features fishing and boating, a wildlife refuge that’s home to various species of raptors as well as nesting space for bald eagles.

An 8.8-mile trail circles the lake itself, and the park also has a 12-lane archery range. Park hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Nature Center hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. To reach the park’s entrance, head east on Bromley Lane from I-76 and take Picadilly Road south.

PARKS/ OPEN SPACE Benedict Park Located at 1855 Southern St., Benedict Park offers five shelters, disc golf, a horseshoe pit, a skate park, picnic areas, a playground and a soccer eld. It features the Emi Chikuma Plaza and Splash Pad. BJAA Park The Brighton Japanese American Association Park, located at 1220 Longs Peak St., features a baseball diamond, picnic areas, a playground and a shelter.

Brian Aragon Skate Park Located at 1101 Judicial Center Drive, there are multiple bowls for skaters to traverse, as well as a grill and picnic shelters.

Brighton Park Located at 555 N. 11th Ave., the park is situated next to the Brighton Recreation Center and features four shelters in addition to trails, fields, fishing and a playground.

Recreation continues on page 11

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R ECR E AT ION AND OUTDOORS

The city’s aquatic center features slides and lazy river was closed for 2020 but the city plans to reopen it in 2021.

Sports Complex Located at 1111 Judicial Center Dr., the complex is home to baseball and softball diamonds.

Donelson Park Located at 4500 Midland St., the park features a shelter seating 48 as well as football/soccer field.

Bromley Farm/ Koizuma-Hishinuma Farm Located at 1594 E. Bromley Lane, is a historic farmstead celebrating Brighton’s agricultural heritage with a working farm and events.

Farmers Park Located at 320 Chapel Hill St., the park features a basketball court, playground, picnic areas and grill.

Carmichael Park One of Brighton’s newest parks, it is located behind City Hall at 650 Southern St. Includes playground, basketball court, a skate park, picnic shelters, a soccer field and trails.

Colorado Park Located at 254 Miller St., features a football field, picnic areas, tennis court and horseshoe pit.

Dewey Strong Park Located at 468 Longspur Drive, Strong Park features a soccer field, picnic shelters, trails and volleyball.

Happy Trails Dog Park Located near the Sports Complex, the off-leash dog park is open from sunrise to sunset every day.

Ken Mitchell Park & Lakes Located at 889 Kinglet Court, the park features a fishing pier and boardwalk. Shelters are on a firstcome, first-served basis. Fishing is from the pier only; boats are not allowed on the lake.

Dave Lockman Park Located at 605 Tumbleweed Drive, it features a playground and picnic tables.

Located at 889 Kinglet Court, the Ken Mitchell Open Space features a lake and walking paths.

Although boating is not allowed, anglers are welcome to the fish from the shore or the park’s pier.

FORT LUPTON

PACK & SHIP Document Services • Business Services Fax Services • Notary Services Office Products • Paper Shredding Service Packing and Shipping, Including Drop-off Service

810 1st Street • Fort Lupton, CO 80621 Phone: 303.857.2968

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Fax: 303.857.4788 www.flpackandship.com fortluptonpackandship@gmail.com

HOURS:

M-F 8-5 SAT. 9-12

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R ECR E AT ION AND OUTDOORS Each year, volunteers set out to count as many different species of birds as they can, part of a national effort. Brighton’s Barr Lake is a key spot for this count and for birdwatching year round.

Malcom Park Located at 16 N. Fifth Ave., it features a playground, picnic areas, basketball, baseball/softball and horseshoe pits.

Mayeda Park Located at 30 Jessup St., it features a playground, trail, picnic shelter, basketball court and grill.

Montoya Park Located at 221 N. Ninth Ave., it features, a playground, basketball court, picnic shelters and open space for baseball/softball.

Pheasant Ridge Park Located at 200 Octillo St., it features a playground.

Sister Cities Park Located at 3469 Rock St. Sugar Beet Bike Park Located near the Skate Park, it features a BMX track and bike trail.

Veterans Park Located at 405 W. Bridge St., it features a playground, access to nearby trails and shelters.

Water Tower Park Located at 4204 Crestone Peak St. It features a football field.

Youth Sports Complex Located at 1100 Voiles St., features baseball and softball diamonds.

TRAILS Brighton Lateral Trail Begins off of Sister Cities Park, 3469 Rock St. This trail currently follows along the Brighton Lateral Ditch from Bromley Lane to Southern Street.

Brighton Memorial Parkway The parkway is a 3,600-foot-long asphalt bike/hike trail path that winds from Bromley Lane to Southern Street.

There are four small wood shade shelters with back-to-back benches at intervals along the trail and memorial plaques honoring local citizens who have made significant contributions to the community’s parks and recreation programs.

Bromley Park Community Park Trail This is on the far east side of Brighton, just west of Interstate 76 at Bridge Street, Take the Bromley Lane exit off I-76, turn north on the frontage road and proceed to Bridge Street. The trail will then end at the Bromley Park Community Park.

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Fulton Ditch Trailhead Easily accessed from Bridge Street, between 20th and 22nd avenues. Trail follows along the Fulton Ditch, a major water source for many farmers. There are benches along the way, and it connects to other trails.

North Outfall Trail The combination of the Fulton Ditch and North Outfall trails follows the ditch and ends at the Brighton Recreation Center. You can connect to the trail on the east side of Brighton at Bridge Street and 22nd Avenue or on the north side of Brighton at the Recreation Center at 555 N. 11th Ave. At the recreation center, a trail circles around Brighton Park.

South Platte River Trailhead 460 W. Southern St. ADA accessible, with asphalt pathway. You can hike/bike this 1⁄2 mile easy trail along the Platte River. This trail goes through a riparian area with wildlife, lots of cattails, and bird viewing.

Southern Street Trail Just off of Telluride Street this trail goes east and west along Southern Street. This trail is a rather short trail, but well worth the visit.

Getz/Morgan Smith Nature Area Begins in Veterans Park, 405 W. Bridge St. and follows the Platte River north of the park. The user walks along a soft surface trail through 30 acres of a riparian corridor.

EDUCATION IN BRIG HTON Information for Brighton’s elementary, middle and high schools

The virus forced schools in the 27J School District, including Brighton High, to close their doors for most of 2020 and, eventually, turn to a combination of online and in-person learning. Graduation programs went virtual.

Bromley East Charter School 356 Longspur Drive, Brighton, CO 80601 720-685-3297 Executive Director: Jessica Fiedler

Innovations and Options (Alternative High School programs) 830 East Bridge St., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-2850 Principal: Jennifer Alexander

Eagle Ridge Academy 3551 Southern St. Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-0773 Principal: Scott Richardson

Landmark Academy at Reunion 10566 Memphis St., Commerce City, CO 80022 303-287-2901 Principal: Mike Collins

Brantner Elementary 7800 E. 133rd Ave. Thornton, CO 80602 720-685-5050 Principal: Britt Travis

Foundations Academy 340 S. 45th Ave. Brighton, CO 80601 303-659-9519 Principal: Kay Collins Henderson Elementary 12301 East 124th Ave. Henderson, CO 80640 303-655-2700 Principal: Sal Conca

North Elementary 89 N. Sixth Ave., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-2500 Principal: Kevin Purfurst

Brighton High School 270 S. Eighth Ave., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-4200 Principal: Shelly Genereux

Heritage Academy 830 E. Bridge St., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-2850 Principal: Jennifer Alexander

Belle Creek Charter School 9290 E. 107th Ave. Henderson, CO 80640 303-468-0160 Principal: Jackie Fields BLRC Preschool 1850 E. Egbert St. Suite G20 Brighton, CO 80601 720-685-5490 Principal: Bethany Ager BOLT Academy 830 E. Bridge St. Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-2850.

Principal: Jennifer Alexander

Northeast Elementary 1605 Longs Peak St., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-2550 Principal: Toby Karr

Education continues on page 14

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EDUCATION IN B RIG HTON

Basketball returned in late January 2021 with masks, audience restrictions and social distancing. Here, a masked Peyton Torres from Eagle Ridge Academy does a tight-rope act to keep from falling out of bounds during his team’s Colorado League game at Fort Lupton. FLHS defenders are Dante Villarini (13) and Cesar Valdez (24).

Otho Stuart Middle School 15955 E. 101st Way, Commerce City 720-685-5500 Principal: Fabricio Velez Overland Trail Middle School 455 N. 19th Ave., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-4000 Principal: Eric Lambright Padilla Elementary 5505 Longs Peak St., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-5100 Principal: Kevin Purfurst

Signs such as this, offering encouragment to students and staff while Brighton High School was closed due to COVID-19 quarantining, were common all over Brighton as the pandemic dragged on for much of 2020.

Education continues on page 15

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EDUCATION IN BRIG HTON

Schools in the 27J district, including Thimmig Elementary School, were sites for food distributions during the early stages of the pandemic.

Pennock Elementary 3707 Estrella St. Brighton, CO 80601 720-685-7500 Principal: Valerie Ortega

Reunion Elementary 11021 Landmark Drive, Commerce City, CO 80022 720-685-8501 Principal: David Felten

Southeast Elementary 1595 Southern St., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-2650 Principal: Heath Wilson

Prairie View High School 12909 E. 120th Ave., Henderson, CO 80640 303-655-8800 Principal: Michael Burke

Riverdale Ridge High School 13380 Yosemite St., Thornton, CO 80602 303-655-6800 Principal: Terry Elliott

Thimmig Elementary 11453 Oswego St., Henderson, CO 80640 303-655-2750 Principal: Candice Reese

Prairie View Middle School 12915 E. 120th Ave., Henderson, CO 80640 720-685-5400 Principal: Cristina Bissell

Second Creek Elementary 9950 Laredo Drive, Commerce City, CO 80022 720-685-7550 Principal: Evoice Sims

Turnberry Elementary 13069 E. 106th Place, Commerce City, CO 720-685-5350 Principal: Kate Pelton

Quist Middle School 13451 Yosemite St., Thornton, CO 80602 303-655-6950 Principal: Trina Norris-Buck

South Elementary 305 S. Fifth Ave., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-2600 Principal: Kristen Puzio

Vikan Middle School 870 Jessup St. Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-4050 Principal: Michele Saller West Ridge Elementary 13102 Monaco St., Thornton, CO 80602 Phone 303-685-5300 Principal: Amy Bruce

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www.unitedpower.com 303-637-1300

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