Brighton Community Guide 2023

PRAIRIE OASIS:

LIFE ABOUNDS AT BRIGHTON’S BARR LAKE

A bull rider breaks away after being bucked off at the 2022 Adams County Fair.

Brighton City Hall

PHOTO BY SCOTT TAYLOR

OASIS: LIFE ABOUNDS AT BRIGHTON’S BARR LAKE

State park offers activities, education, wildlife and birds. Lots and lots of birds.

By Scott Taylor staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Just east of Brighton, Barr Lake has one straightforward, official purpose: The lake’s nearly 2,000 acres are designed to hold irrigation water for Denver metro area farms and homes.

Fed by the Beebee Seep and the O’Brien Canal — both distributaries of the South Platte River as it continues on east — the lake drains into several other canals that lead into more northern reservoirs and farms.

But beyond the official job, there’s much more to the park. It’s home to a vast array of wildlife and birds, which brings in flocks of visitors, birdwatchers, photographers and flat-land hikers eager to test themselves on the 8.8mile trail that surrounds the lake.

“We’re busy all year round, but it’s always a different type of busy,” said Michelle Seubert, park manager for Barr Lake State Park. “In the winter months, December through February, we’re busy for bald eagles. They winter

SEE BARR LAKE, P5

A Barr Lake eagles nest framed by fall foliage and the Rocky Mountains.

COURTESY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE

PRAIRIE OASIS: LIFE ABOUNDS AT BRIGHTON’S BARR LAKE

here, so that’s what keeps us busy then. In April and May, we get a lot of school groups —a totally different kind of busy. From May through July, we are busy for boating, canoes and kayaks. And in the fall, the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies has their bird banding station and that keeps us busy.”

FROM WALLOW TO RESERVOIR

Like any spot along Colorado’s eastern plains, water defines Barr Lake, and it has from the beginning. It started as buffalo wallow, a wet springtime depression in the prairie that attracted natives and some animals. As settlers moved to the area, it became a stopping point for cowboys moving herds from Wyoming to Texas.

A dam built in 1886 turned the wallow into a reservoir and a larger dam built in 1909 completed that

transition, flooding the old Oasis Reservoir and combining it with a smaller lake to the south, creating Barr Lake much as it is today, 1,950 acres of water about 35 feet deep when it’s full.

The water continued to define the lake as it grew this time for its quality —or lack of quality.

The lake is fed by canals that split off from the South Platte as it makes its way northeast to Nebraska. The headgate that fed the larger canals was just downstream from Denver’s stockyards and sewage treatment facility from 1930 onward, meaning the lake became a sewage lagoon. It wasn’t until a powerful June storm in 1965 flushed the South Platte, its canals and Barr Lake — and 1972’s Clean Water Act helped keep it clean.

For older adults and people with mobility limitations.

• Affordable, door-through-door transportation

• Specially trained drivers

• Anywhere you need to go — medical appointments, social activities, recreation, and more.

A couple of walkers along the Barr Lake path pass a couple of geese looking for a safe spot to make a nest.

PHOTO BY SCOTT TAYLOR

PRAIRIE OASIS: LIFE ABOUNDS AT BRIGHTON’S BARR LAKE

BARR LAKE

VARIETY

Barr Lake is a year-round home for birds of all varieties, from delicate songbirds and gatherings of geese and other fowl to swooping hawks, eagles and owls. More than 371 species of birds have been seen at Barr Lake,

And while squirrels are plentiful, so are rabbits, coyotes and foxes — with occasional visits from deer and elk.

“I saw an elk once,” Seubert said. “You know, the animals follow the water, and that’s why birds migrate. They follow the food which follows the water. That’s why we have so much variety here.”

And that variety has brought people.

The Bird Conservancy of the

Rockies is based here, researching the birds and their habitat and performing annual counts and bird banding opportunities.

The northern half of the lake is open to powered boating — 10 horsepower or less — and fishing from the shore is allowed in that section as well. Anglers catch perch, crappie, tiger muskie, bluegill, catfish, and bass that live there as well as fish stocked by Colorado Parks & Wildlife — walleyes, wipers and rainbow trout.

DOUBLING DEMAND

The 8.8-mile trail that circles the lake draws hikers and walkers, as well as bike riders and people on horseback.

“We get about 225,000 per year now,” Seubert said. “When I first started in 2008, it was about 84,000. So we’ve more than doubled.”

SEE BARR LAKE, P7

Michelle Seubert, Park Manager for Barr Lake State Park

PHOTO BY SCOTT TAYLOR

Clouds roll over the Rockies far to the west of Barr Lake, promising a fresh wash of runoff to the prairie shoreline.

PHOTO BY SCOTT TAYLOR

BARR LAKE

FROM PAGE 6

They’ve added rentable canoes, kayaks and paddleboards that can be used in the lake’s northern half, allow fall dove and duck hunting and welcome winter cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. They’ve added accessible walkways close to the visitor center and offer track chairs that can be borrowed. Like an electric wheelchair, using the same controls, it replaces the big wheels with trail-ready triangular tracks, able to handle most terrain.

That has the park’s management looking at their next improvements.

“When we look at our visitation trends, it’s changed over the years,” Seubert said. “For example, during COVID everybody bought a paddleboard or an inflatable canoe and they all bring them here. We have one bridge that people are supposed to walk over and drive over and there is so much congestion, we need to build a pedestrian bridge. So that’s our next challenge, preserving our natural resources while meeting the needs of our visitors and keeping them safe.”

In addition to the boat ramp, Seubert said the park is looking at alternative camping in covered wagons.

A walkway that splits off from the Barr Lake walking path and into the water offers a different perspective for birdwatchers and photographers. COURTESY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE

Barr Lake provides track chairs, powered chairs that allow people in wheelchairs the ability to get out and navigate the trails around Barr Lake.

PHOTO BY SCOTT TAYLOR

BRIGHTON CITY GOVERNMENT

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

CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE

Michael Martinez, City Manager Phone: 303-655-2165 mpmartinez@brightonco.gov

CITY CLERK’S OFFICE

Natalie Hoel

Phone: 303-655-2056

Fax: 303-655-2158 nhoel@brightonco.gov

BRIGHTON MAYOR

Greg Mills 303-655-2268 gmills@brightonco.gov

CITY COUNCIL - WARD 1

Matt Johnston 303-655-2265 mjohnston@brightonco.gov

Tom Green 303-655-2261 tgreen@brightonco.gov

CITY COUNCIL - WARD 3

Clint Blackhurst 303-655-2267

cblackhurst@brightonco.gov

CITY COUNCIL - WARD 2

Mary Ellen Pollack 303-655-2264 mpollack@brightonco.gov

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

Jan Pawlowski 303-655-2263

jpawlowski@brightonco.gov

CITY COUNCIL - WARD 4

Peter Padilla 303-655-2269

ppadilla@brightonco.gov

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.

Brighton Mayor Greg Mills, Councilor Ann Taddeo and City Manager Michael Martinez take a turn on Bird Scooters to celebrate deploying the ride option to the city in July 2022. FILE PHOTO

Brighton City Hall at 500 S. Fourth Ave. FILE PHOTO

ADAMS COUNTY GOVERNMENT

ADAMS COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER

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

ADAMS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

District 1

Eva J. Henry ehenry@adcogov.org

District 4

Steve O’Dorisio sodorisio@adcogov.org

ADAMS COUNTY MANAGER

Noel Bernal nbernal@adcogov.org 720-523-6829

District 2

Charles “Chaz” Tedesco ctedesco@adcogov.org

District 3

Emma Pinter epinter@adcogov.org

District 5

Lynn Baca lbaca@adcogov.org

ADAMS COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER

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

ADAMS COUNTY SHERIFF gclaps@adcogov.org

303-654-1850

ADAMS COUNTY ASSESSOR

Ken Musso assessor@adcogov.org

DISTRICT ATTORNEY For the 17th District (Adams and Broomfield)

Brian Mason 303-659-7720

303-835-5522 (fax)

Adams County Commissioner Charles “Chaz” Tedesco placing his father’s Good Conduct Medal from World War II in the box to be placed on the mast of the replica Battleship Colorado being built on the shore of Brighton’s Mann-Nyholt Lake, part of the county’s new memorial for veterans.

FILE PHOTO

Information for Brighton’s elementary, middle and high schools

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

Brantner Elementary

7800 E. 133rd Ave. Thornton, CO 80602

720-685-5050

Principal: Britt Travis

Brighton High School

270 S. Eighth Ave., Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-4200

Principal: Shelly Genereux

Bromley East Charter School 356 Longspur Drive, Brighton, CO 80601

720-685-3297

Executive Director: Jessica Fiedler

Eagle Ridge Academy

3551 Southern St. Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-0773

Principal: Scott Richardson

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

Heritage Academy

830 E. Bridge St., Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-2850

Principal: Jennifer Alexander

Innovations and Options (Alternative High School programs)

830 East Bridge St., Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-2850

Principal: Jennifer Alexander

Education continues on page 11

A view of Brighton High School entrance. FILE PHOTO

Education continues from page 10

Landmark Academy at Reunion

10566 Memphis St., Commerce City, CO 80022

303-287-2901

Principal: Mike Collins

North Elementary

89 N. Sixth Ave., Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-2500

Principal: Kevin Purfurst

Northeast Elementary 1605 Longs Peak St., Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-2550

Principal: Toby Karr

Otho Stuart Middle School

15955 E. 101st Way, Commerce City, CO 80022

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

Pennock Elementary

3707 Estrella St. Brighton, CO 80601

720-685-7500

Principal: Valerie Ortega

Prairie View High School 12909 E. 120th Ave., Henderson, CO 80640

303-655-8800

Principal: Michael Burke

Prairie View Middle School 12915 E. 120th Ave., Henderson, CO 80640

720-685-5400

Principal: Cristina Bissell

Quist Middle School

13451 Yosemite St., Thornton, CO 80602

303-655-6950

Principal: Trina Norris-Buck

Reunion Elementary

11021 Landmark Drive, Commerce City, CO 80022

720-685-8501

Principal: David Felten

Riverdale Ridge High School

13380 Yosemite St., Thornton, CO 80602

303-655-6800

Principal: Terry Elliott

Second Creek Elementary

9950 Laredo Drive, Commerce City, CO 80022

720-685-7550

Principal: Evoice Sims

South Elementary

305 S. Fifth Ave., Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-2600

Principal: Kristen Puzio

Southeast Elementary

1595 Southern St., Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-2650

Principal: Heath Wilson

Thimmig Elementary

11453 Oswego St., Henderson, CO 80640 303-655-2750

Principal: Candice Reese

Turnberry Elementary 13069 E. 106th Place, Commerce City, CO 80022

720-685-5350

Principal: Kate Pelton

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

Brighton’s Izaiah Schoepp breaks a tackle during a game against Prairie View in September 2022. FILE PHOTO

County and 27J officials toss some spadefuls of dirt on future site of Prairie View High School’s STEM/CTE Center in August 2022. FILE PHOTO

BRIGHTON SERVICE 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

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, CO 80601

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 80233

5222 Silver Peak Ave.

Dacono, CO 80514

Directory continues on page 13

One of Brighton’s newly named snowplows – not sure if it’s Baby Snowda and Snowbi Won Kenobi – clears a road in 2022. The city hosted a contest to name its seven plows with names like The Big Snowbowski, Sleet Defeater and Plowzilla winning. FILE PHOTO

Directory continued from page 12

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.

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

POLICE/CODE ENFORCEMENT

Brighton Police Department

Chief of Police: Matt Domenico 3401 E. Bromley Lane, Brighton, CO 80601

303-655-2300

Emergencies: Call 911

Non-Emergency: 303-288-1535

Crimestoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800- 444-3776

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: Brycen Garrison

500 S. Fourth Ave., third floor

Brighton, CO 80601

Phone: 303-659-4101

Fax: 303-659-4103

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

Women’s clothing store My Local Boutique owners Justin and Erica Horiuchi, with the community of Brighton cutting the ribbon ceremony in Jan. 2023. FILE PHOTO

GOLF

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.

Benedict Park

PARKS/ OPEN SPACE

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.

Sports Complex

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

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.

Carmichael Park

One of Brighton’s newest parks, it is located behind City Hall at 650Southern 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.

Donelson Park

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

Farmers Park

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

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.

Recreation continues on page 15

Brighton residents playing at Oasis Family Aquatic Park, which features slides, a lazy river and pools for everyone to enjoy. FILE PHOTO

RECREATION AND OUTDOORS

Recreation continued from page 14

Dave Lockman Park

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

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.

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.

Fulton Ditch Trailhead

Brighton kiddos stare intently at the bounty of Easter eggs scattered on the park at the Brighton Recreation Center. FILE PHOTO

Megi Campbell gets creative with her Minecraft game necklace and hair pieces at the initial Adams County Pride Festival in June 2022. The event returns in 2023.

FILE PHOTO