June 3, 2016 VO LUM E 1 5 | IS S U E 28 | FREE
CHURCH CHUCKLES Congregation uses comedy to raise money for pair of causes on PAGE 12.
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Group sues over C-470 expansion Area residents file federal lawsuit against CDOT, alleging that noise data is flawed By Kyle Harding kharding@coloradocommunitymedia.com A group of Highlands Ranch residents has filed a lawsuit to stop the planned expansion of C-470 between I-25 and Kipling Avenue, claiming the Federal Highway Administration and the Colorado Department of Transportation used flawed traffic noise data in the approval process. Highlands Ranch Neighborhood Coalition filed the suit in federal court against CDOT on May 12, also naming CDOT Executive Director Shailen Bhat and FHWA Colorado Division Administrator Joh Cater. Coalition president Carter Sales said CDOT did not do long-term noise sampling to validate its computer noise models during the public comment period last year, only conducting short-term sampling instead. “In their own written guidelines, shortterm and long-term are required,” Sales said. The lawsuit alleges that two long-term samples were collected after the public comment period ended, violating the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 by failing to allow public comment on the new data. “They tried to do a quick fix,” Sales said. The lawsuit challenges the FWHA’s Finding of No Significant Impact for the project as well. It asks the court to stop work on the project until the issues are addressed. “We’re saying that CDOT and FWHA have not taken our challenge to heart and we want a judge to decide,” Sales said. Bhatt, Cater and CDOT were served with summons on May 13. As of May 25, C-470 continues on Page 5
PLAYOFF RUN
Family and friends spend May 21 at Centennial Center Park for the annual NAMIWalk, which focuses on mental health awareness. Photo courtesy of NAMIWalk
Walk spotlights mental health Largest event yet held at Centennial Center Park By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com This year’s NAMIWalk — an event focused on mental health — had the largest turnout to date, with more than 1,200 walkers. “This event is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and support one another,” said Donna Parisi, vice president and program coordinator of NAMI of
Arapahoe and Douglas counties. “There is a lot of love, laughter and smiles at these events.” NAMI — the National Alliance on Mental Illness — is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to mental health awareness through programs, classes, support groups and community events. NAMIWalks are scheduled for May, which is National Mental Health Awareness month. This year’s May 21 walk at Centennial Center Park, at East Peakview Avenue and South Uvalda Street in Centennial, was one of three in the state. Others were in Grand Junction and Pueblo.
“We get people from all over the state at these walks,” said Jason Hopcus, executive director of NAMI Colorado. NAMI Colorado and volunteers host the annual walks to raise funds and engage the community in mental health awareness. It’s a celebration of hope and recovery for those dealing with mental illness, Parisi said. This year, positive energy radiated from the crowd, which was a mix of individuals, couples, families, children and dogs. “NAMIWalks lets the sun shine on people who are so often left in the dark corners of society,” Parisi said.
Summoned by the call of the pipes Lone Tree firefighters’ bagpipe band plays to honor service By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media
Cherry Creek advances deep in the state baseball tournament. Page 19
Mike West has been playing the bagpipes for more than six years, but still considers himself an amateur. “As fire department bagpipers go, I’m OK,” West said. “As bagpipers go, I’m definitely a novice.” West seasons the reed in his mouth one last time before twisting the chanter into the chanter stock, securing it to the black leather bag. He slips the instrument’s loose configuration over his shoulder and tucks the bag under his left arm. Following a few puffs on the mouthpiece, he strikes the bag with his free hand. The truck bay of South Metro Fire Station 34 in Lone Tree fills with the steady notes of three drones followed by a higher-pitched melody as West fingers the chanter. West is a charter member of the South Metro Fire Pipes and Drums, which provides pipes and drums for departmental functions. Most noted for its service to fallen first responders, the band also plays at retirements, awards ceremonies
Piper Mike West warms up ahead of group practice. West has been playing the bagpipes for six years and still considers himself an amateur. Photo by Rick Gustafson and firehouse dedications. “A lot of times the bagpipers will get called to just help out at a funeral, play either at the church or at the gravesite,” firefighter-paramedic Eric Hendee said.
“When we do a funeral for somebody, just that part of it can really add to the event.” Pipes continues on Page 5