Metro West Advertiser 120822

Civitas gets thumbs up for 10 fracking wells in Thornton

BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Thornton city council approved a proposed 10-well fracking site at the southeast corner of the E-470 and I-25 intersection on Nov. 29 on a 6-2 vote.

“You’ve done everything that can be done for that location,” Mayor Jan Kulmann said.

Civitas Resources Inc. bought land from Sands Partners LLC and will use 3.6 acres to develop 10 wells. However, the rest of the land plans to be developed as well. A proposal is awaiting city council approval for 1.3 million square feet of warehouse development next to the fracking site.

The site will be active for 20-30 years.

Even if city council didn’t approve the project, it would’ve most likely been given the green light through a different route of authorization. Thornton’s Municipal Code outlines three different routes, according to Colin Wahab, acting planning manager.

The Oil and Gas Permit Process requires a public hearing if the minimum requirements are satisfied, the Expedited Oil and Gas Permit Process says staff approves administratively if the operator meets heightened standards, and the Operator Agreement, which is approved by city council and establishes a framework for environmental, public health, safety and welfare.

Civitas went through an operator agreement and staff recommended approval. According to Wahab, the negotiated terms are more protective than city and state requirements, the operator agreed to plugging and abandoning existing wells within the city, the city will receive financial reimbursements, higher insurance and assurance require-

ments, there will be training and coordination with the fire department and the operator conducted a location analysis to see where the best location would be.

Some of the negotiated terms that exceed protective requirements include using electric equipment on site, Tier 4+ fracturing pumps, ongoing 24-hour computerized monitoring, response to Ozone Action Days and early implementation of Leak Detection and Repair inspections.

As well, there will be a water quality testing program to anyone with an available water source within a half mile of the radius of the location and the fluids used will be PFAS-free.

The development is also required to keep the city informed of relevant information through notification and reporting that would not otherwise be required. An annual review, evaluation, and update of the Cumulative Impacts Plan will also be provided.

Civitas will remove five wells, ten

tanks, five gas meter stations, five separators and four miles of pipeline.

For financial reimbursements, $220,000 will go towards emergency equipment and training, $100,000 towards the cost of road and infrastructure impacts, and up to $175,000 to verify ongoing compliance with the heightened standards of the agreement.

Kulmann’s questions

Kulmann, who is also an oil and gas engineer, peppered the applicant with over seven questions.

She asked whether or not the wells will be filled if the project wasn’t approved. The operator said they wouldn’t be.

Kulmann asked for the company to post their website and phone number for concerned residents to contact them for concerns. They agreed.

She also asked if they plan to use

Fort Lupton council adopts 2023 budget

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Fort Lupton City Council approved the 2023 budget during a Nov. 29 regular meeting at City Hall.

The budget contains $72 million in revenue coming from several funds, including the general fund ($16 million), the wastewater fund ($28 million) and the street sales tax fund ($1.2 million). That represents an increase of $182,000 over 2022 fiscal year projections.

It also earmarked more than $81 million in appropriations and revenue transfers, including $26 million in the wastewater fund and $22 million in the general fund. That figures out to an $11 million increase over this year, mainly because of relocating the new library and required wastewater plant upgrades.

Sales tax revenue is expected to be 20 percent higher this year than 2020, according to an October letter from Perino to the council. But 2023’s sales tax is expected to drop 12 percent, and reserves are expected to decline 3 percent, or almost $520,000, from the 2021 amended budget.

“The volatility is due to the oil and gas industry’s influence on the city’s economy,” Perino’s letter to the council said. “We continue to build our reserves in 2022 where possible and prudent. However, we also need to address our needs at the same time.”

Cost of living increases

In new spending, the city council

The proposed site for 10 new fracking wells in the City of Thornton. PHOTO BY LUKE ZARZECKI

Brighton picks winners in annual plow naming contest

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Baby Snowda and Snowbi Won Kenobi will be patrolling Brighton’s streets this winter, alongside some other cleverly-named kin.

The names for two City of Brighton snow plows and seven others were up for grabs in the City of Brighton’s annual naming contest.

Nine students won the naming rights in the City of Brighton snow plow contest. The winners will be recognized on Dec. 6 at the city council meeting.

“Judging this contest has become quite a challenging task with so many creative entries,” said Mayor Greg Mills. “We are overjoyed that we can again highlight this fun, new tradition in Brighton.”

The winning snow plow names and students are:

Baby Snowda, named by Aviana Carrillo, a First Grader at Bromley East Charter School.

Snowbi Won Kenobi, named by Mckay Hendrickson, a Fifth

Grader at Bromley East Charter School.

Buzz Iceclear, named by Margo McDonald, a First Grader at Bromley East Charter School.

Optimus Plow, named by Bryan Jones, a Kindergartener at South Elementary.

Plowzilla, named by Cruz Vasquez, a Kindergartener at Northeast Elementary.

Plowasaurus Rex, named by two students, Caleb Sledge, a Fifth Grader at Bromley East Charter School, and Landon Tryon, a Kindergartener at Padilla Elementary

Sleet Defeater, named by Marshal Stuck, a Fifth Grader at Pennock Elementary.

The Big Snowbowski, named by Elias Lai,n a Fifth Grader at Pennock Elementary.

Snow Queen, named by Kara Neeley, a First Grader at Northeast Elementary.

The nine winners will also be honored, riding a float at the 27th Brighton Annual Festival of Lights Parade on December 10.

Fort Lupton urges residents to skip the warm-up

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

With the recent cooler weather, the city of Fort Lupton has seen an increase in thefts of and from “puffing vehicles” and other unlocked motor vehicle thefts, as well as vehicle trespassing problems and other property crimes.

“These vehicle thefts can lead to more serious crimes and we would like to work with our community to deter these criminal acts from hitting home,” said Fort Lupton Police Chief John Fryar. “It should be noted, the only vehicles stolen recently have been either running or unlocked — with or without the keys inside.”

Fryar said a puffing vehicle is one left running unattended, unsecured, with keys in the ignition as drivers try to warm up their vehicles. This can occur at any time of the year but is more common during the colder months

A series of thefts from unlocked

vehicles have been reported. There have been thefts reported with locked vehicles as well, according to the Fort Lupton police.

“We encourage our citizens to lock your vehicles when you leave them unattended and take valuable belongings inside,” Chief Fryar said.

According to the Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-1206, leaving an unattended vehicle running is a citable offense. If caught puffing, it will cost you a ticket. However, most car insurance policies will still cover the puffing car if it’s stolen.

“If the vehicle is stolen due to puffing and you have comprehensive and collision coverage-its covered. If you don’t- it’s not covered. Puffing, you have to be careful, “ said Paul Fazzini, Fort Lupton’s Farmers Insurance Agent.

If the number of vehicles stolen due to puffing continues to rise, before long it could increase insurance premiums, he said.

Brighton unveiled the names of its nine snow plows, part of an annual contest. Nine area school children will be honored at City Council meeting and during the city’s Parade of Lights.

CITY OF BRIGHTON PHOTO FILE

Police warn residents not to leave their cars unlocked and unattended and running, a practice called pu ng, after a recent rash of cold-weather car thefts. COURTESY PHOTO

Brighton unveils new sculptures

30 years,” she said.

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Four new sculptures were unveiled at Carmichael Park as part of the 2022-2023 City of Brighton’s Eye 4 Art Sculpture on loan project program to expand the public art in the city.

The artists’ sculptures selected were “Bobcat “by Jan Rosetta, “Rainbow Point” Jodie Bliss, “Sun To Moon Rotation,” Mary Angers, and “Side by Each” Charlotte Zink.

Their sculptures will be on display for one year.

Brighton’s Eye 4 Art committee selects the sculptures and the artists receives a $500 honorarium when their sculpture is placed. One sculpture is also selected as the Brighton’s Choice piece, earning a $1,000 award and a chance to be purchased by the public or the city.

The Sculpture on Loan Project kicked off in 2015 through the Eye 4 Art program, installing two pieces.

Since the program started, it has installed ten sculptures throughout the city with grants from the Scientific Cultural Facilities District, the City of Brighton Lodging Tax, and the City of Brighton, according to officials.

Several volunteers and city departments have also contributed to the program, including the Brighton Parks and Recreation Department, the Eye 4 Art Committee, the Brighton Public Arts Committee, the Brighton Cultural Arts Commission, and the Office of Arts and Culture.

Jan Rosetta of Loveland created the Bobcat sculpture, which was selected and purchased by the city as Brighton’s Choice.

“I’m excited, the City of Brighton has actually purchased the Bobcat for their permanent collection but I don’t know where it will be displayed after the original one-year display is up,” Rosetta said.

Rosetta grew up in Maryland and lived in California before moving to Colorado in 1992. She graduated with an art degree from the University of Delaware and also studied art at the Art Center of Design in Los Angeles.

“I had a 23-year career in graphic design before changing to sculpture. I have been a full-time sculptor now for

Rosetta went from a graphic designer to sculpting, having never studied sculpture, but she naturally developed a feel for the art as a child, carving animals out of soap. Her husband Mel helped her carve wood signs that she designed as part of her graphic design work.

Rosetta said back when she started, most of her work came from designing hand-drawn logos and packaging for clients from her San Francisco. After computers were and graphic design software became popular, she had a hard time competing.

“I discovered bronze casting when I did a portrait for a painter friend to trade for a large painting. After entering a few shows and winning awards with my first bronze animal sculpture, I realized that there was a career change for me there and was thrilled to be creating in 3-D again,” Rosetta said.

Rosetta said she enjoyed the creative challenges of graphic design and meeting the client’s visual needs professionally.

“I was ready to create art that spoke to my passion. I discovered that if I do work that pleases me, others will like it as well,” Rosetta said.

Rosetta’s inspiration to sculpt wildlife, especially cats, is her love for animals, the beauty deserving of respect, and the sentient of animals having feelings, showing awareness and responsiveness.

“My sculpting style evolved naturally from my background in graphic design, reducing extraneous detail to bring out the essence of form and motion,” Rosetta said.

Side by Each

Another artist on display, Charlotte Link, is from Berthoud and grew up in New Orleans. Link’s sculpture is “Side by Each”.

She came to Colorado in 1987 to study art and art education at Colorado University at Boulder. Link and her husband, Ben, live and work as a team creating metals in a 125-year-old home in the heart of the old town of Berthoud.

“I’ve enjoyed experimenting with many mediums over the years, always sketching, painting, paper making, clay and for the past 24 years, collaborating with my husband and partner Ben, creating with metals,” Link said.

Link said inspiration comes from nature, and second is humans with

their funky, beautiful glory. She also loves architecture, Art Nouveau, and Picasso growing up.

“Teaching art pre-internet with stacks of books we’d check out of the local library, sharing art images with our students was always great fun. Years of pouring over children’s books’ illustrations, while teaching my own two children to read, was an amazing gift,” she said.

Link started metal work with Ben in 1998 and he learned welding at Ecocyle in Longmont.

She and Ben created Holiday gifts for fun with steel cutouts, and it took off with shows, galleries, and open studio tours.

“We have been blessed with loyal patrons over the years. Being a fulltime artist has allowed me to raise my children and be in control of our schedules; it has been a truly inspiring, busy and challenging endeavor,” Link said.

Link said they share designs with custom works and work on commission which has kept them ready for anything and learning something new, keeping it fresh and broadening skill sets.

What inspired Link to sculpt Side by Each, which is made of steel and outdoor sculpture clay, was a friend.

“A dear friend from Canada taught me this expression, when you order your two eggs- side by each- face the sky,” Link said. “ I like my eggs sunny side up, and I love this expression. It implies way beyond our breakfast. Individuals connected, living together, side by each, it’s something for us to strive for.”

Link said she was excited her sculpture was selected to engage and inspire the beautiful community of Brighton with its unique whimsical energy.

“I added just the right forms and color to compliment and celebrate the existing architecture and landscape,” she said.

“On sculpture installation days you feel like an art fairy dropping off a bit of joy for the community. Art has the power to touch and connect us, and it is a wonderful feeling to see our creations out in the world doing that for so many folks.”

For more information about the program, contact David Gallegos, Arts and Culture Coordinator, at dgallegos@brightonco.gov or 303-655-2176.

Advice can help when making charitable gifts

It’s the holiday season, so gifts are probably on your mind – including gifts to charities. You could write a check, but is there a more productive way to give?

One possibility is to donate investments, such as stocks, that you’ve held for a long time and that have increased in value. If you itemize, you can deduct the full market value of the asset, up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income, and you won’t incur the capital gains taxes that you would have, if you eventually sold the stocks.

But here’s what’s interesting: Those who work with a financial advisor on charitable strategies are more than three times as likely to donate non-cash assets such as stocks than those who contribute to charities but don’t work with an advisor, according to an August 2022 survey from Edward Jones and Morning Consult, a global data intelligence company.

These findings suggest that many more people could take advantage of tax-smart charitable giving moves if they had some help or guidance. So, consider getting some assistance in making charitable gifts. It could be a good move for you and the charitable groups you support.

The “Bobcat” by Rosetta, was purchased by the City of Brighton.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

E AGLE VIEW A DULT C ENTER

1150 Prairie Center Parkway • Brighton, CO 80601 • 303-655-2075 • www.brightonco.gov

Eagle View Adult Center Update – Dec 7 - 14, 2022

Eagle View Adult Center is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 303-655-2075 for more information. e November & December Newsletter is available.

Cards, Games and Pool

If you like to play games like bridge, pinochle, dominos, scrabble and pool… Eagle View is the place to get connected. Check out the newsletter for playing times.

VOA Lunch

A hot, nutritious lunch is provided by Volunteers of America, Mondays and ursdays at 11:30 a.m. Please reserve your VOA meal in advance: For Mondays reserve the ursday before, for ursdays reserve the Monday before.! Call Eleanor at 303-655-2271 between 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Mon. & urs. Daily meal donations are appreciated.

$2.50 Donation per meal if age 60+. $8.50 Mandatory charge if under 60 Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life

In this 1946 Christmas classic, a er George Bailey wishes he had never been born, an angel is sent to earth to make George’s wish come true. George starts to realize how many lives he has impacted, and how they’d be di erent if he was never there. Free, but please register. 1:15 p.m. urs. Dec 8. Deadline: Wed. Dec 7 Feathered Friends: Gyrfalcon is arctic bird is a rare visitor to Colorado and is perfectly at home on the snowy tundra or the far northern countries such as Iceland, Canada and Norway. 1:00 p.m. Tues. Dec 13. $5. Deadline: Mon. Dec 12

Taking Care of the Caregiver O en someone in a caretaking role neglects themselves and puts their own needs on the back burner. Learn about the need for good self-care and how to prevent burnout. Facilitated by Pennock Center for Counseling sta .

2:00 p.m. Wed. Dec 14. $2. Deadline: Mon. Dec 12

Gamble: Bally’s

We’re going up the hill to Bally’s in Black Hawk. Relax and enjoy the ride as you’ll be driven by motor coach to one of the best casinos. Bring your player’s card and $1 for the ra e on the way up. Bus will head home at 3:00 p.m.

8:45 a.m. Tues. Dec 13. $23. Deadline: Wed. Dec 7

New hours for Adams County o ces in the New Year

Government buildings go to five-day-schedule Jan. 1

STAFF REPORT

As of Jan. 1, 2023, Adams County will be opening county buildings on Mondays and resuming a fi ve-day schedule. The updated 2023 building schedule will continue to provide a regular 40hour workweek for residents and employees, but by opening county buildings on Mondays, residents will have more fl exibility to utilize in-person services.

Many programs and services are also accessible online at adcogov. org under the “Save a Trip” menu. This allows residents to conduct their county business however is most effi cient for them. The county encourages residents to use the services, when possible, to minimize in-person visits.

In another move to improve services to the public, County Manager Noel Bernal announced that the newly minted Adams County Health Department (ACHD), led by Dr. Kelly Weidenbach, is hiring more than 100 front-facing staff and currently adding four locations residents can access for

services on Jan. 1.

“Moving to full public service hours at all Adams County locations is not only the right thing to do but will also provide additional access for residents,” Bernal said. “We are additionally excited for the launch of our brand-new Adams County Health Department, which will provide critical services to some of our most vulnerable residents.”

The Government Center at 4430 S. Adams County Pkwy. in Brighton, the county’s Parks, Open Space and Cultural Arts at 9755 Henderson Rd. in Brighton, the Aurora Service Center at 3155 Chambers Rd. will be open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Motor vehicle offi ces throughout the county will keep similar hours but will close at 4 p.m. weeknights.

The Brighton Workforce and Business Center at 36 S. 18th Ave. will also be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday but will be closed an hour each day from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch.

Check the county’s adcogov. org website under the “Save a Trip” heading for open hours at the Westminster Human Services Center, Brighton, Westminster and Commerce City ACHD offi ces.

The cast of A Christmas Carol . Photo by

A Christmas Carol

By Charles Dickens

Adapted by Richard Hellesen

Music by David de Berry

Directed by Anthony Powell

Festival of Lights steps o Dec. 10

The 27th annual Festival of Lights parade starts at 5 p.m. Dec. 10. The theme is “A Hometown Holiday Tradition,” featuring almost 65 entries. Those who would like to enter, visit https://www.brightonco.gov/470/ Festival-of-Lights-Parade. The deadline is Nov. 25.

Call Amy Porter at 303-655-2126.

Tip A Cop

Brighton police and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office are teaming up to participate in this year’s Tip-A-Cop fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Texas Roadhouse, 3738 Eagle Blvd., Brighton.

Proceeds benefit Special Olympics. Call 720-623-4221.

DA Academy

The 17th Juidicial District Attorney’s Office is offering a free, eight-week program to explain the workings of the office and the criminal justice system.

It starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan.

BUDGET

FROM PAGE 1

approved a cost-of-living adjustment of $1 per hour for all full-time employees. It takes effect Jan. 1. City staff also receive an extra 0.5

Our Family Helping Your Family

11, at the DA’s office, 1000 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton. The registration deadline is Friday, Dec. 1. Info? Email chopper@da17.state. co.us.

‘Holiday Splendor’

The city of Brighton’s community art show ARTfest will be presenting the “Holiday Splendor” exhibit through Jan. 18 at The Armory Performing Arts Center, 300 Strong St.

Show sponsors include the Brighton Cultural Arts Commission and The Armory Performing Arts Center. Partial funding is provided by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District.

Contact Sandie Mackenzie at 303659-5400 or David Gallegos at 303-6552176. To confirm viewing hours at The Armory, call 303-655-2026.

ONGOING

Brighton adds new ChargePoint stations

The city of Brighton announced it was opening three new charging

of 1 percent increase in retirement contributions. It means a 10.7 percent contribution for police officers and between 4 and 4.5 percent for everyone else.

Health insurance costs increased by almost 10 percent in the 2023 budget. Finance Director Leann Perino said the increase varies, based on

stations for electric vehicles.

The stations are at the Brighton Recreation Center at 555 N. 11th Ave. Eagle View Adult Center at 1150 Prairie Center Parkway. and Platte Valley Medical Center at 1610 Prairie Center Parkway.

The first hour of charging is free at each location. The locations have two stalls and two charging stations each that operate much like a parking meter, with a $2-per-hour charging rate after the first hour.

For other ChargePoint station locations, visit https:// uk.chargepoint.com/charge_point. For more information, please contact Assistant Director of Public Works Chris Montoya at cmontoya@ brightonco.gov.

Museum volunteers

The Brighton City Museum needs volunteers to help with visitors, research and collection project-based duties.

Call Bill Armstrong, museum specialist, at 303-655-2288.

the plan and which dependents get coverage.

There are new employees on the payroll, including a deputy court clerk, a building maintenance worker, two police officers, a school resource officer and a police records technician.

Through October, the city issued

Water audit program

The city of Brighton and Resource Central teamed up to provide a free water audit for businesses and homeowner associations. The program aims to help residents and cities increase water use efficiencies and reach conservation goals.

Call 303-999-3824 or visit https:// www.brightonco.gov/589/WaterAudit-Program

Legal self-help clinic

The Access to Justice Committee hosts a free, legal self-help clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month. The program is for customers who don’t have legal representation and need help navigating through legal issues.

Volunteer attorneys are available to discuss such topics as family law, civil litigation, property and probate law.

Call 303-405-3298 and ask for Legal Self-Help Clinic at least 24 hours in advance.

almost 250 building permits. Nine more went for commercial buildings. Projections expect the city to issue 75 residential building permits in 2023.

One of the targeted areas in the 2023 budget is infrastructure improvements, such as water and sewer access to new developments.

24-Hour Phone Lines 303-654-0112 • 303-857-2290 Brighton: 75 S. 13th Avenue Obituaries, Arrangements and Resources Online at taborfuneralhome.com

James (Jim) Lucero was born on May 25, 1952 in Brighton, Colorado and passed suddenly on November 17, 2022 in ornton, Colorado. He was predeceased by his parents, Rafael and Tomasita Lucero of Brighton and brothers, David Lucero, Guadalupe (Lupe) Lucero, Billy Lucero and sisters, Mary Montoya, Irene Torres and Sally Garrett. He is survived by siblings, Henry Lucero, Ralph Lucero, Manuel Lucero and Senida Sena. He is also survived by a daughter, Shauna

Bokn, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim grew up in Brighton and attended Brighton schools. He was well known in Brighton and the surrounding area. He played guitar and loved music. Jim loved to watch his Pittsburgh Steeleers and NASCAR. He is loved by his extended family and his friends. He will be missed by all.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Brighton Knights of Columbus Hall on December 7, 2022 at 2:00 PM

Geraldine Marie Knodel, 83, of Brighton, CO passed away on November 12, 2022. She was born in Brighton to John and Clara Kreitzer, the youngest of 4 children. She attended schools in Brighton, and after graduating from Brighton High School in 1957 took a job as an administrative assistant in Denver, CO. She married Larry Knodel in 1960. e couple had 3 children, Nadine, Kenneth and Timothy. Geraldine was a stay at home Mom for several years. Eventually the couple divorced. She worked as a cook with her cousin eresa at a local restaurant. After the restaurant closed, she worked at a nursing facility. en she worked at an egg plant in Brighton. Lastly, she worked at Samsonite Luggage Corporation in Denver, CO where she retired after 22 years of service. She was a lifelong member of St Augustine Catholic Church. She loved her family, Christmas, polka dancing, reading, ower gardening, crossword puzzles, watching movies, cooking

wonderful recipes handed down from her Mother, animals, shopping for clothes, going to mass on Sunday’s, then out to breakfast, and going for long daily walks with her constant canine companion, beloved Schnauzer, “Hannah”.

Geraldine was quite ornery, yet she truly had a heart of gold. She will be sorely missed.

Survivors include her children, sister Marie Scepurek, aunt Peggy Dinkel and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceding her in death are her parents, (infant) sister Vonita Mae Kreitzer, and brother Joseph John Kreitzer.

A Celebration of Life service was held on November 29, 2022 at St Augustine Catholic Church. Interment was at Elmwood Cemetery.

Tabor-Rice Funeral Home, Inc took care of the arrangements.

DEVER

Nadine Marie (Brown) Dever

August 18, 1935 - November 25, 2022

Nadine Marie Dever (Brown), 87, of Platteville passed away on November 25, 2022, at Avamere Nursing Home in Brighton, CO, while surrounded by family.

She was born August 18, 1935, in Rural Weld County, Ft Lupton CO., to Clinton and Marie (King) Brown. She graduated from Ft. Lupton High School.

Nadine married Delmer Dever in Greeley on February 19, 1954. She and Delmer lived in Platteville since 1954.

Nadine was a homemaker, worked as a bookkeeper for her husband’s hay stacking business for over 30 years. She also worked at the Ft. Lupton Canning Company and as a crew leader at Kitayama Greenhouse in Brighton, CO.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the UMW. Nadine liked to crochet afghans and doilies. She enjoyed a HOT cup of co ee, HOT hashbrowns from McDonalds and Butter nger Blizzards from Dairy Queen. She would help Delmer stack hay in the summer, go camping and to farm sales.

Nadine enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, the holidays, and annual Dever family reunions where family could reconnect.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, husband Delmer of 66 years, two brothers Bill and Steve Brown and one sister Helen Nelson.

ankful to have shared her life are her children: Darrel and Jill Dever of Fort Lupton, Ron and Merlynn Dever of Greeley. Five grandchildren: Darren and Lauren Dever of Keenesburg, Benjamin and Melissa Dever of Sterling, Ryan and Lori Dever of Wellington, Jennifer and John Jones of Greeley, Elizabeth and Shay Holmes of Windsor. Ten great grandchildren: Dawson, Olivia, Linley; Otis, Zoey; Ashlyn, AJ; Jordyn, Jazmyn; Zeke.

Visitation will be 2:00pm – 4:00pm Monday December 5, 2022 at Adamson Life Celebration Home.

Life Celebration will be 11:00 am Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at First United Methodist Church, 316 Elizabeth Ave., Platteville. Interment to follow at Mizpah Cemetery, Platteville, with a reception to follow at the Platteville Community Center, 508 Reynolds Ave.

In lieu of owers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or your favorite charity in care of Adamson Life Celebration Home, 2000 47 Ave., Greeley, CO 80634.

LUCERO

James “Jim” Lucero

May 25, 1952 - November 17, 2022

KNODEL Geraldine Marie “Gerry” (Kreitzer) Knodel

August 14, 1939 - November 12, 2022

BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN

The lettuce is blooming nicely on the rollaway walls.

According to the farmer’s iPad, the calibrated nutrients are flowing smoothly and accurately through the tubes.

It’s 30 degrees outside, but there’s a tantalizing garden of tangy, restaurant-ready produce inside this cozy, pristine shipping container.

Somewhere behind and among the pawn shops and the gas stations and the used tire traders and the body shops along South Broadway, on a former used car lot on Acoma Street, a couple

of snazzy high-tech containers are parked to start an urban farming revolution.

Ullr’s Garden, launched a few months ago by a couple of brothers who want to save the world and sell some sustainable arugula, is growing the equivalent of a 10-acre farm on a dusty 7,500-square-foot lot. The lettuce and arugula and basil and romaine grow horizontally, while hanging from moveable walls packed inside the climatecontrolled trailers. The farmers sit at a folding table in the nearby shed and plot their next expansion: stackable farm containers.

Nick Millisor, one of the brothers behind Ullr’s Garden, still can’t believe they’re doing what they’re doing.

“We are growing local produce, in the middle of Denver, on an old used car lot, the kind you used to roll your car windows up when you

drove by,” Millisor laughs.

Vertical farms don’t stint on flavor

And their stuff tastes great. The emerald green basil snaps with a hint of licorice. The arugula is laced with a wild mustard flavor. The butter lettuce, sold with root ball intact, has an earthy flavor belying the fact the growing walls are purposefully insulated from any local dirt.

One trailer with 365 days of optimal growing conditions can produce the equivalent of a 5-acre seasonal farm, Nick and Luke Millisor say. Employing a closed loop for the water and nutrients, each trailer uses up only five gallons a day from water buffaloes they fill offsite.

“We don’t even have a water tap here yet,” Nick laughed.

And when the weather turns truly frigid, say 10 degrees from a recent overnight snow, a conscientious farmer can check on the baby bibb while sitting at home in bed with a laptop.

“If anything isn’t running optimal-

ly, the farm will literally send me a text message,” Nick said, waving his iPhone over the transplanting tables. Sensors throughout the trailer are connected to wi-fi.

Urban farming and hydroponics a great mix, experts say

Independent experts on vertical, hydroponic farming say they can’t predict the success of Ullr’s business model, but agree the revolution in well-designed shipping containers could indeed preserve the environment and extend better nutrition to remote consumers.

Rising world population, scarce water amid climate change and urban neighborhoods neglected by fresh food stores, “these are the multifaceted reasons why we’re seeing this surge in interest,” said Josh Craver, an assistant professor in controlled environment horticulture at Colorado

Ullr’s Garden grows tangy artisanal arugula in climate-controlled trailers

FROM

State University.

“It’s not hard to see pretty quickly that you can produce, per square foot, way more food in these containers than you can in the field,” Craver said.

We are growing local produce, in the middle of Denver, on an old used car lot, the kind you used to roll your car windows up when you drove by.

The Ullr’s Garden name for their parking lot container farm honors the brothers’ time growing up skiing in Breckenridge, home to the Ullr Fest winter sports party. Nick Millisor comes at farming with all the technical skills of a self-described liberal arts eclectic and sci-fi nerd. He’d been toiling in real estate when the strange winds of COVID and climate change turned his 2021 upside down and he went in search of a meaningful project to better the world.

There was a week where Germany flooded and the West was burning and a Canadian heat wave was cooking shellfish alive in the ocean.

“I didn’t want to deal with super-rich people’s problems with real estate anymore,” Nick Millisor said. “And so I convinced my brother to join me, and then my cousin, and I was like, ‘You just want to do something crazy and start growing food in a container?’ And they said yes.”

Luke Millisor supplied the actual technical knowledge, from his experience managing a neuroscience lab at University of Colorado. Colorado’s increasing water challenges led them toward water-stingy hydroponic farming and to the equipment catalogs of storage container outfitters.

“We’re not the only ones doing this you know. I would love to say that we’re the pioneers behind this, but a lot of smarter people have basically led us to this point where this technology is almost automatic,” Nick Millisor said. “It’s so easy. I mean, I have zero experience farming, other than growing some stuff in my mom’s garden as a kid.”

Ullr’s Garden sent itself to indoor farm training

The container outfitters supplied a two-day boot camp on vertical farming.

The would-be farmers learned there’s almost zero water use in the latest designs, no contamination of runoff with excess fertilizer or pesticides, precise control of nutrients, efficient LED lighting powered by clean electricity. They have two electric vehicles to deliver produce within a 5-mile radius, boosting their effort to become carbon neutral with the overall operation. Leaving the root ball on a head of lettuce helps it last on the shelf for a couple of weeks and reduces food waste.

A fully outfitted container, with 24,000 individual LED pinpoint lights and temperature controlled at 68 to 70 degrees, costs about $170,000, Nick Millisor said. Ullr’s Garden can grow 500 varieties of produce to meet the whims of the market, and tweak the grow lights for goals as esoteric as the optimal color of a red lettuce leaf.

Accelerating efficiencies in lighting and heating have powered the surge in hydroponic container farms, said CSU’s Craver. Old grow lamps built up too much heat, while improved LEDs produce precise photons that the plant can employ for photosynthesis.

“So we really are sitting on the shoulders of giants on this one,” Nick Millisor said.

Vertical and remote, but not out of touch

As the water drips down the wall channels and then recirculates, sensors constantly check pH and mineral levels, among other growth factors. Reserve tanks dribble in supplement adjustments to the mix at the touch of the iPad. Key in siting the containers is pour-

ing concrete footings at a 2% tilt to guarantee the water flow.

Most varieties started from seeds are ready in six to seven weeks. Harvesting means clean scissors trimming the walls, or pulling whole heads with root balls.

Now, about that business model. Negotiating with individual restaurants may not be the full answer, though Ullr’s Garden is in talks with a few looking for local supply and input into the varieties. The next challenge for the Millisors, joined by cousin and chief financial officer Ian Randall, is to launch a farm share program.

Other farm share subscriptions are popular in summer and fall, with buyers picking up or getting delivered a box of outdoors-grown seasonal items ranging from lettuce to tomatoes to squash. But the outdoor shares run out by late fall, where Ullr’s Garden can deliver lettuce, herbs and other greens year-round. The company has 150 shares on sale now, to be delivered within the 5-mile radius.

A prime calculation in close-quarters farming, Craver said, is which plants draw top dollar for the space they take up. Corn is all fibrous scaffolding, producing a handful of kernels that sell for 25 cents an ear. Root ball lettuce is nearly 100% edible, and can retail for $5 or $6 a head.

There are large hydroponic operations in metro Denver that appear to be thriving, Craver said, and smaller operations like Ullr’s Garden are busy figuring out their costs and a workable scale.

“When you look at the business model, it definitely does work,” Craver said.

I didn’t want to deal with super-rich people’s problems with real estate anymore … I was like, ‘You just want to do something crazy and start growing food in a container?’ And they said yes.

Of course, there’s a lucrative container model selling billions of dollars of product a year in Colorado — marijuana. The Millisors, though, are adamant they want to feed the world, not medicate it.

Denver’s zoning office is well organized to approve urban farming, Nick Millisor said, but they did have to address the elephant in the container.

“I was like, ‘I’m doing a hydroponic garden,’ and you could just see it in

their eyes, oh no, there’s another one, and I was like, ‘Not marijuana! Not marijuana!’ And she’s like, okay, STAMP, get out of here.’ ”

Container farms could be stackable

The Ullr’s Garden trio plots their next move from underneath the modest shed looking out on the lot. If marketing picks up and the consumer-direct shares work out, there’s room for expansion with ground space for two or three more containers.

Plus, as anyone who’s seen a modern port city can tell you, they’re stackable. Ullr’s Garden anticipates going at least a second story of vertical, and perhaps more if the zoning folks are feeling frisky.

They’re considering transforming the shed into an events and education space, knowing that schoolchildren would thrive on a cool hydroponics and LED lesson. As for the produce, they’re still considering winter decorative flowers, edible flowers that could draw top dollar, and radishes.

One grower figured out how to do hops indoors, another grew berries, though that may not scale up to be useful.

One constant, besides the 68 degrees inside the trailers, is how welcoming and helpful everyone in vertical farming has been in sharing tips with Ullr’s Garden, Nick Millisor said.

“Everyone has the tool. Now everyone’s kind of figuring out how best to use it,” he said. “And that’s what I think is most exciting for me.”

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalistowned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. The Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

Ullr’s Garden currently consists of two shipping containers of hydroponic farms in South Denver. Each “vertical farm” can grow the same amount of produce as 5 acres of farmland.

PHOTO BY OLIVIA SUN / THE COLORADO SUN VIA REPORT FOR AMERICA

9 Fort Lupton Parade of Lights: The city hosts its holiday parade of bright lights and cheer beginning at 6 p.m. at 605 4th St. – the Bank of Colorado Operations Center. A tree lighting ceremony is set for 6:45 p.m. Santa sticks around for photos from 7-8 p.m.

Thornton Winterfest: Come celebrate the season with the city’s annual holiday celebration through Dec. 11 at the Carpenter Park Fields, 108th Avenue and Colorado Boule vard. The festival opens at 6:30 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday and runs until 9 p.m. nightly.

The festival features Santa’s Vil lage, with ice skating, ice carving, food vendors, a tree decorating con test, a beer garden and visits from Santa Claus himself. The city will also present a holiday movie Friday night and another on Sunday night.

Saturday events include a break fast with Santa at 7:30 a.m., a 10 a.m. Winterfest Fun Run 5k, a holiday marketplace and an 8:30 p.m. fire works display.

Dec. 10

Santa on the Plaza: Bring a camera or smartphone to snap photographs of Santa on the plaza at Westminster City Hall, 4800 W. 92nd Ave. in Westminster. While you are there, enjoy the magical wonderland

Starting the Season

of lights, the full-sized sleigh and the miniature train – all of them suit able for holiday photos! The event is being hosted by the Westminster 7:10 Rotary Club.

Build a Bird Wreath: Create beautiful works of art for birds and humans alike to enjoy during the holiday season, while learning more about the birds that call Standley Lake home. Meets at 10 a.m. the Standley Lake Regional Park, 11610 W 100th Ave, Westminster. The cost is $5 per person. Limited to 20 partici pants, register online at shorturl.at/ bhop2.

Brighton Parade of Lights: More than 60 colorful and creatively decorated floats will be featured in the city’s 27th annual holiday parade. The parade steps off at 5 p.m. head ing south on North Main St., turns east onto Bridge St. to 10th Ave. and then to Southern Ave. before turning east to return to City Hall. Contact Amy Porter at 303-655-2126 for more information.

Dec. 11

Advent Radio Players: Once again, the Advent Lutheran Church in Westminster will present two “Old Time Radio” Christmas com edies performed live at 1 p.m, in the church, at 7979 Meade St.

This year, they’ll be presenting a recreation of an episode of “The Life of Riley” called “No Christmas Bonus,” originally starring William Bendix. That will be followed by a

Christmas episode of “My Favorite Husband” called “George’s Christ mas Present.” That radio program, which aired from 1948 to 1951, origi nally starred Lucille Ball and was the forerunner of “I Love Lucy” on television.

These plays will be performed us ing the scripts and sounds from the original playsas they were broadcast on the air in 1948 and 1949 using several microphones and lighted ap plause and “on the air” signs. Dona tions are appreciated.

The plays will also be live-streamed on Facebook at https://www.face book.com/adventwestminsterco “Miracles” A Kantorei Choral Celebration: Northglenn Arts hosts this celebration of the season with Denver’s premier choral ensemble Kantorei and special guests perform ing a multicultural collage of sea sonal music at 2 p.m. at Northglenn’s Parsons Theater, 1 East Memorial Parkway. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17 with a 2 p.m. matinee Dec. 18 at Parsons Theater.

The show includes performances of Ed Henderson’s “Milagros de Navidad” for guitar, marimba and percussion; carols by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo and a musi cal celebration of Hannukah with arrangements by composer Joshua Jacobson. Tickets range from $18 to $25 with discounts for seniors and the military. Visit https://north glennarts.org/ for more information or to purchase tickets.

Dec. 16:

Holiday Hi-Fi: Motones & Jerseys: Holiday Hi-Fi returns to Northglenn featuring nine singers backed by an incredible band performing holiday classic favorites alongside some of the greatest songs of the 20th century. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17 with a 2 p.m. matinee Dec. 18 at Northglenn’s Parsons Theater, 1 East Memorial Parkway. Tickets range from $18 to $25 with discounts for seniors and the military. Visit https://north glennarts.org/ for more information or to purchase tickets.

Dec. 17

Santa on the Plaza: Bring a camera or smartphone to snap photographs of Santa on the plaza at Westminster City Hall, 4800 W. 92nd Ave. in Westminster. While you are there, enjoy the magi cal wonderland of lights, the full-sized sleigh and the miniature train – all of them suitable for holiday photos! The event is being hosted by the Westmin ster 7:10 Rotary Club.

Dec. 20

Hanukka at Orchard Mall: Families can come and celebrate Chanukah with The Orchard’s Grand Menorah Lighting Celebration with live music, latkes, donuts, hot beverages and a variety of performances between 5:306:30 p.m. at the Orchard Town Center Square, 14697 Delaware St. Westmin ster -- next to the Rock Bottom Restau rant and the AMC Theaters. Hosted by The Chabad of NW Metro Denver in loving memory of Jessica Ridgeway on The Orchard’s entertainment stage.

recycled fracking water, and they said no.

At the Oct. 24 planning session, Kulmann also asked for electric fracks, and she asked for it again on Nov. 29. The operator said they are evaluating the technology.

She also asked when the operations plan to begin. Once the process is ap proved and goes through the applica tion process, they expect summer of 2023 with production starting a year after, company reps said.

For ozone awareness, she asked what their plan is for nonattainment days, and the applicant said it’s a judgment call based on the day’s situation and will come down to the final hour.

Health and safety

City Councilor Kathy Henson asked if the staff had any concerns for health and safety. Wahab said city staff looks at code requirements for guidance.

“We believe this operator agree ment is the best path forward,” he

said.

Lisa McKenzie, associate professor at Colorado School of Public Health, said in an interview that 60 epide miological studies around oil and gas across the United States have been consistent in showing that people living nearest to oil and gas are more likely to have children with adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weights and premature births.

The studies also show that children with congenital heart defects are more likely to be living near oil and gas wells. The same goes for asthma.

Stargate Charter School sits about 1.5 miles south of the development and Little Lights Christian Early Learning Center is about .5 miles south.

Stargate Executive Director of Academics Kate Sivarajah said the school has no comment on the site.

Arlene Masterson, owner of Little Lights Christian Early Learning Center, did not respond to requests for comment.

Within a half mile of the site, there are 56 parcels and of those parcels, 35 are believed to have residential uses. The rest are primarily commercial.

“We know that the total evolved

organic compounds coming out (of fracking wells) together have been associated with respiratory symptoms. We also know that people living around oil and gas in other places have complained of things like upper respiratory symptoms, skin rashes, bloody noses and things like that,” she said.

In an interview, Jeffrey L. Collett, a professor at Colorado State Universi ty’s school of engineering, explained with fracking comes air pollution.

He pointed to a few of the specific emissions: methane, fine particles, nitrogen oxide, benzene and a wide range of volatile organic compounds.

Collett said those living close to the development should be most con cerned with benzene.

The pollutant comes from wild fires, fueling stations and oil and gas developments. He said it’s a car cinogen and the effects are felt from decades of exposure. Lew said the site will be active for 20-30 years.

Scientists found living, working or going to school within 2,000 feet of sites emitting benzene leads to health risks. Beyond 2,000 feet is currently under investigation by scientists.

The other chemicals emitted, like methane and nitrogen oxide, affect the broader community. He said methane contributes to global warming substantially more than carbon dioxide. Nitrogen oxide reacts in the atmosphere and leads to hazy days.

“Oil and gas developments along the Front Range can contribute to the regional ozone and fine particles haze episodes that we have,” he said. “Those aren’t a concern for those living next to the operation, but more for everybody living in the big ger region of 100 miles or more.”

Both City Councilors Julia Marvin and Henson both voted no on the proposal due to health concerns.

“I have a lot of concerns for the health and safety of our residents with this time of operation that’s going in,” Marvin said.

In addition to health reasons, Hen son noted that with Thornton being a growing city, that space could be used for something else.

“I have grave concerns about health and safety, ramifications, the location, it’s in proximity to schools and businesses, housing,” Henson said.

Brighton McDonald’s hosts charity event Dec. 4

A Northern Metro McDonald’s franchisee knows that pounds of french fries can add up. Now, they’re adding them up to help kids and families in medical need.

Brighton McDonald’s owner Brian Boselli hosted a Ronald McDonald House charity event on Dec. 4.

“Owner-operators, including myself from the Brighton stores, have donated more than $300,000 to the McDonald’s House this year- $243k was the total do nated annually from a penny per pound of fries, and $70k is the donations from happy meals sold for 2022,” Boselli said.

Boselli opened his latest Mc Donald’s franchise Oct. 20 at 4833 E. Bridge St.

The Ronald McDonald House

provides temporary housing for families at no cost that travels to Denver near the hospital where their children are receiving treatment.

“Between the two Denver Ron ald McDonald houses they are able to serve 118 families each night, “ Boselli said.

Boselli’s newest franchise has been open for five weeks. The store never hosted a grand open ing, so insteadthey are hosting a fundraiser for the McDonald’s House and will have grand opening events at the res taurant.

“Since we have opened, it’s been a great turnout. The com munity has been fantastic and we really want to do something to give back to the house. So we thought we’d incorporate the grand opening with it,” he said.

For every donation of an item on the Ronald McDonald Char

ity wish list, guests will receive a free coffee and enter to win a $100 gift card or Mcdonald’s for a year. The event includes face painting, raffle prizes, games, and food give away.

“There lot of ways for people to give at McDonald’s. The Mc Donald’s franchisee proceeds from every happy meal sold. We give a penny for every pound of french fries sold, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s amazing how many french fries we sell,” Boselli said.

There is also a Ronald McDon ald House in Colorado Springs. Ronald McDonald House Charity also hosted its annual “Light the House Radiothon” on Dec. 1 on air with KOSI 101.1.

“The Ronald McDonald House organization is near and dear to my heart and I am thankful for all the support we as a commu nity can give them,” Boselli said.

MOVIES: What does Susan Walker want as a gift from Santa in the movie “Miracle on 34th Street”?

HISTORY: How many people signed the U.S. Declaration of Independence?

A house.

Led Zeppelin.

India and Pakistan.

“The Golden Girls.”

MOVIES: Which Disney princess is modeled after a real person?

1924. Clarence Birdseye invented the quick freezing process.

Pocahontas.

The liver.

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