SPORTS

Riverdale Ridge’s Couron atop the heap

Ravens’ senior captures 4A pole vault title

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

LAKEWOOD -- An hour or so before Riverdale Ridge’s Lucas Couron began his state-championship effort in the boys state 4A pole vault May 22 at a brisk Jeffco Stadium, he left.

“A lot of things went right,” Couron said. “I would say when it was cold, standing in the bathroom worked pretty well. It’s hot in there, man. I stood in there for 45 minutes. That worked.”

Couron’s top height was a season-best 15 feet 9 inches, beating his old standard by 2 inches. He tried three times to set a new state meet record at 16 feet 1/2 inch but came up short.

“Moving up poles that I didn’t plan on getting on, but using that adrenaline for state? That worked,” Couron said. “At the end of the day, you can’t complain about a PR (personal record) at state.”

Couron started vaulting last year.

“I didn’t get the state record,” Couron said. “But I did get a PR at state.”

Couron won the Longs Peak League title two weeks ago.

“I changed things up a little bit,” he said. “I kept practicing on those big poles I’ve been trying to get on. It was being more patient with my poles. Rather than try to move up right away, I started low. I made sure everything was smooth before I started on those higher bars.”

Couron’s fi rst height was 13 feet 3 inches.

“Quinn Dukes cleared it by 2 or 3 feet. I cleared it by 3 or 4 feet,” Couron said. “I was like, ‘This one’s mine. You can have any other meet, but this one is mine.’”

Couron cleared his fi rst two heights easily, then opted to pass two of the next three heights.

“After my height over the last bar., I was already in fi rst place,” Couron said. “There was no point in wasting three jumps on another bar. It worked out well.”

Couron plans to continue his pole vaulting career at Eastern Washington University in the fall in Spokane, Washington.

“I was pretty sure I was going to win. I was so focused on the state meet record (16 feet) that I wasn’t focusing on whether I’d win the meet,” Couron said. “It’s always good to be sure, but knowing that you’re sure is another thing.

“It was pretty nice.”

Riverdale Ridge’s Lucas Couron is atop the bar and wound up atop the heap at the

state 4A boys pole vault championships May 22 at Je co Stadium. PHOTO BY STEVE SMITH

Brighton’s Rock soaks in state track-and-fi eld experience

BY ERIC R. FLORES SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

LAKEWOOD – Brighton High School junior David Rock, who qualifi ed for his fi rst state track and fi eld meet, was ecstatic to have the experience he could get May 19.

He was able to compete in the Class 5A pole vault competition, where he went out at 12 feet.

“I’m just happy I made it to state in another sport than wrestling,” said Rock, who fi nished fi fth this past year at 152 pounds. “I will look to build on this year, get more experience and put in more work to clear 14 feet.”

Rock has competed in track and fi eld all three previous seasons, but this was his fi rst time qualifying after dealing with the struggles of COVID-19.

“I’ve been working with Over The Bar to get better,” Rock said. “I love pole vaulting because it is the closest you get to fl ying — you get to go up to 12 feet in the air.”

BY STEFAN BRODSKY

A number of Prairie View High School athletes are off to continue to play their chosen sport in college. A letter-signing ceremony was held May 18 at PVHS to honor the group of athletes.

Jazaia Garcia has cheerleading in her future. She signs a letter with San Diego State University to continue her cheerleading during a letter-signing ceremony at Prairie View High School on May 18.

Prairie View’s Dominic Marrujo puts pen to paper May 18 and signs his letter of intent to play basketball at Trinidad State Junior College. Prairie View’s Tyson Roberts listens as his high-school coach Damian Romero reels o some of Roberts’ accomplishments. Roberts signed a letter of intent May 18 to play basketball at Trinidad State Junior College. Prairie View’s Jordan Trujillo is a happy camper. She signed a letter of intent to continue cheerleading at Ottawa University in Kansas.

Prairie View’s Payton DeJohn is heading for the University of Colorado to continue her cheerleading career. She signed her letter of intent May 18 at PVHS. Eliah Padilla of Prairie View reacts to a comment from his high school football coach Tim Cardenas during a lettersigning ceremony at Prairie View High School on May 18. Padilla, who lost out on a year of football because of the state’s transfer rule, signed to play at Feather River College in Quincy, Califor-

nia. PHOTOS BY STEVE SMITH

EAGLE VIEWADULT CENTER

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

Eagle View Adult Center Update – May 25 – June 1, 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 May and June Newsletter is available. Eagle View Adult Center will be closed Monday, May 30 in honor of Memorial Day. 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 Andrew Jackson Should the 7th President of the United States be despised or adored? Presenter Paul Flanders. 1:30 p.m. urs. May 26 $4 Deadline: Wed. May 25 Hair Sparkles Taryn Davis will tie silk hair tinsel onto hair strands. Hair must be straight or slightly wavy and 5-6 inches long. Fee payable at the time appointment is made. 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Wed. June 1 $25 Deadline: Fri. May 27 Court Resources You may not know about the services of the Self-Help Resource Center at Adams County Courts. Learn what they o er to the community and how they can help you nd the right forms to le. ey do not give out legal advice but are able to share free resources, free legal clinics, or ask-a-lawyer sessions. 1:30 p.m. Wed. June 1 Free Deadline: Fri. May 27 20 ings You Can Do to Protect Your Identity Learn practical and e ective ways to protect your identity by safeguarding your personal and nancial information. Presenter: Mark Fetterho from AARP ElderWatch. 1:30 p.m. urs. June 2 Free Deadline: Tues. May 31 Scrapbooking 101 / Cards Bring your box of pictures to class and Linda will show you how to lay out and put them together. For those who just want to do cards only, Linda will have those ready for you to do. All supplies are included in the fee. Instructor Linda Addison. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Friday $15 Session 1: June 3 Deadline: Wed. June 1

To Schedule a Virtual Tour or for more info call Nellie at: 303-659-4148

BRIEFS

Armory Performing Arts Center concerts

The city of Brighton announced its lineup for concerts at the Armory Performing Arts Center, 300 Strong St.

May 22: The Little Mermen, a Disney cover band, at 3 p.m.

June 18: Blues Blast with headliner and blues guitarist Coco Montoya at 8:45 p.m. This is part of the ninth version of Blues Blast. Other acts include T Marie and Bayou Juiu (Cajun, country, swamp pop band) from 6 to 7 p.m., and Swamp Molly, a blues-infused rock band, from 7:20 to 8:20 p.m. Tickets are on sale at www.brightonarmory.org. Admission prices are $25 for general admission and $35 for VIP ticklets.

June 25: Noise Pollution, an AC/DC tribute band, at 8 p.m.

Aug. 13: Project Foreigner, a Foreigner tribute band, and Those Crazy Nights, a Journey tribute band, at 7 p.m.

Sept. 9: “Forever Flanel Night” — Rooster, an Alice in Chains tribute, plus TEN, Colorado’s Pearl Jam tribute band, and Bleach D, a Nirvana tribute band, at 7 p.m.

Sept. 30: FACE vocal band, an allvocal band, at 7 p.m.

Oct. 1: Mr. Majestyk’s 8-TRack Revival, a ‘70s rock and pop band, 7 p.m.

Oct. 29: Yesterday, The Beatles Tribute, at 7 p.m.

Nov. 18: The Long Run, performs its annual “Alter Eagles” set at 8 p.m.

Nov. 19: The Long Run, Colorado’s tribute to the Eagles, at 8 p.m.

Tickets are available at brightonarmory.org. Contact Gary Montoya, events and downtown initiative manager, at gmontoya@brightonco.gov.

Full moon bike rides

The city of Brighton’s Full Moon Bike rides return this summer with a new addition — an advanced rider group and a recreational rider group for each ride. The two groups start at different times.

According to a city news release, advanced riders are “strong and fearless bicyclists or enthused and confi dent bicyclists.” Recreational riders “are confi dent in their safety or people who would enjoy bicycling if they felt safer doing it.”

The meeting area is the south side of Brighton City Hall, 500 S. Fourth Ave.

The schedule looks like this:

Tuesday, June 14: Strawbery Moon and Super Moon. Sign up between 5 and 5:30 p.m., and the event starts at 6 p.m. Advanced riders begin at 6:15 p.m., and recreational riders start 10 minutes later.

Wednesday, July 13: Buck Moon. Sign up between 5:30 and 6 p.m., and the event starts at 6 p.m. Advanced riders start at 6:15 p.m., and recreational riders begin 10 minutes later.

Thursday, Aug. 11: Sturgeon Moon. Sign up from 5:30 to 6 p.m., and the event starts at 6 p.m. Advanced riders start at 6:15 p.m., and recreational riders begin 10 minutes later.

Saturday, Sept. 10: Harvest Moon. Sign-up from 5:30 to 6 p.m., and the event starts at 6 p.m. Advanced riders begin at 6:15 p.m., and recreational riders start 10 minutes later.

Bike riders have to sign a waiver before their fi rst ride. It’s good for

all Bike Brighton rides and events through Dec. 31.

Call Mark Heidt, assistant director of parks and recreation and bike program coordinator, at 303-655-2170 or email mehidt@brightonco.gov.

‘Brighton Through the Decades’

The Brighton Historic Preservation Commission will host a “Brighton Through the Decades” dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at The Armory Performing Arts Center, 300 Strong St.

It’s a chance to explore Brighton’s history, learn about the Brighton City Museum and learn about the commission’s efforts to preserve the city’s historic buildings.

Tickets are $40 per person. Dress is according to favorite decade.

Call Sara Dawson, preservation commission chairperson, at 720-6345194, or email sara@descentdetetive. com.

Flix and Kicks

The city of Brighton’s annual Flix and Kicks series of summer concerts returns this summer at Carmichael Park, 650 E. Southern St.

The lineup includes:

Thursday, June 16: The movie “Encanto” at dusk

Thursday, June 23: A concert by the Country Music Project, 7 p.m.

Thursday, June 30: The movie “Back to the Future,” at dusk

Monday, July 4: A concert by Sisters of Rock, 7 p.m. (part of the city’s Fourth of July celebration)

Thursday, July 14: The movie “Godzilla vs. Kong,” at dusk

Thursday, July 21: A concert featuring Ronnie Raygun and the Big Eighties, 6 p.m. (in conjunction with the city’s annual barbecue);

Thursday, July 28: The movie “Spiderman: No Way Home” at dusk;

Thursday, Aug. 4: A concert with Chicano Heat, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 11: The movie “Dog” at dusk; and

Thursday, Aug. 18: A concert with Titonic, 7 p.m.

Admission is free. Seating is fi rstcome, fi rst-served.

Young Entrepreneur Program

The city of Brighton’s Growing Grads program will host the Spotlight on Young Entreoreneurs Program from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 22.

The program includes a panel of entrepreneurs in the morning, followed by workshops on how to start a business — ideation, communication, expenses, etc.. Youngsters who complete the boot camp are eligible to sell their goods or services at the City of Brighton barbecue July 21 at Carmichael Park.

Contact Tawyna Russell, manager of youth services, at 303-655-2123 or email trussell@brightonco.gov.

‘Eye for Art’

Brighton’s most recent Eye for Art exhibit, “Slice of Life,” continues through June 28 during normal business hours at City Hall, 500 S. Fourth Ave.

More than 30 artists and 150 pieces of art will be featured in the new exhibit, with artwork ranging in medium from oil, acrylic, watercolor and computer paintings to graphite drawings, photography, fused glass, pottery, mixed media, jewelry and various sculptures. Artwork is available for purchase.

Call David Gallegos, arts and culture coordinator, at 303-655-2176 or email dgallegos@brightonco.gov.

Call for artists for sculpture-on-loan program

The city of Brighton’s Eye for Art program is looking for artists for the 2022-23 sculpture-on-loan program. The year-long exhibit will be at Carmichael Park, 650 E. Southern St.

Artists can display their scultpures. Organizers are looking for works with visible presence and durability, given Colorado’s weather.

Offi cials will choose fi ve sculptures, and those artists will receive a $500 honorarium at placement.

Contact David Gallegos at dgallegos@brightonco.gov or call 303-6552176.

The deadline to apply is Friday, July 15.

Teen police academy

The Brighton Police Department and the Adams County Sheriff’s Offi ce are co-sponsoring a teen academy for four days starting Tuesday, July 26, at the police department and the sheriff’s offi ce’s FlatRock Regional Training Center.

Participants have to be sophomores, juniors or seniors in high school, and they have to pass a modifi ed background check.

Call 303-288-1535 or 303-655-2300.

Trash Bash

The City of Brighton’s last Trash Bash for the year is the weekend of Friday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Brighton Wastewater Treatment Facility, 325 N. Kuner Road. Those with special needs can call the city for pick-up service Wednesday, Sept. 21, and Thurdsday, Sept. 22.

Acceptable items include furniture, cabinets, appliances (not refrigerators/freezers), bicycles, cut-up carpet, doors, stereos, lawn/yard equipment, mattresses/box springs and bundled branches less than 5 feet in length. Call 303-655-2087.

Gummball 5K

The fi fth annual Gummball Rally will be Saturday, Oct. 1, at Adams County Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Road, Brighton. The 5K walk/run is in honor of former Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy Heath Gumm, who died in the line of duty in 2018.

The cost is $30 for racers 13 and older and $10 for 12 and younger. Those 12 and younger get in free. Each includes a shirt/swag bag guaranteed with entry by Sept. 14.

Packets will be available for pickup at 4201 E. 72nd Ave. from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30. Proceeds benefi t a nonprofi t that supports law enforcement and fi rst responders.

For more information, email tracykilgore71@gmail.com.

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 aiums to help residents and cities increase water use effi ciencies and reach conservationm goals.

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

COVID vaccination clinics

Adams County and Tri-County Health are offering free vaccination clinics from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Anythink Brighton, 327 E. Bridge St.

The city of Brighton extended its free vaccination clinics at the recreation center, 555 N. 11th Ave. The new dates are Mondays, April 4 and 18. The shots are available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and no appointment is necessary.

COVID-19 rapid tests at the Brighton Recreation Center

As part of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s community distribution program, the Brighton Recreation Center is offering free at-home COVID-19 rapid test kits to the public. Come to rec center, 555 N/ 11th Ave., Mondays - Thursdays 5:30 a.m. - 9 p.m., Fridays 5:30 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturdays 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.). Kits will be made available to the public while supplies last.

Staff will be distributing the iHealth rapid antigen tests (self-collected lower nasal swab), which have received emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration for home use by patients 2 and older. Results should be available in approximately 15 minutes.

Email cdphe_covidtesting@state. co.us or call 1-877-268-2926.

Legal self-help clinic

The Access to Justice Committee hosts a free, legal self-help clinic through Dec. 31. from 2 to 3:30 p.m. the fi rst Tuesday of every month. The program is for customers who don’t have legal repprogram coordinator, at 303-655-2170 resentation and need help navigating or email mehidt@brightonco.gov. 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.

Sidewalk, curb and gutter program

The city of Brighton’s 50.50 Sidewalk, Curb and Gutter program is under way. The program helps ease the fi nancial costs of maintenance and replacements, according to a statement. Property owners are responsible for that maintenance work. The program halves the replacement costs between the city and the property owner. The program began in 2004. Last year, it assisted 14 homeowners. To date, the city says the program has saved about $75,000 worth of repairs. Visit www.brightonco.gov/50-50 to apply. Call 303-655-2036 with questions.

American Legion meets in Brighton

American Legion Post 2002 meets regularly on the second Thursday of each month, and all veterans are invited to attend. Meeting begin at 6:30 p.m. in the United Power headquarters building, 500 Cooperative Way.

Senior meals

Eagle View Adult Center will serve hot VOA lunches on Mondays and Thursdays beginning August 2. Advance reservations are required. Call EVAC 303-655-2075 for more information.

Water payment assistance

Brighton residents who need help in paying their water bills can apply for the new Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, a federal program through the Colorado Department of Human Services. Requirements include a completed LEAP application, a copy of a water bill and directly paying a water provider for either drinking water and/ or sewer and wastewater. To apply for LEAP and LIHWAP go to colorado.gov/PEAK. Call 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435). There are no minimum or maximum benefi ts for LIHWAP. This program is fi rst-come, fi rst-serve. Deadline is ongoing until LIHWAP funds run out.

‘Brighton Through the Decades’

Through the Decades” dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at The Armory Performing Arts Center, 300 Strong St. Museum and learn about the commission’s efforts to preserve the city’s historic buildings. 5194, or email sara@descentdetetive. com.

Flix and Kicks

returns this summer at Carmichael Park, 650 E. Southern St.

BUY FOUR SELECT Hwy. 85 and Bromley Lane Brighton, CO 80601 TIRES, GET A $70 REBATE 303-659-6844

$8995

• Synthetic Blend Oil Change • Tire Rotation & Pressure Check • Brake Inspection • Vehicle Check-Up • Fluid Top-Off • Battery Test • Filter Check • Belts and Hoses Check

• Synthetic Blend Oil Change • Tire Rotation & Pressure Check ONLY • Brake Inspection • Vehicle Check-Up • Fluid Top-Off $7995 • Battery Test • Filter Check OR LESS • Belts and Hoses Check

$5995 BUY FOUR SELECT TIRES, GET A $70 REBATE

• Synthetic Blend Oil Change • Tire Rotation & Pressure Check • Brake Inspection • Vehicle Check-Up • Fluid Top-Off • Battery Test • Filter Check • Belts and Hoses Check

$5995 HAVE YOUR BATTERY TESTED AT NO CHARGE*

Boulter’s Urban Market Where: Lamar Station Plaza, 6715 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood. When: May 17 to – October 29; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Website: boulters5280urbanmarket.com/ market-locations/

Cherry Creek Fresh Market Where: Cherry Creek Shopping Center, 1st Ave. and University Blvd. When: May 7 – November 5; from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Website: coloradofreshmarkets.com/visit Notes: There is free parking during market hours.

Golden Farmers Market

Where: The Golden Library on the corner of 10th & Illinois

When: June 4 – October 8; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Website: https://goldenfarmersmarket.org/

Lakewood Farmers Market Where: Mile Hi Church, 9077 W Alameda Ave. When: June 11 – September 24; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Website: denverfarmersmarket.com/

Southwest Plaza Farmers Market Where: Southeast parking lot at Wadsworth and Bowles in Littleton When: April 30 – October 29; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Website: denverfarmersmarket.com/

Westminster Farmers Market Where: 5255 W. 98th Ave., Westminster When: June 4 – September 24; 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Website: https://westminsterfarmersmarkets.com/

Arvada Farmers Market Where: Old Towne Square, located at 5702 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada

When: June 5 – September 25; 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Website: arvadafarmersmarket.com

Castle Rock Farmers Market

Where: Festival Park, located at 300 2nd St., Castle Rock

When: May 8 – September 30; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Website: thelocalcolorado.com/castle-rock-farmersmarket

Highlands Ranch Farmers Market Where: 9288 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch When: May 1 – October 30; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Website: http://www.denverfarmersmarket.com/

Orchard Farmers Market Where: Orchard Town Center, located at 14535 Delaware St., Westminster When: June 5 – September 25; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Website: orchardfarmersmarket.com/

More than a dozen farmers markets across the Front Range and metro area are opening up

BY ROBERT TANN RTANN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

It’s that time of the year again.

More than a dozen farmers markets are opening across the Denver metro area, bringing with them a bounty of offerings such as farm-fresh produce, handcrafted soaps and even ... giant snakes?

Some markets are already up and running, such as the Saturday market at the Southwest Plaza in Jefferson County or the Sunday market at the Highlands Ranch Town Center.

“It’s a happening thing to do,” said Bodhi Allen, social media manager for Metro Denver Farmers’ Market, the oldest collection of markets in the metro area. “The social aspects are part of the whole thrill of it.”

Formed more than 45 years ago, Metro Denver Farmers’ Market is run by a coalition of longstanding Colorado farms and includes the markets at Southwest Plaza and Highlands Ranch as well as ones in Lakewood, Littleton and Commerce City.

Each market offers more than 30 vendors and sees hundreds of patrons. Allen said the markets’ success hinges on the relationships vendors built with the community.

“People are looking for something fresher than the grocery store,” Allen said. “Over the years, customers build relationships with these farmers and these vendors, and they trust us.”

Alan Mazzotti, owner of Mazzotti’s Farm in Hudson, has been a leader with the Metro Denver Farmers’ Market group for years. His father was an original founder, Mazzotti said, during a time when the U.S. Department of Agriculture was sponsoring local farmers to push their products through more urban markets.

“I love talking with the people,” Mazzotti said. “I have customers from day one that still come to the market today.”

Mazzotti said he offers “a little bit of everything” from his roughly 80-acre farm. But urged market-goers to be patient as much of the highly sought-after produce, such as corn and peaches, won’t come into season until later this summer, around July and August.

And while some vendors offer a variety of produce from in-state and out, Mazzotti said his items are strictly Colorado grown. That can cause some sacrifi ces, Mazzotti said, such as having to cut down on corn stock given this year’s already dire drought.

“The water situation is going to be a big problem,” Mazzotti said, though he is hopeful that through his partnership with other farmers there will still be enough to go around at the market.

Allen, the social media manager for Denver Metro, said it’s a reminder that market seasons are often a great unknown.

“We’re at the whim of the elements in terms of how successful the season is,” she said.

Jeremy Becker, co-owner of OLN Mar

There’s something for everyone at a farmers market, even for a 40-pound reticulated python. Mason Stiegera, pictured, has been bringing the python, Sunny, to the Southwest Plaza Farmers Market for the past two years. Stiegera runs the Littleton-based Righteous Reptile Rescue, which seeks to fi nd new homes for unwanted reptiles and amphibians.

Carol Campbell has been making handmade soaps for 25 years. Her business, Cecolors and Company, o ers a pallet of colorful and unique bath items at the Southwest Plaza Farmers Market. Campbell, who has sold at the market for years, said she enjoys the connections she’s able to make. “I get to see my regulars every week, but I also meet new people every week who then become regulars,” she said. “It’s wonderful.”

Sebastian Cil and Veronica Hanalwalt present their homemade paella during the fi rst day of the Southwest Plaza Farmers Market on April 30. The day also marked Cil and Hanalwalt’s market debut.

PHOTOS BY ROBERT TANN

Parker Farmers Market

Where: At the corner for Parker Road and Mainstreet, 19565 E. Mainstreet

When: May 8 – October 3 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Website: thelocalcolorado.com/parker-farmers-market/

STEAD School at Reunion Farmers’ Market Where: 18251 Homestead Trail, Commerce City When: July 17 – September 25; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Website: denverfarmersmarket.com/tablet/index.html

Boulter’s Urban Market (Evergreen)

Where: Boone Mountain Sports, 2962 Evergreen Pkwy., Evergreen,

When: May 31 – September 28; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Website: boulters5280urbanmarket.com/market-locations/

Boulter’s Urban Market (Green Valley)

Where: Green Valley Recreation Center, located at 4890 Argonne Way

When: June 30 – September 1; 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Website: boulters5280urbanmarket.com/market-locations/

Cherry Creek Fresh Market Where: Cherry Creek Shopping Center, located at the corner of 1st Ave. and University Blvd. When: June 15 – September 28; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Website: coloradofreshmarkets.com/visit

Centennial Farmers Market Where: University Towne Center, 7424 S. University Blvd., Centennial. When: May 4 – October 26; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Website: https://elephantrockfarm.com/

Littleton Farmers’ Market Where: Aspen Grove, 7301 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. When: July 13 – September 14; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

South University Farmers Market Where: 5859 S. University Blvd. Greenwood Village. When: May 6 through October 28; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Website: https://elephantrockfarm.com/

MARKETS

FROM PAGE 12

kets, offers a variety of produce grown in Colorado as well as outside states, such as Arizona, Texas, California and Washington.

“These are all places we’ve been and met people — we have connections all over,” Becker said.

And it’s not just fruits and vegetables that customers can expect from these markets. Vendors selling artisanal items such as handmade bath products, local wine and decorative plants are also present.

Carol Campbell, whose company Cecolors and Company can be found Sundays at the Highlands Ranch Town Center market, hand-makes hundreds of bars of soap each week.

Originally a hobby of her husband’s, soap making is something Campbell fell in love with and has been doing for about 25 years. Being an artist as well, Campbell’s products, imbued with subtle spectrums of color, are each wrapped in strips of watercolor-painted paper.

“I love the farmers market,” Campbell said. “I get to see my regulars every week, and I also meet new people every week who then become regulars.”

Depending on when patrons choose to visit the market at Southwest Plaza, they may run into a 40-pound reticulated python, the largest snake in the world.

Mason Stiegera, who founded the Littleton-based Righteous Reptile Rescue, will often bring various reptiles and amphibians to the market as the weather becomes warmer. Along with just wanting them to have some fresh air, the reptiles and amphibians are also open to adopt as Stiegera’s rescue center is constantly searching for new homes.

Markets will run until mid- to late fall, with some closing as early as September and others as late as November.

FRCC students head to fi nal round of national innovation challenge

Project entry features fl oating drone that separates oil from water

BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

munity College and is headed to Washington, D.C., as a fi nalist for a national innovation challenge that will be held in June.

The Community College Innovation Challenge, led by the American Association of Community Colleges, has challenged students for the past six years to apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics to fi nd new solutions to real-world problems.

Madrazo attends FRCC and is working toward an associates degree in general engineering for transfer to a four-year college. Prior to that degree, he earned an associates in business.

According to Professor Diane Rhodes, Madrazo’s academic pursuits make him great candidate for the contest, because once the teams come up with a design — the engineering part — they then have to market it to stakeholders to take the idea further — the business part.

Madrazo learned about the challenge through one of his classes taught by Rhodes. In that class, he and Xavier Cotton — the other member of the team — completed a project aimed at cleaning oil spills with two other classmates from California.

Madrazo and Cotton continued with the project outside of class and ended up as one of 12 fi nalist teams from across the country.

Oily hair

The project is called The Orca OilSeparating and Bio-Filtration Vessel and it separates oil from water and then fi lters that water.

“It’s based on how whales eat,” Rhodes said. “It not only cleans the oceans of the oil spills, which are millions of gallons per year, but the process of cleaning also fi lters (the water).”

She said when oil is separated from water, the water still isn’t fully clean. That’s where the biofi ltration part comes in so the water going back into the ocean is healthy.

The team’s prototype fi rst looked