Brighton Standard Blade 042023

Thousands of trout added to Mann-Nyholt Lake

Suncor released sulfur dioxide spikes, state says

Commerce City refinery had equipment failure

BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN

e Suncor re nery in Commerce City sent potentially dangerous spikes of sulfur dioxide into the surrounding neighborhood early April 12 after an equipment failure, though the state health department’s notice didn’t go out until that evening.

Sulfur dioxide detected from Suncor leapt to 155 parts per billion and 186 parts per billion, while the EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards are 75 parts per billion. But to reach an o cial exceedance, the sulfur dioxide levels must be that high for over an hour. Within hours, a state news release said, the levels had “dropped signi cantly.”

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Chris Valesey drove his large truck up to the edge of Mann-Nyholt Lake, extended a giant funnel, and released 2,400 rainbow trout.

e habitat technician with a Colorado Parks and Wildlife hatchery stocked the 67-acre lake in Brighton’s Riverdale Regional Park for anglers and prey.

e temperature was just right on April 13. Valesey performs tests of the water before he released the sh. “I needed to gure out the temperature to see if its within limits that could be too high in either direction to stock the sh,” Valesey said. “If the water temperature reaches 70 degrees, we can’t stock the sh.” Valesey said it takes 10 minutes for

Despite the drop in the monitored sulfur dioxide levels, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment urged families in the future to limit outdoor exercise, keep windows closed and consider an air puri er.

“ e short exposures to sulfur dioxide that occurred earlier could have exacerbated asthma and made breathing di cult, especially during exercise or physical activity,” the health department said.

e state release said that early Wednesday, “the Suncor facility reported that #2 Sulfur Recovery Unit and associated Tail Gas Unit in Plant 1 brie y tripped o ine due to a level indicator issue, resulting in: excess sulfur dioxide from the Tail Gas Unit Incinerator (H-25); aring of acid gas (gas with

SEE SUNCOR, P3

The rainbow trout were released in Mann-Nyholt Lake at Riverdale Regional Park.

Chris Valesey checks pH levels and water temperature before stocking the lake.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

SEE TROUT, P3

Performance and Leadership Academy is now open to external applicants

e city of Brighton is opening its Performance and Leadership Academy to external applicants who work for government or non-pro t organizations. e academy is a ve-week program that teaches participants skills for identifying, analyzing, and solving problems in their day-to-day work and empowers participants to be leaders, to build winning teams and deliver exceptional customer service both internal and external.

Participants in the academy attend four-hour training sessions each ursday for ve weeks. Sessions are from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Brighton City Hall, 500 S. Fourth Ave. e cost to apply for external candidates is $1,800. Upcoming sessions can be found here.

To learn more about the academy and to apply, visit the Performance and Leadership Academy website. For more information, contact budget@ brightonco.gov.

Trash Bash disposal program set for April 28-29

e city of Brighton’s popular Trash Bash for Brighton residents is set to return Friday and Saturday, April 28 and April 29.

e drop-o trash disposal program for large items will take place both days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Brighton Wastewater Treatment Facility 325 North Kuner Road (Brighton Street entrance). In addition, the city will provide pick-up service for those with special needs Wednesday and ursday, April 26 and 27. To request a pick-up, call 303-655-2087.

Acceptable items include furniture, appliances (no refrigerators or freez-

ers), bicycles, carpets that have been cut up, doors, lawn/yard equipment, mattresses/box springs and branches cut to less than ve feet in length and bundled securely.

e collection will also accept nail-free sheeted material, wood, or lumber less than ve feet in length. is service is for Brighton residents only. A city of Brighton water bill or suitable proof of residence (i.e. driver’s license) is required. No commercial or industrial facilities will be allowed. A suggested donation of $10 will help to defray the cost of the service.

Car and light pickup tires will be accepted for $7 each; oversized pickup tires for $10 each and semi-truck tires for $20 each.

Trash Bash will return for a second time in September.

For more information, call 303-6552087.

Art in the Park announces call for artists

e City of Brighton will host its annual Art in the Park festival from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Carmichael Park, 650 Southern Street. ose artists interested in showcasing and selling their artwork can visit www.brightonartinthepark.com for more information and to apply. e deadline for booth applications is Aug. 18. is one-day festival will give attendees the opportunity to visit the artist market, meet and talk with artists, enjoy music performances, artist demonstrations and children’s interactive art activities.

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

ONGOING

‘Taking No Chances’

e 17th Judicial District Attorney’s O ce and e Link, a community resource and assessment center in ornton, are o ering free, 10-week programs to families of Adams county teenagers to help develop personal and interpersonal drug-resistance skills.

Sessions are from 5:30 to 6;30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 720-292-2811.

Brighton adds new ChargePoint stations

e city of Brighton announced it was opening three new charging stations for electric vehicles.

e 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.

e rst hour of charging is free at each location. e 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 rst 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

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

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

Water audit program

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

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

Legal self-help clinic

e Access to Justice Committee hosts a free, legal self-help clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. the rst Tuesday of every month. e 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.

Sidewalk, curb and gutter program

e city of Brighton’s 50.50 Sidewalk, Curb and Gutter program is underway. e program helps ease the nancial costs of maintenance and replacements, according to a statement. Property owners are responsible for that maintenance work. e program halves the replacement costs between the city and the property owner. e program began in 2004. Last year, it assisted 14 homeowners. e 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.

SUNCOR

FROM PAGE 1

elevated hydrogen sul de) in the Plant 1 Flare; elevated hydrogen sulde in the Plant 1 fuel gas system.”

Neighbors and environmental advocacy groups have been expanding independent monitoring of emissions from Suncor, and amplifying calls for a complete shutdown or at least far tougher state regulation of the re nery. e only re nery in Colorado, Suncor supplies a large portion of vehicle gasoline for the Denver metro area and airplane fuel for Denver International Airport.

A re in December damaged equipment at Suncor and forced a weekslong shutdown of the complex, followed by a series of emissions noti cations to neighbors as Suncor worked to bring the facility back online. e shutdown also

TROUT

the sh to acclimate to the water.

“ e sh end up on the bottom for a little while and then they start jumping around,” Valesey said.

e population in Mann-Nyholt Lake is already healthy. Stocking the lake enhances and maintains the native populations.

Chris Hertrich, wildlife hatchery manager, said Mann-Nyholt Lake could also have largemouth bass, blue gill, channel cat sh, and saugeye walleye.

“We stocked the lake about ve years ago with these species,” Hertrich said. “I’m not sure if they are still there.”

Adams County o cials stock several other lakes and ponds, depending on weather, temperature and other conditions. e list includes: Fishing is Fun Pond, 28 acres; Engineer Lake, 10 acres; Twin Lakes Park, two lakes, four acres total; Little Dry Creek Lake,

signi cantly raised gas prices for Colorado drivers during the winter. Multiple monitors around Suncor check for dangerous emissions, including some run by a neighborhood nonpro t Cultivando through a state environmental justice project. Cultivando released a report from Boulder atmospheric scientist Detlev Helmig in March warning of exactly what happened in mid-April: Short-term emissions from Suncor that endanger health but do not ofcially break EPA limits.

Helmig’s instruments identi ed temporary local spikes in levels of pollutants like benzene or harmful particulate matter. Cultivando’s monitoring program can identify spikes that are short-lived but impactful on human health, Helmig said.

“Pollution levels go up and down, up and down very dynamically all the time,” he said at a Cultivando community brie ng. “If you hap-

12 acres; Elaine T. Valente, three lakes, 33 acres total; Lowell Ponds, three lakes 12 acres total; and Pelican Ponds, three lakes, 23 acres total.

“ e raptors, osprey, American bald eagle, cormorants and coyotes depend on the sh populations for survival,” said Eric Collins, Adams County Colorado Parks and Wildlife ranger services supervisor. “It’s wonderful! It goes full circle, and its bene cial for humans recreationally shing, as well as our bird populations.”

O cials could continue to stock sh until July.

e wildlife agency’s Chalk Cli Hatchery stocks 600,000 to 700,000 sh a year that are of catchable size.

Collis said the Adams County Sheri ’s O ce is hosting its annual shing derby that coincides with a free shing weekend on June 3 and 4 at Riverdale Regional Park MannNyholt Lake.

“We are going to have a senior event that kicks o at 5:30 a.m. en, in the afternoon, they move on to the youth event,” Collins said.

pen to go out there at a certain time when levels are low, it may look not too concerning and pretty clean. But you come back just half an hour later and conditions might have changed very dramatically.”

is story is from e Colorado

Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

Suncor Energy’s Commerce City plant. COURTESY OF THE COLORADO SUN

Council hesitant on red light cameras

Police suggest cameras could cut down on fatalities at three intersections

BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

City Councilors agreed that Brighton needs to do something to stop drivers from running red lights and putting autonomous cameras at intersections might be the best way to do it, but they doubt most residents would appreciate the change.

“Public perception is the big thing, and when this project was approached in the past, it was pretty strongly opposed,” Councilor Clint Blackhurst said. “ e public kind of felt this was a revenue generator for the city as much as you try to tell them it’s the safety thing,

Brighton councilors heard a report from Chief Matt Domenico and his tra c and crime analysis sta about installing picture-taking red light cameras at three Brighton intersections — U.S. 85 and 136th Avenue, U.S. 85 and Bromley Lane and East Bridge Street and 18th Avenue.

Councilors were split on the issue, with Councilor Matt Johnston pledging to do anything he could to keep it from happening.

“I have to be against red light cameras unless we take it to a vote of the people and see how they feel about it, but I think we all know how that ends up,” Johnston said.

Brighton has a problem, according to Tra c Safety Unit Sergeant Nicholas Struck. e city has su ered 82 tra c accidents between 2017 and 2022 that involved either fatalities or serious bodily injury.

“ ese are signi cant injuries. We are not talking about scrapes and bruises,” Struck said. “You can think of it as incapacitating. ey cannot get up on their own.”

Half of those serious accidents were rollover or

t-bone accidents.

“A T-bone can also lead into a rollover crash, but those two lead the way in fatal and SBI numbers for the past two years,” he said.

Of the 82 serious accidents, 13 of them occurred at one of the three intersections, Struck said.

He suggested installing red light cameras in the three intersections at a cost of about $60,500 per month to the city, plus another $500 per month to cover tra c o cers reviewing violations about three hours each week.

Violators —or the owners of the cars captured running a red light — would be mailed a ticket for a civil violation. According to state law, the tickets are capped at $75 and are zero-point violations, meaning they wouldn’t a ect the driver’s state driving record. e ticket issued by an o cer who witnessed a driver running a red light is a four-point violation and a minimum $125 ne, he said.

“And you can contest a red light camera ticket,” he said. “It’s just like a parking ticket. And if it’s not

Comprehensive cancer care that sets us apart.

paid, we don’t issue a warrant for arrest. is is not a criminal o ense. It’s a civil penalty.”

Councilors agreed that red light running is a problem. But Councilor Johnston said he thinks most residents would view it as a violation of their right to face their accuser.

“I think one of the reasons Coloradoans balk at red light cameras is because of the sixth amendment and facing your accuser,” Johnston said.

Johnston said he would never support it unless it’s approved by voters.

“I have to be a full no vote and I will go as hard as I can to stop red light cameras in the city, harder than I have gone on anything,” Johnston said.

Councilor Clint Blackhurst said he agrees they might be useful, but they’d never be popular.

“ e irony is, people are very much in favor of having a police o cer issue a ticket for running a red light,” Blackhurst said. “ ey are not in favor of a machine giving you a ticket because of a picture taken. Don’t ask me why there is a di erence, but there is.”

Mayor Greg Mills agreed that residents would object.

“I have never been in favor of the photo ticket, the photo cop,” Mills said. “I think the person who is your accuser should be the one issuing the ticket. e only way I’d support this is, rather than mailing the ticket, we have a uniformed o cer show up at your residence to deliver the ticket.”

But Councilor Peter Padilla said the problem is bad enough that the city should consider it.

“I think the most interesting thing to consider is not the number of violations or tickets that get issues, but the striking reduction of people violating, just because of this,” Padilla said. “ at’s the better educational experience and the better safety piece. It’s not catching people for violating but causing people to not violate it again.”

Domenico said the police would continue investigating the idea and bring it back to councilors at a future study session meeting.

Jill Alldredge, MD

Kian Behbakht, MD

Bradley Corr, MD

Lisa Marie Babayan, PA-C

Lindsay Brubaker, MD

Jaime Arruda, MD

Catherine Bouts, PA-C

Nicole Marjon, MD Christine Walsh, MD

Carolyn Lefkowits, MD

Marisa Moroney, MD Saketh Guntupalli, MD Spyridon Mastroyannis, MD

A truck southbound on U.S. 85 rushes to make it through the West Bromley Lane intersection. Councilors are discussing installing red light cameras on that intersection and two others in Brighton to cut back on red light running in the city.

PHOTO BY SCOTT TAYLOR

City poised to end parking restrictions around BHS

BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A parking permit program for the streets surrounding Brighton High School will go away after being on hold for nearly a year.

“We should not restrict parking because of another organization’s issue with parking,” Councilor Matt Johnston said. “Why are we dealing with this right now when the issue is that 27J does not have enough parking spots at the high school?”

Brighton has banned on-street parking for several blocks around Brighton High School since 1993, from Bush Street south to Mather Street and from S. 7th Avenue east to S. 10th Avenue unless residents display a parking permit. Residents along those streets were able to get four permits — two for their cars, two for guests or workers.

Brighton Police Commander Doug Imfeld said those restrictions were not enforced, since the parking passes were easily duplicated and many residents lost their passes and

Our Family

Your

a permit, it looks valid and they move on. ere is no way to enforce it.”

e city covered up the “No Parking Except by Permit” signs along the road last July and monitored the resident complaints. e city has had 49 calls for service between August and December. So far this year, police have issued 13 parking tickets.

New passes would be more formal and harder to duplicate.

“ ey’d hang from your mirror just like a handicapped placard, they are extremely durable and we could cus-

for $5 each — two resident passes and two guest passes. ey’d need to show proof of residency and a valid vehicle registration but would only need to display them during school hours.

Imfeld said he sees problems. Residents could get tickets for parking in front of their house just because they didn’t display the permit properly and said students would just move their cars beyond the restricted area, pushing the problem out but not xing. He also said the department may

not have enough sta to enforce the parking ban e ectively.

Councilor Clint Blackhurst Imfeld’s opinion and he said it’s not high on the police department’s list of priorities.

“I’d take it away,” Imfeld said. “We would say that we are going to restrict parking in one area of the city for a vehicle that is legally registered and can park anywhere else in the city. We are just saying, in this neighborhood, you can’t.”

TORREZ

Randy Torrez 11-05-1982 to 03-22-2023.

Randy Paul Torrez

November 5, 1982 - March 22, 2023

Randy was a highly accomplished heavy equipment mechanic, in spite of the fact that he was born hearing impaired. He was working in San Diego, California for Caterpillars excavating.

Randy is survived by his Brother’s David Torrez, from Brighton, Colorado. Brian

HARGREAVES

Torrez, from Napa Valley, California. His Mother Brenda Elatabani (Torrez, Johnson, Church) from Brighton, Colorado.

Randy’s Father was the late Leroy Torrez. Surviving Grandparents, Bonnie MacIntosh from Brighton CO and Betty Church from Brighton, CO. Randy will be highly missed by his father’s huge Torrez family.

Michael “Mike” Hargreaves

December 7, 1947 - March 27, 2023

Michael (Mike) Hargreaves passed away peacefully on March 27, 2023, in Louisville, Colorado. He was born on December 7, 1947, in Denver, Colorado, to Lawrence and Shirley Frank Hargreaves.

Final arrangements were handled by Rundus Funeral Home and Crematory in Broom eld, Colorado.

Mike’s full obituary can be found at www.rundus.com

City Councilors considered re-activating a parking permit program around Brighton High School.

PHOTOS BY SCOTT TAYLOR

Permit program has been on hold since July 2022

Signs that say that parking permits are required along the streets surrounding Brighton High School have been covered since July 2022. Councilors said they do not wish to reactivate the program.

Chicks Fly at Wings Over the Rockies

Women have played a role in aviation since humans rst took to the sky, but as is so often the case, they don’t receive nearly the recognition and celebration their male counterparts do. e Wings Over the Rockies’ Chicks Fly! Showcase aims to do something about this fact.

“In the aviation world, ‘chick’ is a term of endearment for women pilots. I’ve been ying for 20 years and have always loved being referred to as a chick pilot,” wrote Ann Beardall, Exploration of Flight Program Coordinator at Wings Over the Rockies, in an email interview. “We’ll have a couple of pilots on duty for airplane rides and you will be amazed at the diversity and depth of experience they have.”

Chicks Fly! will be held at Wings

Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight, 13005 Wings Way in Englewood, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. e event will feature guest speaker Col. Kim “Killer Chick” Campbell, who will also be signing her book, “Flying in the Face of Fear.”

Beardall answered some questions about the event, what audiences can expect and more:

Interview edited for brevity and clarity.

Tell me about why it is important to showcase women in aviation.

ere are women who y or have own who have done fantastic things in both their careers and

COMING ATTRACTIONS

the aviation community. Telling their stories and having them meet with future aviators is a great way to generate interest and foster dreams for young girls and young boys.

Why is it important to host events like this?

We look for all kinds of di erent aviation events to host and showcase. It is important to highlight di erent aspects of aviation, simply because most people think it’s only about the pilot. Later in the Summer we will highlight First Responders (safety/air ambulance), Taildraggers, helicopters, and we cover drones, air marshalling and much more. As part of our mission we educate, inspire and excite everything aviation, as well as teach the teachers through our Teachers Pathway program.

What part of the event are you most looking forward to?

I can’t wait to see the women pilots come in and I hope they will display objects on their aircraft that will designate it as a Chick Plane. I know my plane will be there. And I am really looking forward to meeting the Killer Chick, herself!

What do you hope attendees come away with?

I really hope that people from all walks of life will be inspired by

listening to Col. Campbell. I also hope that the kids who come, see themselves in aviation. No dreams are out of reach.

Visit Wingsmuseum.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

See the world through the eyes of ‘Blind Visionaries’

e work done by composer and artist Daniel Kelly shows why the idea of siloing arts o into di erent mediums is a foolish idea. His work is a multisensory presentation that highlights his songwriting and piano playing while simultaneously projecting “light painting” portraits, created by visually impaired and sighted photographers from the Seeing With Photography Collective, according to provided information.

Kelly’s show, “Blind Visionaries,” is coming to the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, at 7:30 p.m. April 21. Get tickets for the performance at https://lakewood.showare.com/.

Explore the Titanic, as told by the movies

There are many great debates centered on movies: should Ilsa have gone with Rick at the end of “Casablanca?” Was the latter half of “Inception” a dream? Dude, where’s my car? But one of the great discussions for a certain generation is whether or not the door at the end of “Titanic” could safely hold both Jack and Rose

while they waited on rescue.

As part of the Molly Brown House Museum’s , 1340 Pennsylvania St. in Denver, annual recognition of the anniversary of Titanic’s sinking, it is hosting Room for Two: Titanic Story in Film at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. The event will feature an “irreverent” exploration of the vessel’s story in film and include movie-themed snacks and cocktails. Get the details at www.mollybrown.org.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Wiz Khalifa and Joey Bada$$ at Red Rocks

I’d be pretty pressed to think of a more fitting kick off to the warm seasons in Colorado than Wiz Khalifa and Joey Bada$$ coheadlining Red Rocks , 18300 W. Alameda Parkway in Morrison, at 6:45 p.m. April 22.

The rappers will be joined by a slew of genre stalwarts, including Action Bronson, Berner, Marlon Craft, Chevy Woods and Little Stranger, creating the perfect lineuap for a spring Saturday night. You can sample all kinds of approaches to rap by attending but they all share a hazy, feelgood vibe. Get tickets at www.axs. com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@ hotmail.com.

How can Holy Cross Energy possibly leap this high?

Let’s start with the obvious. e sun doesn’t always shine and, except for springtime in Colorado, the wind doesn’t always blow.

So how can Holy Cross Energy, which serves the Vail, Aspen, and Ri e areas, achieve 92% emissionfree energy in 2024? Last year it was 50%.

And if Holy Cross can do it, what is possible for utilities serving Crested Butte and Steamboat Springs, Holyoke and Crestone, Sterling and Pueblo?

By the way, Holy Cross still owns 8% of Colorado’s newest coal plant, Comanche 3.

Directors of Holy Cross several

TANDARD BLADE S

Contact us: 143 S. Second Pl., Brighton, CO 80401 - 303-566-4100

Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110

Phone: 303-566-4100

Web: TheBrightonBlade.com

To subscribe call 303-566-4100

BIG PIVOTS

a major question in this energy transition. Coal plants, if sometimes down, are far more reliable than wind and sunshine. Now we’re hurriedly closing those high-priced and polluting plants. Natural gas can respond quickly to demand. However, those plants are costly and pollute, too.

Do we need more natural gas plants?

Allen Best

years ago adopted what seemed like the audacious goal of achieving 100% emissions-free power by 2030. Municipal utilities serving Aspen and Glenwood springs already have 100% renewables, but do not own their own generation. I expected small steps. Wind and solar have become far less expensive than coal or gas. But what about windless, sunless days?

Resource adequacy has become

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SCOTT TAYLOR Metro North Editor staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

BELEN WARD Community Editor bward@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Colorado’s two largest electrical providers, Xcel Energy and Tri-State Generation and Transmission, both say they can reduce carbon emissions 80% carbon by 2030 as compared to 2005 levels. But both have refrained from embracing higher, short-term goals.

STEVE SMITH Sports Editor ssmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

TERESA ALEXIS Marketing Consultant Classified Sales talexis@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Tri-State, which delivers power to 17 of the state’s 22 electrical cooperatives, warns of ambitions outpacing realities. Duane Highley, the chief executive, likens resource adequacy to a “big bad wolf.” e Western Energy Coordinating Council in December warned that Western states risked having insu cient resources by 2025 to meet electric demand on the grid they share.

Storage will be crucial. Lithiumion batteries, if increasingly more a ordable, can store electricity for just a few hours. We need technologies that can store energy for days if not weeks. Xcel Energy will be

SEE BEST, P7

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Blade. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

Email letters to staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper. To opt in or out of delivery please email us at circulation@ coloradocommunitymedia.com

Clarke Reader

27J Schools names next principal for Henderson Elementary

Vikan Middle School Assitant Principal Melynda Boehm will move to the top position at Henderson Elementary next fall, 27J Schools

Superintendent Chris Fiedler announced April 11.

Boehm has been a teacher, instructional coach and assistant principal at several di erent schools. She currently serves as the assistant principal at Brighton’s Vikan Middle School where she supports teachers

using a student-centered model of instruction. She also serves on her school’s leadership team supporting high quality, data-driven instruction for all students.

Deputy Superintendent Will Pierce and school and district sta met with a number of candidates for this position through a series of interviews.

“Melynda emerged successfully from a very rigorous process,” Pierce said. “She has proven herself in a variety of roles where she demonstrated a wealth of skills. She brings

snow with some of Colorado’s lowest electricity rates.

exactly the right combination of inspiration, experiences and skills to Henderson.”

Melynda’s career path landed in 27J Schools as a teacher and school administrator. She was a teacher at Stuart Middle School and later, served as teacher at Prairie View Middle School. She also supported teachers at Prairie View Middle School as an instructional coach helping teachers become stronger instructional leaders and increasing student achievement.

“I am so incredibly excited to continue my journey as the Principal of Henderson Elementary,” Melynda said. “ I believe strongly that all students can achieve and I feel blessed to join a community that shares the same belief.”

Melynda earned her bachelors degree in history from Metro State University and her masters and principal license through Colorado State University, Global.

She will assume her new role on July 1, 2023.

testing one such long-term technology, called iron-air, at Pueblo. Colorado wants to be part of the elusive answer to hydrogen, perhaps using existing electricity infrastructure at Brush or Craig. And transmission and other new infrastructure, such that could allow Colorado to exploit the winds of Kansas or the sunshine of Arizona, can help—but remains unbuilt.

Holy Cross actually has the second lowest electrical rates among Colorado’s 22 electrical cooperatives. And its rates are 5% less than those of Xcel. is is not Gucci electricity, a Tesla Model X Plaid. e Aspen Skiing Co. and Vail Resorts make

Bryan Hannegan, the chief executive and head wizard at Holy Cross, laid out his utility’s broad strategy in recent presentations to both state legislators and the Avon Town Council. Holy Cross, he explained, will add new wind from eastern Colorado and several new solar-plusstorage projects within its service territory.

e cooperative also intends to integrate new storage in homes and businesses. It incentivizes home batteries that can be tapped as needed to meet demand from neighborhoods. Holy Cross also wants to integrate vehicle batteries, such as from electric school buses, in its e orts to match demands with supplies. Time-of-use rates will be crucial. is market mechanism aims to

shift demands to when renewable electricity is most readily available — and cheapest.

Importantly, Holy Cross expects to achieve this high mark without need of new natural gas capacity. Many environmentalists loathe the idea of new and rarely used - but always expensive - natural gas plants. Most utilities see even more gas generation as necessary.

Speaking to the Avon council, Hannegan expressed con dence Holy Cross can meet growing demand from electric vehicles, heat pumps, and other uses. He called it “smart electri cation.”

Holy Cross’s journey from 92% to 100%, though, will “be a bit of a doozie,” he said. He likened it to the climb from Camp 4 on Everest to the peak.

“We have to think about how we

balance (supply and demand) at every location on our grid at every moment of every day,” he said. at “ ne-grained balancing” will be “quite an engineering challenge. ere is reason we have given ourselves six years” to gure this out. What about that coal plant that Holy Cross still owns (but consigns the output to wholesale provider Guzman Energy)? Does that muck up the math? Can Holy Cross truly claim 92% ? And what prevents other utilities from following in its footsteps? ese are questions I will ask Holy Cross and others in coming weeks.

is column is based on reporting that can be found at BigPivots. com, which o ers deeper dives into Colorado’s energy, water and other transitions.

E AGLE VIEW A DULT C ENTER

Eagle View Adult Center Update

April 19 - 26, 2023

Eagle View Adult Center is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 303-655-2075 for more information. e March and April 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. Reserve your 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. to make a reservation.

Why the Treaty of Versailles Failed

For 10 months, world leaders negotiated a peace agreement to make sure such a catastrophe as World War I wouldn’t happen again. However, some twenty years later, World War II broke out. What went wrong? Join presenter Paul Flanders

1:30 p.m. urs. Apr 20. $4. Deadline: Wed. Apr 19

Movie: A Walk in the Woods

A er spending two decades in England, a travel writer retires back to the U.S. and to hike the Appalachian Trail. He’s joined by a longtime friend who desires adventure before it’s “too late.” Rated R. 1hr/45 min. Free, but please register.

1:00 p.m. Mon. Apr 24. Deadline: Fri. Apr 21

Protect Yourself From Frauds Pt. 2

Protect Yourself – is a fraud prevention program presented by the Adams and Broom eld County District Attorney’s o ce. is Part 2 topic will focus on caregiver protection and provide tips on how to address possible caregiver the .

1:30 p.m. Tues. Apr 25. Free.

Deadline: Mon. Apr 24

Low Vision Support Group is month’s topic is on assistive technology. Explore basic low- and high-tech options for adapting to low vision. Facilitated by a Beyond Vision Skills Trainer from the Center for People With Disabilities.

1:00 p.m. Wed. Apr 26. Free. Deadline: Mon. Apr 24

BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE OLOVE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In a state that has over 400 breweries and almost 100 distilleries, approaching the topic of sobriety can be a hard conversation for many people to have.

But with low-key, no-fuss non-alcoholic options at many establishments across the metro, it doesn’t have to be a big deal if you don’t want to drink, whatever your reasons.

Mocktails that you wouldn’t even know were NA

Golden Moon Speakeasy in Golden uses all its own distilled spirits and creates unique craft cocktails at’s all the more reason that general manager Kayla Veatch sees to o er quality, non-alcoholic options.

“My overall philosophy when I changed the menu was to have the same options as the alcohol menu,” Veatch said.

So no, you won’t have to order a water if you’re the designated driver. e mocktails at Golden Moon use highly steeped teas to replace alcohol and utilize many of the same syrups and NA ingredients the cocktails use.

Mocktails are a great option for people ready to slow down on alcohol for the night, people taking certain medications, pregnant people and people exploring sobriety, Veatch said. e speakeasy even serves mocktails to children before 9 p.m.

Having an inclusive menu makes an establishment like this a gathering place for groups, Veatch explained.

“People can still come together….if I didn’t have mocktails, I wonder if they would still be excited to come,” she said about group members who don’t consume alcohol.

Some of the mocktails Veatch makes include the Cloud City, which features an earl grey tea base, ginger, lemon and elder ower, or the Cheshire Cat, which features a butter y pea ower tea base, passionfruit juice and lime. Veatch even makes a copycat smoked whiskey.

Golden Moon Speakeasy is located at 1111 Miner’s Alley in Golden.

An alcohol alternative

For those looking for another NA drink option, perhaps with health bene ts, kombucha has been a popular choice.

Kombucha has been added as an option at many breweries, bars and co ee shops around Colorado; but Marc Gaudreault owns one of only two kombucha tap rooms on the front range.

Before the pandemic, the Trubucha tap room in Lone Tree had space for people to sit inside and enjoy a glass of kombucha. According to Gaudreault, Trubucha actually grew during the pandemic, and the demand for his product is so great he needs most of his shop space for fermenting the kombucha in huge vats.

Still, Trubucha boasts 31 taps in the store and has a spacious patio for people to enjoy kombucha, lemonade, ginger beer or cold brew.

So, what is kombucha? Put simply, Gaudreault explained, it’s lightly fermented tea. But the health bene ts are much more lengthy, he said. Most notably, the drink has an abundance of natural probiotics,

Kayla Veatch crafts a mocktail.

A lineup of mocktails at Golden Moon.

Sitting Bull portrait sells at auction to private bidder

BY SANDRA HALE SCHULMAN ICT

e rare portrait of Lakota leader Sitting Bull that was up for sale at Blackwell Auctions sold for $67,100 in mid-March to a private purchaser from the northeastern United States.

e portrait was one of four paintings of Sitting Bull created by New York artist and activist Caroline Weldon, and is thought to be the only one still in private hands.

Stored for decades and needing repair, the solemn portrait of the charismatic Lakota leader was consigned to auction by heirs of the original owner from 1890. e artist’s friendship with Sitting Bull was made into a 2017 lm, “Woman Walks Ahead.”

“I just tried to promote it as best I could,” Blackwell auctioneer Edwin Bailey told ICT. “I knew that it was a very special piece, and the story was absolutely fascinating. e deeper I got into it, I watched the movie and contacted the historical researchers.”

Bailey says the painting was special because it is “vastly superior to the other two Weldon painted. e value of the painting was based on its subject matter and its dramatic history, not the popularity of the artist or broad demand for the artist’s work, which is usually what drives the value of a piece of art.”

Daniel Guggisberg, historian and researcher, told ICT that the portrait was not done from a sitting, one of several revisions to the story that was portrayed in the 2017 lm featuring Jessica Chastain as Weldon and Michael Greyeyes as Sitting Bull.

“It is based on a portrait made by photographers Palmquist & Jurgens of Minneapolis in March 1884,” Guggisberg said.. “ e other two known paintings of Sitting Bull she made are based on photographs, notably by William Notman & Son of Montreal, taken in August 1885 while Sitting Bull toured with Bu alo Bill’s Wild West. She did not paint from lifewould not have the means to do so and Sitting Bull certainly would not have agreed to sit for a painted portrait for hours or days on end. Caroline Weldon certainly had artistic talent, but not beyond an amateur’s level.”

Weldon went to see Sitting Bull (1831-1890) in the

OPTIONS

as well as B vitamins and an acidic composition that some say can help your gut health.

For many, this drink has become a replacement for beer and other alcoholic beverages, partly due to its prevalence in drinking establishments.

“We have some breweries that go through three of these (kegs) in a week,” Gaudreault said.

People who choose not to drink should have options besides a soda, Gaudreault said.

“You want something that is a little more sophisticated,” he said.

Trubucha is located at 10047 Park Meadows Drive Unit A in Lone Tree.

Make it at home yourself

For those looking to have an NA drink at home, e Spice and Tea Exchange in Idaho Springs has almost everything you need to get started on your very own mocktail creation.

Logan Houser, manager at e Spice and Tea Exchange in Idaho Springs, explained that the shop has all sorts of ingredients to make cocktails or mocktails at home.

e sugar and salt wall, which contains countless canisters of avored granules, is a good place to get ingredients to sweeten your mocktails or rim the glasses, according to Houser.

“It all just depends on what you’re trying to achieve,” he said.

e store has many types of teas, some of which can make for a good mocktail base.

“We have like four or ve teas you can use for mocktails,” Houser said.

He said the fruity teas do really well for those

late 1880s to help him politically, not to paint him. She ended up staying and moving into his camp at the Standing Rock Reservation with his family.

Guggisberg said that “the painting presumably was made while Caroline Weldon had brie y returned to Brooklyn in the latter part of 1889 and

early 1890. e date on the painting is 1890.”

Weldon is believed to have sold the painting to the man whose heirs recently put it up for auction.

“As far as I know, no painting by Carolyn Weldon has ever sold at auction,” Guggisberg said. “While the story in the lm was greatly changed, even without the motion picture, I still think this would’ve been an amazing piece because of the story.”

Bailey said Weldon endured a lot of heat — even physical violence — for promoting Native rights in the late 1800s.

Bailey said he started the bids on March 18 at $20,000 and said the nal sales gure was reached in about two minutes.

“It didn’t have any bids on it to start with, advanced bids, pre-op option bids,” he said. “ ere were several people that just got on when the option started and it ran to where it ran. at’s one of those pieces that could have gone anywhere. “

Bailey said the seller is granddaughter of William Lafayette Darling, a railroad engineer from St. Paul that was involved in the construction of the Northern Paci c Line at the time that went through the Dakotas on to Montana and Idaho. He is believed to have purchased the painting from Weldon. When he died in 1938, the painting went to his daughter and then to her daughter in 1990.

e painting will soon be shipped to the new owner.

“We’ve been in touch with the buyer and it’s been hanging up here on the wall for several weeks now,” he said. “I’m looking at it right now.”

Bailey said the auction house does not release details about the buyer.

“I can say that they’re in the Northeast and I hope they loan or exhibit it,” he said. “It’s not something I can even fathom somebody just poking down a hallway and looking at once in a while. I just don’t see that happening. I think it’s going to show up again and I think it’s going to show up at a museum, perhaps by a private collector. e best I’ll say is, that is what I hope is the outcome.”

Sandra Hale Schulman, of Cherokee Nation descent, has been writing about Native issues since 1994.

drinks, but you can try out lots of combinations.

“Really anything you buy here is multipurpose,” Houser said.

e shop also o ers cocktail kits with sugars, teas and syrups to make drinks, which Houser said are popular for people to use for NA drinks.

“You can change them out for club soda,” he said of champagne or other alcohol recommended in the recipes.

e Spice and Tea Exchange is located at 1634 Miner St. in Idaho Springs.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, call the alcohol addiction hotline at 331-200-1664, or visit alcohol.org.

Veatch

Veatch strains a mocktail.

This 1890 painting of Sitting Bull by artist Catherine Weldon sold at auction on March 18, 2023, for $67,000 at Blackwell Auctions in Clearwater, Florida. Weldon’s friendship with Sitting Bull in the late 1880s was told, with some embellishment, in the 2017 film, “Woman Walks Ahead,” starring Jessica Chastain as Weldon and Michael Greyeyes as Sitting Bull. BLACKWELL AUCTIONS

Riverdale Ridge girls soccer looking strong

BY JONATHAN MANESS FOR COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

e 2023 Riverdale Ridge girls soccer team may be the most talented squad the school has ever had – and they showed it last week. e Ravens had ve di erent players score a goal as they rolled to an 8-1 victory over Longs Peak rival Frederick Golden Eagles. “ is is by far the most sel ess

and cohesive group of girls we have had,” coach Danelle Dondelinger said. A sel ess attitude has helped Riverdale jump out to a 6-3 record overall and outscore their opponents 35-13 on the season. e three losses for Riverdale included a double-overtime drop to Class 5A Brighton and to Erie (4-2) and Northridge (3-2) – two teams that are amongst the best in the state in Class 4A.

Big-school football title games have a new home

BY STEVE SMITH SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

ose wanting to watch the class 4A and 5A state championship football games will have to enter Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins as a destination point on their driving direction apps.

e Colorado High School Activities Association and Colorado State University announced the relocation earlier this month. It takes e ect this coming school year. e class 3A title game moves to CSU in the 2024 school year.

A statement on CHSAANow.com said the deal runs for several years. Canvas Stadium, which opened in 2017, can seat 36,500 people.

“Obviously, an incredible number of considerations come into play when it comes to a decision of this magnitude,” CHSAA Commissioner Mike Krueger said in the statement. “As we learned more and continued dialogue with CSU, it became apparent that CSU and Canvas Stadium was going to be a great t for our schools and membership as a whole.”

Krueger also pointed out local impacts from staging such events.

“We look forward to the city of Fort Collins opening their arms and embracing these championships like the city of Pueblo has done at the underbowl for the six-man, eight-

man, 1A and 2A classi cations,” he said in the statement. “I believe it is a strength when we recognize the diversity in our state and acknowledge that our kids come from all over. Bringing this championship event to Fort Collins continues our e orts to build upon that strength.” e class 4A and 5A football championships had been contested at Empower Field at Mile High since 2005. Starting in 2024, all three title games will be on the same day at Canvas Field. e six-man, eightman and class 1A and 2A title games will remain at the underBowl at CSU-Pueblo

“Leaving a special venue like Empower Field is de nitely not easy. We have built and maintain a great relationship with the Denver Broncos and we are proud to have called Empower Field at Mile High our home for the last 18 years,” Krueger said in the statement. “As with all things, there comes a time for change. With our contract expiring, we felt it was only natural to explore all opportunities. We are proud members of Broncos Country and incredibly grateful to the Denver Broncos organization, as well as the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, for their unending support and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership with them on a number of other projects and initiatives.”

e contract with the Denver

Broncos and Colorado Sports Hall of Fame ended at the conclusion of the 2022-23 school year.

“We are proud to have worked with and established strong relationships with the Denver Broncos and Colorado Sports Hall of Fame,”

CHSAA Assistant Commissioner John Sullivan said in the statement. He is in charge of the state’s football programs. “Moving forward, we are excited to give our CHSAA football

schools the opportunity to see the same things that attracted our team to CSU. e facilities are fantastic, the fact that the stadium is in the heart of a college campus, and the ability for us to include 3A into the 4A and 5A game day schedule after the fall of 2023 made this new partnership so inviting.”

e 3A, 4A and 5A football state nals for 2023 are scheduled for Dec. 2.

Riverdale Ridge’s Abby Hawkins dribbles the ball past Frederick’s Gabriela Hinojos during the first half of Thursday’s soccer match.

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MANESS

Frederick’s Xitlai Guereca and Riverdale Ridge’s Caitlin Mazurek battle for the ball during the second half of Thursday’s soccer match.

Careers

Help Wanted

Customer Sales & Service Reps

Needed: National Company 32

Years. Responsibilities include greeting customers at our service counters, explain our benefits, procedures & general paperwork. Daily pay based on performance & flexible hrs. Call 303-552-1368, 9am 3pm M-F

Real Estate & Rental

Home for Sale

3 bed/2 bath Fort Lupton, priced at $77K 303-637-7001

Rentals

Commercial Property/Rent

RETAIL OFFICE/Light Industrial 142 6th St., Frederick. 1000 sq. ft., $995 plus deposit. Call Carolee, 303-857-8777 or Amanda, 970-381-2578.

Market Place

Health & Beauty

VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS!

50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00

100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW!

888-445-5928 Hablamos Espanol

DENTAL INSURANCEPhysicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurancenot a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/58 #6258.

Medical

Attention oxygen therapy users!

Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-929-9587

Miscellaneous

Donate Your Car to Veterans

Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800245-0398

!!OLD GUITARS WANTED!!

GIBSON, FENDER, MARTIN, etc.

1930’s to 1980’s. TOP DOLLAR PAID.

CALL TOLL FREE 1-866-433-8277

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months!

Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725

Miscellaneous

4 by 6 foot digital sign from Daktronics.

Digital Sign Perfect for Church, Restaurant or any business that needs to change messages frequently.

Comes with 3 year labor warranty. Asking $7,500. Installation will be about $2500 and permits is $450

Sign is 3 years old and original price was $44,500. Call Alan 303-378-7537

MobileHelp, America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888489-3936

Miscellaneous

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405

Electric wheelchair $5000/best offer (retail cost is $21,600) Also have free shelves. 720-465-9022

Are you a pet owner? Do you want to get up to 100% back on vet bills? Physicians Mutual Insur-ance Company has pet coverage that can help! Call 1-844-774-0206 to get a free quote or visit insurebarkmeow. com/ads

DISH TV $64.99 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR included, Free Voice remote. Some Restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866-479-1516.

Service

PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call

Legals City and County

PUBLIC NOTICE

From the Office Of the Adams County Assessor Appeal of Real Property Valuations

Colorado Law requires the County Assessor to hear appeals on real property valuations beginning no later than May 1, 2023 and ending on June 8, 2023. The Adams County Assessor will be available at the: Adams County Government Center 4430 South Adams County Parkway Brighton, Colorado

Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm

If you wish to appear in person, please follow the signs to the Conference Center at the West Entrance of the building. There will be appraisers there to help you start your appeal process, no appointment necessary.

As always, it is not a requirement to appear in person. You can file your appeal electronically online by following the instructions written on your Notice of Valuation you will receive in the mail. You can also email, mail, or fax your appeal. Check your Notice of Valuation postcard for details.

Any appeals by representatives or tax agents of the property owner must have a current Notarized

Letter of Authorization. Without a current Notarized

Letter of Authorization, the appeal is invalid.

All appeals of real property valuations must be emailed, postmarked, faxed, or delivered in person by 4:30pm on June 8, 2023. The Adams County Assessor’s email is assessor@adcogov.org, The fax number is 720-523-6037.

Although you may call our office at any time for guidance, telephone appeals are not accepted.

It is recommended to send mailed appeals via certified mail. It is also advised that the taxpayer make a copy of their appeal for their records.

All Real property decisions (Notice of Determination) will be completed and mailed by August 15, 2023.

Business Personal Property Assessments

All appeals of Business Personal Property assessments mailed by June 15th must be postmarked, faxed or delivered in person by 4:30pm on July 1, 2023. Telephone appeals are not accepted.

Any appeals by representatives or tax agents of the property owner must have a current Notarized Letter of Authorization. Without a current Notarized Letter of Authorization, the appeal is invalid.

All Business Personal Property decisions (Notice of Determination) will be complete and mailed by August 15, 2023.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Adams County Assessor’s office at 720523-6038.

Legal Notice No. BSB2379

First Publication: April 20, 2023

Last Publication: April 20, 2023

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

Metropolitan Districts

Public Notice

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF REGULAR ELECTION BY THE DESIGNATED ELECTION OFFICIAL FOR THE SILVER PEAKS EAST METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Silver Peaks East Metropolitan District, Weld County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third (63rd) day before the election or thereafter there were not more candidates for Director than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the election to be held on May 2, 2023, is hereby cancelled.

The following candidates are declared elected:

Mark Fletcher Four-Year Term to 2027

David Brandon Jack Four-Year Term to 2027

Troy Hazel Four-Year Term to 2027

SILVER PEAKS EAST METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/ Sarah H. Luetjen

Designated Election Official

Legal Notice No. BSB2377

First Publication: April 20, 2023

Last Publication: April 20, 2023

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice

303-566-4123

ELECTION OFFICIAL SILVER PEAKS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 7

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Silver Peaks Metropolitan District No. 7 of Weld County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election, there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the regular election to be held on May 2, 2023, is hereby canceled pursuant to Section 1-13.5-513(6), C.R.S. The following candidates are hereby declared elected:

David Duncan to a 4-year term until May 2027

Todd Johnson to a 4-year term until May 2027

John Covert to a 2-year term until May 2025

Vacancy

Vacancy

2-year term (2023-2025)

2-year term (2023-2025)

SILVER PEAKS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 7 By: /s/ Courtney Linney, Designated Election

Official

Legal Notice No. BSB2369

First Publication: April 20, 2023

Last Publication: April 20, 2023

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF ELECTION AND CERTIFIED STATEMENT OF RESULTS TODD CREEK VILLAGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to §1-13.5513(6), C.R.S., that, at the close of business on February 28, 2023, there were not more candidates than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates, for the Todd Creek Village Metropolitan District (the “District”). Therefore, the election for the District to be held on May 2, 2023 is hereby cancelled.

The following candidates for the District are declared elected by acclamation: Donald Summers Until May, 2027 Tony Carey Until May, 2027

The following office remains vacant: VACANT Until May, 2025 VACANT Until May, 2027

/s/ Ashley B. Frisbie

Designated Election Official

Contact Person for the District: Blair M. Dickhoner, Esq. WHITE BEAR ANKELE TANAKA & WALDRON Attorneys at Law 2154 E. Commons Avenue, Suite 2000 Centennial, Colorado 80122 (303) 858-1800

Legal Notice No. BSB2373

First Publication: April 20, 2023

Last Publication: April 20, 2023

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF REGULAR ELECTION BY THE DESIGNATED ELECTION OFFICIAL SILVER PEAKS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 6

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Silver Peaks Metropolitan District No. 6 of Weld County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election, there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the regular election to be held on May 2, 2023, is hereby canceled pursuant to Section 1-13.5-513(6), C.R.S. The following candidates are hereby declared elected:

David Duncan to a 4-year term until May 2027

Todd Johnson to a 4-year term until May 2027

John Covert to a 2-year term until May 2025

Jordan Honea to a 2-year term (2023-2025)

SILVER PEAKS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

NO. 6 By: /s/ Courtney Linney, Designated Election

Official

Legal Notice No. BSB2368

First Publication: April 20, 2023

Last Publication: April 20, 2023

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

Public Notice

AVISO DE CANCELACIÓN DE ELECCIONES

Y DECLARACIÓN CERTIFICADA DE RESULTADOS

DISTRITOS METROPOLITANOS DE PROMONTORY NOS. 1-5

POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA de conformidad con las Secciones §1-13.5-513(6), C.R.S., que, al final del día hábil del 28 de febrero de 2023, había menos candidatos que cargos por ocupar, incluyendo las declaraciones juradas de presentación de candidatos con intención de ser inscritos como tales, para cada uno de los Distritos Metropolitanos Promontory Nos, 1-5 (colectivamente, los “Distritos”). Por lo tanto, quedan canceladas las elecciones para los Distritos a celebrarse el 2

de mayo de 2023.

Se declaran electos por aclamación los siguientes candidatos para cada Distrito:

Jimmy Oge Hasta mayo de 2027

Anthony E. Dunning Hasta mayo de 2027

Tucker Hanlon Hasta mayo de 2025

/s/ Ashley B. Frisbie

Oficial de elecciones designada

Persona de contacto para los Distritos:

Blair M. Dickhoner, Esq.

WHITE BEAR ANKELE TANAKA & WALDRON

Attorneys at Law

2154 E. Commons Avenue, Suite 2000 Centennial, Colorado 80122 (303) 858-1800

Legal Notice No. BSB2371

First Publication: April 20, 2023

Last Publication: April 20, 2023

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

Public Notice

AVISO DE CANCELACIÓN DE ELECCIONES Y DECLARACIÓN CERTIFICADA DE RESULTADOS

DISTRITO METROPOLITANO DE TODD CREEK VILLAGE

POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA de conformidad con las Secciones §1-13.5-513(6), C.R.S., que, al final del día hábil del 28 de febrero de 2023, había menos candidatos que cargos por ocupar, incluyendo las declaraciones juradas de presentación de candidatos con intención de ser inscritos como tales, para el Distrito Metropolitano de Todd Creek Village (el “Distrito”). Por lo tanto, queda cancelada la elección del Distrito a celebrarse el 2 de mayo de 2023.

Se declaran electos por aclamación los siguientes candidatos para el Distrito: Donald Summers Hasta mayo de 2027 Tony Carey Hasta mayo de 2027

El siguiente cargo sigue vacante: VACANTE Hasta mayo de 2025 VACANTE Hasta mayo de 2027

/s/ Ashley B. Frisbie

Oficial de elecciones designada

Persona de contacto para el Distrito:

Blair M. Dickhoner, Esq.

WHITE BEAR ANKELE TANAKA & WALDRON

Attorneys at Law

2154 E. Commons Avenue, Suite 2000 Centennial, Colorado 80122 (303) 858-1800

Legal Notice No. BSB2374

First Publication: April 20, 2023

Last Publication: April 20, 2023

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice

BEFORE THE COLORADO OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION

NOTICE AND APPLICATION FOR HEARING DOCKET NO. 230400109

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES AND TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Pursuant to Rule 523.d, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Staff has applied to the Commission for an Order against Omimex Petroleum, Inc. (Operator No. 66190) (“Omimex”) to Require Omimex to implement Form 3 (DOC. NO. 403254337) without demonstrated costs.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to: 1) the general jurisdiction of the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission of the State of Colorado under § 34-60-105, C.R.S.; 2) specific powers granted pursuant to § 34-60-106, C.R.S.; 3) the Colorado Administrative Procedures Act at § 24-4-105, C.R.S.; and 4) the Commission’s Series 500 Rules at 2 C.C.R. 404-1, that the Commission has scheduled this matter for hearing before a COGCC Hearing Officer at the following date, time, and location (subject to change):

Date: June 14, 2023

Time:9:00 a.m.

Place: Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 801 Denver, CO 80203

The Notice and documents related to this matter can be found on our “Hearing eFiling System Document Search” page https://oitco.hylandcloud.com/DNRCOGPublicAccess/index.html. Select “Search for Docket Related Documents” from the pull-down menu, use the above “Docket Number”, and select “Search”.

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

Public Notice

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF REGULAR

ELECTION BY THE DESIGNATED ELECTION OFFICIAL FOR THE PRAIRIE CORNER METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Prairie Corner Metropolitan District, Adams County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third (63rd) day before the election or thereafter there were not more candidates for Director than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the election to be held on May 2, 2023, is hereby cancelled.

The following candidates are declared elected:

Mark D. Connor Four-Year Term to 2027

Vacancy Four-Year Term to 2027

Vacancy Four-Year Term to 2027

PRAIRIE CORNER METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/ Sarah H. Luetjen

Designated Election Official

Legal Notice No. BSB2372

First Publication: April 20, 2023

Last Publication: April 20, 2023

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF ELECTIONS AND CERTIFIED STATEMENT OF RESULTS

PROMONTORY METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 1-5

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to §1-13.5513(6), C.R.S., that, at the close of business on February 28, 2023, there were not more candidates than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates, for each of the Promontory Metropolitan District Nos. 1-5 (collectively, the “Districts”). Therefore, the elections for the Districts to be held on May 2, 2023 are hereby cancelled.

The following candidates for each of the Districts are declared elected by acclamation:

Jimmy Oge Until May, 2027

Anthony E. Dunning Until May, 2027 Tucker Hanlon Until May, 2025

/s/ Ashley B. Frisbie

Designated Election Official

Contact Person for the Districts: Blair M. Dickhoner, Esq.

WHITE BEAR ANKELE TANAKA & WALDRON Attorneys at Law 2154 E. Commons Avenue, Suite 2000 Centennial, Colorado 80122 (303) 858-1800

Legal Notice No. BSB2370

First Publication: April 20, 2023

Last Publication: April 20, 2023

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF REGULAR ELECTION BY THE DESIGNATED ELECTION OFFICIAL SILVER PEAKS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 1-4

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Silver Peaks Metropolitan District Nos. 1-4 of Weld County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election, there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the regular election to be held on May 2, 2023, is hereby canceled pursuant to Section 1-13.5-513(6), C.R.S. The following candidates are hereby declared elected:

David Duncan to a 4-year term until May 2027

Todd Johnson to a 4-year term until May 2027

John Covert to a 2-year term until May 2025

Vacancy 4-year term (2023-2027)

Vacancy 2-year term (2023-2025)

SILVER PEAKS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

NOS. 1-4

By: /s/ Courtney Linney, Designated Election

of Pinnacle Consulting Group, Inc., 550 West Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland, Colorado 80537, where the same is open for public inspection. The Board of Directors will consider the adoption of the amended budgets of the Districts at a regular meeting of Brighton Crossing Metropolitan District No. 4 to be held via teleconference on Tuesday April 25, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Any interested elector of The Brighton Crossings Metropolitan District No. 4 may inspect the proposed budgets at the offices of Pinnacle Consulting Group, Inc., 550 West Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland, CO 80537 and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: BRIGHTON CROSSING DISTRICT NO. 4

By: /s/ Jordan Wood, Administrator

Legal Notice No. BSB2220

First Publication: April 20, 2023

Last Publication: April 20, 2023

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice

NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2022 AMENDED BUDGETS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that amended 2022 budgets have been submitted to Brighton Crossing Metropolitan District No. 5 and Brighton Crossing MetropolitanDistrictNo.8. A copy of such proposed amended budgets has been filed at the offices of Pinnacle Consulting Group, Inc., 550 West Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland, Colorado 80537, where the same is open for public inspection. The Board of Directors will consider the adoption of the amended budgets of the Districts at a regular meeting of Brighton Crossing Metropolitan District Nos. 5 and 8 to be held via teleconference onTuesday, April 25, 2023 at 4:00 pm. Any interested elector of The Brighton Crossings Metropolitan District No. 5 and Brighton Crossings Metropolitan District No. 8, may inspect the proposed budgets at the offices of Pinnacle Consulting Group, Inc., 550 West Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland, CO 80537 and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: BRIGHTON CROSSING DISTRICT NO. 5 BRIGHTON CROSSING DISTRICT NO. 8

By: /s/ Jordan Wood, Administrator

Legal Notice No. BSB2221

First Publication: April 20, 2023

Last Publication: April 20, 2023

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Summons and Sheriff Sale

Public Notice DISTRICT COURT, ADAMS COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO CIVIL ACTION NO. 2022CV030769, Division/ Courtroom C COMBINED NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE OF REAL PROPERTY (Publication Notice) BRANDON PLACE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., Plaintiff, v. 4238 THORNTON LAND TRUST; JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION; and ADAMS COUNTY PUBLIC TRUSTEE, Defendants.

TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS, please take notice:

You and each of you are hereby notified that a Sheriff’s Sale of the referenced property is to be conductedbytheCivilDivisionofthe Sheriff’s Department of Adams County, Colorado at 9:00 O’clock A.M., on the 25th day of May, 2023, at the Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Basement Floor, Brighton, CO 80601, phone number 303-655-3272. At which sale, the above described real property and improvements thereon will be sold to the highest bidder. Plaintiff makes no warranty relating to title, possession, or quiet enjoyment in and to said real property in connection with this sale.

BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE CASH OR CERTIFIED FUNDS SUFFICIENT TO COVER THEIR HIGHEST BID AT THE TIME OF SALE.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN ON THE SUBJECTPROPERTY.Judgmentisin the amount of $6,649.77.

First Publication: March 30, 2023

Last Publication: April 27, 2023 Published In: Brighton Standard Blade This is to advise you that a Sheriff’s sale proceeding has been commenced through the office of the undersigned Sheriff pursuant to Court Order dated January 19, 2023 and C.R.S. 38-38-101 et seq. by Brandon Place Homeowners Association, Inc. the holder of a statutory lien recorded on in the records of the Clerk and Recorder of the County of Adams, State of Colorado. The foreclosure is based on a default under the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Brandon Place on 08/13/1998 at C0430579 in the records of the Clerk and Recorder of the County of Adams, State of Colorado. The Declaration establishes a

Bill addresses water quality at mobile home parks

A look at House Bill 1257

BY HEATHER SACKETT ASPEN JOURNALISM

State legislators have introduced a bill that would create a water-testing program at mobile home parks, addressing residents’ longstanding concerns about water quality.

House Bill 1257, which is sponsored by District 57 Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Garfield County, would require the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to create a water-testing program that covers all mobile home parks in the state by 2028. If the testing finds a water-quality issue, the park owner must come up with a remediation plan and not pass the cost of fixing the problem on to the residents.

The testing results would be made available to park residents and the public in English, Spanish and other languages. The bill would also require park owners to identify the water source and establish a grant program to help park owners pay for remediation options such as infrastructure upgrades.

The bill was introduced March 26, and its other sponsors are Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D- Larimer County, and Sen. Lisa Cutter, DJefferson County.

Velasco, who said she lived in mobile home parks growing up, said she has heard complaints from residents about discolored water that stains clothes, smells and tastes bad, causes skin rashes, and breaks appliances. But often, those complaints go unaddressed because the water may still meet the standards of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Act.

“The odor, the taste, the color, those are secondary traits of the water, according to these regulations,” Velasco said. “These issues are in low-income communities, majority people of color. These issues are not happening to wealthy families.”

Environmental justice issue

Water quality in mobile home parks is an environmental-justice issue for the Latino community. According to the Colorado Latino Climate Justice Policy Handbook, nearly 20% of Latino households live in mobile homes. And according to survey results in the 2022 Colorado Latino Policy Agenda, 41% of mobile home residents said they do not trust or drink the water in their homes. Eighty percent of survey respondents said they support new regulations requiring that mobile home parks provide their residents with clean drinking water.

Beatriz Soto is executive director of Protegete, a Latino-led environmental initiative of Conservation Colorado that developed the climate justice handbook. Conservation Colorado supports the bill. Soto, who also lived in mobile home parks in the Roaring Fork

Public Notices

valley, said for years she has heard the same complaints Velasco did about water quality, so she knew it was a top priority for the Latino community. The survey results confirmed the anecdotes.

“This is not just little things we are hearing here and there in the community; this is a bigger issue,” Soto said. “When you work two jobs and you have to drive two hours to work and you come home and have to go to a laundromat because you can’t wash your clothes at your residence, there’s a real cumulative impact of living under those conditions.”

The Aspen-to-Parachute region has 55 parks, which combined have about 3,000 homes and 15,000 to 20,000 residents. Mobile home parks are some of the last neighborhoods of nonsubsidized affordable housing left in the state and provide crucial worker housing, especially in rural and resort areas.

Residents have complained about the water quality in some parks for years, but agencies have lacked the regulatory authority to enforce improvements. Recently, residents in parks near Durango and in Summit County have lacked running water for weeks at a time.

Voces Unidas de las Montanas, a Latino-led advocacy nonprofit that is based in Colorado’s central mountains and works in the Roaring Fork Valley, is one of the organizations leading Clean Water for All Colorado, a committee that helped to craft the legislation.

“Many of us who grew up in mobile home parks, myself included, have always known and normalized buying bottled water from the store, and it’s because we don’t trust our water,” said Alex Sanchez, president and CEO of Voces Unidas. “Many residents have been

complaining and calling for action for decades, and no one has answered their call.”

Sanchez said the bill is his organization’s No. 1 legislative priority this session.

Rocky Mountain Home Association and Colorado Manufactured Housing Coalition oppose the bill. Tawny Peyton, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Home Association, said the mobile home park industry has been bombarded with sweeping law changes in recent years, causing confusion and additional operation and legal costs. Laws enacted in 2019, 2020 and 2022 granted extra protections to mobile home park residents.

“The Rocky Mountain Home Association is concerned with the entire bill,” Peyton said in an email. “Why is the mobile home park industry being singly targeted with this legislation? Industry was not made aware that mobile home park water quality was such an issue that a 23-page bill was warranted.”

Bill proponents acknowledge that the issue may take years to get resolved and that new regulations would be just the first step toward gathering data and assessing the problem.

“This is just a first stab at trying to resolve this issue,” Soto said. “This is establishing a framework to start testing and get all the information and documenting all the water sources for mobile home parks to determine what is the problem.”

House Bill 1257 is scheduled for a hearing by the Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee on Wednesday.

Aspen Journalism is a nonprofit newsroom reporting on water, environment and social justice.

Water safety is a state-level concern.

SHUTTERSTOCK