Rainbows, roller disco and wedding vows EPA grants set for Brighton

City awarded $500,000 for environmental reviews to kickstat redevelopment

BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Some forgotten buildings and properties could see some tender loving care over the next few years with the help of some federal grants.

“Many of the things we’re talking about our residents really are not aware of,” City Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Clint Blackhurst said June 9 as he and other city o cials accepted a $500,000 Brown elds Grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Adams County host second annual Pride celebration at Riverdale Regional Park

BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As eight couples gathered below the stage, waiting to say their nuptial vows, o ciant Stella Diver said it was nearly enough to make a drag queen cry.

“ e only reason they chose me to do this is because my heart is made of ice,” Diver said at Adams County’s rst Marriagepalooza mass wedding event. “But looking at everyone right now, I’m starting to get a little misty.”

But speaking to the crowd at Adams County’s Riverdale Regional Park gathered for Adams County’s second annual Pride celebration, the Denver-based drag performer said it was much more than just emotional. It was important.

“Even now, the love we share for each other is questioned and considered an act of rebellion,” Diver said. “Pride is our moment, our month, to show the world how proud we are of the love we have for each other. And it does not stop with this weekend. e step you are taking today to cement your love for each other allows Pride to live on every day.”

And then Diver led the 16 people in their vows — moving forward into a great commitment of their love, promising to keep their partner’s heart safe and asking them to love their partners as much as they love themselves.

And with that, Diver declared them married.

It was an experiment this year, Adams County Clerk Josh Zygielbaum said. He plans to bring the event back next year, bigger and even better.

“It was not as large as I wanted it to be, but it’s our rst year doing it,” e city plans to use that money to do environmental testing at several properties in Brighton, the rst step in getting those properties cleaned up and redeveloped.

“I think it’s our job to help bring that history forward,” Blackhurst said.

Kelly Watkins, EPA Region 8 chief of sta said the Brown elds grant program is designed to help remove dangerous materials that can keep properties from being re-used and redeveloped.

“Brown elds investments are partnerships between governments, housing authorities, private developers and others to help revitalize the most dangerous and polluted sites into cleaner, sustainable and more environmentally just places that

SEE GRANTS, P6

Farm to Market tickets on sale

Tickets for Farm to Table, a fundraising event for the Platte Valley Medical Foundation scheduled for Aug. 17 or on sale now.

e Foundation’s biennial fundraising campaign will bene t women’s health services to help women connect with the care they need throughout their adult years and to support area women who do not always prioritize their own health needs. e foundation hopes to raise $500,000 in the campaign cycle. ey conduct multiple fundraising e orts annually with Farm to Table as the largest event.

Farm to Table will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 17 on the hospital campus. Platte Valley Medical Center’s Chef Mike Anderson uses produce donated by area farmers to create a gourmet meal for about 450 guests.

e event garners so much support that it often sells out long before the date. is year, Muñoz reserved a block of tickets that are available to the public for $75 each. ey are available at https://ftt2023. cbo.io.

A Stroll in the Garden for CASA e Court Appointed Special Advocate program, or CASA, for the 11th Judicial District is promoting one of its major fundraisers now scheduled for September.

CASA is inviting supporters to come enjoy a Stroll in the Garden at this year’s Indulge for CASA Gala from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. is Garden Party will be full of delicious food and drinks, fantastic auction prizes, exciting entertainment, and more! Indulge for CASA is presented by the Kenneth & Myra Monfort Charitable Foundation.

13 at Denver’s Balistreri Vineyards, 1946 E 66th Ave.

CASA’s mission is to provide courtappointed volunteer advocacy for children and youth from the child welfare system so every child can be safe, have a permanent home, and have the opportunity to thrive.

Healthy Farmers Markets e markets will provide $20 produce vouchers for residents who are 65+ or are enrolled in WIC, SNAP, or Medicaid. ere will also be recipes and nutrition information available. Tuesday markets will be from 9 a.m. to noon through Sept. 26, at Anythink Huron, 9417 Huron St. ursday markets will be from 9 a.m. to noon throughSept. 28, at Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 E. 120th Ave.

Adams County and Anythink Libraries are o ering Healthy Farmers Markets in ornton for residents beginning June 20.

See all upcoming Adams County outreach events at adcogov.org/ outreach-events.

Annual Stars & Stripes Event to Fea-

E Agle View A Dult C Enter

Eagle View Adult Center Update June 14 - 21, 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 May & June Newsletter is available. Eagle View is closed on Mon. June 19 for Juneteenth.

Colorado and the Civil War

Military historian and 2021 inductee in the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame Flint Whitlock will present a lively program. 1:30 p.m. urs. June 15. $5. Deadline: Mon. June 12

Acrylic Paint: Tulip Time

Some painting experience is necessary for this class. Have fun painting and nishing a beautiful canvas picture. Instructor: Judy Schissler. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. ursdays. June 15 & 22. $40 (2 wk). Deadline: Tues. June 13

Feathered Friends: Red-Shouldered Hawk

Join Anne Price of the Raptor Education Foundation. is diminutive hawk is known for its territorial call which sounds like a car alarm! 1:00 p.m. Tues. June 20. $5. Deadline: Fri. June 16

Active Minds: Tokyo - Biography of a City

Join Active Minds as they tell the story of the world’s most populous metropolis at 37 million inhabitants. We will also look at current and future challenges for the city. 1:30 p.m. Wed. June 21. $5. Deadline: Tues. June 20

Taste of India: June

Cook a meal and make Indian-style ice cream, great for a hot summer day!

Instructor: Akila Arumugam. 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Fri. June 23. $35. Deadline: Tues. June 20

Star Spangled Gnome

Deck out an adorable gnome in stars and stripes to have a festive friend for the summer season.

Instructor: Linda Addison. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Fri. June 23. $15. Deadline: Wed. June 21 ture Singer Thomas Mac e annual pre-Independence Day celebration at Riverdale Regional Park is back! Mark your calendars for the third of July celebration. Ward Electric presents a free evening in the park with country singer, omas Mac, and a festive display of reworks.

Food and beverage vendors will begin serving at 4 p.m. Enjoy live music followed by the 9:30 p.m. reworks show.

For the safety and comfort of your pets and all event attendees, please keep your furry friends at home for the Stars & Stripes event. Visitors are kindly reminded that most reworks are illegal in Adams County; please leave reworks of any type to our professionals.

For more event information and Park Rules, visit riverdaleregionalpark.org or call 303 637-8000.

Tiny House Festival returns to Riverdale Park e Colorado Tiny House Festival is returning for its sixth year at the Riverdale Regional Park June 24 and 25. e show blends the spirit of the tiny living movement with the most up-to-date information on going tiny, simplifying your life, minimalistic living, and living greener. Unique small living structures will be spread throughout the Colorado Tiny House Festival grounds and include an assortment of professional builds, DIY builds, and Camping Corner which speci cally showcases ways people can camp or “glamp” in style. Each structure features its own, one-of-a-kind oor plan, décor, and remarkable use of space. Additionally, attendees will enjoy expert speaker presentations, a product and service marketplace, a tiny taste of Colorado food truck court, and more. e festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily June 24 and 25. Ticket prices range from $10 to $20 depending on when they are purchased and are good for both days of the event. Kids 12 and under are free-of-charge.

Guests will be able to step inside a large variety of small living structures, learn from tiny home builders and see the latest trends in tiny living and unique RVs.

For more information on the 2023 Colorado Tiny House Festival, visit coloradotinyhousefestival.com.

Work Options FREE Culinary Training Program e Adams County Human Services Department is partnering with local nonpro t Work Options to provide a free culinary training program for residents.

Program participants train with professional chefs over a six-week course and earn certi cations and up to $400 per month. Work Options also o ers food truck internships. In addition to the training program, Work Options provides the Human Services Center 11860 Pecos St., Westminster, with a full menu of breakfast and lunch options including breakfast burritos, pastries, burgers, pizza, daily specials, and more in the Mountain View Café. e café is located on the third oor of HSC. Learn more about the program at workoptions.org.

City calls for artists for Eye 4 Art 2023 Summer Showcase e City of Brighton Eye for Art program announces a call for artists for the 2023 Summer Showcase. is exhibit is a three-month showcase from July 17 - October 13 at Brighton City Hall, located at 500 S. 4th Avenue. e Summer Showcase is an opentheme show and a great time to display your art. Artwork may include, but is not limited to, oil, acrylic, watercolors, graphite drawings, photography, fused glass, pottery, computer painting, mixed media, jewelry, glass and sculptures. e deadline to submit artwork for consideration is June 26. Please submit using this form. e Block Party Trailer is intended to build and strengthen neighborhoods in Adams County. e program is administered by the Neighborhood Services division in the Community Safety and Well-Being Department on a rst come, rst served basis.

To learn more about this show or the program, visit the Eye for Art page or contact David Gallegos, Arts and Culture Coordinator, at dgallegos@ brightonco.gov or 303-655-2176.

Block Party trailers return Unincorporated Adams County residents can apply and reserve a complimentary Block Party trailer for their next event.

For more information, go to https://adcogov.org/block-party, call 720 523-6465 or email blockparty@adcogov.org