Brighton trucker o ers a message and sanctuary for indigenous women

Suncor pollutes into nearby neighborhoods more often than similar facilities

BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN

e Colorado regional o ce of the EPA vowed tougher enforcement action against Suncor in Commerce City, issuing a report showing the re nery releases air pollutants into nearby neighborhoods more often than many similar facilities around the U.S. Suncor logged more excess releases of sulfur dioxide-laden tail gas than any of 11 comparable re neries from 2016 to 2020, according to the Region 8 EPA study. Sulfur in tail gas is meant to be recovered to cycle back into the re ning process to avoid potentially toxic emissions.

Elizabeth Johnson’s HoChunk Trucking spreads message about murdered, missing women

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

You might see Elizabeth Johnson’s semi-tractor trailer traveling the U.S. interstate highways — especially between Winnebago, Nebraska and

Brighton, Colorado.

And if you do see it, there’s no way you can miss her message. e entire trailer carries the simple direct message — Stop killing indigenous women.

Starting in 2017, Johnson — a member of the Ho-Chunk Tribal Nation of Nebraska — has spread that message.

“My message as a woman is, if any woman sees this semi-truck and needs help, me and my dog Delilah will help you to safety. Knock on my semi-truck door,” Johnson said.

Estimates say there are 506 cases of missing or murdered indigenous women across the country. at’s likely an undercount due to bad data, according to the Urban Indian Health Institute. Of the 506, 128 of the women are considered missing while 280 were known murdered. Another 98 are cases of unknown status, according to the Urban Indian Health Institute.

A study from the group that surveyed 71 police stations and one state agency found that 5,712 missing and murdered Indigenous cases

Suncor’s Commerce City re nery also had the second-highest number of excess hydrogen sul de releases, or acid gas, among the same group of reneries, according to the EPA analysis, which was conducted with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment using federal recovery act funds.

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Brighton students on CU Dean’s list e University of Colorado Boulder’s College of Arts and Sciences released its Dean’s list for 2023, which included 15 students from Brighton. Students on the list are: Brenna Anders, Grace Brunstrom, Virginia Cominsky, Evelyn Esparza, Mya Garcia, So a Giannone, Kayla Kosmicke, Jordan Longley, Kaiya Martinez Lyle, Layla Middleton, Anthony Mignogna, Ethan Nguyen, Alex Robinson, Keanu Rose, Jacob Trujillo.

To be included on this list—which includes a notation on their transcript and a letter from the dean—students must complete at least 12 credit hours of CU Boulder coursework in a semester and earn a term GPA of 3.750 or better.

Tri-State’s wins motion for continuance e trial was set to begin on June 26. e case centers around whether Tri-State legally added three nonutility members and if Tri-State paid an exit fee in enough time. United Power is leaving the wholesale power supplier in 2024.

District Judge Roberto Ramírez issued an order on June 11 that continued the jury trial between United Power, Inc. and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.

Butterfly Pavilion hosts pollinator extravaganza e Butter y Pavilion’s Pollinator e Pollinator Palooza Festival provides entertainment and enjoyment for all ages. Families can participate in engaging activities like face painting, arts and crafts, and interactive games designed to highlight the importance of pollinators. e festival showcases the beauty and signi cance of pollinators. It serves as a platform for raising awareness about the challenges facing these important creatures, such as habitat loss and pesticide use, and encourages individuals to take action to protect them.

Palooza Festival is set for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 25 to o er a spectacular celebration of pollinators of the vital role pollinators play in our world.

Food vendors are often present, creating a festive atmosphere for attendees to enjoy.

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

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.

Annual Stars & Stripes Event to Feature 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-akind oor plan, décor, and remarkable use of space. 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. For more information on the 2023 Colorado Tiny House Festival, visit coloradotinyhousefestival.com.

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.

Additionally, attendees will enjoy expert speaker presentations, a product and service marketplace, a tiny taste of Colorado food truck court, and more.

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.

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 303655-2176.