Piggyback computer deal gets council nod

Piggy-backing on a municipal government bid for CISCO computer will save the city as much as $400,000 while upgrading the city’s municipal computer network, councilors agreed.

e City Council voted to join a larger NASPO ValuePoint bid for CISCO computer infrastructure at a special meeting July 25. e city will pay $1,982,067.31 over three years without interest to upgrade its computer backbone, adding 113 network switches, 68 rugged industrial switches and gain 106 new Wi-Fi access points — 64 indoor and 42 outdoor — all of it CISCO-made equipment sold directly by the manufacturer.

NASPO ValuePoint is the cooperative purchasing arm of the National Association of State Procurement

O cials, a non-pro t association aimed at helping purchasing ocials at state and local governments across the country.

City Manager Michael Martinez said he challenged his Information Technology sta to nd a way to save money while upgrading the city’s computer backbone and they delivered.

“In the background, there has been so much work get to this point,” Martinez said. “Internally, we’ve been talking about this. It like buying a car and we’ve been in negotiations. But the fact that we got zero percent interest on this is actually a home run and does save our taxpayers a lot of money.”

David Guo, Brighton’s IT director, said the city’s demand on the computer network has exploded. “We have more people working from home or just doing remote work,” Guo said. “We’ve had an increase in le sharing and in the size of the les being shared and the overall appetite for security camera coverage —at intersections and for a variety of other locations. So the demand on our network has really gone up.”

March 5, 1944 - July 15, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Richard (Rick) Wells who bravely battled cancer, not once, not twice, but three times. Despite his remarkable strength and resilience, he passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 15th, 2023. He was 79 years old.

Born on March 5th, 1944, Rick was a great father, husband and friend. He was born and raised in Noonan, North Dakota. He graduated from Noonan High School in 1962, playing basketball all four years. He moved to Colorado in 1973 where he raised his children.

Rick worked in the oil eld industry for 45 years, where he made a name for himself as a hard worker.

Beyond his professional achievements, Rick had a profound impact on the lives of those around him. He was a devoted father, grandpa and great grandpa, always putting others’ needs before his own. He was the type of man you would love to go hunting or shing with.

In his free time, Rick enjoyed hunting and shing, as well as old western movies.

Whether it was watching his grand kids sports, going to the casino, or attending holiday parties, he found solace and happiness in spending time with his family.

Rick’s memory will be forever cherished by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Joann, his children Wendy Montoya (Lee Montoya), Tanya Castle (John Castle), Shawn Wells (Rachel Wells) and Cole Whitford (Chandani Raley), his sister Alice Person (Bruce Person), grandchildren Justin (Amanda) and Brandon Montoya (Rachelle), Andrea Kaufholdand Taylor Castle, and Ryan and Alyssa Wells, great grandchildren Shania, Jessy, Jordan and, Addy Alba, Brock, and Jax Montoya. He was preceded in death by his parents Syvertand Genevieve Wells, and his siblings, Lowell, Randy, and Lorraine Wells.

As we mourn the loss of Rick, let us also remember the beautiful moments shared, the lessons learned, and the love that will forever connect us. May his soul nd eternal peace, and may his memory be a guiding light in Rest in peace, Rick, you will be deeply

DECHANT

Alvin Dechant Jr.

September 4, 1951 - July 23, 2023

Alvin Dechant Jr. peacefully passed away on July 23rd, 2023 in his home surrounded by family at the age of 71. Jr. was born on September 4th, 1951 in Denver, Colorado to Alvin Dechant and Josephine Freiberger. Jr. grew up in Fort Lupton, Colorado on a dairy farm and graduated from Fort Lupton High School in 1969. On April 7th, 1973 Jr. married his high school sweetheart Donna Rabas. Shortly after, they moved to Hudson, Colorado where he continued his love and passion for farming. ey were married for 50 years and had 4 children.

In addition to farming, he spent several years on the Hudson Fire Department Board and spent 17 years with the Frico Irrigation Company as the board President. He also spent years coaching Lil Rebel Wrestling with many of his buddies. Some of Alvin Jr.’s hobbies included riding horses to round up his cattle and working on many of his old antique tractors. He would build many things for his children’s outdoor adventures, and he also enjoyed xing things using electrical tape, duct tape, bailing twine and wire.

Alvin Jr. is survived by his wife, Donna, three daughters, Valerie (Jason) Zimbelman of Hudson, Jolene (David) Dahlgren of Brighton, LeAnn (Rick) Nelson of Keenesburg and one son, Scott (Danielle) Dechant of Keenesburg. irteen grandchildren, Austin, Brennan and Colton Zimbelman, Maddox and Daxton Dechant, Taylor, Dillon, Kylee, Ally and Jackson Dahlgren, Taea, Tanner and Taden Nelson. Survivors include one brother David (Carmen) Dechant and one sister Pam (Brett) Pachello along with his nieces and nephews He is preceded in death by both of his parents, sister JoAnn, nephews Keith and Daniel and his princess granddaughter Kylee Jo.

Contributions can be made in the memory of Alivin Jr.’s name made to the Keene Clinic, P.O. box 559, Keenesburg, CO 80643

Jeffrey Randall Blair

November 11, 1948 - July 14, 2023

Je rey Randall Blair passed away July 14, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado, at the age of 74.

He was born in Denver November 11, 1948, to J.R. and Vera (Heinz) Blair. Je graduated from Brighton High School in 1966. After time spent in the Air Force, then a couple of years seeing the country through the windshield of a big rig, he then went to work for Adams County, Colorado. He ended his 40 year working career in a supervisory position with Adams County. He was once named employee of the month, and had received numerous awards and plaques.

Je loved bull riding, team roping –anything rodeo related… and he was good at it.

He belonged to the Brighton Police Reserves, Brighton Volunteer Fire Department, Brighton Softball Association, and the Adams County Farm Bureau. And Je loved his co ee chats!

He is held dear in memory by his wife of 46 years, Julie, sons Timothy (Nicole) and Justin (Nikki), grandchildren Jeremy, Brittney, Emily, Marissa, and Rylee, several nieces and nephews, as well as two sisters, Darcy Blair and Kimberly Hirsch. Je was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Don Hirsch.

In memory of Je contributions can be made to the: Magic Spurs 4-H, 29993 County Road 16.5, Keenesburg, CO 80643

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

ADenver-based nonpro t music education organization is helping local rising stars showcase and enhance their musical talents, record music and learn podcasting for free.

Youth on Record, founded by local musician community organizer Flobots in 2008 works with people aged 14 to 24.

“Flotbots’ mission was to bring music to young people to improve academic success and youth outreach, and it grew into what is now known as Youth on Record,” said Haley Witt, a guitar musician and singer-songwriter who manages Youth on Record.

Youth on Record recently rocked at its ninth annual block party in support of youth in music with over 20 live music performances, teen activities and vendors at its o ce location near downtown Denver.

“We have a state-of-the-art recording studio soundboard and all sorts of instruments,” Witt said. “So young people can drop into our programs and learn about mixing, mastering songs and learn about songwriting and instrumentation.”

After school programs e Youth on Record runs afterschool, out-of-school and in-school programming with Denver Public Schools and Aurora Public Schools middle and high schools.

“We partner with the schools to teach four-credit classes, and we hire local professional artists to teach those classes,” Witt said. “Our Youth on Record teaching artists come to the schools, and the young people are able to learn from them. It’s one way that you nd our Youth on Record programs through the schools.” ere also is an open mic every rst Friday, and it is open to the public, where the youth perform and gain experience in combination with all the First Fridays and art walks across the city, speci cally in collaboration with the Santa Fe Art Walk.

Youth on Record also has afterschool programs at the Youth on Record media studio space called the open lab on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and is available to young people from 14 to 24 years old.

“It’s self-guided so that they can explore their interests. ey come into the space with a passion for music, making songwriting production, and we teach them the skill set they need to accomplish the projects they’re passionate about,” Witt said.

Witt said Youth on Record also o er an internship and fellowship program and a fellowship program, both of which are paid programs by donors.

“Youth on Record is a nonpro t organization so donors fund our program,” Witt said.

Witt said Youth on Record has had a lot of talented program graduates.

Baily Elora from Hudson/ Keenesburg Colorado, featured in the Fort Lupton Press, went through the program and signed on with Sony Music Subsidiary e Orchard.

“We are proud of all of our program graduates and all of the various directions that they’re headed, it’s really important to us to connect with young people with economic opportunities, “ Witt said.

Witt said Youth on Records is a pillar of academic success, economic opportunity and community activation.

“Our economic opportunity pillar, it’s really important to us to connect young people to community careers and job opportunities,” Witt said.

Witt said they have young people who play gigs in the community and support booking those gigs and paid opportunities for young people to perform.

Youth on Record also places young people into community internships and fellowships.

“Our fellows will have the opportunity to have community internships with local partners as well. It’s important to us to connect young people to jobs in the industry and to connect them to opportunities in creative elds and show them that it’s possible,” Witt said.

“ at’s a program run by our fellows and learn how to put together a music festival, run it, secure porta potties and design posters for the festival and how it ties in economic opportunity. e block party is a youth-led program,” Witt said.