Week of April 14, 2022
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An edition of the Littleton Independent A publication of
VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 21
Some clarity emerges in creating new county health department Future of Tri-County Health, costs to leave the agency unclear BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The coronavirus pandemic has thrust what was once a seldomdiscussed subject — local public health agencies — into the public
consciousness, and the interest locally doesn’t seem to be fading away. About 2,500 people watched or called into a virtual town hall meeting where leaders took questions about how Arapahoe County is working to create its own health department amid the breakup of Tri-County Health, according to the county. Public health agencies play a different role in the public’s lives than doctors treating illnesses, Arapahoe County Commissioner Nancy Sharpe explained.
“Public health, on the other hand, wants to keep you from getting sick in the first place,” Sharpe said during the town hall. Adams and Arapahoe counties are still members of Tri-County Health, but Douglas County has already exited Tri-County and formed its own health department. Douglas County’s leaders have long clashed with Tri-County Health during the coronavirus pandemic, announcing plans in July 2020 to begin the process of withdrawing from
Lawmakers talk housing crisis, ‘missing middle’ in town hall Affordable housing options are a concern BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Large and expensive single-family homes are a defining feature of much of the south Denver metro area, but collectively, they can function as a barrier for the area’s younger demographic. “We’re sitting in our big family homes, but our kids can’t afford to move” to the same area, said Candace Moon, a Centennial city councilmember. She spoke at a town hall event alongside state Rep. David Ortiz, state Sen. Jeff Bridges, and two Littleton city councilmembers about steps the cities and the state legislature are considering to tackle the housing affordability crisis in the metro area and beyond. Workers who are critical to the fabric of communities — such as teachers, nurses, law enforcement and firefighters — may find it difficult to afford living in a place like Centennial, according to Moon. “We refer to them as the ‘missing
the health agency after its decision to require mask wearing in public. Some of Adams County’s leaders had felt frustration with Tri-County’s policymaking, too, but Adams’ message wasn’t against mask orders. Arapahoe has appeared reluctant to cut ties with the health agency, with officials in that county maintaining they had no choice but to move toward going solo after Douglas withdrew and after Adams SEE CLARITY, P6
Centennial Hospital ‘cares about patients,’ team members say One year in, new hospital touts positive feedback from patients BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
need to take action so metro Denver’s housing crisis doesn’t one day “look like San Francisco and New York City,” Bridges said. Bolstered by funding from the
It’s the people that set Centennial Hospital apart from other hospitals, says Lewis Franzen, a 70-year-old hospital volunteer. “Centennial Hospital is smaller and has a strong community feel. It’s a special place with employees who genuinely care about their patients,” Franzen added. Dr. Scott Sharp, an ear, nose and throat physician at Centennial Hospital, highlighted the hospital’s operating rooms as boasting
SEE HOUSING, P10
SEE CARING, P12
Kelly Milliman, a Littleton city councilmember, left, and Littleton City Councilmember Stephen Barr react to a comment during an April 9 town hall event at the Littleton PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD Museum.
middle,’” Moon said at the April 9 event held at the Littleton Museum. Bridges, a Democrat who represents a district that includes Littleton, Englewood, Sheridan and nearby areas, placed the issue in the context of recent history: Leaders
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 28
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