Week of May 19, 2022
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An edition of the Littleton Independent A publication of
VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 26
Sewage treatment plant in Englewood Housing receives millions in federal loan affordability,
business viability a focus Centennial hosts State of the City BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
used to establish a wastewater pilot and research center to test new technologies and treatment equipment to help bolster the system’s resilience to climate change and extreme weather events. The investments are expected to create 282 new jobs, according to a press release from the Environmental Protection Agency. The announcement generated praise from local and national Colorado leaders. “Englewood is leading the charge to modernize our water infrastructure,” Sen. John Hickenlooper said in a written a statement. “This investment will provide clean water, promote resiliency, and create jobs all while saving taxpayers money.” EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker, in a statement, said the agency’s loans are “helping western
The cost of housing has become an all-but-unavoidable issue for city officials in much of the Denver metro area, and Centennial is examining how local policy might fit into conversations about affordability. Centennial city officials recognize that the “strength and desirability of our neighborhoods is great,” Mayor Stephanie Piko said as part of her remarks during the annual State of the City address. “Many residents have greatly benefitted from rising home values, but the downside to the increasing cost of housing is how it can limit access for many young families and professionals to our community,” Piko said. In 2021, the city launched what it calls a “housing study” to better understand housing issues in Centennial, define housing needs and look at priorities for city policies related to housing, according to a fact sheet from the city. The city is “examining potential housing and development options
SEE LOANS, P6
SEE FOCUS, P10
South Platte Renew is the third largest wastewater plant in Colorado and processes about 20 million gallons of wastewater per day. PHOTO BY ROBERT TANN
South Platte Renew to invest in water infrastructure, research BY ROBERT TANN RTANN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
South Platte Renew in Englewood, Colorado’s third-largest sewage treatment plant, will receive $22 million in federal loan money to pay for infrastructure upgrades, modernization of technology and facilities as well as new research initiatives. The plant, co-owned and operated by the cities of Littleton and Englewood, cleans about 20 million gallons of wastewater per day and services about 300,000 people in Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties.
It’s also been a crucial front line in the battle against COVID-19, collecting daily samples of sewage that serve as an indicator of how prevalent the virus may be in a given community. The City of Englewood, as part of its share of the plant’s funding, secured the multi-million dollar loan through the federal Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act. “It’s what we need to keep the South Platte River clean and sustain the water supply into the future,” said Sarah Stone, Englewood’s deputy director for business solutions. The money will allow the plant to replace outdated electrical and control systems to address aging infrastructure. Upgrades will see improvements to chemical and ultraviolet water treatment. Some of the funds will also be
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
THE LURE OF FLY FISHING
South Platte a great spot for anglers P14
