Week of July 7, 2022
$1.00
An edition of the Littleton Independent A publication of
VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 33
Local teen fights eating disorder out of state No local care options available for youth BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
When the COVID-19 pandemic pushed schools to around the country to cancel in-person classes,
Emma Warford was 15 years old, an active athlete, a good student and functioning well. However, as days turned to weeks and weeks to months, Warford said she began worrying about her weight while sitting at home in quarantine. The then-sophomore started counting calories, admitting she became obsessed with her food intake.
Even after school returned to in-class learning, Warford said she continued to latch onto her caloriecounting habit, calling it her “coping mechanism” for stress. In 2021, Warford, who lives in both Highlands Ranch and Centennial, said she went to see her regular-care physician who took notice of her weight loss. “My doctor noticed that I had com-
Rep. Crow talks Supreme Court rulings, filibuster, Ukraine during town hall Congressman reflects on ‘tumultuous four years’ BY ROBERT TANN RTANN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A once-in-a-century pandemic, a violent insurrection, mounting inflation and war in Ukraine. U.S. Rep. Jason Crow’s first two terms in Congress were unlike anything he expected. “It’s been a tumultuous four years to say the least,” Crow told a crowd of constituents during a June 30 town hall in Littleton. As the Democratic congressman reflected, he also fielded questions about the challenges ahead which range from stalled human and voting rights legislation to ongoing support for Ukrainians facing a Russian invasion. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade — the landmark ruling that protected a woman’s right to an abortion for nearly 50 years — Crow said he would work with his SEE CROW, P6
pletely fallen off my growth chart,” the now 17-year-old said. “They tried to get me some therapy and a nutritionist to work with.” When asked how much weight she lost, a choked-up Warford said more than 40 pounds. Warford was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder SEE CARE, P9
Arapahoe County seeks to remedy partnership with namesake tribe Officials pledge cultural education, advocacy BY ROBERT TANN RTANN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Rep. Jason Crow speaks about a tumultuous two terms in Congress, and on the work PHOTO BY ROBERT TANN ahead, during a June 30 town hall in Littleton.
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19
Arapahoe County commissioners on June 28 signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with representatives from the Northern Arapaho Tribe in Wyoming, pledging to better educate county residents about the area’s earlier inhabitants and serve as stronger advocates for Native issues. “We’ve been wanting to establish better ties with descendants of our area’s original inhabitants for some time, and this agreement increases communication and offers more opportunities for all of us to work together on any number of issues,” said Arapahoe County
Evergreen Jazz Festival Big Talent! Small Venues! Great Setting!
Dancers Welcome!
Free Parking!
EvergreenJazz.org 303-697-5467
SEE TRIBE, P11
July 29, 30 & 31
