SENTINEL EXPRESS C O M M E R C E
VOLUME 33 32
C I T Y
50cI
ISSUE SSUE 48
UESDAY OVEMBER 24, 23, 2020 2021 TTUESDAY ,, NNOVEMBER
New COVID-19 restrictions willdraft prohibitrules indoor dining, personalrefi gatherings Colo. issues tough for Suncor nery State seeks to limit runoff of dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN
Colorado will for the first time monitor and limit runoff of PFAS, dangerous “forever chemicals” threatening drinking water across the nation, at Suncor’s Commerce City Refinery as part of a long-anticipated draft of the company’s water quality permit unveiled Nov. 16. The draft of the renewed permit also demands rigorous benzene cleanup and other controls sought by conservation groups, according to state officials who described the plan Nov. 15. PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Though advocacy groups and neighbors are likely to push for even tougher PFAS limits during a 90-day public comment period on the draft, they also expressed general approval of the Water Quality Control Division’s new restrictions after years of Suncor pollution leaks. “Conservation groups are really excited about a PFAS limit getting SEE SUNCOR, P4
The Suncor refinery in Commerce City is pictured on Sand Creek near where it meets the South Platte River. Both streams have PHOTO BY ANDY COLWELL/SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN highly challenged water quality, though many conservationists argue they can get still better.
A safe place to go for the holiday
A long line of cars outside the city of Brighton’s rapid testing site at addiction. Riverdale Regional Park. The site has had to close early many days in recent “When I got divorced, I was all by weeks due to high demand. Adams County’s 14-day test positivity rate myself,” said Wade M., of the Brigh1 ofHealth Alcoholics Anonywas 15.9 percent, as of Nov. 17, accordington toChapter Tri-County Department. mous. rates “Alcoholics run higher everyone off. Brighton and Commerce City’s test positivity were both than We’re embarrassed. You feel shame 13 percent. Forty-five people in Brighton and 29 in Commerce City have and guilt. The people you love don’t died from COVID-19 related health issues. To you limittothe of but COVID-19, want be spread like this, you keep hurting You indoor know you’re at least 15 counties moved to tighter restrictions thatthem. prohibits and hurting them but you can’t quit. So, BY SCOTT TAYLOR personal gatherings.
Brighton AA chapter offering 24 hours of counseling, fellowship for Thanksgiving STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The Thanksgiving holiday, for all of its familial tradition, can be a stressful day for anyone. But it can be a make-or-break day for someone recovering from
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most people can’t wait for Thanksgiving, the family and kids and the house and everything. For me, I just moved from apartment to apartPhoto by Belen Ward ment.” In recovery for 8 1/2 years, Wade M. — he asked us to use the group’s
By Ellis Arnold
Colorado Community Media “first name, first initial of the last name” identification convention for Denver counties to thisAsstory — metro said he spent continue most preinch closer to local stay-at-home orders sober holidays alone in a series of one-room apartments and hotels. under Colorado’s system of coronavirus“Who do you end up with? People related restrictions, the state announced just like you, addicts and alcohola newWade level ofsaid. rules“And that prohibits indoor ics,” everyone is dining and personal gatherings — a feeling sorry for themselves, but change that applies to thea majority of the they say ‘Hey, I have bottle.’ And that’s what you do.” Denver metro area and many counties in Theregions. Brighton chapter will be open other throughout Thanksgiving, conThe state’s COVID-19 has tinuously Nov. 24 anddial, Nov.which 25, with been in effect since September, is the hourly meetings and fellowship, set of different of restrictions that each offering anlevels alternative to that bottle. It’s called an Alcathon, and Wade
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LOCAL 3 2 • Starting the season OBITUARIES •27J Schools moves 5 3 with holiday OBITUARIES LOCAL events, Dec. 1 8 7 lightsonline-only LEGALS SPORTS and food 11 9 CLASSIFIED LEGALS • Page 3 10 CLASSIFIEDS
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BUSINESS SPORTS • Winter sports schedules • Vestas to lay off 200 for local high schools employees
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county is required to follow based on the severity of a county’s local virus spread. said he’s seen it done in other cities. The dial grewfiout of thethat state’sBrighton safer-atThis is the rst year homehosted order — the policy that came after has one. the“The statewide stay-at-home order this deal is that people need to have place to come, a safetypes place springaand allowed numerous of to come and a place with meetbusinesses to reopen. ings,” Wade said. “The excuse is, The statefirecently switchedthat to color ‘I couldn’t nd a meeting was identifiers — levels blue, yellow and open. I just couldn’t find one.’ Well, orangeopen ratherfrom than Wednesday numbered levels — to we’re night prior to Thanksgiving and it’ll end avoid confusion. Until Nov. 17, level red at midnight on Thanksgiving. You’ll meant a stay-at-home order. Now, level be able to find a meeting.” red — “severe risk” —plan is thetosecondWade said they’ll have meetings every hour, as well as a
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