Commerce City Sentinel Express 3
December 7, 2021
Northglenn considers old Rec Center for homeless BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Northglenn could use its old Recreation Center on Community Center Drive to house the homeless this winter, pending a City Council vote. Northglenn City Council was scheduled to consider a resolution to use the old recreation center as winter housing at the Dec. 6 meeting. If approved, the program would run through March 2022 and house 25 people who are experiencing homelessness and would be open overnight, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The program would be operated by Denver Rescue Mission and funded
by Adams County. The exact start date depends on the council’s decision and how fast the Denver Rescue Mission can staff the program. In Adams County, homelessness increased between 40 and 45 percent since the COVID pandemic. As well, no emergency shelter currently exists to connect people experiencing homelessness during cold nights. The closest one rests 20 miles outside of Northglenn. For those needing housing, they must be referred by a Northglenn Crisis Response Unit, Adams County Street Outreach Team or the Northglenn Police Department. Participants must be 18 years or older, have employment or a community connection. Connections
can include attending day school, a day center, or staying with friends or family. Families with children will be referred to Adams 12 Five Star schools which can provide resources through a federal act. The program aims to serve those left out by the Severe Weather Action Plan, a county program adopted in 2020 to help people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The intake hours for the SWAP are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those experiencing homelessness come to the program in the morning and room distribution occurs around 1 p.m. Since working folks miss these intake hours, the new program will accommodate those folks. Male and females will be sepa-
rated and each bed will be spaced six feet apart for COVID safety. The staff remains confident in making long-term connections for these folks, which can include transitional housing, longer-term housing, using housing vouchers or identifying appropriate low-income housing, before the program ends. The program only exists for four months because the building will be unusable after March 2022. The Civic Center Master Plan, which will redevelop the current Civic Center Campus, includes the old recreation center. Northglenn opened its new rec center in October, leaving the old building vacant.
Adams economic group hosts legislators Dec. 9 STAFF REPORT
Area business, economic development, and non-profit leaders, and citizens are invited to attend Adams County Regional Economic Partnership’s 2022 Legislative Preview Breakfast 7- 9:30 a.m.on Dec. 9 in person, at the city of Northglenn’s new Parsons Theatre. The Adams County region continues to recover after an uncertain year for businesses due to the lingering effects of COVID-19. With challenges to supply chains and struggles recruiting workforce it’s crucial that organizations like AC-REP partner with the state government to enhance our business environment. “Decisions and legislation considered during the 2022 state legislative session will impact how quickly our regional businesses recover,” said Lisa Hough, President/CEO of the economic development organization. “We support new investments and programs that allow our members to provide for sustainable and prosperous opportunities to the community based on our legislative priorities.” Attendees will be first to hear about the partnership’s legislative priorities for the Adams County region and engage in a panel discussion with area legislators. Legislators from the greater Ad-
ams County region will share their agendas for the 2022 Legislative Session that will set the stage for business growth. Area State Legislators scheduled to participate include Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, from House District 32, Rep. Shannon Bird, House District 35, Rep. Rod Bockenfeld, House District 56, Rep. Matt Gray, House District 33, Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, Senate District 23, Sen. Dominick Moreno, Senate District 21 and Sen. Faith Winter, Senate District 24.
Additional speakers at the Legislative Preview include Commissioner Eva J. Henry, Chair of the Adams County Board of County Commissioners and Northglenn Mayor Meredith Leighty. “To help our members stay informed, the Legislative Preview provides a local opportunity to hear our key regional legislators discuss their plans, priorities, and predictions for the upcoming session,” said Nicole Milo of Centura Health and Co-Chair of the partnership’s Business Advocacy
& Public Policy Committee. That committee meets bi-weekly during the session to review and take positions on legislation. The 2022 Legislative Preview Breakfast is presented by sponsors Great Western Petroleum, Xcel Energy, and United Power and Event Sponsor City of Northglenn. Tickets are $20 for partnership members and economic development partners and $30 for others. Those interested in attending can see the full agenda and register online at http://www.bit.ly/LegPreview22.
FROM
26 SOUTH 6TH AVENUE BRIGHTON
303-654-9700
Join us for free Cookies and Crafts FAMILY DENTISTRY JACLYNN SPENCER D.D.S.
30 South 20th Ave., Suite D, Brighton
303-659-3062
www.brightonsmiles.com
Enjoy the true gifts of Christmas this year - family, friends, health and love.
Open to all ages between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 11th before the Festival of Lights Parade. We will be serving hot cider outside. The Episcopal Church welcomes everyone. Save the date for Christmas Eve Service with Carols at 6:30 and worship with Eucharist at 7:00 pm.
St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church 76 South 3rd Avenue | Downtown Brighton at 3rd and Bush 720-263-6394 | www.stelizabethsco.org | SaintElizabethsCO@gmail.com
The Reverend Deborah Hill presiding
