Council cool to Victory Crossing

Developer proposes threeway land swap for area around soccer stadium

BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A long-awaited plan to develop the area around Dick’s Sporting Good Park into a vibrant residential, commercial and entertainment destination got a lukewarm response from Commerce City councilors May 1.

“It feels like a repeat of what we’ve heard before,” Councilor Craig Kim said. “‘Hey, we’re going to build out this beautiful area, we’re going to build out a commercial/tourism area, we’re going to do all these wonderful things.’ And here we are ve years later and there’s nothing. Absolutely zilch, zero.” e nal piece of the deal would see the city transfer 88.2 acres of land it owns around Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, allowing the company to complete plans for Victory Crossing, a city-center development project.

Developers from Kroenke Sports and Entertainment presented plans for a three-way land swap between the city, KSE and the South Adams County Water and Sewer District during the council’s regular meeting May 1.

According to the plan, Kroenke Sports and Entertainment would give 9.7 acres to the water and sewer district for an expansion project. e water and sewer district would give six acres to the city for the Rosemary Street widening project.

It was the rst presentation of the project and the Councilors did not take any action, but they were not convinced. Councilor Susan Noble noted that the price value of properties involved in the three-way swap tilted heavily in favor of KSE.

“ ese 70-some acres here could be worth $50 million. at’s $50 million,” Noble said. “ e six acres would be about $3.75 million and the nearly 10 acres, $6.25 million. ere is quite a huge di erence in price.”

She argued for individual negotiations between the three parties.

“We have been presented with the most complicated, and most disadvantageous suggestion possible,” she said. “For that reason, I would not be able to accept this.”

Councilor Sean Fords said he agreed with the council’s hesitancy but with some exceptions.

“I hear, and I heard 20 years ago, plans and I see nice pictures,” Ford said. “But I still to this day have not heard when we might see something. It went from sports medicine facilities and nice restaurants and things over the years at di erent times, but we haven’t seen things for a number of years and I think it made some people mad.”

But Mayor Ben Husemann cautioned them, noting that sports arena developers like Kroenke go where they are welcomed.

“I don’t want to be sitting here in a couple of years looking at an empty soccer stadium that is not used, that is gra tied, that is run down and no longer has an MLS soccer team playing in it because this city council wanted to cut o their nose to spite their face and say no we are not willing to do something. Go gure something else out,” Huseman said. “Because what you are asking them to do might very well involve moving that stadium and that’s just the cold reality of it.”

South Campus Stadium e idea for the development dates back to 2004 when the city purchased 917 acres of the former Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge. e land was restricted from being used for housing until a federal requirement was lifted in 2017 and the parcel was divided up into uses. e city sold 269 acres to another Kroenke subsidiary in 2014. e South Adams County Fire District ofce opened in the area in 2018. e three-way land swap would give Commerce City six acres of land it needs to complete the nal portion of the Rosemary Street widening project and the water and sewer district would get 10 acres near the Klein Water Treatment Facility that would give it the room it to build a plant dedicated to removing PFAS, the so-called forever chemical, from some of the district’s wells. e nal 88.2 acres that the city owns would be included with 269- acre parcel the city sold to Kroenke Sports and Entertainment in 2014 to develop Victory Crossing, a project KSE Senior Vice President compared to e Battery in Atlanta and the Kansas City Power and Light District. Both are destination developments combining yearround residential developments, hotels, retail and sports. e Battery is home to Truist Park, home to the Atlanta Braves while Kansas City’s Power and Lights District is home to the Kansas City Chiefs’ T-Mobile Center. e group were hoping to meet with councilors in an executive session to begin negotiations, but councilors said they still had a lot ot consider.

About 410 acres were set aside for conservation and 130 acres were called the North Campus. e largest parcel was called the South Campus Stadium Complex, renamed Victory Crossing in 2011.

About 55 acres were used in 2005 to build a new Adams City High School. e city’s new Civic Center and Dick’s Sporting Good Park stadium were both added in 2007.

“ is excites us as we begin to see the urban growth begin to wrap around this property, it suggests to us very strongly that now is the time to develop this property,” said Brian Jencek of HOK Planning, a consultant for Kroenke Sports and Entertainment.

“ e issues regarding the land that KSE has and what they want to do with it should be completely separate from the projects sites to the north and the water and sewer district property,” Noble said. “We need to take care of that as a city and residents have been asking about water. To tie it in with a $50 million land swap is nonsensical to me.”

City Manager Jason Rogers said his sta would work with the water and sewer district and Kroenke Sports and Entertainment to nd an approach that satis es councilors.

BRIEFS

Memorial Day Parade Entry Form open througth May 29

One of Commerce City’s favorite traditions is back in the heart of the city on May 29, and the City of Commerce City is seeking entries for the 57th Annual Memorial Day Parade!

Organizations and individuals interested in participating in the parade can register for free to take part in the festivities.

The event features floats, vehicles, military organizations, music, horses, dancers, and much more! Parade entries are required to observe the parade’s purpose of honoring the fallen and/or veterans of the armed forces with patriotic themes and decorations. Visit c3gov.com/Parade to review the rules and regulations and submit an entry form through Friday, May 5.

CCPD Introduces Online Crime Reporting Form

The Commerce City Police Department has a new online reporting tool allowing the public to report some non-emergency crimes and receive a police report immediately without having to speak to a police officer.

Community members can now conveniently report incidents that do not require immediate officer intervention, such as fraud, identity theft, lost property, theft/ shoplifting (less than $2,000), and vandalism.

The new form is online now in English and Spanish at c3gov. com/ReportACrime. Residents should always call 911 for emergencies.

More online reporting

The city is introducing two new online systems in the coming weeks to streamline numerous processes through the city website. Starting May 8, all Commerce City licensing, permitting, and development processes can be submitted in one easy location. eTRAKiT is the city’s new online permitting system, which offers an easy, convenient way to apply for many different types of city permits, business licenses, and much more. You can submit applications for development projects, add contractors to your project, pay fees, download permits, schedule inspections, see inspection results, and much more without leaving your home or office.

Our new Citizen Request Management system “Access C3” will update your user experience to help you submit and track your concerns through our website and/or our brand new Access C3 mobile app. Using AccessC3, you can report concerns, ask

questions, track updates on your reports, and see similar reports made in the city via enhanced software.

For questions, residents should contact the department or division they are working with.

County hosts mass wedding June 10 Adams County Pride Fest will host a mass wedding ceremony on June 10, penned Marriagepalooza, and will be hosted by drag queens Stella Diver and AllSpyce.

All couples are welcome to participate and, according to Adams County Spokesperson Nikki Kimbleton, a limited-edition marriage license will be available. Those licenses will be printed on special paper and have a special design, though the details aren’t finalized yet.

According to a news release, Stella Diver, one of 2023’s “10 Freshest Faces of Colorado Drag” by Westword magazine, will be officiating the ceremony and AllSpyce, a nominee for Westword’s 10 Freshest Faces of Colorado Drag, will be the Maid of Honor.

To participate, a marriage or civil union license must be purchased between May 9 and June 9 at the Adams County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. For the limited edition marriage license, this application must be completed.

Couples also must be checked in by 1:30 p.m. on the day of the ceremony, which will begin at 2 p.m.

Walk with a doc

Platte Valley Medical Center’s cardiac rehab team and Walk With A Doc will host monthly walks with Dr. Christopher Cannon, an interventional cardiologist at Brighton Heart and Vascular Institute.

This is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. After a few minutes to learn about a current health topic from the doctor, spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and fun conversation. It’s a great way to get out, get active and enjoy all the benefits that come from walking.

‘Taking No Chances’

The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and The Link, a community resource and assessment center in Thornton, are offering free, 10-week programs to families of Adams county teenagers to help develop personal and interpersonal drug-resistance skills.

Sessions are from 5:30 to 6;30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 720-2922811.

Boards/commissions’ openings

Commerce City has openings for several of its boards and commissions, including the city’s cultural council, the housing authority and the Derby review board.

Visit https://www.c3gov.com/ Home/Components/Form/Form /70316b05422c448492c51da0f0e0 fd86/ to sign up.

Legal self-help clinic

The Access to Justice Committee hosts a free, legal self-help clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month.

The program is for those who don’t have legal representation and need help navigating through legal issues.

Volunteer attorneys are available to discuss such topics as family law, civil litigation, property and probate law. Call 303405-3298 and ask for the Legal Self-Help Clinic at least 24 hours in advance.

Help for vets

Qualified Listeners, a veteran and family resource hub serving northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, has a number of power chairs, power scooters and electric wheelchairs available.

To find the closest facility to you visit www.va.gov/find-locations.

Qualified Listeners also need volunteers to drive veterans to and from appointments, run errands for veterans who cannot get out, handyman services, help administer veteran and family resource guide inventory in local libraries and veterans to be trained to become qualified listeners. Call 720-600-0860.

Mental health

Community Reach Center offers in-person intake assessments from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays at the Brighton Learning and Resource Campus, 1850 E. Egbert St. in Brighton. Call Community Reach Center at 303-853-3500.

For walk-in intake, bring an ID and insurance information. For those who would prefer to complete the intake forms and schedule an appointment, the intake forms are available online at www.communityreachcenter.org. There will be a short screening for flu-like symptoms before the entrance to the center to ensure safety and wellness for everyone.

Anyone feeling unsafe or suicidal should call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255, text 38255, or visit the Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) Center at 2551 W. 84th Ave., Westminster.

Warm Line up and running Community Reach Center is offering a Warm Line (303-280-

6602) for those who want to talk to mental-health professionals about anxiety, lack of sleep and strained relationships, among other topics. The professionals can facilitate referrals to other programs for assistance.

A press statement said the line is not for crisis intervention. Those feeling unsafe or suicidal should call Colorado Crisis Services (1-844-493-8255) or text 38255 or visit the Behavioral Urgent Care Center, 2551 W. 84th Ave., Westminster.

Also, the center’s COVID-19 Heroes Program is set up to assist healthcare workers during the pandemic. Those who live or work in Adams County can receive up to six free counseling sessions. Use the Warm Line for support and free counseling. Brighton’s community intake location is at 1850 E. Egbert St., on the second floor. It’s open from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays.

Food distribution

27J Schools have free grab-andgo meals for youngsters up to age 18. Drive-by or walk up between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Vikan Middle School, 879 Jessup St., Overland Trail Middle School, 455 N. 19th Ave., and at Thimmig Elementary School, 11453 Oswego St. Food for Hope is the sponsor.

St. Augustine food pantry, 129 S. Sixth Ave., offers food Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Brighton residents who love between Quebec St. and Cavanaugh Road and between Weld County Road 4 1/2 and 96th Ave. Chapel Hill Church, 10 Chapel Hill Drive, Brighton, hands out one box of food per family the second and fourth Wednesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and alternating Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. Calvary Chapel Brighton Food Pantry, 103 E. Bridge St., Brighton. Open from 4 to 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. Community Baptist Church Food Pantry, 15559 Weld County Road 2, Brighton. Open from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

Volunteers needed Qualified Listeners needs volunteers to drive veterans to and from appointments, run errands for veterans who cannot get out, handyman services, help administer veteran and family resource guide inventory in local libraries and veterans to be trained to become qualified listeners. Visit qualifiedlisteners.org/volunteerapp and fill out the form or call 720-600-0860.

Contact us: 143 S. Second Pl., Brighton, CO 80401 - 303-566-4100

Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110 Phone: 303-566-4100

Web: CommerceCitySentinel.com

To subscribe call 303-566-4100

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SCOTT TAYLOR Metro North Editor staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

TERESA ALEXIS Marketing Consultant Classified Sales talexis@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Commerce City Sentinel Express (USPS 3886) A legal newspaper of general circulation A publication of

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Sentinel Express. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

Email letters to staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.