Commerce City Sentinel Express 062223

Brighton trucker o ers a message and sanctuary for indigenous women

Suncor pollutes into nearby neighborhoods more often than similar facilities

BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN

e Colorado regional o ce of the EPA vowed tougher enforcement action against Suncor in Commerce City, issuing a report showing the re nery releases air pollutants into nearby neighborhoods more often than many similar facilities around the U.S.  Suncor logged more excess releases of sulfur dioxide-laden tail gas than any of 11 comparable re neries from 2016 to 2020, according to the Region 8 EPA study. Sulfur in tail gas is meant to be recovered to cycle back into the re ning process to avoid potentially toxic emissions.

Suncor’s Commerce City re nery also had the second-highest number of excess hydrogen sul de releases, or acid gas, among the same group of reneries, according to the EPA analysis, which was conducted with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment using federal recovery act funds.

Elizabeth Johnson’s Ho-Chunk Trucking spreads message about murdered, missing women

women.

You might see Elizabeth Johnson’s semi-tractor trailer traveling the U.S. interstate highways — especially between Winnebago, Nebraska and Brighton, Colorado.

And if you do see it, there’s no way you can miss her message. e entire trailer carries the simple direct message — Stop killing indigenous

Starting in 2017, Johnson — a member of the Ho-Chunk Tribal Nation of Nebraska — has spread that message.

“My message as a woman is, if any woman sees this semi-truck and needs help, me and my dog Delilah will help you to safety. Knock on my semi-truck door,” Johnson said.

Estimates say there are 506 cases of missing or murdered indigenous

women across the country. at’s likely an undercount due to bad data, according to the Urban Indian Health Institute. Of the 506, 128 of the women are considered missing while 280 were known murdered. Another 98 are cases of unknown status, according to the Urban Indian Health Institute.

A study from the group that surveyed 71 police stations and one state agency found that 5,712 missing and murdered Indigenous cases were reported in 2016. But of those, only 116 were logged in with the

In another tracked category, hydrocarbon aring, Suncor was in the middle of incidents recorded from the 12 total re neries, the EPA said.  e analysis by a third-party engineer said Suncor’s Commerce City facility may be producing more air quality incidents because of faulty electrical equipment, lack of preventative maintenance, and not testing or inspecting other control systems adequately.

“We will use this information and other targeting tools to focus our e orts for future inspections and enforcement,” said Region 8 EPA Administrator KC Becker, a former Democratic Speaker of the House at the Colorado legislature.

Elizabeth Johnson with her son Bruno and grandchildren Bruno Jr. Ximena and her dog Delilah standing by her semi-truck.

Photo by Belen Ward

Farm to Market tickets on sale

Tickets for Farm to Table, a fundraising event for the Platte Valley Medical Foundation scheduled for Aug. 17 or on sale now.

e Foundation’s biennial fundraising campaign will bene t women’s health services to help women connect with the care they need throughout their adult years and to support area women who do not always prioritize their own health needs. e foundation hopes to raise $500,000 in the campaign cycle. ey conduct multiple fundraising e orts annually with Farm to Table as the largest event.

Farm to Table will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 17 on the hospital campus. Platte Valley Medical Center’s Chef Mike Anderson uses produce donated by area farmers to create a gourmet meal for about 450 guests.

e event garners so much support that it often sells out long before the date. is year, Muñoz reserved a block of tickets that are available to the public for $75 each. ey are available at https://ftt2023.cbo.io.

Butterfly Pavilion hosts pollinator extravaganza

e Butter y Pavilion’s Pollinator Palooza Festival is set for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 25 to o er a spectacular celebration of pollinators of the vital role pollinators play in our world.

e Pollinator Palooza Festival provides entertainment and enjoyment for all ages. Families can participate in engaging activities like face painting, arts and crafts, and interactive games designed to highlight the importance of pollinators.

e festival showcases the beauty and signi cance of pollinators. It serves as a platform for raising awareness about the challenges facing these important creatures, such as habitat loss and pesticide use, and encourages individuals to take action to protect them.

Food vendors are often present, creating a festive atmosphere for attendees to enjoy.

A Stroll in the Garden for CASA

e Court Appointed Special Advocate program, or CASA, for the 11th Judicial District is promoting one of its major fundraisers now scheduled for September.

CASA is inviting supporters to come enjoy a Stroll in the Garden at this year’s Indulge for CASA Gala from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 13 at Denver’s Balistreri Vineyards, 1946 E 66th Ave.

is Garden Party will be full of delicious food and drinks, fantastic auction

prizes, exciting entertainment, and more! Indulge for CASA is presented by the Kenneth & Myra Monfort Charitable Foundation.

CASA’s mission is to provide courtappointed volunteer advocacy for children and youth from the child welfare system so every child can be safe, have a permanent home, and have the opportunity to thrive.

Annual Stars & Stripes Event to Feature Singer Thomas Mac

e annual pre-Independence Day celebration at Riverdale Regional Park is back! Mark your calendars for the third of July celebration. Ward Electric presents a free evening in the park with country singer, omas Mac, and a festive display of reworks.

Food and beverage vendors will begin serving at 4 p.m. Enjoy live music followed by the 9:30 p.m. reworks show. For the safety and comfort of your pets and all event attendees, please keep your furry friends at home for the Stars & Stripes event. Visitors are kindly reminded that most reworks are illegal in Adams County; please leave reworks of any type to our professionals. For more event information and Park Rules, visit riverdaleregionalpark.org or call 303 637-8000.

Tiny House Festival returns to Riverdale Park

e Colorado Tiny House Festival is returning for its sixth year at the Riverdale Regional Park June 24 and 25. Guests will be able to step inside a large variety of small living structures, learn from tiny home builders and see the latest trends in tiny living and unique RVs.

e show blends the spirit of the tiny living movement with the most up-to-date information on going tiny, simplifying your life, minimalistic living, and living greener. Unique small living structures will be spread throughout the Colorado Tiny House Festival grounds and include an assortment of professional builds, DIY builds, and Camping Corner which speci cally showcases ways people can camp or “glamp” in style. Each structure features its own, one-of-a-kind oor plan, décor, and remarkable use of space. Additionally, attendees will enjoy expert speaker presentations, a product and service marketplace, a tiny taste of Colorado food truck court, and more. e festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily June 24 and 25. Ticket prices range from $10 to $20 depending on when they are purchased and are good for both days of the event. Kids 12 and

under are free-of-charge.

For more information on the 2023 Colorado Tiny House Festival, visit coloradotinyhousefestival.com.

Work Options FREE Culinary Training Program

e Adams County Human Services Department is partnering with local nonpro t Work Options to provide a free culinary training program for residents.

Program participants train with professional chefs over a six-week course and earn certi cations and up to $400 per month. Work Options also o ers food truck internships.

In addition to the training program, Work Options provides the Human Services Center 11860 Pecos St., Westminster, with a full menu of breakfast and lunch options including breakfast burritos, pastries, burgers, pizza, daily specials, and more in the Mountain View Café. e café is located on the third oor of HSC.

Learn more about the program at workoptions.org.

State youth council needs members

e Colorado legislature’s nonpartisan Colorado Youth Advisory Council has openings for new members across the state for the 2023-25 term.

e Youth Advisory Council is a statewide organization dedicated to youth-led civic service learning. Youth members lead policy committees that analyze issues and policies that impact youth across Colorado. Policy work can include making recommendations about current policies or advocating for new ones. Council members conduct research, write problem/solution statements, meet with subject matter experts, build relationships with legislators, and seek feedback from their peers and communities.

e Colorado Legislature created the youth advisory council in 2008 to give Colorado’s youth ages 14-19 a voice in lawmaking. Youth council members work each summer to propose policy ideas to a committee of legislators. Each summer, students present policy proposals to legislators. During the last two years, several policies the youth council identi ed became law, including increased crisis services, higher education programs for fostered youth, educational standards and e orts to prevent eating disorders.

Applications are due June 19. State organizers plan to host an informational session for applicants at 6 p.m. June 14. Find info at www.coyac.org/apply.

CCPD Introduces Online Crime Reporting Form

e Commerce City Police Department has a new online reporting tool allowing the public to report some nonemergency crimes and receive a police report immediately without having to speak to a police o cer.

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

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

Block Party trailers return

Unincorporated Adams County residents can apply and reserve a complimentary Block Party trailer for their next event.

e Block Party Trailer is intended to build and strengthen neighborhoods in Adams County. e program is administered by the Neighborhood Services division in the Community Safety and Well-Being Department on a rst come, rst served basis.

For more information, go to https:// adcogov.org/block-party, call 720 5236465 or email blockparty@adcogov.org

More online reporting

e 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 o ers an easy, convenient way to apply for many di erent 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 o ce.

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.

Adams County School District 14 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SCHOOL BUDGET

Notice is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Education of Adams County School District 14 for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2023, and has been filed in the office of the Superintendent where it is available for public inspection.

The Adams 14 Board held regular meetings on May 25 and June 13 for public input. The proposed budget will be considered for adoption at a regular meeting of the Adams 14 Board on June 27, 2023. The meeting will be in the district’s Educational Support Services building (5291 E 60th Ave) at 6:30 p.m. Any person paying school taxes in the school district may at any time before the final adoption of the budget file or register objections thereto.

Suncor layo s impact in Commerce City unknown

BY TEDDY JACOBSEN SPECIAL

COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Canadian oil re nery company Suncor Energy is poised to eliminate 1,500 positions but in the nearly two weeks since the announcement, there are no indications if the company’s Commerce City location will be impacted.

Suncor’s new chief executive ofcer, Rich Kruger, noti ed sta about impending cuts on June 1. In an email, he said the company needs to reduce sta ng costs related to competitors, according to Canadian Broadcasting Corp. News. Kruger said the layo s will impact both employees and contractors across the entire company, but did not o er speci cs like locations that would be a ected.

POLLUTION

e state health department, which reached a large settlement with Suncor over past emissions incidents and failures, also said the new study would result in steppedup enforcement for the facility under increasing pressure from neighbors and local elected o cials.

“We anticipate the ndings will result in direct actions for Suncor to make improvements,” said Trisha Oeth, the CDPHE’s director of environmental health and protection.

Suncor did not respond to messages seeking comment this week.

Clean air advocates said state and federal o cials have plenty of information, and now must toughen their responses to Suncor’s ongoing air pollution incidents and applications for permit renewals.

“We have known Suncor has been a bad actor for years,” said Ean Tafoya, Colorado director of GreenLatinos. “It’s time to plan the just transition, including the retirement and remediation of Suncor. Our leaders have had the data. Now they have more. Will they act?”

e EPA has said it will change policies and permitting to pursue environmental justice for the neighbors of frequent polluters.

Commerce City and north Denver neighborhoods surrounding Suncor have lower income, larger minority populations and higher rates of asthma and other health problems related to pollution than other Denver communities.

Suncor is the only petroleum re nery in Colorado, producing gasoline for cars and aviation fuel for Denver International Airport.

“Sta ng reductions will occur at all levels of the organization and will be based on both performance and business need,” Kruger told sta in the email. “As we do this, we will eliminate work, critically looking at what we do, why we do it, how we do it and the value it adds.”

Kruger said the goal is to cut costs by $400 million by the end of the year.

Suncor Energy named Kruger as president and CEO in February. Kruger was previously CEO of Imperial Oil Ltd. from 2013 through 2019.

Suncor Director of Corporate Communications Sneh Seetal told the Commerce City Sentinel Express that the company is not providing any additional details at this time. She also said there is no timeline in place for

any announcements on the topic.

“Suncor is always looking for opportunities to drive value and improve performance in our business,” Seetal said. “Cost reduction is one of those opportunities.”

As of June 12, there were also no formal lings indicating any Suncor layo s in Colorado, according to state records.

e state requires that employers provide warning notices of mass layo s under the Worker Readjustment and Retraining Noti cation Act (WARN). Under WARN, employers must provide details 60 days in advance on how many employees will be laid o . e notices are meant to protect workers, their families and communities from the impacts of layo s.

Suncor reported pro ts of $1.8 billion in the rst quarter of 2023, a 34% decrease from last year’s $2.7 billion.

Suncor’s Commerce City re nery location produces around 98,000 barrels of gasoline, diesel fuel and paving-grade asphalt each day.

e company’s website says it sells nearly 95% of its products within the state and employs over 500 regional residents.

e re nery has recently made headlines over the past few months. It was shut down for maintenance for around three months at the beginning of the year. It has also made the news for multiple issues, including a settlement over past emissions violations and criticisms from the community about communications about health concerns.

chemical” PFAS into Sand Creek and the South Platte River by Suncor’s Commerce City re nery spiked to thousands of times the EPA’s revised drinking water guidelines for three months starting in November, according to lings with e elevated discharges came as state clean water o cials are struggling to complete revisions to Suncor’s water out ow pollution permits that were rst opened to public comments more than 18 months ago. Colorado o cials noted then that they had included PFAS limits for the rst time in a draft of the revised permit. PFAS is an abbreviation for per uoroalkyl and poly uoroalkyl substances, a group of potentially harmful chemicals used as waterproo ng in thousands of goods from stain resistant carpet to rain gear to re ghting

e state health department’s water quality divisions have acted quickly recently to address potential pollution in runo from Suncor’s operations, Tafoya said. e air pollution division should use the study and other information to increase enforcement as well, he said. Various health divisions at the state should consider Suncor’s cumulative violations across all agencies.

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

e re nery released potentially dangerous sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sul de into the surrounding neighborhood in late April, the second incident that month, and state health o cials warned the emissions could exceed permitted levels throughout that day.

In March 2020, Suncor agreed to pay $9 million to settle air quality violations at Commerce City dating to 2017, including one in 2019 that

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

blanketed adjacent neighborhoods in an ashy substance. It was the largest penalty Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment had ever levied from a single facility to resolve air pollution violations.

Water quality advocates also monitor leaks of PFAS “forever chemicals” and benzene into waters around Suncor.

Discharges of toxic “forever

“At the end of the day, we need CDPHE to take the lead,” Tafoya said.

is story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

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.

Suncor Energy’s Commerce City plant. The local EPA o ce has promised tougher enforcement of the company’s operation.

FILE PHOTO

MESSAGE

Department of Justice database. According to the National Institute of Justice, as of May 2023, 84.3% more than 1.5 million American Indian and Alaskan Native women experience violence in their lifetime. Victimization of American Indian and Native woman is 1.2 times higher than white women.

On a mission

Johnson and her family moved to Winnebago when she was ve and she was raised as a tribal member of the Nebraska Ho-Chunk tribe, and given the name Rainbow Woman.

She left home when she was in her preteens and has kept moving.

“I don’t know if God would bless me to go further in my trucking industry or this is the end of my travels but when I see family I want to make an apple pie,” Johnson said.

Nebraska is always her home, she said, but Brighton, where her son and my grandchildren live, is her second home. She spends half her time with them.

Johnson started her mission because she was a victim of abuse

herself. It was a two-way abusive situation, she said: He was abusive to her, but she fought back.

“He would put me on his lap with a knife at my throat. It was a toxic relationship; I left, and I was done. As soon that door closed, God, or wherever you want to believe, started to open other doors for me,” Johnson said.

She had worked as a construction driver in the summer and fall. She was laid o in the winter but guaranteed to return in the summer. Even so, she said she needed a more consistent job and she needed reliable transportation to do that. She found a pick-up truck she liked and approached a bank looking for a loan.

“ ey never wanted to give me a loan but I told them if you don’t give me a loan, I’m going to go somewhere else,” she said. “ is is income that comes to your bank and comes back out. ey gave me the loan and I purchased a brandnew Silverado. When I purchased the truck, that was when I left the man. I thought I was going to die leaving him and was heartbroken, but I left.”

Johnson said she drove the Silverado for a while and although it was nice to drive a cute truck, she was still broke.

“I went back to the bank and asked for a loan to trade o the Silverado for a used semi to make money,” she said. “I told the banker it was a win-win; I could make money at the same cost Silverado,” she said. “ e woman sat across from me and said, ‘I’m going do it for you’. Usually, they didn’t give business loans.”

at opened a door for Johnson, and she started her trucking company, Ho-Chunk Trucking, in 2017. After a couple of years, she was able to upgrade and buy a new semitruck. en, after a couple’s years of hauling other companies’ trailers, she took out another loan and purchased her own trailer in 2020.

“I wanted my own trailer because women in the industry are treated badly; it’s a whole other story,” Johnson said.

Traveling platform

Johnson said that once she had a trailer she started thinking about it as a platform for other Native American women.

“I went through hell and back. What is the message I wanted to say to the world?” she said.

Johnson decided to do a custom wrap on her trailer with a message about indigenous women missing and murdered. She also included

pictures of her family dressed in regalia and a friend dancing pow-pow and included information about 500 gone missing or murdered women.

One photo, showing a woman with a red hand over her mouth, is her niece Jalisa Horn who was left for dead from abuse and had to crawl to get help. Horn agreed to add her photo to draw attention to the message, “Murdered, Missing Indigenous Women.”

State laws

Governor Jared Polis signed SB22150, a law requiring o cial reports of missing indigenous people within eight hours. Missing children must be reported to law enforcement within two, under the law. e act also requires the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to work on investigating missing or murdered indigenous persons and also work with federal, state, and local law enforcement to e ectively investigate the cases.

In addition, an alert system and an agency called “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives” are responsible for reporting and improving the investigation of missing and murdered Indigenous women and addressing injustice in the criminal justice system.

HOWLAND

Anthony M Howland October 14, 1947 - November 3, 2021

Anthony M. Howland, 74, of Brighton, CO passed away on November 3, 2021. He was born on October 14, 1947. Anthony is survived by his son, Jarett Howland.

DOMINGUEZ

Leonard Dominguez

August 28, 1958 - June 9, 2023

Leonard Dominguez 64, passed away peacefully June 9th. Leonard was born to Manuel Pacheco Dominguez and Mary Reynaga on August 28th 1958. Leonard grew up in Fort Lupton, attended Fort Lupton high school and went on to learn several di erent trades.

In 1999 he married Grace Adams in New Zealand. Leonard enjoyed spending time reading the Bible and volunteering at several ministries with Mark Roggerman. Leonard

also enjoyed time he spent in New Zealand with Grace, Esther and her family. Leonard is survived by one daughter Esther (22) and grandson Israel (4) and one on the way, his brother Robert (Sharon) Dominguez and many nephews and nieces. Leonard is preceded in death by his wife Grace, mom and dad Mary and Manuel Dominguez, and brothers Manuel Dominguez, Jimmy Dominguez, John Dominguez and sister Rosalie Roggerman. Services will be determined at a later date.

Masaru (Mack) Katayama was born in Salinas, California, the youngest of four children. His family had successful farm which was taken away from them with the Executive Order 9066.

e Katayama Family were interned at Poston Relocation Center in AZ. Upon their release they moved to the Tonville area in Colorado. Mack often told stories of how di cult this time was on their family and they really had nothing. ey eventually settled in Brighton, where he lived till his passing on June 7, 2023 at the age of 90. Mack graduated from Brighton High School in 1951. (He enjoyed attending his class reunions). He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War with the 3rd Engineer Company C Battalion 24. He was very proud of his experience and got to meet some relatives in Japan.

Returning home Mack utilized the GI bill and was able to attend some higher education in Kansas City, but was cut short to come back to help his family’s struggling farm.

Mack later worked for Boise Cascade and Component and Construction Company. In the 70’s Bob Hill, Mack and Bill Stephen formed a development company, HKS. Mack built many houses and had his hand in several projects throughout Brighton and surrounding areas.

He helped many people out throughout his lifetime in a lot of di erent ways. He said he missed the days where you knew people around town and people would just help to help one another. To know Mack you were bound to hear a story or learn something. ( ere are so many life stories we could never include them all.)

His friends and family meant a lot to him. He had saved cards, holiday notes, graduation announcement, thank you notes and funeral programs

Mack was able to travel throughout the US, the only state he never made it to, Hawaii. For many years on Sundays and holidays he and friends could be found up at the “hill”. In his later years you could set your clock on his lunch and dinner routine.

Proceeded in death by his siblings Joe, Jane (Watanabe), Charlie, Yo (Miyoshi) and several friends. He leaves behind his sibling’s families, great neighbors and many friends. (You know who you are.)

We thank all those who cared for Mack during the last few years.

A special thanks to friends and family that were able to visit him over the recent years. He was his very independent self until the end.

We are sorry, per Mack’s request (in capital letters) he did not want any services.

KATAYAMA

Masaru “Mack” Katayama January 25, 1933 - June 7, 2023

Adams County program o ers path to new skillsets

Work Options o ers training, experience for food service newcomers

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Finding a job isn’t always easy, but an Adams County program seeks to help those looking for a new career nd one in food service.

e Work Options program, modeled after a Denver program, o ers skills, training and counseling to help young adults get started. It’s free and workers will receive a weekly stipend.

e Work Options program started in 20-years ago in the Denver Human Services Building, the program’s main training center for over two decades.

“Adams County Human Services approached us regarding their food service operations because we operate the cafeteria in the Denver Human Services Building, and we have for over 20 years now,” said Tessa Houston, Special Projects Manager Houston said they wanted Adams County to replicate what they have been doing in Denver. Adams County Work Options program o ers a free culinary job training program.

“So we’re able to facilitate our culinary training by operating the Adams County Human Services cafeteria for the employees, and open to the public who come to our cafeteria,” Houston said.

Houston said she had been the Special Project Manager and Mar-

keting Development for “Work Options” for about ten years.

“I started as a chef instructor and have worn a lot of di erent hats over the years. So, eventually, there was a need in marketing and development,” Houston said.

Houston said potential students start every Monday, and on the rst day, they start with the required information session to see if it’s a good t, since the program has a few requirements for students. ey complete a short application once that explanation is nished.

“ e application is only to collect information; we don’t rule people out based on the information they provide. Once these steps are completed, they can get started as soon as possible the following week with training and get employed soon

after,” Houston said.

Bus stop advertising

Jessica Ballhagen has been in the Work Options program for three weeks and is in the internship program working at the Adams County Human Services cafeteria.

While waiting for the bus, she saw an advertisement and enrolled in the program to learn new job skillset. She used to be a fourth-grade school teacher but said she stepped back for personal reasons. New skills were welcome.

“My goal is to work in a position to teach and instruct students in the culinary program. In the future own a taco truck or a business,” Ballhagen said.

e culinary training is from four to six weeks and is highly individualized. Since the training is free and unpaid, the students can earn up to a $125 stipend weekly. e program calls that a cash incentive.

“A lot of our students are not in a position where they can wait six or eight weeks to become employed. So, we try to keep our programs on the shorter side, three, four weeks, get them the real basics, boot camp style,” Houston said.

Houston said that boot camp covers kitchen basics; how to read a recipe, understand basic commercial kitchen terminology and the safe handling of food.

“ en we work with them to nd the right job,” Houston said. “Just because you got a job o er that’s 40 miles away, it could take an hour on the bus to get there So that is probably not the best t. So we help you to keep looking for the right job that

is actually a good t.”

e program focuses heavily on employable skills as well as culinary. Its program includes a job readiness class the students take twice a week.

Getting past convictions

“We help them build a resume and practice interviewing skills. A lot of our students, in fact, over 70% of our students have some history of justice involvement. About 40 to 45% of our students have a felony on their record,” Houston said.

Houston said one topic they cover is how to discuss legal history in a job interview. Trying to become employed with a felony on their record could be a huge impediment for them, she said, and they need to approach a potential employer thoughtfully.

“We make sure they’re comfortable talking about it and talking about the changes they’ve made in their life to make sure they’re not going to get in trouble again and could hold down a job. We are very interested in helping folks who are exiting incarceration,” Houston said.

“According to data people, exiting incarceration having a support system and a job prevent them from recidivism.”

Houston said the focus is on providing the skills they need to nd a job. en, they follow up with their students monthly for the next year after completing the program.

“We make sure they to let us know if you need anything, such as resources or having issues with your employer that we can help you navigate with that sort of thing. We give them a complete support system,” she said.

Jessica Ballhagen and Jose Rodriguez are in the internship program working at the Adams County Human Services cafeteria.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

phone keys wallet bag

CELEBRATING THE CHAMPIONS

scan to learn more about our collective effort

BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Hatch family from Northglenn never misses a Denver Nuggets game, if they can help it. ey’ve been dedicated fans since moving to Colorado in 2011 and when the team won its rst NBA championship this week, they knew they’d be at the parade on ursday.

“We never really expected to actually win the championship, but we were hopeful for one,” Ariel Hatch said. “It’s amazing!”

e family of ve were among the estimated 700,000 to one million fans to descend on downtown on June 15 to bask in the glory of the a Nuggets NBA title that was more than 50 years in the making.

ere, they had the chance to see Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, who famously said he wanted to go home to Serbia following the title-clinching victory on June 12.

Instead, he was in a white Denver re truck with No. 15 in gold letters and his name, the missing Finals MVP trophy nearby. When he nally found his way through the crowd to a podium, the crowd erupted.

“You know that I told you I didn’t want to stay for parade,” Jokic addressed the crowd. “But I [expletive] want to stay for parade. is is the best. We love you, Denver. is is for you.”

He was one of many Nuggets players at the parade. Also there was Head Coach Mike Malone, sta ers, cheerleaders and Rocky the mascot – showered with love, beer, and cheers from the masses as they passed on a procession of re trucks.

David Zuckerman brought his two kids down from the Boulder area to see the spectacle. He said he is thrilled Denver can o cially be called “Champion City” after seeing both the Avalanche hockey team and Nuggets win titles in back-to-back years.

He said the Nuggets are more than a Denver team. ey’re a Colorado team.

“It’s exciting for everyone to be moving in the same direction for something positive, especially considering the Avalanche won last year (also),” Zuckerman said.

Taylor Wright has lived in Denver’s

PHOTO BY JOHN RENFROW

Capitol Hill neighborhood for eight years after moving from Kentucky.  ough he’s watched lots of great basketball from the Nuggets, and has become a self-proclaimed diehard fan, he wasn’t sure if they could really win a championship until recently.

“After the performance in the NBA bubble in 2020, it seemed more realistic,” he said. “It’s unreal to witness a franchise winning its rst championship, though.”

Ashley Guss of Adams County said her family has been strong Nuggets fans since the J.R. Smith days, and to see a championship come to fruition is surreal.

“I knew as soon as we went up in the nals series that we were coming out here for the parade to celebrate,” Guss said. “It’s been a long time coming for this team, and you can see that in the amount of people who came out today.”

Stan Jacobsen from Evergreen agrees.

“Watching these guys this whole season really shows how much they deserve to win it. It’s great to see them get what they’ve worked so hard for. e fans here have really embraced the entire team,” Jacobsen said.  Festivities kicked o with a pre-rally at Civic Center Park at 9 a.m., followed by the parade at 10 a.m. that traveled from Union Station to Civic Center Park.

During the parade, players and coaches signed merchandise. ey even hopped o the oats to interact with the crowd. Several players and coaches addressed the massive congregation at Civic Center Park.

“Life’s about moments,” Coach Malone said. “We have people that have been supporting this team for 47 years … We’re some greedy [expletive], baby. We’re getting another one. It’s hitting me right now. For me, to share it with our fans, that means the world to me. is is an amazing experience. Something that I believed in. I had no doubt that we’d get to this point.”

Fans from all the corners of Colorado came. ey hailed from Fort Collins in the north to Pueblo in the south to Grand Junction in the west. ey might as well rename the team the Colorado Nuggets.

when you shop, bring your bag

Nuggets player Bruce Brown shows some love to the crowd at the beginning of the parade.

TRIVIA

1. MOVIES: Which movie features the line, “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads”?

2. HISTORY: Which serious disease was declared eradicated in 1980?

3. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What color is the “black box” that is used to record data on airplanes?

4. GAMES: How much does getting out of jail cost in the board game Monopoly?

5. LITERATURE: What kind of animal is the novel “Black Beauty” about?

6. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the youngest president?

7. TELEVISION: Who played the Penguin in the original “Batman” TV series?

8. GEOGRAPHY: What is the northernmost point of the United States?

9. ASTRONOMY: Which is the

Solution

only planet in our solar system that spins clockwise?

10. FOOD & DRINK: Which fast-food restaurant chain claims that “We have the meats”? Answers

1. “Back to the Future.”

2. Smallpox.

3. Orange.

4. $50.

5. A horse.

6. eodore Roosevelt (42).

7. Burgess Meredith.

8. Point Barrow, Alaska.

9. Venus.

10. Arby’s.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Independence

Publication Date: July 6, 2023

Advertising Sales Deadline: Wednesday, June 28th at NOON

Classified Sales Deadline: Thursday, June 29th at 10 a.m.

Legals

City and County

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public notice is hereby given that the following ordinances were introduced on first reading on the 12th day of June 2023, by the City Council of Commerce City and will be considered on second and final reading on the 10th day of July 2023.

INTRODUCED BY: ALLEN-THOMAS, CHACON, DOUGLAS, FORD, HURST, HUSEMAN, KIM, MADERA, NOBLE

Ordinance 2525 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2023 BUDGET OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO, BY RECOGNIZING CERTAIN APPROPRIATIONS IN THE GENERAL FUND, POLICE DONATIONS FUND, AND GRANTS FUND, TOTALING $1,396,167.99, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE THEREOF

Ordinance 2527 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ENACTING A TWELVEMONTH MORATORIUM ON ALL NEW RETAIL AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA STORE LICENSES IN THE CITY OF COMMERCE CITY

Ordinance 2529 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE II OF CHAPTER 6 OF THE COMMERCE CITY REVISED MUNICIPAL CODE TO CREATE ENFORCEMENT AND FINES FOR ABANDONED SHOPPING CARTS

Ordinance 2530 – FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A FIVE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE ISSUANCE OF OUTDOOR SERVICE PERMITS TO ALLOW OUTDOOR SERVICE AREAS FOR RESTAURANTS AND BARS

Copies of said ordinance are on file in the Office of the City Clerk, City of Commerce City at 7887 E. 60th Ave., Commerce City, CO 80022, for public inspection during the hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. During instances of the city facilities being closed, electronic copies may be requested via email to dgibson@ c3gov.com.

BY ORDER OF CITY COUNCIL CITY

OF COMMERCE CITY

BY: Brittany Rodriguez, Assistant City Clerk

Legal Notice No. CCX1079

First Publication: June 22, 2023

Last Publication: June 22, 2023

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public notice is hereby given that the following ordinances passed on second and final reading on the 12th day of June 2023, by the City Council of Commerce City and will be in full force and effect five days after publication.

INTRODUCED BY: ALLEN-THOMAS, CHACON, DOUGLAS, FORD, HURST, HUSEMAN, KIM, MADERA, NOBLE

Ordinance 2521 – SECOND AND FINAL READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2023 BUDGET OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO BY THE RECOGNITION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE JAG/BYRNE GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,001 AND THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXPENDITURES THEREOF

Copies of said ordinance are on file in the Office of the City Clerk, City of Commerce City at 7887 E. 60th Ave., Commerce City, CO 80022, for public inspection during the hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. During instances of the city facilities being closed, electronic copies may be requested via email to dgibson@ c3gov.com.

BY ORDER OF CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COMMERCE CITY

BY: Brittany Rodriguez, Assistant City Clerk

Legal Notice No. CCX1080

First Publication: June 22, 2023

Last Publication: June 22, 2023

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Bids and Settlements

Public Notice PAINTED PRAIRIE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY

Painted Prairie Town Center Streetscape Landscape

Sealed Bids will be received by Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority, hereinafter referred to as OWNER, at the office of the Authority Engineer, Merrick & Company, 5970 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, until 11:00 AM local time on July 20, 2023 for:

Painted Prairie Town Center Streetscape Improvements

This Contract provides for the construction of the following: Streetscape irrigation and

landscaping improvements.

Copies of the Bidding Documents may be requested from the Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority, at the email of the Authority Engineer, barney.fix@ merrick.com, beginning June 22, 2023. NO PAYMENT REQURIED.

Bidders must be licensed Contractors in the State of Colorado.

Bids will be received providing unit price for items; however, the price given will be on a maximum not-to-exceed amount, as described in the Bidding Documents.

The Work is expected to be commenced within thirty (30) days after the Date of Contract.

Bid Security in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total Bid Price must accompany each Bid in the form specified in the Instructions to Bidders.

The Successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Performance Bond, Labor and Material Payment Bond guaranteeing faithful performance and warranty bond for two-years after Substantial Completion, and the payment of all bills and obligations arising from the performance of the Contract.

The OWNER reserves the right to award the contract by sections, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informalities and irregularities therein.

For further information, please contact Barney Fix at Merrick & Company at 303-751-0741.

Legal Notice No. CCX1083

First Publication: June 22, 2023

Last Publication: July 6, 2023

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications

Public Notice

WINDLER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY

48th Avenue and Wenatchee Street Roadway Improvements

Sealed Bids will be received by Windler Public Improvement Authority, hereinafter referred to as OWNER, at the office of the Authority Engineer, Merrick & Company, 5970 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, until 10:00 AM local time on July 20, 2023 for:

Windler 48th Ave and Wenatchee Street Roadway Improvements

This Contract provides for the construction of the following: Approximately 2,000 LF of roadway and utilities along 48th Avenue from Tibet Road to E-470. The grading and SWMP measures for 48th Avenue will be completed upon the start of this project. This project also includes approximately 2,500 LF of roadway and utilities along Wenatchee Street from E. 48th Avenue to the south Windler boundary. The project also includes channel improvements to Tributary T.

Copies of the Bidding Documents may be requested from the Windler Public Improvement Authority, at the email of the Authority Engineer, barney.fix@ merrick.com, beginning June 22, 2023. NO PAYMENT REQUIRED. REPRODUCTIONS ARE PROHIBITED.

Bidders must be licensed Contractors in the State of Colorado.

Bids will be received providing unit price for items; however, the price given will be on a maximum not-to-exceed amount, as described in the Bidding Documents.

The Work is expected to be commenced within thirty (30) days after the Date of Contract.

Bid Security in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total Bid Price must accompany each Bid in the form specified in the Instructions to Bidders.

The Successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Performance Bond, Labor and Material Payment Bond guaranteeing faithful performance and warranty bond for two-years after Substantial Completion, and the payment of all bills and obligations arising from the performance of the Contract.

The OWNER reserves the right to award the contract by sections, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informalities and irregularities therein.

For further information, please contact Barney Fix at Merrick & Company at 303-751-0741.

Legal Notice No. CCX1084

First Publication: June 22, 2023

Last Publication: July 6, 2023

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications

Lighting and Electrical

Public Notices

Project Owners: Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority

Project Location: City of Aurora, Adams County

The Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority plans to accept the above titled project as substantially complete and for Final Settlement to Communication Construction & Engineering, Inc. after July 24, 2023. In accordance with the Contract Documents, the Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority may withhold a portion of the remaining payment to be made to Communication Construction & Engineering, Inc., as necessary, to protect the Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority from loss on account of claims filed and failure of Communication Construction & Engineering, Inc. to make payments properly to subcontractors or suppliers. Project suppliers and subcontractors of Communication Construction & Engineering, Inc. are hereby notified that unresolved outstanding claims must be certified and forwarded to:

Contact Person: Barney Fix, P.E.

Address: 5970 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. Greenwood Village, CO 80111

as soon as possible, but no later than July 20, 2023.

Legal Notice No. CCX1081

First Publication: June 22, 2023

Last Publication: July 6, 2023

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Non-Consecutive Publications

Public Notice

PAINTED PRAIRIE PUBLIC

IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY

Painted Prairie Town Center Streetlights

Sealed Bids will be received by Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority, hereinafter referred to as OWNER, at the office of the Authority Engineer, Merrick & Company, 5970 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, until 10:00 AM local time on July 20, 2023 for:

Painted Prairie Town Center Streetlights and Electrical

This Contract provides for the construction of the following: Furnish and install over sixty (60) Street Lights and over one hundred and eighty (180) Pedestrian Lights as well related appurtenances.

Copies of the Bidding Documents may be requested from the Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority, at the email of the Authority Engineer, barney.fix@ merrick.com, beginning June 22, 2023. NO PAYMENT REQURIED.

Bidders must be licensed Contractors in the State of Colorado.

Bids will be received providing unit price for items; however, the price given will be on a maximum not-to-exceed amount, as described in the Bidding Documents.

The Work is expected to be commenced within thirty (30) days after the Date of Contract.

Bid Security in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total Bid Price must accompany each Bid in the form specified in the Instructions to Bidders.

The Successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Performance Bond, Labor and Material Payment Bond guaranteeing faithful performance and warranty bond for two-years after Substantial Completion, and the payment of all bills and obligations arising from the performance of the Contract.

The OWNER reserves the right to award the contract by sections, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informalities and irregularities therein.

For further information, please contact Barney Fix at Merrick & Company at 303-751-0741.

Legal Notice No. CCX1082

First Publication: June 22, 2023

Last Publication: July 6, 2023 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications

Summons and Sheriff Sale

Public Notice DISTRICT COURT, ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO

Court Address: 1100 Judicial Center Drive Brighton, 80601

Plaintiff: FRONTERRA VILLAGE FILING NO.3

HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., a Colorado nonprofit corporation;

Defendants: JOSEPH S. MENDIOLA; PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC; ADAMS COUNTY TREASURER; UNKNOWN TENANT(S) IN POSSESSION.

Case Number: 2023CV30329

Attorneys for Plaintiff: THE DUPONT LAW FIRM, LLC

Stephane R. Dupont, #39425

Address: PO Box 1073, Castle Rock, CO 80104 Phone Number: (720) 644-6115

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

TO THE ABOVE NAMED

DEFENDANT(S): Joseph S. Mendiola

You are hereby summoned and required to appear and defend against the claims of the Complaint filed with the court in this action, by filing with the clerk of this court an Answer or other response. You are required to file your Answer within 35 days after the service of this Summons upon you. Service of the Summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication. A copy of the Complaint may be obtained from the clerk of the court.

If you fail to file your answer or other response to the Complaint in writing within 35 days after the date of the last publication, judgment by default may be rendered against you by the court for the relief demanded in the Complaint without further notice.

This is an action for judicial foreclosure of

an association assessment lien pursuant to C.R.S. 38-33.3-316, in and to real property situated in Adams County, Colorado, more particularly described on Exhibit A, attached hereto and by this reference made a part hereof.

Dated: May 18, 2023

THE DUPONT LAW FIRM, LLC

By: *s/ Stephane R. Dupont Stephane R. Dupont

This Summons is issued pursuant to Rule 4(h), Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure

Exhibit A

Lot 8, Block 15, Fronterra Village Filing No. 3, County of Adams, State of Colorado.

Also known as: 16483 East 98th Way, Commerce City, CO 80022

Legal Notice No. CCX1071

First Publication: June 8, 2023

Last Publication: July 6, 2023

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Notice to Creditors

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of JASON VU TRAN aka JASON TRAN, Deceased

Case Number: 2023 PR 30401

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before October 9, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Cynthia Vu Personal Representative c/o Weiner & Cording 3100 Arapahoe, Suite 202, Boulder, CO 80303

Legal Notice No. CCX1070

First Publication: June 8, 2023

Last Publication: June 22, 2023

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

###

TURN TO THE COLORADO SUN FOR NEWS ACROSS THE STATE

The Colorado Sun is a journalist-owned, award-winning news outlet that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state — our community — can better understand itself. In this way, The Sun contributes to a more

vibrant, informed and whole Colorado.

The Sun, launched in 2018, is committed to fact-based, in-depth and non-partisan journalism. It covers everything from politics and culture to the outdoor industry and

Eight Magical Weekends! Open Now thru August 6th

education. Now, The Colorado Sun co-owns this and other Colorado Community Media newspapers as a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy. The Sun is CCM’s partner for

statewide news. For Colorado Sun stories, opinions and more, and to support The Sun’s misssion as a member or subscriber, visit coloradosun. com.