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.

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. 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 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.

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 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.

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

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.