Issuu

VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 49

WEEK OF DECEMBER 7, 2023

Working on the bottleneck

Deciding property tax reform’s fate Task force looking for property tax solution won’t include people behind 2024 ballot measures BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

elevations and grades. But at the 100% level, you get to all the issues with the project.” Work to get the 30% designs for the entire project cost $2 million, with $1.6 million in federal funds granted by the Denver Regional Council of Governments. Local governments split the rest, with Thornton paying $200,000 for the work and Adams County and Commerce City paying $100,000 each. If full funding comes through, the project could get underway next year or in 2025. “We have a lot of competition — the entire country,” Schlitz said. “There’s a lot of competition for that money because there are a lot of road that need fixing.”

The task force charged with finding a long-term solution to Coloradans’ rising property tax bills after the failure of Proposition HH in the November election won’t include a key set of power players: people who are pursuing or already have measures on the 2024 ballot that would change the state’s property tax code. The legislation forming the task force, passed by the Democratic majority at the Colorado Capitol during the special legislative session that wrapped up just before Thanksgiving, bars anyone who is a “designated representative” of a 2024 property tax ballot measure or who is a member of an issue committee that supports or opposes such an initiative from being one of the 19 appointees to the panel. That includes activists and business leaders like Michael Fields, who runs Advance Colorado, the conservative political nonprofit behind a measure on the 2024 ballot that would cap annual property tax increases at 4%; Scott Wasserman, president of the Bell Policy Center, the liberal political nonprofit pursuing two ballot initiatives for next year that would counteract Fields’ proposal in part by raising property tax rates on more expensive homes; and Mike Kopp, the CEO of Colorado Concern, a nonprofit representing business leaders that wants to ask voters to roll back property valuations to their early pandemic levels and then limit future value increases.

SEE BOTTLENECK, P4

SEE PROPERTY TAX, P6

• Vestas to lay off 200 employees •27J Schools moves online-only Dec. 1

• Page 9

BUSINESS LOCAL

Local transportation officials would like to see work begin by 2025 widening 104th Avenue between Thornton and Commerce City. They have a basic design ready and Thronton is working to begin detail designs for the road between Colorado Boulevard SCOTT TAYLOR and U.S, 85 in Commerce City. BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

• Page 3

3 5 8 11

LOCAL OBITUARIES LEGALS CLASSIFIED

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

With basic designs for widening the 104th Avenue bottleneck between Colorado Boulevard in Thornton and Highway 85 complete, work now begins to find money for complete designs and begin actual construction on the project. “We don’t have funding to design the whole extent, but what we have can help us get more grants,” said Thornton Engineering Manager Dan Schlitz. “If we want to get more federal grants to complete the project, this is where we want to be.” The road is mostly two lanes between Colorado Boulevard in Thornton and the intersection with Highway 85 in Commerce

City. Plans call for widening the road to five lanes — two lanes in either direction with a center turn lane or median. Engineers have drawn basic maps of the entire project and they presented those at an open house meeting Nov. 29 at Thornton’s Carpenter Park Recreation Center. Technically, the current designs are considered to be 30% level designs. They show the basic layout of the road expansion, complete with new intersections, bike lanes and sidewalks, but lack the minute details such as rights of way, utilities, road grades and more. “There’s a lot of detail that you get at the 30% level,” Thornton Engineer Pete Brezall said. “It gives you a good idea of the work and what the road will look like, your

BRIEFS: PAGE 2 | OBITUARIES: PAGE 4 | CLASSIFIEDS: PAGE 8 | LEGAL: PAGE 10

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Weld Commissioner announces 8th District bid P5

2 Commerce City Sentinel Express

December 7, 2023

BRIEFS Workforce & Business Center workshops

The Adams County Workforce & Business Center is hosting multiple workshops throughout November. Visit the center’s website, https:// adcogov.org/workforce-businesscenter, for a full class schedule, which includes contact information for each workshop. The center has locations in Aurora, in Westminter’sPete Mirelez Human Services Center, 11860 N. Pecos St and at 36 South 18th Ave. in Brighton. Adams County internships available

Are you interested in learning more about working for local government? Adams County currently has paid internships available. Opportunities include a cook ($16.48/hour) and classroom aide ($15.62/hour) for Head Start, an IT intern ($17/hour) for the Sheriff ’s Office, and a Healthy Farmers Market intern ($17/hour). These opportunities are available through the Workforce & Business Center. Those interested should work with their Business Center case manager or call 720.523.6898 to get established with a case manager. Work Options FREE Culinary Training Program

The Adams County Human Services Department is partnering with local nonprofit Work Options to provide residents with a free culinary training program. Program participants train with professional chefs over a six-week course and earn certifications and up to $400 per month. Work Options also offers food truck internships. In addition to the training pro-

gram, 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. The café is located on the third floor of HSC.Learn more about the program at workoptions. org. ‘Taking No Chances’

The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and The Link, a community resource and assessment center in Thornton, offer free, 10week 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 720-292-2811. 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 speaking 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. Walk with a doc

Platte Valley Medical Center’s cardiac rehab team and Walk With A Doc will host monthly walks

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with Dr. Christopher Cannon, an interventional cardiologist at Brighton Heart and Vascular Institute. This is a walking program for everyone interested in 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 a fun conversation. It’s a great way to get out, get active, and enjoy all the benefits of walking. ‘Taking No Chances’

Commerce City has openings for several 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. on the first Tuesday of every month. The program is for those without legal representation and needing help navigating through legal issues. Volunteer attorneys are available to discuss family law, civil litigation,

property, and probate law. Call 303-405-3298 and ask for the Legal Self-Help Clinic at least 24 hours before. Help for vets

Qualified Listeners, a veteran and family resource hub serving northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, has many power chairs, 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, provide handyperson 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 on Tuesdays at the Brighton Learning and Resource Campus, 1850 E. Egbert St. in Brighton. Call the 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 entering 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.

Commerce City Sentinel Express 3

December 7, 2023

Card skimmers target Brighton grocers BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Card skimmer thefts have gotten brazen in the last few weeks, hitting two Brighton King Soopers. Multiple calls to the Brighton Police reported finding a skimmer placed over a standard register and another fitting over a card terminal at the selfcheckout. The Brighton King Soopers stores at 500 E. Bromley Lane and at 100 North 50th Avenue, according to a Brighton Police in a Nov. 21 news release. The illegal card reader devices were attached to the official point of sale credit card terminal, so when the card is inserted, it provides the financial data to the thief when you make a transaction payment. Skimmers are challenging to detect because they have false keypads or

card slot attachments. They can appear bigger than normal, so customers should be cautious if they look bulky or suspicious, according to Brighton Police Department Representative Kylynn McTague. “We have told the community that it is important to frequently review financial statements and transactions to spot unauthorized charges. It is also helpful to inspect card readers before use and feel if they are intact,” McTague said. “If any part of the card reader or keypad is loose or out of alignment, or if something doesn’t seem right, report it to store staff immediately. If your account has been compromised, contact your card issuer.” In-store cameras managed to capture photographs of two people suspected in placing the devices. The Brighton police are investigating the

devices and need your help identifying these suspects. Call the tip line at 303-655-7740. For more information about shopping and scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website.

Brighton Police need you help to identify suspects who they believe set up credit card skimmers on the self-check machines at two Brighton King SoopCOURTESY PHOTO BRIGHTON POLICE ers stores.

Brighton volunteer receives a presidential honor BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Brighton resident Kathleen Pierz received her fourth 2022 Presidential Volunteer Service Award for her years working with the nonprofit ShelterBox to help those impacted by war or natural disasters. “It is nice to be recognized, but no one volunteers for the accolades - we do it to make a real difference in the lives of our fellow humans,” Pierz said. Pierz served 250 volunteer hours in 2022 with ShelterBox. In addition to volunteering, she works as a courtappointed advocate (CASA) for kids in foster care. She is also an active Rotarian, a volunteer at Barr Lake with the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, and teaches Junior Achievement classes. ShelterBox is a global disaster relief organization that provides emergency shelter and household supplies for displaced people in Ukraine, Morocco, Syria, Libya, and many other countries. “Because of the sacrifice and dedication of our supporters like Kathleen Pierz, ShelterBox provided lifesaving shelter and supplies to families made homeless by disaster, climate change and violence,” said Kerri Murray, President of ShelterBox USA. “This award puts her on a pedestal for great humanitarian deeds. Their work is so important as global conflicts and so many disasters, including climate-change driven storms, push people out of their homes.” The Presidential Volunteer Service Award was founded in 2003 by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation at the White House. It recognizes volunteers across the nation while inspiring others to volunteer. According to officials, the Volunteer Service Award allows certified organizations to award dedicated volunteers who go above and beyond volunteers. The AmeriCorps Partnership Points of Light program manages the program. According to officials, ShelterBox, founded in 2000, has helped more than 2.5 million people and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 and 2019. In 2022, Pierz, volunteering with ShelterBox, provided supplies to

429,000 people in 11 countries, including those without homes impacted by the Ukraine war and the African drought. “ShelterBox serves the most vulnerable comPierz munities on Earth, those who have lost everything, and have nowhere to go. My passion for this work has never wavered, every year, I think I am more committed to the mission of ensuring that families have shelter when disaster strikes,” Pierz said. ShelterBox provides a large plastic bin with a family-sized tent with

tools to repair or rebuild their home. The kit also includes a cooking set, solar lights, blankets, water filtration, and mosquito nets so families can have shelter and the community can work together to rebuild their lives. According to officials, ShelterBox USA is a 4-star rated charity by Charity Navigator and has Platinum status from GuideStar. ShelterBox is an official Project Partner of Rotary International. To volunteer, fundraise, or make a tax-deductible donation, visit www. shelterboxusa.org or call 805 6082400. Legacy giving and corporate giving options are available as well.

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December 7, 2023

BOTTLENECK

ing up on the other side,” Commerce City Capital Improvement Projects Manager Michael McGoldrick said. “The road, 104th Avenue is four lanes east from U.S. 85 and has been for 15 years.” He said elected officials in both cities and Adams County need to decide how big a priority the work is.

FROM PAGE 1

Complete designs next

The road is a major route between the Northern Metro Denver suburbs and Denver International Airport, second to Interstate 70. It runs in almost a straight line from Sheridan Boulevard in Westminster east for 15 miles to Tower Road in Commerce City. Between 15,000 and 18,000 vehicles use the road daily, and estimates project that will increase to 25,000 and 32,000 vehicles per day over the next ten years. Most of the road is already five lanes in both directions, including all portions west of Colorado Boulevard and east of Highway 85. The road narrows to two lanes, one in either direction, for 3.1 miles between Colorado and U.S. 85, creating a bottleneck and traffic slog. Brezall, the project manager for the 104th Avenue widening work, said Thornton has full funding to go beyond the 30% level and complete the designs for about two-thirds of the total project, from Colorado Boulevard east about two miles to the South Platte River and the Thornton city limits. “We don’t know how much the funding will actually be for the

Turn lanes, bike paths

The project also adds turn lanes along the way, notably to the Valente Open Space. That was big plus for neighbor Marylee Appel. “If you were coming from the west, you had to drive past it and make U-turn to get in,” she said. “With all the traffic, it doesn’t make sense to do anything else.” The widening work is also expected to establish pedestrian and bicycle routes connecting Thornton, Brighton and Commerce City. “We hope to be constructing full sidewalks through this area,” Schlitz said. “There is nothing there today. And many of the intersections there, they are no pedestrian ramps. So you’d have e a nice push button and a ramp.” Work would also raise the road between two and 12 feet in places, he said. The entire three-miles are in the South Platte’s 100-year flood zone and raising it would help ensure emergency services are able to get in and out of the area, he said.

Memory

Our Family Helping Your Family

In Loving

Thornton residents Scott Sulton and Marylee Appel review design plans that would expand 104th Avenue from two lanes to five from Colorado Boulevard east to U.S. 85 SCOTT TAYLOR Nov. 29 at Thornton’s Carpenter Recreation Center.

100% designs until we get the word from (the Colorado Department of Transportation),” Brezall said. From the South Platte River east,

the road continues through incorporated Adams County and then to Commerce City. “We’ve already done the widen-

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Commerce City Sentinel Express 5

December 7, 2023

Weld Republican makes pitch to replace Caraveo Scott James thinks he can cross political aisles to escape quagmire FROM

BY MONTE WHALEY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Scott James said Wednesday his vast experience in local government will help him break through the glitzy quagmire that has swallowed federal lawmakers in Washington D.C. “People are tired of the show, they want somebody who can get things done,” said James, currently a Weld County Commissioner. James is running for the Republican nomination to take on incumbent Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo. A Democrat, Caraveo won the newly minted 8th Congressional District seat in 2022 by a narrow margin. The race for the Eighth is attracting national attention, as it could decide the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. James said the district - which includes parts of Weld, Adams and Larimer counties - is also evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. That plays to his strengths, James said, which includes crossing the political aisle to work with Democrats and independents. “You have to do that in local government, and I’ve done that most of my career,” he said. “You have to get things done.” The sagging economy demands the biggest fix, James said. “People can’t afford housing anymore, they can’t afford food, people are losing hope,” he said. James’s opponents for the GOP

Republican Scott James is surrounded by supporters Nov. 29 at the Westin Westminster. James is running for the Republican nominee to take on Yadira Caraveo for the MONTEY WHALEY 8th Congressional Seat.

nomination have zero to almost no experience in local government, James said. “My experience in local government goes back 25 years,” he said. “I can work with people to accomplish what needs to be done.” Running against James for the Republican nomination is Joe Andujo, an Air Force veteran and a health insurance consultant and Gabe Evans, U.S Army veteran and former police officer. Evans was elected to the Colorado House in November 2022 to represent District 48. Prior to being county commissioner, James served on the Johnstown City Council and a term as mayor. He was also the former chair of the Weld County GOP and a radio host. James on Wednesday was flanked by 20 Colorado county commissioners who endorsed his bid to unseat Caraveo. Fremont County Commissioner Debbie Bell said she is backing James because of his grounded approach to government.

26 SOUTH 6TH AVENUE

“He will bring back common sense to the government, something we have been lacking,” Bell said. “He understands that smaller government is better government.”

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6 Commerce City Sentinel Express

PROPERTY TAX FROM PAGE 1

“We didn’t want the commission to turn into a place where commissioners were just trying to advocate for their own ballot measure,” said Sen. Kyle Mullica, a Thornton Democrat and one of the prime sponsors of the task force bill. But the decision to exclude people like Fields, Wasserman and Kopp from the task force, whose members will be bipartisan and represent dif-

December 7, 2023 ferent interests and different parts of the state, may make it harder to persuade voters in 2024 to adopt a change with longevity. If there are multiple, seemingly competing initiatives on next year’s ballot, they all run the risk of being rejected or, in a policy nightmare, passing in some wacky combination and upending state and local budgets. Part of the reason Proposition HH, which would have offered at least 10 years of property tax relief, was rejected Nov. 7 was because it confused voters, proponents and opponents of the measure agree. The

initiative’s failure forced Gov. Jared Polis to call the special session, during which lawmakers passed property tax relief for the 2023 tax year only. If a longer-term fix isn’t adopted, homeowners’ property tax bills will shoot up in 2024 and beyond. The task force will have its hands full when it starts meeting next week. A long-term solution to property taxes has proven elusive since 2020, when voters repealed the Gallagher Amendment, which prevented property tax bills from rising too quickly but caused government budget headaches. That’s because property taxes are so complicated and politically fraught. Property taxes fund schools and local governments, including districts that operate everything from fire departments and water infrastructure to libraries and parks. Even slight tweaks to the statewide property tax code can have big and disparate funding effects on state and local budgets. The fact that housing prices differ from region to region across Colorado make the problem ever more complex. Wasserman, for one, thinks the provision governing who can be on the task force is “a fair parameter,” because anyone with a preconceived notion of what the property tax code should look like probably isn’t right for such a commission. That being said, he still thinks the task force’s work will be informed by the proposals offered by his group and others. “I have to believe there will be cross-pollination,” he said. But Fields said he doesn’t “have a whole lot of faith” in the task force. He thinks members of the panel will come to the work with ready-made ideas and are unlikely to budge from their positions. Schools and local districts, for instance, won’t want to see revenue reductions, while

Republicans won’t want to cut into the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights surplus, which funds state taxpayer refunds, to offset the effect of the cuts on local governments. “I think it’s unrealistic that you’re going to have people in there who are going to be swayed by conversation,” he said. The reality is that the proposals offered by Wasserman, Fields and Kopp are meant as much to shape the property tax conversation as they are to be real solutions. Fields has told The Colorado Sun he would pull his measure, Initiative 50, off the 2024 ballot if the legislature comes up with what he thinks is a suitable alternative. He said that would have to include some sort of a cap on annual property tax increases, which may be a nonstarter for Democrats. Kopp, who didn’t respond to text messages seeking comment, has also suggested that Colorado Concern would back down if the legislature comes up with something else the nonprofit feels is adequate. “Our filing today represents the beginning, not the end of the process,“ Kopp said earlier this month in a news release rolling out Colorado Concern’s proposal. “We look forward to working with leaders in the state Capitol and, more importantly, civic and business leaders outside of the legislative arena, to implement a plan that protects the taxpayers of this state.” Initiative 50 is the only property tax ballot measure so far to qualify for the 2024 ballot. The supporters of the other proposals must collect roughly 125,000 voter signatures to make the ballot. If their measure seeks to change the state constitution, the signatures must represent include at least 2% of voters in each of Colorado’s 35 state Senate districts to qualify.

Commerce City Sentinel Express 7

December 7, 2023

Seedorf appointed Chief Judge BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Hon. Kyle Seedorf was appointed Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial District for Adams and Broomfield Counties, according to a news release on Nov. 27. Colorado Supreme Chief Justice Brian D. Boatright appointed Judge Seedorf, who will take Hon. Donald S. Quick’s District Court bench on Jan. 23. Quick is retiring. According to officials, Seedorf will serve as the district’s administrative head. He appoints the court executive, chief probation officer,

and court clerk. In addition, he will assist with personnel, financial, and case-management duties and oversee the court business to manage it productively and successfully. Quick was appointed to the District Court bench in December 2014 and appointed as Chief Judge in December 2020, according to officials. “Chief Judge Quick will be greatly missed as the administrative head of the 17th Judicial District and a respected leader within the Judicial Department,” Chief Justice Boatright said. “Over more than 30

years of public service as a prosecutor and judge, Judge Quick has displayed admirable dedication to the people of Colorado, and the Judicial Department is grateful to have benefited from his depth of experience and wisdom since he joined the bench.” Judge Seedorf graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 2002. He worked as an attorney in private practice and was also general counsel and director of legal affairs for the Colorado Department of Higher Education. He was appointed as a District Court Judge in November 2019.

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December 7, 2023

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Locally Owned & Operated Concrete, Erection & Turn-Key Services Avail.

720-840-4403

VFM

Handyman

HANDYMAN

Repairs Install Fixtures, Appliances Plumbing, Electrical Expert Tile Kitchen/ Bath Remodel Decks 35 yrs. experience Licensed, Insured References. Contact info: Wes 720-697-3290

303.948.2038

METALBUILDINGOUTLET.COM

Siding & Windows Construction

Int/Ext. Painting, Hauling Trash, Carpentry, Drywall, Cement/Concrete Work, Gutters, Tile, Gutters.

OFFICE: 303-722-2480 CELL: 720-351-2171 pesco2014@gmail.com Tree Service

Free Estimates Tree & Shrub Pruning Removal Stump Grinding Tree planting & Transplanting

30+ years experience. Family owned & Operated.

303.833.5212

aandrtreeservices.com

•Prep home for sale •Specialize in open floor plan •Kitchen remodels •Basement finish •Bath remodels •Wood floor & laminate •Door & trim replacement •Interior & Exterior painting

•Window replacements •Patio covers and decks •Fencing & landscaping •Brick and stucco repairs •Concrete driveways and slabs •Residential & commercial maintenance

A full service construction company

Daniel • 720.628.5383

Siding & Windows Siding Repairs • Hail Damage Repairs Insulated Vinyl and Steel Siding

Free Estimates • Call Sam 720.731.8789

Classifieds

Continues Next Page

Commerce City Sentinel Express 9

December 7, 2023

CAREERS MARKETPLACE Health & Beauty

Miscellaneous

VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! 50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-445-5928 Hablamos Espanol

Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. Limited time, we’re waiving all installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. Offer ends 12/31/23 Call 1-844-501-3208

DISH TV $64.99 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR included, Free Voice remote. Some Restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866-479-1516.

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-855948-6176

Wanted to Buy

DENTAL INSURANCE Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurance - not a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258.

Medical Attention oxygen therapy users! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-9299587

Miscellaneous DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/ mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/ Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405 Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-417-1306

Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author`s guide 1-877-7294998 or visit dorranceinfo. com/ads HughesNet – Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live. 25 Mbps just $59.99/mo! Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499-0141 Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-610-1936 Diagnosed with lung cancer & 65+? You may qualify for a substantial cash award. No obligation! We’ve recovered millions. Let us help! Call 24/7 1-877-707-5707

XMAS DECOR

Looking to buy Xmas décor from the 1970’s and older. Happy to unpack closets, bins, boxes etc. Please call or text Lisa B. 720-838-4549

Water damage cleanup & restoration: A small amount of water can lead to major damage and mold growth in your home. Our trusted professionals do complete repairs to protect your family and your home’s value! Call 24/7: 1-888-872-2809 Aging Roof? New Homeowner? Got Storm Damage? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-8789091 MobileHelp, America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888-489-3936

Autos for Sale

1959 Ford Thunderbird. $20,000

Call 303-431-1412

Pets

REAL ESTATE & RENTAL

Dogs

Real Estate Brokers

Doodle Puppies

Golden Doodles and Bernedoodles Home-Raised Heath Tested and Guaranteed Standard and Mini Size available Schedule a visit today! (970)215-6860 www.puppylovedoodles.com

Wanted Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398

Manufactured/Mobile Homes

CAREERS Help Wanted WAREHOUSE WORKER Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. has job opp. in Brighton, CO: Warehouse Worker. Handle chemical, fertilizer & seed invntry for a centrl distrbutn warehse. Must have exp. w/forklift operation utilizing stand up & sit down (2 yrs) & handl’g hazardous materials (1 yr). Salary: $63,300 to $73,300 per year. To apply email resumes referencing Req. #WHK73 to hr@farmersbusinessnetwork. com

CLASSIFIEDS WORK!

Call Today! 303-566-4100

Remodeled 3 bed/2 bath Copper Key mobile home, #93, in Fort Lupton. Priced at $77K with owner financing. Payment approximately $1500 monthly (including lot rent). Call (303)637-7001

Need to get the word out? Advertise with us to rent out your sweet starter home!

Real Estate

Classiﬁeds Mid Century

MODERN Call us at

303.566.4100

10 Commerce City Sentinel Express

December 7, 2023

www.ColoradoCommunityMedia.com/Notices

PUBLIC NOTICES

legals2@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Public Notices call 303-566-4123 Legals City and County Public Notice Landmark Academy at Reunion (K-8) 10566 Memphis St Commerce City, CO 80022-6236 LandmarkAcademy.org 303-287-2901 UPDATED OPEN ENROLLMENT NOTICE Open enrollment for the 2024-25 academic school year ends on 2/29/2024 at 5 pm. Applications can be obtained by contacting the school. Should the number of applications received during open enrollment exceed available seats, a random-selection drawing will be held via live stream on 3/4/2024 at 3 pm. Applications received after open enrollment will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for remaining open seats. Waiting lists will be formed accordingly. NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS National Heritage Academies does not discriminate against or limit the admission of any student on any unlawful basis, including on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, color, need for special education services, sex, gender, disability, intellectual ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, athletic ability, race, creed, gender, national origin, religion or ancestry. A school may not require any action by a student or family (such as an admissions test, interview, essay, attendance at an information session, etc.) in order for an applicant to either receive or submit an application for admission to that school. Legal Notice No. CCX1257 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Public Notice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Pursuant to Commerce City Land Development Code Sec. 21-2110(4)(e), notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the City Council of Commerce City on December 18, 2023 at 6:00 p.m in a hybrid format. or as soon thereafter. Second reading will be anticipated on January 8, 2024. Persons wishing to testify in person will need to appear at the

Council Chambers, Commerce City Civic Center, 7887 E 60th Avenue. Persons wishing to testify virtually must register in advance. Registration information can be found at https://www.c3gov.com/ government/city-council/virtual-meetings or by phone or email requests submitted to the City Clerk at 303-227-8791 or dgibson@c3gov.com. The hearing will also be broadcast on Channel 8 in Commerce City and livestreamed at https://www. c3gov.com/video. Ordinance Z23-0002 - South Adams County Water and Sanitation District, on behalf of Kroenke CC Properties LLC, is requesting a zone change from PUD (Planned Unit Development District) to PUBLIC, for the property generally located at the northeast corner of E. 74th Place and Quebec Street (west of 7400 Quebec Street), consisting of approximately 9.738 acres. Resolution 2023-129 - A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF THE EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER) FOR THE 2022 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM YEAR BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE CITY COLORADO ATTEST: Brittany Rodriguez, Assistant City Clerk Legal Notice No. CCX1258 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice is hereby given that the following ordinance passed on second and final reading on the 27th day of November 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 2549 – AN ORDINANCE ENACTING CHAPTER 13 - METROPOLITAN DISTRICTS OF THE COMMERCE CITY REVISED MUNICIPAL CODE 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. CCX1256 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Metro Districts Budget Hearings Public Notice NOTICE FOR PROPOSED BUDGET Notice is hearby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Industrial Park Sanitation District for the ensuing year of 2024. That a copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the Industrial Park Sanitation District, 6625 E. 49th Ave., Commerce City, Colorado, where same is open for public inspection. That such proposed budget will be considered at a meeting of the Industrial Park Sanitation District to be held at 6625 E. 49th Ave, Commerce City, Colorado, on December 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Any taxpayer within such Industrial Park Sanitation District may at any time prior to the final adoption of the busget file or register his objections thereto. Dated: November 22, 2023 INDUSTRIAL PARK SANITATION DISTRICT By: Steve Olson Manager

project as substantially complete and for Final Settlement to Hall Contracting, LLC. after January 11, 2024. In accordance with the Contract Documents, the Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority may withhold a portion of the remaining payment to be made to Hall Contracting, LLC., as necessary, to protect the Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority from loss on account of claims filed and failure of Hall Contracting, LLC. to make payments properly to subcontractors or suppliers. Project suppliers and subcontractors of Hall Contracting, LLC. 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 January 4, 2024.

Legal Notice No. CCX1255 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 21, 2023 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consectutive publications Public Notice WINDLER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY Denali Street (48th Ave to 56th Ave)

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 December 21, 2023 for: Denali Street (48th Ave to 56th Ave)

Legal Notice No. CCX1254 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Bids and Settlements Public Notice FINAL SETTLEMENT Project Title: Painted Prairie Subdivision Filing No. 3, Landscaping and Irrigation Improvements-Phase 2C & 2D 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

This Contract provides for the construction of the following: Approximately 1 mile of roadway infrastructure including, approximately 2,800 FT of 8” & 12” PVC waterline, 1,800 FT of 8” PVC sanitary sewer, 5,000 FT of 18”-60” RCP storm sewer, swales, and ponds. The project spans along Denali Street from 48th Avenue to 56th Avenue.

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 November 16, 2023. NO PAYMENT REQUIRED. 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.

Commerce City Sentinel Express December 7, 2023 * 1

Commerce City Sentinel Express 11

December 7, 2023

Public Notices 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. CCX1236 First Publication: November 16, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-consecutive publications Public Notice INVITATION TO BID Date: December 7, 2023 Sealed Bids will be received by the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District acting by and through its South Adams County Water and Sanitation District Activity Enterprise (Owner); Attn: Dawn Fredette at 6595 East 70th Avenue, Commerce City, Colorado 80022 until 1:30 p.m., local time, Thursday De-

cember 21, 2023, for the project entitled “2024 SACWSD 12-INCH IRRIGATION DISTRIBUTION LINE – CHAMBERS ROAD (103RD PL TO 96TH AVE)”. At said place and time, and promptly thereafter, all Bids that have been duly received will be publicly opened and read aloud. The project generally consists of installing 4-inch and 12-inch irrigation water lines, connecting the new irrigation water lines to existing irrigation lines on adjacent side streets, and removing seven existing interconnects between the potable and irrigation systems for the South Adams Water and Sanitation District in Commerce City, Colorado. The 12-inch irrigation line is to be constructed in Chambers Road rightof-way, between E. 103rd Place to E. 96th Avenue, with 4-inch and 6-inch side street connections adjacent to Chambers Road. The interconnect locations are located east and west of Chambers Road in the Fronterra Village and Harvest Meadows developments of Commerce City. The project is comprised of installing approximately 4,600 lineal feet of 12-inch and 440 lineal feet of 4-inch irrigation water line. All Bids must be in accordance with the Contract Documents on file with the Owner, South Adams County Water and Sanitation District, 6595 East 70th Avenue, Commerce City, Colorado 80022; and at the offices of Muller Engineering Company, Inc., 7245 W. Alaska Dr., Suite 300, Lakewood, Colorado 80226. Electronic files of the Bidding Documents for use in preparing Bids may be obtained from Muller Engineering Company. Bid documents will be available on Friday, December 1, 2023 at no charge. Please contact Shelby Berke, sberke@mullereng. com, for questions and to obtain electronic copies of the Bidding Documents. No printed copies will be provided unless a specific request is made for a hard copy of the plans. No pre-bid meeting will be

held for the project. Bids will be received on a unit price basis. Bid security in the amount of 5 percent of the total Bid must accompany each Bid. It is anticipated that the Contract Agreement will be signed and the Notice to Proceed will be issued in late January 2024. Substantial completion of the project shall be reached by April 15, 2023. All construction shall be completed and ready for final payment within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days from the Notice to Proceed date. The successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Construction Performance Bond and a Construction Payment Bond as security for the faithful performance and the payment of all bills and obligations arising from the performance of the contract. The Bid and Bid Security will remain subject to acceptance for 84 calendar days after the Bid opening, or for such longer period of time that Bidder may agree to in writing upon request of Owner. The District reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive informalities, and to reject non-conforming, non-responsive, or conditional Bids. By:

Vicki Ennis

Secretary South Adams County Water and Sanitation District acting by and through its South Adams County Water and Sanitation District Activity Enterprise Legal Notice No. CCX1253 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Notice to Creditors PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Burnie L. Brothers, a/k/a Burnie Lee Brothers, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 261

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 March 20, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Connie Elaine Brothers Personal Representative 5255 W 66th Ave No. 6A Arvada, CO 80003

Legal Notice No. CCX1239 First Publication: November 23, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Name Changes PUBLIC NOTICE Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name

Public notice is given on October 28, 2023, that a Petition for a Change of Name of an adult has been filed with the Adams County Court. The petition requests that the name of FNU Samuel be changed to Samuel Joseph Scriven Case No.: 23 C1785 By: Deputy Clerk

Legal Notice No. CCX1241 First Publication: November 23, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express ###

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Commerce City Sentinel Express December 7, 2023 * 2

12 Commerce City Sentinel Express

December 7, 2023

Northglenn and Latino communities lose cherished member Lucille Ruibal Rivera, who believed her life’s purpose was to serve, died Nov. 18 BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Northglenn and Latino community is mourning the loss of a beloved leader who died recently at her Northglenn home in an apparent murder-suicide. Lucille Ruibal Rivera, 70, died Nov. 18. A funeral service is

planned from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 8 at Latina Funerals and Cremations, 3020 Federal Blvd., Denver. Northglenn police responded to a call on Delaware Court at about 9 p.m. Nov. 18. Officers found Rivera and an adult male dead inside the home. According to CBS News, a family member said Rivera and her boyfriend were breaking up, and he ended both their lives. Rivera served on the Northglenn Arts and Humanities Foundation (NAHF) Board and was a former member of the city’s Diversity, Inclusivity and Social Equity (DISE) Board.

She also served eight years as executive director of the nonprofit Chicano Humanities and Arts Council. A former Denver Health clinic administrator, she also helped launch what is now known as the Tepeyac Community Health Center, which provides health care to underserved populations. The clinic grew from a 750-square-foot space in a house into a 25,000-square-foot facility providing services to thousands. Rivera was also well-known as a photographer. “I used to call Lucille my abuelita,” said Michael Stricker, North-

glenn’s arts, culture and community manager. “Even though we weren’t related, that is the way she was with people. She made you feel like family. And like a grandmother she was protective, never held back her opinion, and always asked how you were doing. “What made her stand out though was her passion. Passion for her culture, family, advocacy, and for art. It’s now our responsibility to carry on her story.” City Manager Heather Geyer knew Rivera both through her work for the city and as a neighbor.

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This year, even more than ever before, the news is in crisis. More than 17,000 news media jobs were cut just by June, at national and local outlets including at some of the biggest names like NPR, The Texas Tribune and Gannett. In fact, newsroom layoffs are up 20% from last year. Some of these outlets laid off more than 10% of their staff in the last few months — even as we head into a critical election year. These are devastating numbers. But all is not lost. Many local and independent newsrooms continue to launch across the country. With your contributions and subscriber memberships, small newsrooms like ours continue to grow, adding new journalists and expanding reporting and investigations. We’re committed to bringing the news to Coloradans. That’s because you deserve access to local, independent journalism that keeps you connected and informed — especially during challenging times. This is #newsCOneeds.

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