Issuu

VOLUME 36 | ISSUE 4

WEEK OF JANUARY 25, 2024

Senator tours plant offering carbon capture tech Continued

decline of streamflows projected for Colorado BY HEATHER SACKETT ASPEN JOURNALISM

looper sent a letter to the Department of Energy in support of the project. He said that the key to big challenges within government is the lack of real data on other innovations that make it difficult for others to be convinced that this works. If this particular technology, known as Direct Air Capture, could provide real data of effectiveness and “make a convincing legal defense case,” it might get the industry to invest in carbon capture, he wrote. Direct Air Capture uses high-powered fans to draw air into a processing facility where the carbon dioxide gas (often called CO2) is separated through a series of chemical reactions. Then the carbon dioxide is either stored in underground reservoirs or used to make new products such as building materials and lowcarbon fuels.

Scientists predict with high confidence that Colorado’s future spring runoff will come earlier; soil moisture will be lower; heat waves, droughts and wildfires will be more frequent and intense; and a thirstier atmosphere will continue to rob rivers of their flows — changes that are all driven by higher temperatures caused by humans burning fossil fuels. These findings are according to the third Climate Change in Colorado Assessment report, produced by scientists at the Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State University. Commissioned by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the report’s findings have implications for the state’s water managers. Borrowing a phrase from climate scientist Brad Udall, climate change is water change — which has become a common maxim for those water managers. The report focuses on 2050 as a planning horizon and projects what conditions will be like at that time. According to the report, by 2050, the statewide annual temperatures are projected to warm by 2.5 to 5.5 degrees Fahrenheit compared with a late20th-century baseline and 1 to 4 degrees compared with today. Colorado temperatures have already risen by 2.3 degrees since 1980. By 2050, the average year is likely to be as warm as the hottest years on record through 2022.

SEE THERMOSTAT, P5

SEE STREAMFLOWS, P6

U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper gets a tour of the Global Thermostat’s Commerce City operation. The company touts its carbon capture ROSSANA LONG BETTER technology as one fix for the climate crisis.

• Page 9

• Vestas to lay off 200 employees

BUSINESS

Commerce City operation aims to be a model for others to follow

BY ROSSANA LONGO BETTER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

• Page 3

•27J Schools moves online-only Dec. 1

3 5 8 11

LOCAL OBITUARIES LEGALS CLASSIFIED

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

LOCAL

On a cold January morning, U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper visited Commerce City to tour a plant that offers hope of turning around a climate crisis, with the help of the fossil fuel industry. Hickenlooper toured the Global Thermostat and Direct Air Capture unit Jan. 4, in an area that in 2017 was labeled the most polluted ZIP code in the country. The senator set out to learn more about capture carbon technology and how it has proven to not only be effective in areas outside of Colorado but also how it can gen-

erate jobs for those who already have skills in the oil and gas industry. A report by Copernicus Climate Change Service showed that 2023 was the hottest year on record as atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane continued to increase and hit record levels. In addition, Colorado State University’s Colorado Climate Change Report stated that the warming of Colorado has been driven by an increase in greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide and methane — trapping heat in the lower atmosphere. Paul Nahi, chief executive officer of Global Thermostat, warmly welcomed the senator and others to a roundtable discussion. Nahi enthusiastically expressed his appreciation for the senator’s continued support and his “willingness to invest in both the planet as well as Colorado businesses.” Before visiting the plant, Hicken-

BRIEFS: PAGE 2 | OBITUARIES: PAGE 4 | CLASSIFIEDS: PAGE 9 | LEGAL: PAGE 11

COMMERCECITYSENTINEL.COM • A PUBLICATION OF COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

SPEEDING DELIVERY

Getting a passport not a quick P4

2 Commerce City Sentinel Express

January 25, 2024

BRIEFS Buc-ee’s hiring for Johnstown truck stop

Johnstown’s newest truck stop Buc-ee’s will host a hiring event Jan. 23 through 27 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland Hotel Conference Center, 4705 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland. The company is looking to fill 250 jobs with benefits and hourly pay ranging from $18 to $21. Applications must be submitted online prior to the event. Apply at www.buc-ees.com/careers. Online applications will be reviewed, and phone screens will be conducted. Candidates who advance to the next level will be extended an invitation to interview. Due to the large volume and need for pre-scheduled interview times, walk-ins are not encouraged and may be turned away. Submit names for new park

Commerce City is accepting recommendations for the official name of Oasis Park, one of two new parks.

Based on these recommendations, city staff will compile the list of names, and the Parks, Recreation, and Golf Advisory Board will recommend them to the City Council. The Oasis Park site is located within the natural setting of Second Creek Open space, just west of the Buffalo Highlands neighborhood on the south side of E. 96th Avenue. The park has open space for informal recreation, relaxation, and community gatherings; a children’s playground with shade structures, public restrooms, an embankment slide, and an overlook plaza. To learn more and submit your recommendation visit c3gov.com/ SCFOasis. Commerce City seeking Snow Guardians

Commerce City Code Enforcement is introducing the new Snow Guardians program to help residents be good neighbors by offering free

LEAP provides energy assistance to lower home heating costs. LEAP proporciona asistencia de energía para bajar los gastos de calefacción.

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

NOVEMBER 1 - APRIL 30 ACEPTANDO SOLICITUDES

1 NOVIEMBRE - 30 ABRIL Do you need help paying your utilities this winter? Colorado’s Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) may be for you. LEAP helps Colorado families, individuals, older adults and those with a disability to pay a part of their winter home heating costs.

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snow removal services to residents who qualify. Snow Guardians assist residents who are not able to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice to comply with the municipal code due to age, disability, or some other condition. Commerce City municipal code requires property owners are responsible for clearing public sidewalks adjacent to their property of snow and ice within 24 hours of the last snowfall. Contact Code Enforcement to apply to keep you in compliance with the code and help keep our sidewalks safe! To qualify, you must be a resident with limited financial resources and be unable to shovel due to age, disability, or other conditions. Learn more about the program and apply at c3gov.com/CodeEnforcement. 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

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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. 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. ‘Taking No Chances’

The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and The Link, a community resource and assessment center in Thornton, offer free, 10-week programs to families of Adams County teenagers to help develop personal and interpersonal drug-resistance skills. Sessions are from 5:30 to 6;30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 720-2922811. D IS C

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NAR Releases Profile of Denver Metro Area Buyers and Sellers

Last week I reported on the real estate market in metro Denver. This week, I’m providing information from a National Association of Realtors (NAR) survey of buyers and sellers that was released in December. NAR did a national survey but provided data from the 169 Denver area respondents who had purchased a home in the 12-month period from July 2022 through June 2023. The buyers were identified from public records of transactions, not from MLS data. Those buyers who had also sold a home constituted the database for the survey of sellers. The survey was limited to buyers of primary residences, not investment properties. Here’s my editing of the report released for Denver via the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.

Characteristics of Home Buyers • In Denver, the median age of recent home buyers was 43 years old, compared to 49 nationally. The largest share of home buyers in Denver this year were in the 25 to 34 years age group (27 percent) and the 35 to 44 years age group (25 percent). This graph shows both the Denver and national breakdowns:

• 82 percent of buyers were White/ Caucasian, 9 percent were Hispanic/ Latino, 2 percent were Black/African American, 8 percent were Asian/Pacific Islander, and 3 percent identified as other.

Financing the Home Purchase • For 42 percent of buyers, the source of the downpayment was their savings, and 35% of buyers cited using the proceeds from the sale of a primary residence for their downpayment. 10% used gifts from friends or relatives. • The median percent financed for first-time buyers was 91 percent compared to 75 percent for repeat buyers. • Buyers continue to see purchasing a home as a good financial investment. 82 percent reported they view a home purchase as a good investment.

home was the desire to move closer to friends and family (17 percent), the prior neighborhood had become less desirable (9 percent), or they moved due to retirement (8 percent). • Sellers typically lived in their home for 10 years before selling.

Do replace damaged countertops. Do repair damaged walls and replace damaged doors that can’t be repaired. Do replace those 1990s glass-and-brass lighting fixtures. (They’re so unappealing that Habitat’s thrift store won’t accept them as donations!) Do replace burned out light bulbs. Now that LED replacement bulbs are so cheap (under a dollar in bulk at many stores), I suggest replacing all your incandescents or CFLs with LED “daylight” equivalents. Do repaint where there is peeling or discolored paint. (Think “eyesore.”) Do replace rotted timbers on your deck, then power wash and re-stain or repaint as necessary. Do improve curb appeal (always the first impression), including weeding and pruning and freshening the front door.

man for our clients.) Beyond the above advice, I tell my sellers to be strategic about major issues which they know need to be done. If these are likely to become inspection issues, don’t fix them prior to listing your home if they’re not the kind of eyesore which would deter a buyer from making an offer. For example, I had a listing with damage to the concrete driveway. The seller was thinking he should repair it before putting the home on the market. We knew it would be an inspection issue, but by leaving it undone we could use it as a bargaining chip. Sure enough, we got under contract and the inspection demands included repairing the driveway. Since it was the most expensive item on a long list of repairs, we said we’d repair that but nothing else, and the buyer accepted it.

Characteristics of Homes Purchased Home Selling and Real Estate Professionals • 16 percent of buyers pur• Nationally, 85% of sellers reported chased a new home, and 84 perthat their agent provided a broad range cent of buyers purchased a preof services and management of most viously-owned home. aspects of the home sale. In Denver, 80 • Detached single-family homes percent said that their agent provided a continued to be the most common home type for recent buyers at 79 Home Sellers and Their Selling Expe- broad range of services. • 67 percent said that they would defpercent, followed by townhouses at 11 rience • For Denver sellers, the most com- initely or probably (19 percent) recompercent. 7% purchased units in multifamily buildings, including half-duplex- monly cited reason for selling their mend their agent for future services. es, etc. • 68% of all buyers purchased in a Consider These Tasks to Make Your Home Market Ready First, only make improvements that (It’s true that red doors sell homes…) suburb/subdivision, 20% purchased in Do have someone with “fresh eyes” an urban area/center city, and 11 percent eliminate a defect or an issue which might turn off a prospective buyer. I call walk through your house and identify in a rural area or small town. • When it came to sustainability fea- these “eyesores,” things that stand out like other turn-offs. (Our free staging consulttures, windows, doors and siding were a sore thumb, and not things that are simp- ant performs that function.) Do not replace undamaged countertops “very important” to 34% of Denver buy- ly “dated” or out of style. Here are some examples: or bathroom fixtures just because they are ers. Coming in second was energyDo refinish hardwood floors that are “dated” — even those pastel colored bathefficient lighting at 28%, heating and seriously and obviously in need of refin- tubs and sinks. (I tell buyers “You can’t cooling costs at 27%, with solar panels ishing. buy those anymore!”) The exception being “very important” to only 9% of Do replace carpeting that is seriously would be the toilets. A white chair height buyers. (Nationally, solar panels were old, such as 1970s shag carpeting, or car- low-flow toilet can be replaced for a couonly very important to peting that is seriously worn or stained. ple hundred dollars and installed by any 6% of buyers.) (Again, think “eyesore.”) handyman. (We have a $25/hour handy-

Home Buying and Real Estate Professionals • 89 percent purchased through a real estate agent, and two percent purchased di• Denver buyers had a median 2022 rectly through the previous owner. income of $146,900. I’m Now Publishing on Substack • 60 percent of buyers were married Everything you read in this ad each couples, 16 percent were single females, week — and more — is published at ten percent were single males, and ten http://RealEstateToday.Substack.com percent were unmarried couples. and comes to you automatically each • 34 percent were first-time buyers. Wednesday. I also write a political column you might like. Find it at http:// • 27 percent of buyers had children TalkingTurkey.Substack.com. Since 1/6 under the age of 18 living at home. Rita and I are on a world cruise on the • 11 percent of home buyers purViking Sky. You can subscribe to my chased a multi-generational home, to daily travelogue at http://WhereAreJim take care of aging parents, because of andRita.substack.com. children or relatives over the age of 18 During the cruise, I am making and receiving calls and emails as usual, moving back home, and for costeven at sea, so feel free to contact me. savings.

We proudly provide free use of this moving truck to our sellers and buyers, along with free moving boxes, bubble wrap and packing paper. Non-profits and community organizations also put lots of free miles on it!

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Jim Smith

Broker/Owner, 303-525-1851 Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com 1214 Washington Ave., Golden 80401 Broker Associates: JIM SWANSON, 303-929-2727 CHUCK BROWN, 303-885-7855 DAVID DLUGASCH, 303-908-4835 GREG KRAFT, 720-353-1922 AUSTIN POTTORFF, 970-281-9071 KATHY JONKE, 303-990-7428 “I cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good I can do.” —Jana Stanfield

4 Commerce City Sentinel Express

January 25, 2024

Douglas sets his sights on ambitious agenda Commerce City new mayor discusses priorities for 2024, beyond BY ROSSANA LONGO BETTER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Commerce City Mayor Steve Douglas has big dreams for 2024, and those are only a start. In a wide-ranging discussion with La Ciudad, Douglas, who was elected last year, discussed those goals, including the idea of a public bank for the city, navigating transportation challenges and how to capitalize on the world-class facility that is Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. He even dove into why Suncor is such a tough issue for the area. Douglas, 62, has lived most of his life in Colorado. He went to Arapahoe High School and Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, and works at the King Soopers store at 104th and Chambers. He was also the first African-American director for United Power. He lived in Arvada, Wheat Ridge and Aurora before moving to Commerce City in 2004. He was elected to city council in 2011 and ran for mayor once before

Our Family Helping Your Family

he won the seat in 2023. He has five children and five grandchildren. What are the three major things that you would like to solve or help move forward in Commerce City?

Douglas: When it comes to the economics, Commerce City passed a 1% sales tax that has helped financially, but I would like to take that beyond just that one initiative. That would be to bring public banking to Commerce City. We have grown so much, we have so many residents in our area. I think we can do well with the money we receive and retain and we’re talking about retention. Loans are made through public banking. The proceeds from the interest that’s received could go back into the city and back into the community. Then you could be very creative when it comes to financing the future of your city. So, trying to future-proof the city. Another goal is transportation. It’s a big miss for us, and we rely heavily on the state in what they want to do. RTD has played a part in our transportation, but it hasn’t developed that well here in Commerce City with their transportation. So, I think we need to not take over transportation, but enhance our transportation when it comes

After serving on the city council from 2011 to 2019, Steven Douglas was elected ROSSANA LONGO BETTER mayor in November.

to logistics here in Commerce City. We are a major hub when it comes to moving goods and services. And then number three, I would say it’s about the community: making sure people can live comfortably and their future isn’t threatened by being taxed out of their homes. That’s a big deal there and making sure it’s affordable as well. It’s getting tricky living in Colora-

do unless you live in a remote area. In a rural area in Colorado, miles away from a city or town, you’re going to be paying a lot of money. You can read the rest of Rossana Longo Better’s interview with Mayor Douglas on our website, https:// coloradocommunitymedia.com/ commerce-city-sentinel-express/. To read the story in Spanish, click on the “Noticias en español” link.

24-Hour Phone Lines 303-654-0112 • 303-857-2290 Brighton: 75 S. 13th Avenue Obituaries, Arrangements and Resources Online at

taborfuneralhome.com

MARTINEZ

allieventcenter.com

Margaret Irene Martinez

March 11, 1947 - December 22, 2023

Margaret Martinez was born in Colorado on March 11th in 1947 to David and Cleo Abeyta. She was raised in Brighton along with her 10 siblings.

Memory In Loving

Place an Obituary for Your Loved One. 303-566-4100 obituaries@coloradocommunitymedia.com Self placement available online at thebrightonblade.com

Margaret married her dearly loved husband Tobias Martinez in 1986. The two were baptized Jehovah Witnesses who were devoted to their Brighton congregation. They enjoyed fishing, being in the mountains, and traveling together. Margaret and Tobias had five children together. Margie Guzman, Michael Martinez, Tony Giron, Joylynn Giron, and Joseph Giron and Margarets step son, Toby Martinez Jr. Margaret worked for IBM, Tagawa’s Green House, Adams County Courts, and finally retired from the school district 27J. Margaret’s faith in Jehovah and his promise was something she demonstrated even in her last days. She once traveled to the Bethel, the

Jehovah’s Witness head quarters in New York. Her Loyalty to his word became and inspiration to all that knew her. After Toby passed, Margaret spent many fond years in California serving as a full time Pioneer in the Shadow Hills Congregation. There she made life long relationships with many brothers and sisters. Margaret is survived by her brother Tony. Sister Helen. Children Margie, Tony, Joylynn, and Joseph, and all her 17 grandchildren and multiple great grandchildren. She is proceeded in death by her parents David and Cleo. Her brothers Louis, Ed, David, and Jim. Her sisters Dora, Rosie, and Carmen. Her son Michael. And her forever love, Toby. She will be missed, honored, and treasured for all the days to come.

Commerce City Sentinel Express 5

January 25, 2024

Speeding up passport delivery Caraveo seeks to speed the process and regulate thirdparty couriers BY JACKIE RAMIREZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

When researching passport information, it is easy to stumble across various unauthorized third-party sites that promise to have passports ready in a fast fashion, but only if you pay the high fees. Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo in December led a bipartisan effort to expand oversight of third-party passport couriers. The effort, which started as an idea from her Congressional District 8 constituents, seeks to make obtaining passports, whether it’s applying for or renewing one, a more transparent and efficient process, specifically when working with third parties. With relaxed COVID-19 travel restrictions and more people planning to travel internationally, Caraveo’s office began to hear complaints about third-party couriers charging high costs to obtain or renew a passport that did not guarantee when passports would be ready. “I came across some of those similar pages myself when my niece and nephew were traveling to Mexico with my parents, and we realized, like so many people, that their passports were expired,” Caraveo shared. “When you search passport

Getting a passport likely takes longer than three days due to behind the scenes processing, no matter what third party couriers JACKIE RAMIREZ claim.

[information online], a lot of these pages pop up and so it’s hard sometimes to tell the difference between the actual passport agency’s page from the State Department and these third-party services.” The question is, can passports be ready in just three days? The behind-thescenes of passport renewals and applications are different, even when applying for a passport, there are different steps to take, depending on the applicant’s age. However, two things stand true across the board. “You can’t do any passport service completely online,” said Dylan Gibson, city clerk for Commerce City. “(Even if you) use a third-party service, you still have to come into a passport acceptance facility and sign your oath on the application in front of us, submit your documents to us, and then we hand that back in a sealed envelope for you to get back to that courier service.” The second truth is pro-

THERMOSTAT FROM PAGE 1

The Global Thermostat’s unit, located in Commerce City, has been capturing CO2 from the atmosphere since the end of 2022. With a capacity of over 1,000 tons a year — a kiloton — it qualifies for a tax credit under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act. The company is now seen as the leader in the ecosystem of clean energy in Colorado, Nahi said. There is intense interest right now to invest in carbon capture and storage and to get carbon credits in the industry, and this could be an ideal industry for the entire state, said Ashleigh Ross, vice president with Carbon America, a carbon capture and sequestration company headquartered in Arvada. They’re looking to invest in a facility in Pueblo. “My real vision for southern Colorado is can we create Pueblo … as the place that people come to get trained to go work on CO2 compressors,” she said. The downside is the “cost of implementation is high, just like it was at the beginning with the solar panel industry,” Ross said.

cessing times. For both renewals and applications, the routine processing time that it takes to receive your passport is six to eight weeks, or two to three weeks with a $60 fee if you request expedited service. This does not include mailing time, according to the travel information website run by the U.S. State Department. Applying for a passport or renewing one can be a stressful and confusing process. With the long wait times listed for passports on government and authorized third-party websites, it’s easy to get discouraged and seek a faster and easier option. “People as they come in with their passport applications from third-party services, we explain to them the process, and what we’re doing on our end and what they’re getting out of that service,” Gibson said. “I think it’s just confusion on the part of the application in terms of what the courier services offer them. There’s

Ross said more people are now understanding the need for decarbonization at scale under mass manufacturing like Breakthrough Energy, a group founded by Microsoft’s Bill Gates to reduce carbon emissions. The aim, said an official with Global Thermostat, is not to put oil and gas workers out of business; in fact, they are the very people who will help move this mission forward. “One of the things that we see, time and time again, with the plants that we’ve built is that the skilled trades are directly transferable,” said Eric Ping, vice president of Process and Operations. “And if you’re looking for the best pipefitters in the world, and the best welders in the world, and the best electricians in the world, oil fields are the places to go. “Everybody who had their hands on the fabrication, construction commissioning, and operations and maintenance of this plant came from an oil and gas background. And so it’s like we’re living that sort of energy transition,” Ping said. Commerce City leaders have embraced the work of companies like Global Thermostat to address the needs of its residents.

not too much that a courier company can do for you that you can’t do on your own.” To combat long wait and processing times for passports, Caraveo introduced the FAST Passports Act in September 2023, which has helped around 270 passport applications be processed using Caraveo’s new model to reduce redundant work. Caraveo was looking to address how the State Department handled passport applications and how thirdparty passport couriers tend to block appointments at local agencies. “[The State Department] sends your application kind of randomly to one of 28 passport agencies across the country, … it doesn’t mean it’s your local one,” Caraveo said. “Then there’s no real communication between those passport agencies, so if you are delayed and you go to try and schedule an appointment with your local agency, it starts a brand new request. Sometimes you end up with duplicate passports. “A lot of people don’t realize that the congressional office can try to expedite your application as long as you’re traveling soon.” Gibson explained that using local government resources directly is less work overall, especially when it comes to passport renewals since that process can be handled through the mail mostly for free, except for postage costs. Caraveo encouraged those seeking to renew passports or apply for one to watch out for misleading information on websites promising a speedier process for exaggerated

The city’s new division, called Energy, Equity, and the Environment, has a goal to reduce greenhouse emissions by 50% by 2030 and 90% by 2050, in line with the state’s goals. Hickenlooper emphasized that the technology helps businesses, such as the Suncor refinery, be a “good neighbor” with communities that live near them. “When I first ran for mayor of Denver in 2003, the first place I went to Elyria Swansea area,” Hickenlooper told La Ciudad. “We knew back then how polluted the air was, … and I think what we’ve seen over the last 20 years is a continuing focus on how do we deal with something that’s at such a scale, right?” Hickenlooper continued, “We can’t close down a refinery; people wouldn’t have gasoline and they don’t want to. (Companies) can’t afford to make it clean enough so that people can live around it. And yet we have to. And I think we’re at the point now where we, between the company and the investments of government, we’re beginning to say, all right, here’s how we’re going to do that. “We want every neighborhood to be safe in terms of the quality of air and water.”

fees. Another way to avoid a scam is to ensure that the website is managed or authorized by the government. “Overall, as people go to travel, make sure that you look at your passport ahead of time as you’re making a reservation so that you don’t get stuck on this,” Caraveo advised. For those looking to travel soon, visit your local government office. Commerce City Civic Center happily offers free bilingual services to its residents.

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Call first: 143 S. 2nd Pl., Brighton, CO 80601 Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110 Phone: 303-566-4100 Web: CommerceCitySentinel.com To subscribe call 303-566-4100

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Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Standard Blade. 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 Tues. for the following week’s paper.

Commerce City Sentinel Express (USPS 3886) A legal newspaper of general circulation in Commerce City, Colorado, Commerce City Sentinel Express is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 143 S. 2nd Pl., Brighton CO 80601. PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT Commerce City and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Commerce City Sentinel Express, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110

6 Commerce City Sentinel Express

January 25, 2024

STREAMFLOWS FROM PAGE 1

This warming, which scientists are very confident will come to pass, will drive the other water system changes that Colorado can expect to see. As temperatures rise and streamflows decline, water supply will decrease. According to the report, by 2050 there will be an annual reduction of 5-30% in streamflow volume; a 5-30% reduction of April 1 snowwater equivalent (a measure of how much water is in the snowpack) and an 8-17% increase in evaporative demand (a measure of how “thirsty” the atmosphere is). A hotter, drier atmosphere can fuel dry soils and wildfire risk. Peak snowpack, which usually occurs in April, is also predicted to shift earlier by a few days to several weeks. “Streamflows are primarily driven by snowpack that melts in the spring,” said Becky Bolinger, CSU research scientist, assistant state climatologist and lead author of the report. “When you are warming your temperatures, you are first changing the timing of when that snowpack will melt. And because we’re losing more to the atmosphere, that means we have less to run off in our rivers and be available for us later.” Scientists are less certain about whether precipitation will increase or decrease in the future. Dry con-

ditions have persisted across the state over the past two decades, with four of the five driest years occurring since 2000. Most climate models project an increase in winter precipitation, but they suggest the potential for large decreases in summer precipitation. But even if precipitation stays the same, streamflows will dwindle because of increased temperatures. CWCB officials hope water managers across the state will use the report to help plan for a future with less water. Many entities have already shifted to developing programs that support climate adaptation and resilience. “I think we can say with confidence that it is more likely that we will have water shortages in the future,” said Emily Adid, CWCB senior climate adaptation specialist. “I think this report is evidence of that and can help local planners and people on the ground plan for those reductions in streamflow.” Denver Water is one of those water providers that will use the report’s findings in its planning. The utility, which is the oldest and largest in the state, provides water to 1.5 million people and helped to fund the report. Denver Water has been preparing for a future with a less-reliable water supply through conservation and efficiency measures, reservoir expansion projects and wildfire mitigation. “Projected future streamflows is a huge challenge for the water resources industry,” said Taylor

Winchell, Denver Water’s senior planner and climate adaptation specialist. “The same amount of precipitation in the future means less steamflow because temperatures will continue to warm. … All this leads to this concept of uncertainty. We really need to plan for a variety of ways the future can happen essentially.” Another finding of the report is that temperatures have warmed more in the fall than other seasons, with a 3.1 degrees Fahrenheit increase statewide since 1980, a trend that is expected to continue. Although it’s hard to pinpoint the exact cause of fall warming, Bolinger said it may have to do with the summer monsoons pattern, which can bring moisture with near-daily thunderstorms, but which have been weaker in recent years. That precipitation is critical, she said. “First, you’re keeping the temperatures from getting too hot because you’re clouding over and getting storms,” Bolinger said. “And generally, with higher humidity, you’re going to have less evaporative loss from the soil. What we’ve been seeing in recent years is that we’re not getting that moisture in the late summer and into the fall.” Less moisture and higher temperatures in the fall also leads to lower soil moisture and kicks off a vicious cycle of decreased water supplies. The dry soil gets locked in under the winter’s snowpack, and when spring melting begins, the

water must first replenish the soils before feeding rivers and streams. This is what occurred in the upper Colorado River basin in 2021 when a near-normal snowpack translated to just 31% of normal runoff and the second-worst inflow ever into Lake Powell. Some water-use sectors already experience shortages, especially those with junior water rights. Initiatives set up to support the environment and recreation are also at risk with shortages. And those shortages are likely to get worse in the future. In addition to grant programs, one of the ways CWCB aims to help these water users adapt with a future avoided cost explorer (FACE) tool, which is outlined in the 2023 Water Plan. This modeling tool can help water managers figure out the costs of addressing — or failing to address — hazards such as wildfires, droughts and floods. According to the report, extreme climate-driven events such as heat waves, droughts and wildfires are expected to be more frequent and intense. “That gives you a little bit of perspective to say, ‘Well, what if I invest to mitigate this now, how can I lessen the potential impact in the future?,’” said Russ Sands, chief of CWCB’s water supply planning section. “I’m not trying to scare people; what we’re trying to do is motivate change and help them invest early.” SEE STREAMFLOWS, P7

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Commerce City Sentinel Express 7

January 25, 2024

STREAMFLOWS FROM PAGE 6

Despite the near-certainty of continued warming and resulting changes to the water system,

Bolinger said there is a bright spot. Since the last time that a Climate Change in Colorado report was issued, in 2014, the world has begun to take action on reducing fossil fuel use and has shifted away from the worst-case scenario. Earlier projections were based on a “busi-

ness as usual” assumption, with no climate mitigation. “We do have things that have been put into place internationally like the Paris Accord,” Bolinger said. “We are more along the lines of a middle-case scenario. As long as we continue to take the actions

that have been planned out, we are going to follow that middle scenario, which does show warming, but it’s not as bad.” This story via The Associated Press’ Storyshare, of which Colorado Community Media is a member.

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Solution

TRIVIA 1. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the last name of Ken, who was Barbie’s boyfriend? 2. TELEVISION: In the sitcom “The Office,” the company is in which U.S. city? 3. GEOGRAPHY: In which country is The Matterhorn located? 4. MUSIC: Which 1990s group was the singer Beyonce a part of? 5. U.S. STATES: In which state is Monument Valley located? 6. LITERATURE: In which children’s book do the characters Tweedledee and Tweedledum appear? 7. MATH: In Roman numerals, what is XLVIII divided by XII? 8. MEDICAL: What is a common name for polythelia? 9. CHEMISTRY: How many elements are listed on the Periodic Table? 10. MOVIES: What is the year of the Olympics in the movie “Chariots of Fire”?

Answers 1. His full name is Kenneth Sean Carson. 2. Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. Switzerland. 4. Destiny’s Child. 5. Arizona. 6. “Through the Looking-Glass.” 7. IV (Four). 8. Having an extra nipple, which affects about 1%-5% of the population. 9. 118. 10. 1924. (c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Commerce City Sentinel Express 9

January 25, 2024

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10 Commerce City Sentinel Express

January 25, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICES Legals City and County Public Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLANNING COMMISSION COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO Notice is hereby given that this public hearing will be conducted on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Commerce City Civic Center, 7887 East 60th Avenue. The Planning Commission will consider: 1. CUP23-0003: South Adams County Water and Sanitation District, on behalf of Kroenke CC Properties LLC, is requesting a Conditional Use Permit for a water treatment facility, for the property generally located at the northeast corner of E. 74th Place and Quebec Street (west of 7400 Quebec Street), zoned PUBLIC and consisting of approximately 9.738 acres. 2. Z-990-23: Galloway & Company, Inc. is requesting a zone change from AG (Agricultural) and I-1 (Light Intensity Industrial) to I-2 (Medium Intensity Industrial), for the whole property located at 6601 Colorado Boulevard, consisting of approximately 11.13 acres. Advance registration for virtual testimony/ public input is required. Additional information and instructions to register for testimony can be found in the published agenda at https://commerce.legistar.com and at www.c3gov.com/PC or by contacting staff at 303-289-8137 or nberry@ c3gov.com. Notificatcion de un Proyecto de Desarrollo potencial cerca de su

legals2@coloradocommunitymedia.com

propiedad. Para servicios de traduccion en espanol, llame a Kimberly Adame 303-227-8818.

fix@merrick.com, beginning January 11, 2024. NO PAYMENT REQUIRED. REPRODUCTIONS ARE PROHIBITED.

Andrew Amador Planning Commission Chairman

Bidders must be licensed Contractors in the State of Colorado.

Legal Notice No. CCX1277 First Publication: January 25, 2024 Last Publication: January 25, 2024 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

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.

Bids and Settlements Public Notice WINDLER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY WINDLER –1881 Park-Site 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 February 8, 2024, for: WINDLER 1881 Park-Site This Contract provides for the construction of the following: 1881 Park is approximately 11 acres that includes grading, utilities, parking lots, playgrounds, community garden, pedestrian bridge, trails, site furnishings, landscaping, irrigation, and electrical. Copies of the Bidding Documents may be requested from the Windler Public Improvement Authority, at the email of the Authority Engineer, barney.

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. CCX1275 First Publication: January 11, 2024 Last Publication: January 25, 2024 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications ###

PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call 303-566-4123

It’s your right to know what the city and county governments are changing and proposing. ~~~ See the ordinances on these legal pages. ~~~ Read the public notices and be informed!

Commerce City Sentinel Express January 25, 2023 * 1

12 Commerce City Sentinel Express

January 25, 2024

Tips on filling out the new Better FAFSA BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT COLORADO

The rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid has been anything but smooth. Technology issues have frustrated families since the federal government’s Dec. 31 soft launch of the FAFSA, which is usually available in October. The Better FAFSA, as the new form is known, has been redesigned to include fewer questions. The federal government intends it to be faster for students to fill out, leading to higher completion rates. But there have been technical diffi-

culties. “The form is simpler,” said MorraLee Keller, senior director of strategic programming at the National College Attainment Network, a nonprofit focused on increasing college access and attainment, especially among students of color and those from lowincome backgrounds. “I think the user experience of getting into the form is maybe the tougher hurdle.” Issues have included the new application only being available for limited hours. Families and students have gotten stuck waiting for screens to load and have reported difficulty submitting the form. It’s left families anxious after months of waiting for

the form, because the FAFSA is a crucial part of the college-going process. Filling out the FAFSA opens up student aid, scholarships, and grants. The potential financial help gives families an idea of which college or university they can afford. After the rocky launch, counselors from inside and outside of Colorado provided tips on successfully filling out the Better FAFSA. The federal government said in a news release it’s addressed issues that have made the experience difficult. It will continue to make technical updates as needed. The new Better FAFSA comes after years of advocates calling for a simpli-

fied FAFSA to cut down the number of questions on the form. This year, the federal government made it happen by cutting the number of questions from over a hundred to under 20 for most people. Fewer questions should mean an easier form that takes less time to complete. The federal government also says more students will be eligible for federal student aid because of expanded income eligibility. The federal government announced on Monday the form is now accessible 24 hours a day. The government says the form should take about an hour, but make sure you aren’t in a rush. Clear your schedules for a few hours, just in case.

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