BY JACKIE RAMIREZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
e Adams 14 School District’s requests for $124 million in funding through a bond and mill levy were denied with just under a di erence of 600 votes on Wednesday. e last time Adams 14 reached out to voters was more than 10 years ago. As of now, Adams 14’s three attempts to request help from voters have failed.
“Although the district is disappointed by its outcome, Adams 14 remains committed to its mission of providing quality education to the students and families it serves across Commerce City,” the school district announced in a press release Wednesday.
Appearing as ballot measures 4A and 4B, the Adams 14 district community voted 47.8% to 52.2% for the mill levy 4A and 47.6% to 52.4% for the bond proposal 4B in preliminary results. For Adams 14, the cost compares to the price of two street tacos and or a six pack of soda, or homeowners would have paid about $6.52 per $100,000 value on their home.
Ballot measure 4A proposed a 10mill property tax override to “boost teacher and classi ed support sta salaries.” Although the collection of
property taxes is already in place, the measure, now denied, will prevent the district’s continuation of collecting property taxes at the same rate.
Ballot measure 4B proposed us-
ing $113.9 million to build a new middle school, combining both Kearney Middle School and Adams City
Nail-biter for 8th District congressional seat
Caraveo holds slim lead over Evans as votes dribble in
Incumbent Yadira Caraveo held a narrow 2,359-vote lead over her Republican challenger Gabe Evans for the highly coveted 8th Congressional District seat as of Nov. 7.
Carveo led Evans 49%-to-48% as of Nov. 7 in Congressional District 8. Caraveo appeared to lead in Adams County while Evans was leading in Weld and Larimer counties.
Over $20 million was spent in both super PAC money and by candidates in the race, which was seen by pundits as key in controlling the U.S. House of Representatives. Caraveo defeated her Republican opponent Barb Kirkmeyer in 2022 by just 1,600 votes, a race in which PAC’s spent $16.6 million in the general election, accord-
Regulators eyeing Xcel lobbying, salary costs
Regulators put curbs on investor relations and executive salaries
Colorado utility regulators — using the mandates in a 2023 law — are looking to carve lobbying fees, trade association dues and investor relations costs from Xcel Energy rate requests. In a current gas rate case, more than $775,000 in such costs were disallowed.
e gure in the future could be a lot higher based on the Colorado Public Utilities Commission decision in October ordering Xcel Energy to remove all investor relations costs — including a portion of executive salaries — from its calculations of costs passed on to customers.
“ ere is an inherent tension between customer bene ts and investor bene ts,” said Joseph Pereira, deputy director of the Colorado O ce of the Utility Consumer Advocate, which represents residential and small commercial customers before the PUC. “Customers shouldn’t pay to boost the share price.” In the wake of soaring utility bills in the 2022-23 winter, when the average gas bill rose 52% for residential customers of Xcel Energy’s subsidiary Public Service Company of Colorado, the legislature convened a special committee to investigate rates. e result of that inquiry was Senate Bill 291, which aims to avoid the bill shock customers experienced. It also took aim at 15 types of expenses that should not be paid by customers, such as a portion of board of directors’ compensation, travel and entertainment expenses.
e commission is still working on setting the rules to comply with Senate Bill 291. e PUC is using interim rules for the gas rate case.
Xcel Energy was seeking a $172 million increase in gas rates. e PUC granted the company a $130 million increase, with a $15 million adjustment for depreciation expenses, raising the average monthly household bill 7.7% or $4.57 and small commercial bills by $17.49.
Colorado customers like people everywhere in the county are concerned about how high their energy bills have become,” said David Pomerantz, executive director of the nonpro t Energy and Policy Institute. “Underlying a lot of those concerns, is how politically powerful utilities are and how they are paying for that with money that’s not theirs.” 3 other states keep corporate costs from being charged to consumers
Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine have passed laws similar to Colorado, and bills have been led in 11 other states seeking to limit lobbying and other charges, Pomerantz said.
In a recent Xcel Energy gas rate case in Minnesota, the Citizens Utility Board, a nonpro t consumer advocate, challenged the dues paid to the American Gas Association, a trade group, and the Chamber of Commerce, noting that those charges are excluded by statute in Colorado.
In a settlement agreement, Xcel Energy agreed to remove the dues from customer charges.
A view of the Alsup Elementary School playground in August 2024. LONDON LYLE
Republican Congressional District 8 Candidate Gabe Evans talks with supporters at his watch party in Brighton Nov. 5. MONTE WHALEY
Snow Trooper helps get you through the storm
When the akes start falling, Commerce City Public Works hits the road to plow nearly 300 lane miles of streets in the city.
To help you prepare for a safe commute, the city’s online Snow Trooper map shows which roads have been plowed and how recently. Visit snowtrooper.c3gov.com to see the treatment map and priority level of streets along your route.
As a reminder, the city does not plow state roads, such as Highway 85, Interstates 270 and 76, and Brighton Boulevard. Learn more about the city’s snow response plan at c3gov.com/Snow.
Legal self-help clinic
e Access to Justice Committee hosts a free, legal self-help clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on the rst Tuesday of every month.
e 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.
Alliance Business Assistance Center grants available
the best chance of success and providing other valuable resources for local business.
To get started, visit our website at https://businessinthornton.com/localbusiness/small-business-support-programs/business- nancial-assistance.
CCPD Introduces Online Crime Reporting Form
e Commerce City Police Department has a new online reporting tool allowing the public to report some nonemergency crimes and receive a police report immediately without speaking to a police o cer.
Community members can now conveniently report incidents that do not require immediate o cer intervention, such as fraud, identity theft, lost property, theft/shoplifting (less than $2,000), and vandalism.
Visit https://www.c3gov.com/Home/ Components/Form/Form/70316b05422 c448492c51da0f0e0fd86/ to sign up.
Walk with a doc
Platte Valley Medical Center’s cardiac rehab team and Walk With A Doc will host monthly walks with Dr. Christopher Cannon, an interventional cardiologist at Brighton Heart and Vascular Institute.
unteers 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 quali ed listeners. Call 720-600-0860.
Mental health
e Alliance Business Assistance Center is excited to announce that 2024 business grants are now available to support your business endeavors. Sta at the center can assist residents by helping to identify grants that align with their business goals and industry, providing guidance through the application process, ensuring that they have
e new form is online now in English and Spanish at c3gov.com/ReportACrime. Residents should always call 911 for emergencies.
‘Taking No Chances’
e 17th Judicial District Attorney’s
O ce and e Link, a community resource and assessment center in ornton, o er 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 720-292-2811.
Boards/commissions’ openings
Commerce City has openings for several boards and commissions, including the city’s cultural council, the housing authority, and the Derby Review Board.
is 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 bene ts of walking.
Legal self-help clinic
e Access to Justice Committee hosts a free, legal self-help clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on the rst Tuesday of every month.
e 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
Quali ed Listeners, a veteran and family resource hub serving northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, has many power chairs, scooters, and electric wheelchairs available.
Community Reach Center o ers inperson 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. ere will be a short screening for u-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. 84th Ave., Westminster.
Workforce & Business Center workshops e Adams County Workforce & Business Center is hosting multiple workshops throughout November.
To nd the closest facility to you, visit www.va.gov/ nd-locations.
Quali ed Listeners also need vol-
Visit the center’s website, https://adcogov.org/workforce-business-center, for a full class schedule, which includes contact information for each workshop. e center has locations in Aurora, in SEE NEWS BRIEFS, P7
JOINTHE FORT LUPTON PUBLIC & SCHOOL LIBRARYFOR
Reflections on Writing & Publishing My 1,000th ‘Real Estate Today’ Column
Because journalism was my first profession, writing a column about real estate seemed an obvious way to make myself known when I entered the real estate industry in 2003. The first column I published as a paid advertisement was on July 30, 2003, and I estimate that I have published at least 1,000 columns since then — 52 columns per year for most of the last 21 years. And every one was written by me, on a new topic each week.
have never written a column which embarrassed me due to something I wrote. (I still show each column to my wife, Rita, and to my broker associates before sending it for publication.)
From the beginning, I saw this column as “my own continuing education program,” because I had to study each topic before I could write knowledgeably about it. At first, that meant showing the first draft to my managing broker at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, to make sure I had my facts right. Even now, I will often send a first draft to another broker who has expertise I don’t in the topic I chose to write about that week.
You can see the topics of those columns going back to July 2003 at www.JimSmithColumns.com
The links on those original columns don’t all work, but you can at least see the headlines.
cal homeowner, with letters and postcards saying, “I have a buyer for your home” — which may or may not be the truth. I much prefer to spend those hours being of service to the general public, studying every aspect of real estate that I can think of where I myself would like to know more, and then sharing it with you.
tation where the seller mentioned a particular issue of concern to them. “I wrote about that a few years ago,” I said, whereupon the seller opened a manila folder in which that old column was on the top of the pile.
As a result, I can honestly say that I
I don’t know of any real estate agents anywhere in the country who have taken this approach to promoting themselves, but that may be due to the fact that the vast majority of people in any profession other than the writing professions have trouble expressing themselves in writing — and it’s a big commitment of time. If I weren’t writing this column, I’d probably have to spend hours every day or week prospecting — making cold calls or knocking on doors soliciting sellers and buyers. I might have been one of those agents who bombards you, the typi-
We Learned Firsthand About Vacant Land Scams
The Colorado Association of Realtors (CAR) issued a warning last month about scammers trying to sell vacant land that they don’t own in Douglas County, adding that it may be happening in other counties.
One of our broker associates found himself caught up in just such a scam even before that alert was issued. Here is how the scam unfolded and was discovered, so that the property owner and buyer were not victimized.
Via our website, we received an inquiry about listing a parcel of land in Coal Creek Canyon, so I referred the lead to a broker associate who lives nearby. He quickly got a signed listing for the property at $100,000, and I advertised the parcel in that week’s ad. He put a for-sale sign on the parcel and a neighbor quickly snapped it up, going under contract for it below full price.
The scammer said he was in a cancer isolation ward and didn’t have an ID with him. He needed to close quickly so he could pay his medical expenses.
The folks at First Integrity Title, which received the contract for processing, got suspicious because of no ID and sent a FedEx letter to the real owner of the property at his home in Maryland. The owner immediately called our broker associate, incensed that his property was being sold without his knowledge or involvement.
If the title company had not taken that action, it is possible that the transaction might have gone to closing based on forged IDs from the scammer, and the proceeds of the sale would have been wired according to the scammer’s directions.
The sale would ultimately have been voided, but the buyer would have lost his money. The seller would not have suffered loss.
In its October alert, CAR provided some guidance on how to recognize a vacant land scam in the making:
“In these cases, the scammer tries to list vacant land with no mortgage. He wants to sell it at below market prices for a quick sale. The scammer makes it clear there can be no in person communications, and that all communications are to be done by text or email. The scammer tells the real estate agent one of several stories about why he is out of town. He insists on a remote, no-contact closing, typically using a “local” notary of his choosing. He will not accept a local notary selected by the title company.
“The scammer has presented fraudulent driver’s licenses and fraudulent passports as identification. He uses spoofed phone numbers and untraceable email addresses.”
No such scam should be successful so long as the title company does what First Integrity Title did, which was to contact the registered owner of the land to verify the transaction.
In listing any property for sale, it’s a good practice for the listing agent to have the title company run an “ownership and encumbrance” report, which identifies the owner. Then, using an app called Forewarn, which is only available to licensed real estate agents, we can find the phone number(s) of the registered owner and call them to verify that they are indeed who is talking to us.
BTW, once the seller knew we were not scamming him and had foiled the scam attempt, he said he might list his land with us!
Golden Real Estate’s Broker Associates
us in 2008
Licensed in 2000
Chuck Brown
303-885-7855
Joined us in 2014
Licensed in 2000
Don’t be misled by our name. Our agents have listed homes throughout the Denver Metro area and helped clients buy homes and other real estate all over Colorado!
When I ran for political office in 1981, I did exactly the same thing. Before announcing my candidacy I spent several months investigating every aspect of municipal government, speaking to civil servants in each agency and learning everything I could about policing, criminal justice and corrections as well as welfare, housing and economic development. When I announced my campaign, I released a 16-page tabloid spelling out my program for “saving” my city. I referred to it as “the power of the well-printed word.” It helped that I owned a typesetting business at the time, so I knew how to make what I printed look professional.
That effort wasn’t as successful, however, because I was running against seasoned politicians with political clubhouses behind them, not competing with fellow professionals, most of whom had a lot more experience than me but couldn’t demonstrate that experience or knowledge as well as a seasoned journalist like myself.
My training in journalism came from writing and editing my prep school and college newspapers but most especially from winning a summer internship in 1968 at The Washington Post I really love the practice of real estate and the reputation I have built with my readers. I love getting emails and phone calls asking my advice or reacting to something I have written. And when you call me about selling or buying a home, I love to know that the call was based on the trust and reputation I have built over two decades (or less) from my writings. Often, when I go on a listing appointment, I find that the seller has a folder containing clippings of my columns. I love to tell the story of one listing presen-
My first year in this business, I attended a retreat hosted by one of the preeminent real estate coaches. Following that event, I hired that coach’s firm briefly, but the focus was on memorizing scripts and “time blocking” several hours per days for cold-calling. I couldn’t do it.
It just wasn’t my style. I have never memorized a script and never made a cold call — in fact, never prospected at all. This column is what made that approach possible. The hours I could spend prospecting are so much better spent writing and publishing this column.
At first I wrote monthly, then biweekly, and within a couple years I was able to write this column every week. At first I bought a page in a little Golden newspaper because I couldn’t afford the Golden Transcript. When the Denver Post introduced the regionalized “YourHub” section, I jumped on it, limited to the Jefferson County editions.
Then came the Golden Transcript and three other Jeffco papers. When over 20 metro area weeklies were combined under the non-profit ownership of Colorado Community Media, I expanded to include my ad in all of them. That was after I had already expanded to be in all the local editions of YourHub.
A couple months ago, I signed a contract with the Denver Gazette, a digitalonly newspaper with a large readership.
And, of course, I am also online, with over 1,300 email subscribers to our blog at http://RealEstateToday.substack.com For me as a journalist, there is no greater pleasure and satisfaction than what I get from having my writings broadcast so thoroughly around this metro area that I call home. Thank you for letting me take this week off from writing about another real estate topic to share my story with you.
It’s not often that you can buy a duplex where one side is empty and the other side is rented and contributing $1,500 per month to your mortgage costs! That’s the situation with this well-built and well-maintained brick duplex at 12613 W. 8th Ave. in that quiet neighborhood next to Welchester Tree Grant Park called Foothills View Estate. The two sides of this duplex are mirror images of each other and identical in terms of updating, including newer bath fixtures, doublepane windows, and new garage doors. (The two 1-car garages are accessed from an alley.) The vacant half is the one with a 12’x30’ wood deck, from which you can see the foothills to the west. Welchester Tree Grant Park is just a block away, with nature trails, including to the adjoining Welchester Elementary School. A narrated video tour of both sides of this duplex can be viewed at www.GoldenDuplex.online, along with interior photos of the vacant unit. The rented unit is not available to see until you’re under contract, but it is identical in condition to the vacant unit, as you’ll see on the video tour. Open Saturday, Nov. 16th, 11am to 1pm
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Democrats lead Adams County Commission seats
BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORDAOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Adams County Democrats looked ready for another blue sweep, leading in three open seats on the County Commission as of noon Nov. 6.
Former Northglenn City Councilor Julie Duran Mullica, a Democrat, had 53% of the vote to Republican Shelly McClure 47%.
District 1 covers the area south of 120th Ave. and east to Riverdale Road and includes parts of Northglenn and ornton.
In District 2, which runs east of Riverdale Road to Buckley and Tower Roads, Democrat Kathy Henson, a current ornton City Councilor, led challenger Bernadette Tedesco 62% to Tedesco’s 38%.
In District 5, which covers the entire eastern portion of Adams County, from Brighton and Commerce to the Washington County line, incumbent Democrat Lynn Baca was leading Republican Jim Wood 54% to 46%.
It would be the fourth county election in a row to favor Adams County Democrats.
Voters in 2018 replaced the mostly Republican-held county positions – including County Clerk, Sheri , Assessor and Treasurer – with
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their Democrat challengers and returned Incumbent Democrat County Commissioner Steve O’Dorisio to his County Commission seat and added Democrat Emma Pinter to the Board, making the county an entirely Democrat-led body.
ey kept the county blue in 2020, returning Eva Henry and Chaz Tedesco and adding Lynn Baca to the list. Adams County Democrats con-
State Senator Kyle Mullica and Adams County Commission District 1 candidate Julie Duran Mullica, his wife, check early returns Nov. 5 at the Adams County Democrats
party at the Pipefitters Local 208 Hall in north Denver.
tinued their winning ways in 2022, returning Pinter and O’Dorisio to o ce and added Sheri Gene Claps and Treasurer Adam Villagran to their list.
But this year would also be the rst time the women on the commission held a super majority – meaning that four of the ve seats on the board are held by women, Commission Chair Emma Pinter said.
Phillips, Bright claim seats in the State Legislature
BY STAFF REPORT
Former ornton City Councilor Jacque Phillips, a Democrat, looked ready to claim the House District 31 seat in the state legislature Nov. 5, holding a 56% to 44% lead over Republican Heidi Pitchforth as of noon Nov. 6.
Phillips defeated incumbent Democrat Julia Marvin in June to claim the Democrat nomination for the seat.
Meanwhile, incumbent Democrat Shannon Bird looked to defeat Republican Evan Sheilds Hunt, claiming 61% of the vote to Hunt’s 39% in State House District 31.
In Northglenn, Democrat Jenny Wilford was leading Republican Craig Sullivan to defend her District 34 State House Seat by a 52% to 44% margin.
In state Senate races, Republican Scott Bright looked to defeat Brighton City Councilor Matt Johnston for the State Senate District 13 seat, claming 56% of the vote to Johnston’s 44%.
Here is a rundown of other state legislature races in the northern part of Metro Denver
based on the uno cial results from the Colorado Secretary of State’s o ce.
Colorado Senate races
State Senate District 13 (Brighton/ Fort Lupton)
Scott Bright, Republican, 56%
Matt Johnston, Democrat, 44%
State Senate District 19 (Arvada/Westminster)
Sam Bandimere, Republican, 42%
Lindsay Daugherty, Democrat, 56%
State Senate District 23 (Erie, Carbon Valley to Mead)
Barb Kirkmeyer, Republican, 100%
Colorado House races
State Representative District 19 (Erie & the Carbon Valley)
Jillaire McMillian, Democrat, 52%
Dan Woog, Republican, 48%
State Representative District 29 (Westminster)
Shannon Bird, Democrat, 61%
ing to the Colorado Sun.
This fall’s race was marked by sharp attacks on both sides, as Evans tried to portray Caraveo as being soft on border issues and enforcing drug laws including those for Fentanyl possession
Caraveo claimed that Evans backed a national ban on abortion and was an ardent follower of Donald Trump and his policies.
At an Oct. 5 forum sponsored by Colorado
cans like to “...spread lies and are saying I’m not interested in securing our southern borders.” Caraveo said the nation’s immigration policies need to be applied fairly to make sure people seeking asylum are coming to the United States for a legitimate reason.
Caraveo said President Joe Biden should have used his executive powers sooner to cut off the flow of asylum seekers. She also said as a freshman in Congress she has sponsored legislation to reduce the cost of renting and introduced tax credits for affordable housing.
Evans – a former Arvada police officer –said the country’s wide-open borders are
Evan Shields Hunt, Republican, 39%
State Representative District 31 ( ornton)
Jacqueline “Jacque” Phillips, Democrat, 56%
Heidi Pitchforth, Republican, 44%
State Representative District 32 (Commerce City)
Manny Rutinel, Democrat, 100%
State Representative District 34 (Northglenn)
Craig Sullivan, Republican, 44%
Jenny Wilford, Democrat, 52%
State Representative District 35 (South Adams)
Lorena Garcia, Democrat, 65%
Lee J. Knoll, Republican, 35%
State Representative District 48 (Brighton/ Fort Lupton)
Carlos Baron, Republican, 100%
State Representative District 56 (Lochbuie, Fountain & Burlington)
Alessandra A. Navetta, Democrat, 25%
Chris Richardson, Republican, 75% ese results will be updated.
Fentanyl. Colorado is also the third most dangerous state in the nation and is saddled with one of the country’s highest costs of living.
Evans, an Army combat veteran, said the immigration system allows those who are trying to get into the country legally are stalled for years because of “bureaucratic jail.” Asylum seekers should be allowed to stay in Mexico indefinitely until they are allowed into the United States.
Caraveo and Evans both said they would not support a national abortion ban, with Evans saying it’s up to the states to decide abortion policy. Caraveo, a pediatrician, said abortion decisions are a private medical matter.
“I think women and their doctors should be making decisions about abortion, end of story,” Caraveo said.
Caraveo said during the forum that she supported capping insulin prices at $35 a month and patients and doctors should be in the middle of decisions about insurance. Evans said red tape have driven insurance companies out of Colorado.
“Because of that red tape … millions of dollars have been siphoned away from Medicaid,” he said.
watch
Added security, wait times at the Adams County polls
BY SCOTT TAYLOR
Adams County voters casting their ballots on Election Day contended with added security and precautions in new places — even at the ballot drop boxes in parking lots.
Teams of three county sta ers or volunteers were positioned at each of the Adams County ballot drop boxes on Election Day, answering questions for voters and sometimes taking ballots from car windows to put them in the drop boxes.
Julie Jackson, a representative for the Adams County Clerk and Recorder’s o ce, said this is the rst year the county has placed sta at all of the ballot drop boxes. In an email, Jackson said the drop box monitors were placed “out of an abundance of caution.” ey were there to provide customer service and added security and also to make sure that people dropping o their ballots could do so without interference or electioneering.
Adams County has 30 ballot drop boxes, from Westminster east to Brighton and Aurora.
e workers, many pulled from Adams County’s Motor Vehicle Department, were wrapped in blankets and huddled up in lawn chairs within feet of the drop boxes. Motor vehicle department tech Jamie Morales said she was grateful the weather Tuesday was clear, although it was windy and cool.
Je erson County o cials said they were monitoring the drop boxes via security cameras, but didn’t have sta standing by the boxes. Sarah McAfee, chief communications o cer for the Je co Clerk and Recorder, said judges would be collecting ballots from the boxes three to ve times daily and they’d send a sta member if an issue with a ballot drop box is reported.
Adams County’s polling centers were especially busy on Tuesday.
Bruce Harrington, supervisor at the Voter Services Polling Center at Front Range Community College’s Westminster Campus said the center had a small line waiting when
ADAMS 14
Eric Gooley of Westminster drops his ballot in the box front of Westminster’s College Hill Library Nov. 5 while Adams County volunteers Jamie Morales, Jennifer Fierro and Irene Williams monitor. The volunteers are keeping an
Day.
it opened at 7 a.m. By 9:10 a.m., they had accepted ballots from 71 voters on election day, and Harrington said the county said the 23 other locations around the county had accepted a total of 1,626 ballots at the same time.
Dan Williams, the troubleshooter at the polling center in the Adams County Human Services Center 11860 Pecos St., said that center had accepted more than 200 ballots by 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.
e county posted a listing of polling center locations on its website, at https://adamscountycoelections.gov/vspcs that includes estimated wait times at all of the locations. As of 12:01 p.m. on Election Day, most locations said they had no wait times and those that did averaged about 10 minutes. e Human Services Center location was the outlier, with an estimated wait time of 120 minutes.
Community Editor Suzie Glassman contributed to this story.
Middle School into one. Building a new school would have cost about $77 million. e rest of the funds would have gone toward security upgrades, HVAC system upgrades and new furniture for classrooms in other Adams 14 buildings.
“While we were hopeful for the passage of these measures to support facility improvements and teacher salaries, we respect the outcome and will continue to seek ways to address the district’s critical needs,” said superintendent Dr. Karla Loría. “ e fact that we were just shy of 300 votes on both measures shows that the community is beginning to rebuild trust in the district.”
is is not Adams 14’s rst rodeo in asking the community to help. Last year, Adams 14 was granted $45,600 from the Commerce City Parks, Recreation and Golf to amplify Adams City High School’s sports and cultural programs for the district’s youth.
Serving more than 5,000 students who come from low-income families and more than half who are learning English as a new language, the district hopes that through these funds they will improve schools to “inspire, educate and empower” their students.
While ballot measures 4A and 4B did not pass, the release states that Adams 14 will continue moving forward, despite its current budget constraints, and will “explore alternative solutions to address these needs, remaining aligned with the goals and outlined in the district’s ve year strategic plan,” with a focus on student achievement, innovation, community and culture, and nancial well being.
“Investing in our schools is investing in our student’s learning environments. Investing in educational quality is investing in our community,” said Brandi Valdez, a Commerce City resident and district accountability committee member, to Colorado Community Media in September. FROM PAGE 1
eye at the Adams County drop boxes as an added but of election security on Election
“Colorado is a little ahead of the game compared to other states,” Pomerantz said. “ ey and Connecticut were the rst states to take a whack at this.”
While there is a long list of costs to be excluded, in the gas rate case, the commission honed in on four: lobbying expenses, investor relations expenses, trade association dues and attorney and consultant fees in rate cases.
Xcel Energy in its lings maintained that many investor costs are required, such as U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission lings, the provision of disclosures to current and potential investors as required by law, and listing fees, including those required by stock exchanges.
“ ese costs for the company are unavoidable costs and are by de nition prudent since they are required by law, regulation, and/or stock exchanges that give the company access to external capital,” Xcel Energy said in a ling.
e PUC, however, said that prohibition in Senate Bill 291 is “unambiguous.”
“We therefore direct Public Service to remove from its revenue requirement calculations all investor relations expenses,” the commission said.
But what that gure is and how to calculate it have yet to be determined since it will rely on computing the time spent and salaries of all employees involved in investor relations, all the way up to top executives and the CEO.
“You know, a big part of their responsibility is investor relations,” Commissioner Tom Plant said during one meeting reviewing the rate case. “It’s maximizing shareholder value. It’s maximizing return to investors.”
Xcel is the top spender on lobbying in Colorado
e decision was similar regarding lobbying. Xcel Energy has consistently been the top spender on lobbying at the Colorado statehouse. In the 12 months ending in July, it spent about $297,000 on lobbying.
ose expenditures for registered lobbyists are not included in charges to customers, but under questioning from Commissioner Megan Gilman, Xcel Energy executives said there is no accounting for the company employees who spend time in lobbying activities.
“From the executive level on down, there are individuals within the organization directing, strategizing, analyzing potential proposed or enacted legislation and trying to in uence those outcomes on behalf of the company,” Gilman said. “And so, it seems to me, we’re likely missing quite a bit of information here that would be helpful and necessary to ensure compliance with 291.”
e PUC ordered Xcel Energy to update its 2023 annual report to show the portion of total compensation for company employee lobbying and to track and report those expenses for 2024 and each year through the next rate case.
commission’s rulemaking to enact Senate Bill 291 noting that “the vast majority of expenses the law required be excluded from rates has historically been excluded from Xcel Energy Colorado customer rates.”
e cost of attorneys and consultants have long been paid for by customers in rate cases. “Such expenses are a legitimate cost of providing utility service,” the commission said.
Xcel Energy sought $1.6 million in legal and consulting fees to be put into rates. e PUC sta in a ling said that was an improvement over the $2.2 million the company requested in its 2022 gas rate case, but the sta recommended a $1.3 million cap on expenses.
e company spent $260,000 on consultants and the commission split that cost between the company and customers with each responsible for half, leaving Xcel Energy able to recover $1.47 million in costs.
While these are small-dollar battles in a $171 million rate case, Pereira, the utility consumer advocate, said they are important in changing the dynamics in the legislature and at the PUC.
“And what we know from the statute is that that is not a role that the legislature has said is attributable to ratepayers,” Plant said. “But we don’t know what that line is, we don’t know where we draw that line.”
In its decision the commission said “the company shall provide a full accounting of time spent by the company’s employees, including executives, in raising capital and any other aspects of investor relations.”
e commission did remove $142,000 in investor-related expenses from the rate case.
Finally, the commission told the company to track employee lobbying expenses from Jan. 1, 2024, on in a separate account to determine in the next rate case whether a refund is due to customers.
Xcel Energy also argued that in addition to lobbying and political activities the American Gas Association provides educational and professional activities and that part of its dues to the trade group should be allowed. e commission rejected the argument and the full $503,000 in dues was removed.
Xcel did not comment for this story, but provided a statement it made about the
“Maybe Xcel decides it doesn’t want to pay for 10 people lobbying,” he said. “Maybe it changes how they approach a rate case.”
When it becomes clear how much Xcel Energy is spending stockholders may also have a say. “ ere are monetary savings for customers but also a quanti able way for shareholders to decide if they want to pay for those activities,” Pereira said.
“SB-291 has to be the most in uential customer-focused bill we’ve seen in a decade or more,” Pereira said. is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.
BY STAFF REPORT
Brighton will split its holiday celebrations over two weekends, Dec. 7 and 14 this year.
e city’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 7. e city’s annual Festival of Lights Parade is a week later, on Dec. 14.
e Tree Lighting event will take place from 1-6 p.m. at Founders Plaza, 5 S. Main St.. is event will feature a Winter Market with unique artists, crafters, and artisan food vendors beginning at 1 p.m. Vendor applications will be accepted online until Nov. 22. e fee for a vendor space is $50. Find the application for a space at the Winter Market on the city’s website, https://www. brightonco.gov/ FormCenter/PublicInformation-22/Winter-Market-VendorApplication-2024-189.
City slates Tree lighting ceremony, parade
Other activities prior to the Tree Light-
our Special Events team at 303-6552126.
NEWS BRIEFS
Westminter’sPete Mirelez Human Services Center, 11860 N. Pecos St and at 36 South 18th Ave. in Brighton.
Warm Line up and running Community Reach Center is o ering a Warm Line (303-280-6602) for those who want to talk to mental health professionals about anxiety, lack of sleep, and strained relationships, among other topics. e professionals can facilitate referrals to other programs for assistance. A press statement said the Line is not for crisis intervention.
ose feeling unsafe or suicidal should call Colorado Crisis Services (1-844-4938255), text 38255, or visit the Behavioral Urgent Care Center, 2551 W. 84th Ave., Westminster.
Also, the center’s COVID-19 Heroes Program is set up to assist healthcare workers during the pandemic. ose who live or work in Adams County can receive up to six free counseling sessions. Use the Warm Line for support and free counseling.
Brighton’s community intake location is at 1850 E. Egbert St., on the second oor. It’s open from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays.
Volunteers needed
Quali ed Listeners needs 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 qualied listeners.
Visit quali edlisteners.org/volunteerapp and ll out the form, or call 720-6000860.
Food distribution
27J Schools have free grab-and-go meals for youngsters up to age 18. Driveby or walk up between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at Vikan Middle School, 879 Jessup St., Overland Trail Middle School, 455 N. 19th Ave., and at immig Elementary School, 11453 Oswego St. Food for Hope is the sponsor.
St. Augustine food pantry, 129 S. Sixth Ave., o ers food Tuesdays and ursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Brighton residents who live between Quebec St. and Cavanaugh Road and between Weld County Road 4 1/2 and 96th Ave.
Chapel Hill Church, 10 Chapel Hill Drive, Brighton, hands out one box of food per family on the second and fourth Wednesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and alternating Saturdays at 9:30 a.m.
Calvary Chapel Brighton Food Pantry, 103 E. Bridge St., Brighton. Open from 4 to 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month.
Community Baptist Church Food Pantry, 15559 Weld County Road 2, Brighton. Open from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays.
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 Sheri ’s O ce, and a Healthy Farmers Market intern ($17/hour). ese opportunities are available
through the Workforce & Business Center. ose interested should work with their Business Center case manager or call 720.523.6898 to get established with a case manager.
FEMA Releases “Disaster Mind” Game
An educational game designed to teach high school-aged youth about decisionmaking during disasters is now available online at FEMA.gov.
Disaster Mind was developed by FEMA Region 8 in coordination with i rive Games and can be accessed on any computer-based web browser.
Disaster Mind challenges and encourages participants to make critical decisions in the face of three simulated disaster scenarios: a ood, wild re, and blizzard. Players receive information and tools to help them navigate the journey
and lead others to safety. Complicating their quest, a mysterious guide weaves twists and turns along the way.
“Disaster Mind is a new and fun way for FEMA to empower students with preparedness information as they transition from high school into the next stage of their lives,” said FEMA Region 8 Administrator, Nancy Dragani. “ e game provides a safe environment for players to develop their decision-making skills and practice taking quick action to help others.”
e game can be used by educators and emergency managers as an educational tool to supplement existing disaster readiness or preparedness training. Disaster Mind is Section 508 compliant and does not require players to register or provide any personally identi able information.
Megan Noltan and Calvin, 5, of Lochbuie, share a selfie with Brighton’s Founders Plaza Christmas tree as the backdrop Dec. 2.
Brighton’s Founders Plaza’s Christmas tree lit up during the city’s tree lighting ceremony Dec. 2. PHOTOS BY SCOTT TAYLOR
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Full-time. This position is required to work at the Fort Morgan campus, with the option of hybrid/ ex scheduling as appropriate for position & institutional needs. Work must be completed within Colorado. The position is responsible for the recording, analyzing, reconciliation, and maintenance of all nancial records of the institution in an automated environment. This includes preparation of nancial statements, performing nancial analysis, maintaining appropriate internal control measures, security of records, grants, and contracts accounting, monitoring approved budgets, and preparation of nancial reports to external agencies and college personnel. Salary $69,200-$92,805 annually. For additional quali cations, full announcement, bene ts & Employment Application, https://morgancc. applicantpro.com/jobs/3539879 or call 970-542-3130. EOE
Adams County is proud to announce the appointment of Dionne Stroter as Deputy County Manager. A Colorado native with over 20 years of experience in public administration, Stroter brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for equity and community engagement to her new role.
Most recently, Stroter served as the Deputy Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), where she helped manage over $1.5 billion in federal stimulus funds for pandemic recovery and spearheaded initiatives focused on en-
Metro Districts Budget Hearings
Public Notice
NOTICE OF HEARINGS AS TO PROPOSED 2025 BUDGETS AND AMENDMENT OF 2025 BUDGETS
SECOND CREEK FARM METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 1 AND 3
ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Sections 29-1-108 and 109, C.R.S., that proposed budgets have been submitted to the Boards of Directors of the Second Creek Farm Metropolitan District No. 1 and No. 3 (the “Districts”) for the ensuing year of 2025. The necessity may also arise for amendments of the 2024 budgets of the Districts. Copies of the proposed 2025 budgets and 2024 amended budgets (if appropriate) are on file in the office of the Districts’ Accountant, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 E. Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, where same are available for public inspection. Such proposed 2025 budgets and 2024 amended budgets will be considered at a regular meeting to be held November 25, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., via conference call at 1-720-931-2463; passcode: 2463. Any interested elector
hancing communications and digital accessibility. Her extensive experience in managing complex projects and fostering operational excellence will be key to her new role in Adams County.
“We are excited to welcome Dionne Stroter to Adams County,” said Emma Pinter, Chair of the Board of Commissioners. “Her vast experience and commitment to equity will be invaluable as we con-
tinue to meet the needs of our diverse community.”
Stroter’s dedication to public service is evident in her previous role as Executive Director of Denver’s Office of Children’s Affairs (OCA). During her tenure at OCA, she expanded Head Start services, piloted innovative youth transportation programs, and increased funding for childcare and afterschool services. Stroter has also held leadership positions in several key Denver city agencies, including Finance, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and General Services.
“Dionne’s hands-on leadership and commitment to creating accessible,
community-focused programs make her a fantastic addition to our team,” said Interim County Manager David Fraser. “Her experience is a perfect match for our mission to provide inclusive, effective service for everyone in Adams County.”
A fierce advocate for equity, Stroter has worked tirelessly to improve outcomes for underserved communities throughout Colorado. She has been actively involved in numerous community initiatives, including serving as chair of the Aurora Cultural Affairs Commission and co-chair of the Central Park United Neighbors Equity and Diversity Committee.
within the Districts may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the 2025 budgets and 2024 amended budgets, inspect the 2025 budgets and 2024 amended budgets and file or register any objections thereto.
SECOND CREEK FARM
METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 1
AND 3
/s/ Paula J. Williams
McGEADY BECHER CORTESE
WILLIAMS P.C.
Attorneys for the Districts
Legal Notice No. CCX1485
First Publication: November 14, 2024
Last Publication: November 14, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Bids and Settlements
Public Notice
NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT
NOTICE is hereby given that the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District (“District”) of Adams County, Colorado, will make final payment at its offices at 6595 E. 70th Avenue, Commerce City, Colorado 80022, on November 25, 2024, at the hour of 3:00 p.m. to CE Power Systems, of Denver, Colorado, for all work done by said Contractor(s) in construction work performed for the District.
Project Contractor:CE Power Systems Project Name:77th and Pontiac
Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender, or other supplies used or consumed by any contractors or their subcontractors, in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplies rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work, and whose claim therefor has not been paid by the contractors or their subcontractors, at any time up to and including the time of final settlement for the work contracted to be done, is required to file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid, and an account of such claim, to the District at the above address, Attn: Dawn Fredette, District Clerk, on or before the date and time hereinabove shown. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement of claim prior to such final settlement will release the District, its Board of Directors, officers, agents, and employees, of and from any and all liability for such claim.
All of the above is pursuant to §38-26107, C.R.S.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SOUTH ADAMS COUNTY WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT acting through
its SOUTH ADAMS COUNTY WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT ACTIVITY ENTERPRISE
By: /s/ Vicki Ennis Secretary
Legal Notice No. CCX1482
First Publication: November 7, 2024
Last Publication: November 14, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Notice to Creditors
PUBLIC
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of DONNA LEE YEILDING, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 317
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 14, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Ronald Whitman
Personal Representative 902 S 76th Ave Yakima, WA 98908
Legal Notice No. CCX1484
First Publication: November 14, 2024
Last Publication: November 28, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express ###
Generator Replacement Project Location:77th and Pontiac, Commerce City, Colorado
Dionne Stroter
Adams County hosts Mexican Consul General
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Adams County worked to deepen its partnership with Mexico, hosting Ambassador Pavel Melendez-Cruz and his team at an Oct. 29 meet-and-greet luncheon with the Adams County Board of Commissioners.
“We’re thrilled to work alongside Ambassador Melendez-Cruz and his team to build a brighter future for our community,” said Commissioner Emma Pinter, commission chair. “Adams County is home to a vibrant, diverse population, and by working together, we can create more inclusive and supportive programs that bene t all our residents.”
Melendez-Cruz is one of the 39 foreign consuls serving as part of the Colorado Consular Corps. Nations from Australia to Mongolia to the United Kingdom all have consul o ces in Colorado.
According to o cials, the meeting
focused on a partnership with Adams County and its commitment to better serve the growing Mexican community in Colorado. e aim is to share a common goal of working together on economic, social, and cultural resources to build more of a connection with residents. e meeting’s focal point is to build more vital communications with the Consulate General of Mexico and Adams County to establish sharing resources that protect vulnerable populations and help them with educational programs to promote entrepreneurship opportunities, according to o cials.
Points of discussion
Chief among the issues the groups discussed was enhanced communication between the Consulate and Adams County. ey emphasized the importance of establishing robust and open communication channels to streamline joint efforts, share resources, and address the
Ambassador Pavel Melendez-Cruz, the appointed Consul General of Mexico in Denver, and his team met with the Adams County Board of Commissioners and key county o cials.
PHOTO
needs of the Mexican community in Adams County.
ey also made a shared commitment to protect victims of abuse and genderbased violence, with both parties advo-
cating for increased legal and psychological resources to ensure comprehensive support is accessible to those in need.
Melendez-Cruz discussed the Consulate’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Program, which provides essential educational resources for women to establish their businesses, will o er additional support for Adams County residents through county resources.
“Ambassador Melendez-Cruz, who assumed his role this year to represent Mexican nationals in Colorado and parts of Wyoming and Montana, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration,” Pinter said.
“Our partnership with Adams County signi es a meaningful step toward ensuring that Mexican nationals in this region feel supported and empowered,” Melendez-Cruz said. “Together, we’re creating pathways that bring our communities closer and open doors for future generations.”
