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July 15, 2021
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 126 | ISSUE 22
Residents sue Elbert County over road
Commissioners rebut claims of dangerous conditions after amendment approval BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Some residents argue that the money that will go toward this transition would be better spent in another way. “Is the state going to help get these schools money to change all their pictures on the floor of gyms, paperwork, etc.?” asked one area woman in a Facebook post. “This is an expense small schools don’t have. How about passing a law that helps our schools and students?” In an accompanying letter to the law, Polis also stated his financial concerns concerns about the bill, stating: “I am, however, concerned about the timing and financial
Four local residents who live near the Spring Valley Ranch community have filed a lawsuit in Elbert County District Court regarding the conditions of the County Road 178 extension. The lawsuit is part of a longfought battle by community members who are dissatisfied with Elbert County leadership and the developer of Spring Valley Ranch over the project’s roads. In a February article, the Elbert County News reported that “after hearing four hours of testimony from developer Jim Marshall and concerned citizens, the Elbert County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on Feb. 10 to approve changes to developer Jim Marshall’s Spring Valley Ranch development guide agreement.” The approved amendments to the original 2006 agreement impact the overall design of the road. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit argue that the amended design for the road is inconsistent with county regulations and traffic laws, making the road extremely unsafe for drivers.
SEE MASCOT, P18
SEE LAWSUIT, P18
Kiowa Schools sign depicting Native American imagery and “Home of the Indians” phrase
PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON
Native American mascot ban affects Kiowa Schools New state law sets deadline for name change or monthly fines BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law on June 28 that bans Native American mascots in public schools throughout the state. The law prohibits any “name, symbol, or image that depicts or refers to an American Indian tribe, individual, custom, or tradition that is used as a mascot, nickname, logo, letterhead, or team
name for the school.” Many Elbert County residents have voiced their opinions on the impact of the new law on Kiowa Schools. Currently, the schools use the depiction of a Native American man as their mascot and school logo, referring to themselves as the Kiowa Indians. The biggest concern for locals is the financial impact the transition will have on the school district. The transition, which must be completed by June 1, 2022, may be quite costly. Schools that do not transition to different imagery by the deadline will incur a $25,000-per-month penalty that will go toward the State Education Fund.
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 13 | SPORTS: PAGE 16
SPOKES FOR FOLKS
Rounding up some great Front Range trails for cyclists P13