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December 9, 2021
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 126 | ISSUE 43
Elizabeth hosts robotics qualifier Teams of kids ages 6-10 compete for a spot at the state finals
Patrick Davidson, originally from Wyoming, starts job Dec. 13
BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Elizabeth High School hosted a regional qualifier for FIRST Lego League on Nov. 20, drawing teams from as far as Salida to the robotics contest. Sponsored by Amazon Future Engineer, Lego Education and the Lego Foundation, 22 teams of children ages 6 to 10 competed for six spots at the state competition on Dec. 11, set for Janitell Junior High School in Fountain. The league’s website says FIRST Lego League “introduces science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to children ages 4-16 through fun, exciting hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experience through a guided, global robotics program, helping today’s students and teachers build a better future together.” The organization began in 1998 with 200 teams competing. Today, hundreds of thousands of kids compete from more than 100
BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Kids ages 6-10 compete in the Elizabeth Qualifier for the FIRST Lego League.
SEE ROBOTICS, P10
PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON
19 charged in metro-area fentanyl probe Counterfeit pills causing a surge in overdose deaths BY JENNIFER BROWN THE COLORADO SUN
Federal and state authorities announced indictments on Dec. 1 against 19 people accused of
Elizabeth hires town administrator
smuggling drugs from Mexico to Denver, calling it proof of “the alarming trend in counterfeit prescription pills laced with fentanyl flooding our streets.” Fentanyl, which is the active ingredient in counterfeit pills made to look like real oxycodone and Xanax, is the leading cause of drug overdose in Colorado. More than 525 people have died
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 7 | VOICES: PAGE 8 | LIFE: PAGE 9
from the drug so far this year, according to state health department statistics. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said the accused drug traffickers distributed cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl in Arapahoe, Douglas, Denver and Jefferson SEE FENTANYL, P15
The Town of Elizabeth has hired Patrick Davidson as its new town administrator, with a start date of Dec. 13. The hire fills a post that was left vacant in January, when Billy Joe “BJ” Potts stepped down after less than three months on the job. Davidson served as city administrator in Gillette, Wyoming, until an abrupt departure in February, according to the Gillette News Record. Before holding that position he was the Gillette city attorney, an Elizabeth press release Davidson states. The press release says Davidson was raised on a family ranch outside Saratoga, Wyoming and got his law degree from the University of Wyoming. Davidson practiced law in Gillette before joining the city staff in 2014. Davidson “firmly believes in giving back to his community and has been active in the Boy Scouts of America, the United Way of Campbell County, the Chamber of Commerce, the Main Street Program, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA),” the press release says, adding that he and his family enjoy “shooting trap, hiking, camping, and other outdoor pursuits.” Davidson spoke with Colorado Community Media in a Nov. 17 Q&A: What expertise do you bring to the community? I have a lot of experience working with town growth and development. I SEE DAVIDSON, P15
BRIGHT AND LOCAL
Connecting with local artists, vendors at Holiday Market P9