Fort Lupton Press 011322

FORT LUPTON PRESS S E RV I N G T H E C O M M U N I T Y S I N C E 19 0 6

VOLUME 119

WEEK OF JANUARY 13, 2022

How to prepare for a wildfire in Colorado

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 , 2020

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ISSUE 2

GOP contenders defend gas industry

VOLUME 117

ISSUE 48

THE SEASON FOR SHARING

Five candidates running for governor meet in Fort Lupton

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Colorado’s oil and gas industry was well represented Jan. 6 as five Republicans seeking their party’s nomination for Colorado governor met in Fort Lupton.

BY OLIVIA PRENTZEL “(Gov. Jared) Polis killed the oil THE COLORADO SUN and gas industry. It’s one of the biggest industries in the state of ColoThe Marshall Fire, which rado,” candidate Greg Lopez said at forced thousands to flee as the forum hosted by the Republican flames raced across 6,000 acres Women of Weld County. “Not only in the matter of hours, ofdoes it create over 80,000 jobs, both fered a window into what has upstream and downstream, it pays become a new reality for many well for families. You should reparts of Colorado. member that in his first legislative Even if you don’t live in a session after we voted to tell him to Gubernatorial candidates for Colorado Governor left: Greg Lopez, Jason Lopez, community directly adjacent to leave oil and gas alone, he decided forestland, embers can travel PHOTO BY BELEN WARD Danielle Neuschwanger, Jeff Fry, and Jon Gray-Ginsberg. to go ahead and pass legislation to through the air, move rapidly electric vehicles on the road by ingredient maker, said he has seen put in setbacks.” and travel great distances, es2030. “ firsthand how oil and gas benefits Nine Republican Colorado guberpecially when fueled by intense She promised to focus on preservthe country. natorial candidates were invited winds. ing that rural industry.

“I come from an oil and gas backto the candidate forum at the Fort Here is a list of ways to pre“For Weld County, I will stand Lupton Recreation Center, but only ground and protect the oil and gas pare in the event a wildfire in sites all over the world being in the up for every single rancher and five candidates attended. They Colorado: were Greg Lopez, the former mayor military. Seeing the prosperity does farmer across our state, I will make bring in economic value,” he said. of Parker; Morrison’s Jason Lopez; sure to reduce stagflation,” she Before the fire He argued against over-regulaElbert County Realtor Danielle said. “We bring back our oil and tion.

Neuschwanger; Jeffrey Fry of gas industry in Colorado and focus Assemble an emergency kit.

“One of the things that I do not Hayden and Frisco’s Jon Grayon natural resources such as the The Federal Emergency agree with is over-regulation of Ginsberg.

Management Agency suggests advanced nuclear power plants and industries,” he said. “We need to Veteran political strategist and packing the following items: Platteville.” Fort St. Vrain, the forput new policies in place that can former Colorado state Republican mer nuclear plant that generates • Water (one gallon per perthrive industries, air quality conchair Dick Wadhams moderated electricity by burning coal, is a son per day for several days, for trol, ERP systems, quality managethe forum, asking questions focusquarter-mile northeast of the Weld drinking and sanitation) and ment, along with the environment ing on oil and gas, protecting rural County town. at least a three-day supply of that needs to be protected. We have areas, crime, transportation, the Fry, the general manager at Litnonperishable food the technology to do it. We just pandemic, and the 2020 election. tleton’s DC Power Industrial, said • Battery-powered or handneed to implement it in the right The primary will occur June 28. the current push towards green encrank radio that can receive situations — right places and in The general election is Nov. 8. ergy policies actually hurts lowerNOAA weather radio tone the right times — Gov. Polis is not Greg Lopez, who lives in Elizaincome Coloradans. alerts and other batteries doing that.” beth currently, said Polis does not “Current energy policy right • Flashlight and extra batterNeuschwanger said it should not care about Weld County or Colonow is all green energy by 2040. So ies come as a surprise to oil and gas rado families. think about it, if you have a gas • First-aid kit Extra batteries workers and their families.

“His goal is to make sure that stove and you have to pay,” Fry • Whistle (to signal for help) “Gov. Polis told you exactly what when and solar replace fossil fuels, said. “So from a gas stove to elec• Dust mask (to help filter he doesn’t care about Weld County, he’s going to do when he ran for oftric, you have to run the right line contaminated air) fice back in 2017 when he said that he doesn’t care about the families which is 220. Then you’ve got to up• Wrench or pliers (to turn off in the next 40 years Colorado would grade your gas furnace to electric. that work hard,” he said. “We are utilities) Every year before Thanksgiving, First going UnitedtoMethodist Church in Fort Luptonbeand thepercent Fort Lupton and Clothing Bank provide community a 100 greenFood efficient make him a one-term govHow many people do you think in • Manual can opener (for members with food boxes.

This will be the program’s 10th consecutive year.

Above, Joe Hubert, left China Garcia and Sue Hubert with Changecan 4 Change, state,” Neuschwanger said. “Just ernor so he doesn’t make Colorathe low-income bracket do that food) suffer.” with fixed incomes?”

• Localorganization maps another that helps with dans the food drive. See more on Page 2. recently in Senate Bill 260, the transportation initiative, he said Morrison’s Jason Lopez, CEO SEE FIRE, P5 that there’d be a push for 940,000 at NANO Rx, a pharmaceutical SEE GOP, P1

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2 Fort Lupton Press

January 13, 2022

Our Family Helping Your Family UNREIN

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

taborfuneralhome.com

allieventcenter.com

Loree Ethene (Harman) Unrein February 20, 1943 - December 20, 2021

Loree Unrein was born on February 20, 1943 in Sterling, Colorado to Lola (Bacon) and John Harman. Loree was the oldest of four children and grew up in northeastern Colorado, graduating from Padroni High School in 1961. Loree met the love of her life, Ernie, while he was attending Northeastern Junior College in Sterling. Loree and Ernie married on September 11, 1961. They lived in Northglenn and Aurora early in their marriage before moving to Fort Lupton in 1968. Loree remained in the family home following Ernie’s death, but she recently moved to Eaton in 2020. She loved her new house and enjoyed selecting and decorating it to make it her new home.

Loree worked a variety of jobs while remaining at home to care for her children.

She was known for her talent as a seamstress and did custom knitting for a variety of boutiques and ski resorts. She was active in her church choir and Mary Circle. Loree began working outside of the home only after her youngest child entered high school. She enjoyed her work as a rural mail carrier and ultimately retired from the United States Postal Service. Following retirement, Loree and Ernie enjoyed traveling across the country in their truck and fifth wheel camper. During their travels, they enjoyed catching up with family and friends, shopping at antique shops and collecting crackle glass. Unfortunately, their travel plans were cut short when Ernie fell ill. Loree cared for Ernie until his death in CASTANEDA

May 2019.

Survivors include her children, Terry Unrein (Karen), Tanya Unrein (Terry Schwartz) and Lara Disney (Howard); seven grandchildren, Justin Unrein (Dani), Terrance Unrein (Laura), Andrea Goering (Adam), Emily Marrs, Colton Marrs, James Disney (Savannah), and Megan Disney (Kaiden); two greatgrandchildren, Aiden and Claire Unrein, sibling Connie Peterman (Mark) and ten siblings in-law.

Loree was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie, parents John and Lola Harman, siblings Jack Harman and Nancy Harman, and11 siblings in-law.

Those who knew Loree well called her mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister, Mrs. Unrein and a dear, devoted friend. Loree was known to be the maternal figure for family and friends alike and was always willing to listen to others without judgement. Loree was classy all the way to her end of days. She loved her family and friends fiercely and with all her heart.

In lieu of flowers, the family would request donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or to Shriners Children’s at www.shrinerschildrens. org Loree’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 11 am at the Fort Lupton Methodist Church, 306 Park Avenue, Fort Lupton, CO 80621.

Memory

Thomas Anthony Castaneda

Thomas Anthony Castaneda, Sr., 78, passed on Jan. 3. He moved to Brighton in 1956. Tom attended Brighton High School. He spent over 39 years working for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad.

He was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus Tom loved volunteering at the Brighton Care Center, Catholic Charities, El Centro Su Teatro, Brighton Food Pantry, Brighton Housing Authority and Bonfils Blood Bank where he organized blood drives for years in Brighton Tom was preceded in death by a daughter Linda Marie and his parents. He is survived

by four sons and one daughter: Tom Jr. (Deb) of California; Robert of Phoenix; Kenny (Tonja) of Thornton; David (Michelle) of Phoenix; and DeAnna of Brighton; his sister Pauline Ponce of Denver and nine grandchildren, five greatgrandchildren and many nephews and nieces.

Rosary Mass will be Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Church. Funeral Mass will be on Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine’s with internment to follow at Fairview Cemetery in Brighton. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bonfils Blood Center of Denver Visit Vitalent.org\donatefunds.

In Loving

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

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January 13, 2022

Hatch aims to repeat as Weld Co. at-large commissioner STAFF REPORT

Elijah Hatch is hoping his advocacy for business, limited government and individual liberties will help return him to the at-large seat on the Weld County board of commissioners.

He announced his candidacy Jan. 1.

“I felt a call to run for Weld County Council in 2020 and have been a proud advocate for the residents of Weld County,” he said in a statement. “We need leaders who stand for what is right, not necessarily what is popular.”

Hatch touted the county’s economy as “one of the strongest, thanks to years of conservative leadership.

“We must continue this tradition to keep Weld County as one of the leading defenders of conservative principles in the state of Colorado,’ he said in the statement. “I am honored to have earned the support of many business leaders, community activists, and elected officials.”

Also, Hatch has owned several businesses.

“I bring a unique perspective to Weld County government and hope to utilize this skillset to make Weld County even more pro-business,” he said in the statement. “I know the value of a dollar and will protect your hard-earned money.

Providing the residents of Weld County an elected official who listens and is always reachable was my promise in my last campaign

and that same promise still holds true today.”

Hatch called himself “not a normal politician.”

“I do not even like being referred to as a ‘politician.’” his statement said. “I am just a resident of this great county, and I feel the need to stand up for my fellow citizens and protect what we have.”

Hatch has spent time volunteering with events in the county. He’s been the chairman of the county planning commission and president of the county’s fair board.

“I find it important to give back to this county and help teach our youth the same values that we grew up with,” Hatch said.

His campaign website is www. elijahforweld.com.

Elijah Hatch

COURTESY PHOTO

Commissioners take on new roles Scott James is the 2022 chairman

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Weld County board of commissioners tagged Scott James to serve as the 2022 chairman and Mike Freeman as chairman protem.

The county’s charter requires commissioners to select a chairperson at the first meeting of the year, as well as a chairperson pro-tem and department coordinator roles, according to a press release.

The chairperson runs the commissioners’ meetings, and the chairperson pro-tem has the authority in the

absence of the chairperson.

The 2022 coordinator roles according to the statement Commissioner Scott James: department of finance and administration, accounting and purchasing, clerk to the board, the county attorney, human resources, public relations and communications, and the treasurer’s office. The assistant coordinator is Commissioner Mike Freeman.

Commissioner Mike Freeman: departments of health, coroner’s office, information technology, justice services, the office of Emergency Management and public safety communications. The assistant coordinator is Commissioner Lori Saine.

Commissioner Steve Moreno: department of public works, facilities, veteran services and fleet services.

The assistant coordinator is Commissioner Perry Buck.

Commissioner Perry Buck: department of planning services, the oil and gas energy department and the extension office. The assistant coordinator is Commissioner Scott James.

Commissioner Lori Saine: department of human services. The assistant coordinator is Commissioner Steve Moreno.

The board also voted on board appointments: Moreno: Weld County Bright Futures board; Greeley-Weld County Airport Authority; and Upstate Colorado Economic Development board.

James: 911 Emergency Telephone Service Authority board; Weld County Bright Futures board.

Freeman: Federal Mineral Lease Act board; Greeley-Weld County Airport Authority; Pre-Trial Services board and Regional Communications Advisory board.

Buck: Emergency Food and Shelter Program board; Extension Advisory Council; Island Grove Park Advisory board; and Upstate Colorado Economic Development board.

Commissioner Lori Saine: E-470 Public Highway Authority; Human Services Advisory Commission.

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150 Main Street, Suite 1 Fort Lupton, CO 80621 303-857-3983

4 Fort Lupton Press

January 13, 2022

BRIEFS ‘Discover Exoplanets: The search for alien worlds’ The Fort Lupton Museum’s latest exhibition, “Discover Exoplanets: The Search for Alien Worlds” will continue through March 5 at 453 First St. It is a national traveling exhibition exploring the world of space and astronomy. The exhibition covers topics such as the search for habitable worlds beyond our solar system, how NASA scientists are searching for these worlds and how they may be like our own planet.

Call 303-857-1634.

ONGOING Donation time The Fort Lupton Food & Clothing Bank is asking for donations of canned fruits and nuts, varieties of dry pasta and pasta dinners, peanut butter and canned meat such as tuna (including the pouches), to help out local schools that just reopened after a year of remote learning.

Other potential donations could include chicken, Vienna sausages, spam and salmon. The bank also needs personal items, such as toiletries and baby needs.

Drop off donations at the food

and clothing bank’s back door, 421 Denver Ave., weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Call 303-857-1096.

Teen hangout Teens can stop by the Fort Lupton Pubic & School Library Wednesdays to play crafts, video games and hang out with friends after school.

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.

This is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. After a few minutes to learn about a current health topic from the doctor, spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and a fun conversation. It’s a great way to get out, get active and enjoy all the benefits that come from walking.

Blessings in a Bag Fort Lupton’s Backpack Program helps school children in need with a backpack of healthy food. It’s SEE BRIEFS, P8

Five apply to run marijuana businesses in town

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Five businesses applied for the four available slots for medical and retail marijuana establishments.

During Fort Lupton City Council’s first meeting of the year Jan. 4, City Clerk Mari Pena told the council four of the applications were for retail interests, while the fifth was for medical marijuana.

“All of the qualifications have been met?” asked Mayor Zo Stieber.

“Yes,” Pena said.

The four winning businesses have to come before the city’s planning commission and council. Stieber wanted to keep potential locations quiet for now.

Maggie Bidmead museum coordinator is testing the computerize interactive touch screen system that builds solar systems and also learn about the planets.

New shelter coming Councilors unanimously approved a bid for a new shelter at City Hall during the Jan. 4 meeting.

Parks and Recreation Director Monty Schuman said the polygonstyle structure would be suitable for summer lunches for city staff, among other uses. The bid from Churchich Recreation won’t be any higher than $34,000. Schuman said the city has an existing business relationship with the winning bidder.

“I think it’ll be a nice addition to the courtyard,” Stieber said.

City Hall closed City administrator Chris Cross said City Hall will be closed Monday, Jan. 17, in commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Do you need help paying your uilities this winter? Colorado’s Lowincome Energy Assistance Program or 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.

www.UnitedWay-Weld.org/LEAPON 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435)

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

Reaching for the stars and the exoplanets

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The city of Fort Lupton brings the stars to the museum with the national traveling exhibit “Discover Exoplanets: The Search for Alien Worlds.”

The place is the Fort Lupton Museum, 453 First St. “It’s the right opportunity for everybody in Fort Lupton to come and see this wonderful display,” said Maggie Bidmead, museum coordinator.

The traveling exhibit explores the world of space and astronomy with subject matter searching for livable worlds that are outside the solar systems. NASA scientists are searching these worlds and studying how they could be similar to Earth.

The exhibit comes from the NASA library, and it’s educational with NASA-centric STEAM topics. The exhibit is interactive with multimedia activities to build solar systems on a large touchscreen table. In addition, there’s a chance to learn about NASA’s most recent planet discov-

eries. Visitors can enter a drawing to win a crystal solar system. The museum is partnering with the Erie Community Library.

“We’re having a couple of special Saturdays with one or two speakers from the Space Science Institute from Boulder from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Jan. 22 and 29, “said Bidmead.

The Discover Exoplanets is designed by the Space Science Institute’s National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL) in collaboration with NASA’s Universe of Learning. The project is made possible with support from NASA. The exoplanets traveling exhibit is only in nine locations Fort Lupton Museum, Erie Community Library, The Library Station in Springfield, Missouri, the Discover Center in Springfield, Vernal Public Library in Vernal, Utah, the Uintah County Heritage Museum in Vernal, the East Meadows Public Library in East Meadows, N.Y., and Cradle of Aviation in Garden City, N.Y. The Fort Lupton museum is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Call 303-857-1634.

COVID increase means little impact on local prep sports

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The recent increase in COVID cases has had little impact on inperson attendance at prep sporting events.

Adams City High School continues to allow two attendees per player, according to athletic director Jacob Katz. Kent Denver School in Englewood tweeted Jan. 4 it would not allow spectators on campus starting Wednesday, Jan. 5.

For other areas in northern Adams and southern Weld counties, including Holy Family High School in Broomfield and Prairie View High School in Brighton, it’s business as usual.

“Fort Lupton has not made any changes to protocols,” said athletic director Cora Lanter. “We are still allowing spectators at this time (Jan. 4).”

Nothing has changed at Horizon High School.

“Our protocols haven’t changed at this time,” said athletic director Marty Tonjes. “We still require

masks for everyone while indoors.”

Riverdale Ridge athletic director Aaron Riessen said there had been no changes to spectator admittance at his school.

“We are still allowing spectators,” said Thornton High School athletic director Pay Woytek. “I believe all of DPS (Denver Public Schools) is that way, but I don’t know of anyone else.”

“ERA (Eagle Ridge Academy) is still following the same guidelines,” said athletic director Zach Henning.

“We are still allowing spectators with masks.”

The Colorado High School Activities Association said it won’t be releasing COVID updates.

“The association is taking its direction from state and local health departments, so we’re following the rules dictated by public health officials,” said Brad Cochi, CHSAA’s director of digital media.

Officials reported 1,700 new COVID cases in Adams County Jan. 3 and 7,400 cases from Dec. 21 through Jan. 3. In Weld County, the case numbers totaled 1,300 Jan. 3.

Fort Lupton Press 5

January 13, 2022

FORT LUPTON POLICE BLOTTER

Here are the police reports for Dec. 25 to Dec. 30 to the Fort Lupton Police Department. Not every call made to the police is not listed on this report.

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Dec. 25 Police arrested a Fort Lupton man, 31, in the 400 block of Harrison Avenue for domestic violence, a harassment charge and child abuse. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Police issued a summons to a

FIRE FROM PAGE 1

• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery • Masks (for everyone ages 2 and above), soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes • Prescription medication and glasses. nonprescription medications to treat pain and diarrhea • A complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes.

• Consider additional clothing for colder temperatures.

• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank records. Place the documents in a portable, waterproof container.

• Cash and change • First aid book • Matches in a waterproof container • Sleeping bag or a warm blanket for each person • Pen and pencil Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children Pet food and extra water for your pet Diapers and formula Keep important documents together.

Collect insurance records, passports, birth certificates, property titles, Social Security cards and any other important documents that may be needed to file claims after the fire or might be difficult to replace.

Know how you will communicate with your family.

Create a hardcopy list of contact information for your family and other important people and services, like doctors, schools or service providers. Make sure everyone carries a copy in their wallet, purse or backpack. When using a cell phone, a text message is the best way to communicate with family, as it uses less bandwidth.

Know your escape routes.

Have a map with more than one evacuation route and practice them with your family. Make sure everyone in the family knows your safe meeting place and let your friends and family know your plans.

Denver man, 26, for causing a traffic accident, driving under the influence and careless driving in the 300 block of Grand Avenue.

Dec. 27 A Fort Lupton man, 31, reported a theft of his hand tools in the 1900 block of Homestead Drive. The case remains under investigation.

Police took a Fort Lupton woman, 46, into custody in the 1200 block of Fourth Street on two Weld County warrants for failure to comply with a court order on theft and protection order violation.

She was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Dec. 28 A Brighton man, 44, reported a theft and second-degree trespass in the 700 block of Main Street.

The case was under investigation.

Set up homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.

Homeowners should complete annual insurance policy “checkups” to make sure they keep up with local building costs, home remodeling and inventories of their personal belongings, according to Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. Rates will vary depending on how likely it is a claim will be filed and how much it is likely to cost.

For example, a homeowner living in an area that has high wildfire risk would pay a higher insurance rate than a homeowner living in a low-risk area. Renter’s insurance can cover the cost to replace the belongings inside your rented home (up to policy limits) and most policies include additional living expenses if you are forced out of your home from a fire.

Make an inventory of your home.

Take photos or record the belongings inside your home and store them outside your home or digitally. Remember to document contents of drawers and closets and if recording, mention the price you paid and where and when you bought the item. Save receipts for major purchases and store them digitally or in a fireproof case.

Don’t forget to document what’s inside your garage.

Create a digital backup of photos.

For photos taken with your phone, use Google Photos, Apple iCloud, Dropbox or similar services to keep your photos backed up online. For photo albums and other nondigital keepsakes, use a personal scanner to create copies or use a local scanning service to make backups of irreplaceable images.

Have a plan for your pets and animals.

Many public shelters and hotels don’t allow pets inside. Know a safe place where you can take your pets before disasters happen. Have your pet microchipped. Make sure your address and phone number are up to date. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Consider moving horses and large animals to a safe location early, before evacuation is ordered, if possible.

Dec. 29 Police arrested a Longmont man, 20 in the 2900 block of Ninth Street on a Weld County warrant for failure to comply with a court order on a DUI charge. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

A Fort Lupton man, 31, reported the theft of clothing items in the 1000 block of Denver Avenue. The value amount is unknown. The case was under investigation.

Dec. 30 Police issued a summons to a Fort Lupton woman, 75, at Fifth Street and Denver Avenue for causing a traffic accident by failing to yield at an intersection.

A Loveland man, 46, reported that his skid steer was stolen in the 15000 block of state Highway 52. The case was under Know the risk of wildfire where you live.

Reducing fuels around your home can help mitigate wildfire risk. Colorado State Forest Service offers the following tips to help prepare your home and property for a fire: • Remove all debris, including leaves and needles, from decks, roofs and gutters • Screen the attic, roof, eaves and foundation vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh • Use tempered glass for windows. CSFS recommends at least two panes • Replace combustible fencing or gates that are within 5 feet of your home • Rake and remove all pine needles and other flammable debris from a 5-foot radius around the foundation of your home • Keep propane tanks at least 30 feet from the home, preferably at the same elevation as the house; remove flammable vegetation within 10 feet of all propane tanks and gas meters • Keep firewood stacked uphill, or at the same elevation as, your home and keep the woodpile at least 30 feet away from your home; do not stack the wood between trees, underneath the deck or on the deck • Remove branches that hang over the roof and chimney • After thinning trees and shrubs, dispose of the slash by chipping,

investigation.

Dec. 31 A Fort Lupton man, 69, received a summons in the 100 block of South Rollie Avenue for causing a traffic accident by following too closely and for driving an unsafe, defective vehicle.

Police issued a summons to a Fort Lupton woman, 50, for causing a traffic accident and for an invalid driver’s license in the 100 block of South Rollie Avenue.

Police issued a summons to a Kersey man, 63, and a Commerce City woman, 24, both of whom were involved an accident at U.S. Highway 85 and Weld County Road 14.5. The Kersey man was driving too fast for the conditions, according to the summons, and the Commerce City woman failed to present insurance. hauling to a disposal site or piling in open areas for burning later.

Wood chips should be kept 30 feet or more away from your home.

As the fire approaches If there’s time, move flammable items like propane tanks, brush and wood piles at least 30 feet away from your home. Shut off the gas at the meter and turn off the airconditioning. Shut windows and doors, but leave them unlocked so firefighters can get in after you evacuate. Remove flammable drapes and curtains. Listen or read the local news for updated emergency information Place valuable documents and mementos inside the car.

When you decide to leave Don’t wait for an evacuation order to leave. If you feel unsafe, go. Consider traffic jams if you live in a densely populated area. Grab your go-bag and if there is time, your most important belongings, including personal documents, family keepsakes, cell phones and chargers.

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun. com. The Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

The Chosen What: 'The Chosen', a new wonderful film series about Jesus and His disciples When: Eight Sunday nights beginning Jan 9th. 6-7:30 pm.

Where: Zion Congregational Church 401 South 27th Avenue Brighton, CO 80601 We will gather at 6pm for dessert and drinks. After that, the film will run for about 50 minutes followed by a brief time of interaction.

Please join us and bring a friend if you like!

Any questions? Call Dick Durston at 303-550-9551 Or write at rdurston@icloud.com

6 Fort Lupton Press

LOCAL

VOICES Once we start, don’t stop

H

ave we ever noticed that there was something that we used to do that was awesome in helping us achieve more, make our job a bit easier, or just helped us perform at a higher level and then for some unexplainable reason, we simply stopped doing it?

Maybe we pick up a book and as we are reading it, we feel inspired by the guidance, we underscore, highlight, and dog-ear the pages, wanting to be able to go back and revisit the wisdom being shared.

Then we recognize that we used to do the very thing that the author is recommending we do. And when we did these things, we were at the top of our game. Yet, at some point we just stopped doing that which helped us the most.

Last week we talked about starting something new. Taking the first steps necessary to achieve our goals and dreams. And that the best way to stop doing something or breaking a bad habit is by starting a new and better one. This week let’s keep the momentum going.

The encouragement here is that

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January 13, 2022

once we are on the right path and doing the right things, we don’t stop.

Momentum is powerful. All it takes is the slightest push forward to get it going.

Once we have positive moveMichael Norton ment towards our goals and dreams, little by little we pick up steam, our confidence grows, and we are on our way, we ride the wave as momentum carries us forward.

We need to remember that momentum must be initiated. We must be the ones to engage if we are to get the ball rolling forward. If we expect and allow someone else to start the momentum, all that means is that we are living and working on someone else’s dream and not our own. Or worse, no one is paying attention to what we want, and we are left idle, no movement, and stuck.

All we must do is start. Gentle

WINNING WORDS

starts, small steps, baby steps, a slight nudge, just something to get us started and then let the momentum build. Too often we come out of the gate on fire and pour ourselves completely into a good new habit, project, or hobby only to lose the momentum just as quickly. For some, they can start out red hot and remain on fire for what they are doing, and that is always inspiring to see. However, there are many more who need to crawl, walk, and then run on their way to success.

The important take-away here is that either way, we keep going, we leverage forward progress, and we don’t allow the ball to start rolling backwards toward us.

Now two weeks into the new year, did the gym membership already look like a bad investment? Or are we sticking it out? Did we write the first chapter of our book and then shelve it? Or are we writing just one page a day and keeping our authoring dream alive? Whatever it is that we are pursuing, if we have made the decision to start, let’s not stop, it’s too soon and it’s not what

we really want. What we really want is to look back 30 days from now and see just how far we have come, and then set our mind on going even farther.

Each day when we wake up, we want to feel excited about the day, about what we can accomplish personally and professionally. We want to look back at the end of every day and feel fulfilled that we did what we said we would do, as we know there is almost no greater feeling than that of achievement.

How is week two going for you?

Have you started and your drive and motivation are even stronger than last week? Did you need to hear this message to keep the momentum going? I would love to hear your story at mnorton@tramazing. com and when we can keep moving forward, even inch by inch, without stopping, it really will be a better than good year.

Michael Norton is the grateful CEO of Tramazing.com, a personal and professional coach, and a consultant, trainer, encourager and

Save energy, save money this winter

ooler temperatures have arrived and the days are shorter, which means Coloradans may start to use more energy to keep their homes comfortable and day-to-day activities running.

Several factors impacting utilities across the U.S, are pointing to higher prices for natural gas this winter.

These include lower inventory levels of gas in storage, higher summertime use to generate electricity for cooling, and interrupted offshore gas production due to Hurricane Ida. The first step to making your home more energy efficient is knowing what simple fixes it needs. Here are a few spot tests to help detect where you may be losing the most energy: The Flashlight Test: Have someone go outside at night and shine a flashlight at and around doorways, while you stay inside; you’ll see the light shining through any cracks or openings that need to be resealed.

The Tissue Test: Hang a piece of tissue on a clothes hanger next to a closed window. If the tissue is moving, there’s a leak from your window seals.

The Money Test: Slip a quarter underneath a doorway. If it fits, heat is escaping. To test windows, place a dollar bill across the weather-strip-

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

ping on a window, close the window, and pull out the bill.

If it comes out easily, the window doesn’t have a tight enough seal.

After identifying the areas of your home that may need help, here are a few inexpensive DIY Amy Fiala weatherization tips to reduce wasted energy and help you save on monthly energy bills: Seal cracks with caulk. Wherever you discovered a leak, apply new caulk to seal cracks and joints, keeping drafts and moisture out of your home. And remember, leaks aren’t just found around windows and doors; consider every other area that may leak air, including where wood siding meets the concrete foundation.

Weather-strip windows and doors. In addition to caulking cracks, consider installing a foambacked tape around windows and doors to keep heat inside. Windows and doors are important areas to make energy efficiency upgrades, as 7% to 12% of a building’s heating and cooling loss occurs around these

GUEST COLUMN

Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep in mind the following rules: • Submit your letter in a Word document or in the body of an email. No PDFs, please.

• Letters must be limited to 250 words.

• Do not use all caps, italics or bold text.

• Keep it polite: Do not resort to name calling.

• Include a source and a link to it for any information that is not common knowledge. We will not publish

areas.

Check your furnace. Conduct regular maintenance on your furnace, like cleaning your furnace filter monthly and replacing it every three months. We also encourage you to get a professional furnace check-up each year, to make sure your home’s largest energy user in the winter is running efficiently.

Upgrade your thermostat. According to the Department of Energy, you can save an estimated 10% a year on heating and cooling costs by using a programmable thermostat. Upgrading your thermostat to a programmable model with a heating schedule is a great way to save energy. Black Hills Energy offers a rebate on Energy Star certified smart thermostats to help cover the cost.

Saving energy and money also means making small changes to your routine, to use less energy at times of peak demand, typically between 2 and 6 p.m. For those working at home, there are also a few ways to conserve energy during and after your 9-5. For example, opening blinds for all south-facing windows is a great way to let the sun heat your home during the day, so that you can turn down the thermostat by a couple degrees. Remember to close your

information that cannot easily be verified.

• If you quote a person, we must be able to easily verify it. That means the quote must have been published, stated during a public meeting or found on video.

• Submit ideas and opinions that are yours — and in your words. We do not publish letters as part of a letter-writing campaign.

• Letters may be edited for clarity, grammar, punctuation and length.

drapes or blinds at night, which will help insulate your home from any energy leaking from windows.

Black Hills Energy is committed to providing the safe, reliable energy that our communities need to thrive, regardless of the weather outside.

If you’re not sure what energy efficiency projects are most needed for your home, consider a virtual home energy assessment. Trained professionals will provide recommendations for reducing your energy consumption and often will identify projects and rebates to help you save money. Black Hills Energy also offers an online assessment that provides customers with a free home energy kit with hot water blanket, faucet aerators, showerheads, weatherstripping and more.

For more energy-saving tips, energy efficiency program information and to apply for an energy audit and rebates, visit blackhillsenergy.com/ winter-ready. And, if you’re struggling to pay your energy bill, reach out to our customer service team, who can help with billing options and energy assistance programs.

Amy Fiala is the energy efficiency program coordinator for Black Hills Energy.

• Letters will not be published from the same writer on consecutive weeks.

• Submit your letter by 5 p.m. on Wednesday for it to appear in the following week’s newspaper.

• Include your full name, address and phone number.

We publish only your name and city or town of residence • Email your letter to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Fort Lupton Press 7

January 13, 2022

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Thu 1/13 New Year, Get in Gear!

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Mon 1/17 Biggest loser 2022

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Medicare 101 Class 1/19 @ 4pm Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

National Western Stock Show & Rodeo @ 4pm Fort Lupton Recreation & Parks De‐ partment, 203 S Harrison, Fort Lupton.

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Extraordinary Adventures- The Great Barrier Reef @ 8pm Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760

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Wed 1/19 Taekwondo (Session 1: Tue/Thurs)

Winter Bingo Potluck @ 7pm Fort Lupton Recreation & Parks De‐ partment, 203 S Harrison, Fort Lupton.

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8 Fort Lupton Press

January 13, 2022

GOP FROM PAGE 1

Pandemic response The Republican candidates also had criticism for Polis’ handling of the COVID-19 response. Fry said it actually allowed the most vulnerable to die.

“The elderly are more susceptible to death than younger kids,” Fry said.

“The elderly are the ones we take care of first and, second, take care of the children and the mothers. The damage has been done to our society.

It’s enormous right now.”

He said he would do things differently, but was not specific.

“We heard enough of masks, social distancing, face shields, and double masks,” Fry said. “We are going to do the right thing and take care of it.”

Frisco’s Gray-Ginsberg said he favors masks, but had a darker theory about the disease, which he tied into the New Year’s Eve fires in Lousiville.

“It is by a bio war against us Americans, especially us as a demographic and it’s in the newspaper,” he said.

“The Christian sect is being accused of starting the fires. I’m Christian, but I’m not part of the sect. I think it’s a bio war and we’re the targets. If I was governor, there would be a massive mask mandate.”

Elizabeth’s Greg Lopez called the state’s COVID response incompetent.

“The governor has misguided policies has hurt Colorado beyond comparison,” he said. “I don’t think Gov. Polis is a bad person. But he has shown us his incompetence. He has no idea what emotional intelligence is all about, with the mental health

Greg Lopez

Jason Lopez

Neuschwanger

Fry

Gray-Ginsberg

damage that he’s done to our kids.”

He noted that Colorado’s pandemic shutdown forced people to be alone when they died.

“I want to remind people that people died alone, because of his policies,” Greg Lopez said. “People couldn’t go to funerals, because of what he did. We had kids that couldn’t even graduate across the stage because of his misguided policies. We don’t even know what he is going to do to the rest of our state, our economy, and our kids.

How dare he do this to us? It is time to make sure Gov. Polis realizes that he’s going be held accountable for his mistakes.”

Morrison’s Jason Lopez said the reaction was overblown.

“We should not live in fear due to this pandemic. Our bodies are an amazing operating system biologically,” he said.

Neuschwanger said leaders should have begun preparing for COVID-19 even before 2019 was over.

“I used to run a lot of mass casualty incidents, and here’s how I would run COVID differently,” she said. “Back in December of 2019 when we first knew that the China virus escaped the Wuhan lab, I would have started looking at PPE right then. And also talked to my local hospitals about the possibility of it hitting the United States.”

Transportation Moderator Wadhams asked what priorities they had for improving the state’s transportation infrastructure. Gray-Ginsberg, the Frisco software developer, said he is for trains.

“I would implement a train system immediately probably zooming through South Park,” he said. “And a train system and all through Colorado like a Metroplex train, and bring in Siemens technologies, who I’ve worked for before.”

Elizabeth’s Greg Lopez said he sat on the board of directors of E-470 and understands transportation.

His focus would be alternate routes.

“What we must do is think about how are we going to create alternative routes, he said. “I sat on the board for E-470. Think about this for a minute; What if the state of Colorado bought E-470 and took off all the tolls because it is owned by five jurisdictions in three counties?”

Doing that could alleviate pressure on Interstate 25, he said.

“It’s not privately owned. It is owned by municipalities,” he said.

“We could take all kinds of traffic off the I-25 by making E-470 a public road. These are the types of ideas that you need from a governor to think outside the box because it’s important.”

Morrison’s Jason Lopez called for

BRIEFS

eral of its citizen advisory committees. Visit https://www.fortluptonco. gov/966/I-Want-To-Apply-for-a-Committee.

an all-volunteer program and is in need of volunteers. If interested in volunteering or donating, call 303-7184440. Mail donations to Blessings in a Bag, 306 Park Ave., Fort Lupton 80621.

Boards/committees’ openings The city of Fort Lupton is looking for volunteers for its historic preservation board, the Fort Lupton Urban Renewal Authority, FLURA business representative (a five-year term), FLURA alternate member (term expires March 5, 2023) and library board trustee (term expires December 2024).

Call Alyssa Knutson at 720-466-6128.

players.

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FROM PAGE 4

Drop-in child care The Fort Lupton Recreation Center offers drop-in child care from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 303-8574200.

Committee openings Fort Lupton has openings for sev-

Chess tournament The Fort Lupton Public & School Library put together a chess tournament that’s ideal for beginning

Fort Lupton senior lunches Senior lunches are available at noon Mondays at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave. Sign up by noon the previous Thursday.

Call 303-857-4200, ext. 6166.

Coffee group Fort Lupton’s weekly coffee group sessions are at 8 a.m. Wednesdays.

Call 303-857-4200.

distributing the state’s transportation budget more fairly around the state.

“I feel that our budgeting, and doing a restructuring of how things are allocated, could be managed where the infrastructure is built for a futuristic-looking viewpoint,” he said. “People have moved here from all over the country, from California. When we legalized cannabis our population grew quite a bit.

“But now we do not tackle these infrastructure needs with roads and bridges. I understand about bikes and certain other types of transportation within Denver metropolitan areas, but we need to be able to connect to our rural communities as well so people have infrastructure even further out, to come in or travel out.”

Neuschwanger noted that the state has already increased spending on transportation. It just needs to be spent wisely.

“Where does this money go?

Because it’s not going to infrastructure. It’s not going to transportation,” Neuschwanger said. “Senate Bill 260 was just proposed in May and passed, which is a $5.85 billion spending bill to increase transportation by making 940,000 electric cars available by 2030 (with) charging stations across the United States.”

Fry said he would aim to eliminate government commissions, especially the state’s transportation commission.

“I know this mess at the state level. It’s the biggest slush fund waste of money you can imagine in transportation. This is a simple way to save money when you get a job with the state.”

Silver Sneakers Silver Sneaker Yoga is available Fridays from 9 to 9:45 a.m. and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Fort Lupton recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave. Water aerobics The city’s water aerobics class meets from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at thke Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave. Call 303-857-4200.

Pen pals Fort Lupton’s senior pen pal program through Twombly Elementary School is looking for participants.

Learn more at: https://www.fortluptonco.gov/950/Senior-Pen-PalProgram

Council OKs water-rate increase January 27th - 5:00-7:30pm

eet M e r o l p x earn E

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Projects | Clubs | Friends www.adams4h.org

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Fort Lupton City Council approved an increase in water rates during its first meeting of the new year Jan. 4.

Customers who use between 12,000 and 20,000 gallons of water per month will pay $7.12, an increase of $1.31.

Those who use more than 20,000 gallons per month pay $9.58, an increase of $1.76 per month. Non-potable water rates did not change, but the city’s bulk water rate moved to $12, an increase of $2.

There was no change to the city’s sewer rates. The monthly base charge is $16.60. The charge per 1,000 gallons

of use is $5.79, and the non-metered sewer charge stayed at $38.75.

The monthly base charge stayed at $34.65, as did the $4.98 fee for monthly uses of less than 12,000 gallons of water use. It’s the first increase in three years. Council’s vote was unanimous.

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Appointments Council also appointed Lori Saine C to serve a four-year term on the Fort q Lupton Urban Renewal Authority. The term expires Jan. 19, 2026. Council also m reappointed Mark Grajeda as the Fort d Lupton Fire Protection District representative to FLURA a for a five-year term. It expires Jan. 17, 1 R 2017.

Fort Lupton Press 9

January 13, 2022

In rare move, 2 statewide GOP candidates to cap spending That means Ganahl, Anderson can sidestep donation limits

BY SANDRA FISH THE COLORADO SUN

Two Republican candidates running for statewide office in Colorado next year have agreed to limit their campaign spending, a rare move that allows them to accept up to twice as much money from their donors.

Heidi Ganahl, a University of Colorado regent running for governor, and Pam Anderson, a former Jefferson County clerk running for secretary of state, both agreed to the voluntary spending constraints.

The candidates can now accept up to $2,500 from individual donors, up to $27,000 from small-donor committees and up to $271,550 from the state Republican Party.

“We can spend less time fundraising, more time talking to voters and talking about the hyper-partisan nature of that office right now,” said Anderson, who is a former executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association.

Asked about the decision, Ganahl’s campaign did not address their strategy. But a spokeswoman said that “governorships cannot be bought at an auction.”

Voters approved Amendment 27, a constitutional campaign finance overhaul, in 2002. It included limits

on how much money candidates could accept from donors. But the amendment also included a loophole to those limits for candidates who agreed to keep their spending below a certain threshold.

A candidate for statewide office, legislature and a few other offices may agree to the voluntary spending limits when they first declare their candidacy. For candidates running in 2022, the limits range from $88,225 for state House candidates to $3,395,275 for candidates running for governor.

Candidates can’t raise more than the traditional limit right away, however. They must wait until an opponent raises 10% of the spending limit.

So, in the governor’s race, Ganahl could not start accepting larger donations until Gov. Jared Polis raised about $340,000. (Polis has raised $626,000 for his reelection campaign so far.)

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, has already raised about $1.3 million, far more than 10% of the voluntary spending limit.

Ganahl raised about $135,000 in the three weeks after announcing her candidacy. About 10% of her 300-plus donations during that time exceeded the $1,250 individual donation limit for other statewide candidates.

Anderson didn’t announce her candidacy until after the last quarterly fundraising reporting deadline, so her donor information isn’t yet public.

Candidates who accept the voluntary spending limits have an out.

Every time a new candidate enters their contest and doesn’t accept the voluntary spending limits, candidates who have accepted the constraints receive a letter from the secretary of state letting them know they have 10 days to back out of their pledge.

If they do abandon the spending limits, they don’t have to return any excess contributions they’ve already received. Colorado’s donation limits were second-lowest in the nation in 2018.

Anderson said she has no intention of revoking the spending limits if other candidates get in the race, but sees the spending pledge as central to her campaign for secretary of state.

Ganahl’s campaign didn’t respond about whether it would reconsider the spending limits at some point.

The Colorado Sun reviewed campaign accounts for primary candidates for governor, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer in 2014 and 2018 and found none accepted the voluntary spending limits.

Brad Levin, a Democrat who competed for attorney general but failed to make the primary ballot, originally accepted the limits. But David Fine, his attorney, wrote to the Secretary of State’s Office that the acceptance was an error by Fine in filling out forms.

Legislative candidates more often accept the limits, but, like in Levin’s case, some have done so in error.

State Rep. Tom Sullivan, a Centen-

nial Democrat, initially accepted the limits for his 2018 campaign in error.

He was able to withdraw from the limits when another candidate filed to run for the House seat.

Sullivan is running for a state Senate seat in 2022, but isn’t accepting the voluntary limits.

“I’ll never do that again,” he said.

“It doesn’t do you any good if you’re the only one trying to fight the righteous fight.”

Suzanne Taheri, a Republican and former deputy secretary of state, accepted the limits when she ran unsuccessfully for state Senate in 2020.

But she never raised money over the contribution limits.

“I never asked people for (more money) or advertised that I did it,” she said. “Part of it is, just a lot of people don’t understand what voluntary limits are. Most consultants will tell you not to take them.

They’re focused on how much money you’re going to raise, so they’re trying to get you to not limit yourself.”

Successful candidates, who did not accept the spending limits, often outspent them, a Colorado Sun analysis found.

In 2010, former Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, spent $3.9 million on his campaign, when the voluntary cap was about $2.7 million. Two candidates who didn’t make the general election ballot that year, former Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat who opted not to run, and former U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis, SEE ELECTION, P10

Interested in running for office in 2022?

Here are steps to take to get on a ballot

BY SANDRA FISH COLORADO SUN

The 2022 election is 10 months away, and a wave of candidates are filing paperwork to run in Colorado’s newly reconfigured congressional and legislative districts.

But jumping into a race doesn’t guarantee someone a spot on the ballot for the June 28 primary, let alone the Nov. 8 general election. Candidates have to spend big money to qualify for the contest, or they can try to pick up enough support from members of their political party through what’s called the caucus and assembly process.

The mad dash to make the ballot starts this month, with the primary ballot set by April 29.

Here’s how the process works for Democratic and Republican candidates:

Candidates must meet certain qualifications e The federal and state governments set qualifications for candidates to run for elected office.

First off, candidates must be affiliated with a political party on Jan. 1, 2022, to seek the Democratic or Republican nomination.

To run for U.S. Senate, candidates must also be at least 30 years old, be a U.S. citizen for at least nine years, and be a resident of the state at the time of the election.

To run for the U.S. House, candidates must be at least 25 years old, be a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and live in the state they represent, though not necessarily in the congressional district where they’re running.

Anyone running for office in Colorado must be a U.S. citizen. But that’s not the only requirement.

To run for governor or lieutenant governor, candidates must: be at least 30 years old and be a Colorado resident for at least two years.

To run for treasurer, secretary of state or attorney general, candidates must be at least 25 years old and be a Colorado resident for at least two years.

To run for state Senate or House, candidates must be at least 25 years old and live in Colorado and the district they are seeking to represent for at least one year.

To run for University of Colorado regent, state Board of Education or district attorney, candidates must be at least 18 years old, be a Colorado resident and live in the district they’re running in, unless they’re running for a statewide at-large seat The caucus and assembly process The caucus and assembly pro-

cess is considered the traditional, grassroots method of getting on the ballot. It’s also the least predictable route to being elected.

Candidates must cultivate support among party members who show up to precinct caucuses, where a handful of people — sometimes only two or three — gather to throw their support behind someone and elect delegates. Those delegates move on to county, district and state assemblies where they help form party platforms and nominate candidates for everything from county offices to the U.S. Senate.

Only voters registered as Republicans or Democrats by Feb. 7 may attend precinct caucuses, which must be held between March 1 and 5. Typically, the caucuses and subsequent assemblies draw mostly party activists. That’s because it takes dedication — and a good deal of time — to participate.

To make the ballot through the caucus and assembly, candidates must get at least 30% of the delegate vote at each step. This limits the number of candidates who may emerge from an assembly to three, though it’s typically fewer.

For example, in the 2018 gubernatorial caucus and assembly process, Democrats nominated Cary Kennedy and then U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, while Republicans nominated then state Treasurer Walker Stapleton and former Parker Mayor Greg Lopez.

But those four people were far from the only candidates seeking to be on the primary ballot that year.

The caucus and assembly process can be somewhat unpredictable because delegates may switch their support from one candidate to another at the last minute. The 2016 Republican primary for U.S. Senate is a prime example, where then El Paso County Commissioner Darryl Glenn surprised many political observers by wooing party activists at the last minute and making the ballot. In the process, he denied others a chance at winning the GOP nomination.

The petition process Candidates may also petition to get on the ballot by gathering signatures from voters registered to their party. Those signatures are then reviewed and confirmed by the Secretary of State’s Office.

Jan. 18 is the first day that Democratic or Republican candidates may begin gathering those signatures. Signatures must be submitted

by March 15.

The signature-gathering rules are somewhat complicated, and going the petition route can be expensive — as in tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars expensive — especially for statewide candidates who typically hire private firms to do the work.

SEE BALLOT, P10

10 Fort Lupton Press

January 13, 2022

BALLOT

Problems can arise In 2018, Stapleton paid a firm about $235,000 to gather signatures so he could get on the ballot. But he withdrew the signatures he submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office at the last minute when he learned that the company he hired didn’t follow state laws.

Stapleton later won a lawsuit against Kennedy Enterprises, the signaturegathering firm, which was ordered to return the money.

Campaign finance records don’t indicate how much 2018 Republican gubernatorial nominees Victor Mitchell and Doug Robinson or Democrats Donna Lynne and Mike Johnston paid to make the ballot. But Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser spent nearly $175,000 to make the ballot in 2018, and Republican can-

treasurer and attorney general candidates must collect 1,000 signatures from each of the state’s eight congressional districts. That’s at least 8,000 signatures. State House and Senate candidates must collect whichever is lesser: 1,000 signatures or 30% of the votes cast in the last primary election (or general election if there was no primary) held in the district Candidates running for at-large University of Colorado regent seats must collect 500 signatures from each of the state’s eight congressional districts for a total of 4,000 signatures There’s often a race to submit signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office because once a voter has been counted on one candidate’s petition, they can’t be counted for another one running for the same office.

FROM PAGE 9

Signature-gathering requirements U.S. Senate candidates and those running for governor must collect 1,500 valid signatures from voters in each of Colorado’s eight congressional districts.

That’s at least 12,000 signatures, though candidates typically gather far more signatures than they need just in case some signatures are rejected during the review process. U.S. House, state Board of Education and CU regent candidates must collect whichever is lesser: 1,500 signatures or 10% of the votes cast in the last primary election (or general election if there was no primary) held in the district Secretary of state,

ELECTION

$4 million on his campaign, well over the $3.1 million voluntary limit.

Victor Mitchell, one of Stapleton’s three unsuccessful primary opponents, spent $5 million, most of it his own money.

The Polis campaign spent $23.8 million, almost all of it the candidate’s own money, to win in 2018.

He’s already given $438,000 from his personal fortune into his 2022 campaign.

Polis limits his individual campaign contributions to $200, but his personal wealth means he’s got

FROM PAGE 9

a Republican who lost the primary, each spent $2 million.

In 2014, Hickenlooper spent nearly $5.5 million on his gubernatorial reelection campaign, while his Republican opponent Bob Beauprez spent $2.9 million, about the same amount as that year’s voluntary limit.

In 2018, GOP gubernatorial candidate Walker Stapleton spent about

John Hickenlooper and Andrew Romanoff on the 2020 U.S. Senate PHOTO BY JESSE PAUL, SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN primary ballot.

didate for treasurer Polly Lawrence spent $128,000.

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalistowned news outlet based in Denver and covering the

millions to spend on next year’s campaign.

Taheri said she thinks it makes sense for Ganahl and Anderson to accept the voluntary spending limits.

“I think it makes sense in the governor’s race and the secretary of state’s race,” Taheri said. “You can’t raise that much money. It’s hard to raise $3.4 million. Then you don’t have to spend as much time fundraising if your donor base has the capacity to give you bigger donations.”

state. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. The Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

And outside groups often spend more than candidates in statewide contests. In the 2018 gubernatorial contest, for instance, Republican outside groups spent $14.5 million while Democratic groups spent $10.5 million.

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com.

The Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

COLORADO’S POWER PATHWAY PUBLIC OPEN HOUSES Please join us to provide input on transmission line routes and substation locations LOGAN

Greeley

WELD

76

25

Pawnee

YUMA

Fort Morgan

36 BOULDER

76

25 DENVER

Denver

ADAMS

Wray

Segment 2: Canal Crossing – Goose Creek

WASHINGTON 36

225

70

Yuma

Segment 1: Fort St. Vrain – Canal Crossing

NEBRASKA

LARIMER

Xcel Energy continues to make progress identifying potential locations for Colorado’s Power Pathway. Please join us at one of our upcoming in-person public open houses to provide input about our revised transmission line routes and substation site options. We want to hear from you about this important project and any topics we should consider in your area.

PHILLIPS

MORGAN

Canal Crossing

COLORADO

Fort St. Vrain

AR APAHOE

Harvest Mile JEFFERSON

Castle Rock

70

ELBERT

Burlington

Limon

DOUGLAS

70

25 24

TELLER

Segment 5: Tundra – Harvest Mile

Monument

24

KIT CARSON

40

Project staff will be available to provide information about transmission line routing activities and answer questions about the new transmission line project, including the overall timeline, route options, construction processes and topics related to easements and right-of-way.

Goose Creek CHEYENNE

Colorado Springs

Segment 3: Goose Creek – May Valley

LINCOLN

Eads

KIOWA

Tundra Pueblo

CROWLEY

KANSAS

287

Segment 4: May Valley – Tundra

50

COLORADO

EL PASO

FREMONT

May Valley

CUSTER

No formal presentation is planned, so please attend at any time during the open house. If you are unable to attend, meeting materials and an electronic comment form will be posted at ColoradosPowerPathway.com.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE

Colorado’s Power Pathway is a $1.7 to $2 billion investment proposed by Xcel Energy to improve the state’s electric grid and enable future renewable energy development around the state.

This project will increase electric reliability, boost the regional economy and create jobs during construction. We estimate the system will cross more than a dozen counties and include:

Additional meetings are planned for early March. View the full meeting schedule on our website.

• Approximately 560-650 miles of new high-voltage transmission line • Four new and four expanded substations If approved, construction could begin in 2023 and the first transmission segments could be in service in 2025, with other segments completed in 2026 and 2027.

385 50

Lamar

Las Animas

25

OTERO

BENT

350 HUERFANO

Extension: May Valley – Longhorn (optional)

New Substation Focus Area

Visit ColoradosPowerPathway.com or contact us at 855-858-9037 or ColoradosPowerPathway@ xcelenergy.com.

Longhorn

Existing Walsenburg Substation 160

FOR MORE INFORMATION

PROWERS

287 LAS ANIMAS

BACA

Springfield

Note about COVID-19: If local, state or corporate guidance prevents in-person meetings or affects venue capacity, these open houses may be rescheduled or moved to an online format. Please check ColoradosPowerPathway.com or call the project hotline at 855-858-9037 for up-to-date information. xcelenergy.com | © 2022 Xcel Energy Inc. | Xcel Energy is a registered trademark of Xcel Energy Inc.

21-08-410

PUEBLO

Si necesita asistencia o información en español, por favor contáctenos directamente al 855-858-9037 o ColoradosPowerPathway@ xcelenergy.com.

Monday, Jan. 24 4-7 p.m.

Platteville Community Center 508 Reynolds Ave, Platteville, CO 80651 Tuesday, Jan. 25 4-7 p.m.

Fort Morgan Field House, Gym 3 1239 E Kiowa Ave, Fort Morgan, CO 80701 Wednesday, Jan. 26 4-7 p.m.

Washington County Event Center, Large Room 551 W 2nd St, Akron, CO 80720 Thursday, Jan. 27 9-11 a.m.

Grassroots Community Center 6671 US Highway 36, Joes, CO 80822 4-6 p.m.

Seibert Community Center 504 4th St, Seibert, CO 80834 Monday, Jan. 31 4-6 p.m.

Pueblo Community College, Fortino Ballroom 900 W Orman Ave, Pueblo, CO 81004 Tuesday, Feb. 1 9-11 a.m.

The Heritage Center Corner of 3rd and Main, Crowley, CO 81033 4-7 p.m.

Kiowa County Fairgrounds, Community Building Fairground Rd, Eads, CO 81036 Wednesday, Feb. 2 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Cheyenne County Fairgrounds, Auditorium W 6th St S, Cheyenne Wells, CO 80810 4-6 p.m.

Lamar Community Building, Dance Room 610 S 6th St, Lamar, CO 81052 Thursday, Feb. 3 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Baca County Resource Center 1260 Main Street, Springfield, CO 81073

Fort Lupton Press 11

January 13, 2022

THANK YOU, Council Member Sawyer

THANK YOU, Council Member Ortega

THANK YOU, Council Member Sandoval

THANK YOU, Council Member Torres

THANK YOU, Council Member Kashmann

THANK YOU, Council Member CdeBaca

THANK YOU, Council Member Hinds

THANK YOU, Council Member Kniech The Denver City Council took bold action to protect our kids from tobacco addiction, advance health equity, and save lives by voting to end the sale of flavored tobacco products – including flavored e-cigarettes and menthol cigarettes. While we thank those on the council who stood up to Big Tobacco, we are disappointed Mayor Hancock vetoed this lifesaving ordinance, overturning the strong action the council took to protect kids. Mayor Hancock was willing to put Big Tobacco’s profits over the health of Denver’s kids.

THANK YOU FOR VOTING TO PROTECT OUR KIDS.

Paid for by Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund

12 Fort Lupton Press

January 13, 2022

Donors send more than $12 million to fire victims Community Foundation Boulder County is creating an advisory committee

BY OLIVIA PRENTZEL THE COLORADO SUN

More than 43,000 people have donated more than $12 million to the Boulder County Wildfire Fund to help those affected by the Marshall Fire, officials said on Jan. 4.

Community Foundation Boulder County will begin to distribute up to $5 million in direct financial assistance to those whose homes were destroyed or damaged, Tatiana Hernandez, the foundation’s CEO said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

Up to $500,000 will be available to residents who were forced to flee, but did not lose their homes.

The foundation is creating an advisory committee, including representatives from Superior and Louisville, that will make recommendations as to how the funds will be used, Hernandez said. The committee should be finalized by Friday.

“We recognize there are immediate, short- and long-term needs of an event of this magnitude,” Hernandez said.

People can apply for financial aid from the foundation and other sources at the disaster assistance center, at 1755 S. Public Road in Lafayette, between 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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daily. At the center, residents can also find help with housing and obtaining vital records, food, COVID-19 tests and transportation.

So far, more than 600 Boulder County residents have signed up to receive FEMA assistance, said Garry Sanfacon, Boulder County’s disaster recovery manager.

Law enforcement authorities said the Marshall fire remains under investigation, and declined to address questions about efforts to determine what sparked the state’s most destructive fire in history.

Investigators determined the fire was sparked near Marshall Road and Colorado 93, but haven’t pinpointed a cause or identified who, if anyone, is to blame. The investigation could take weeks, Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said.

More than 700 University of Colorado employees and about 600 students live in areas that were evacuated during the Marshall and Middle Fork fires last week, the university said Tuesday. Nearly 1,000 structures were destroyed by the Marshall fire, including the homes of dozens of CU Boulder students, faculty and staff.

In light of the impacts of the fire, in combination with a surge in COVID cases, instruction for the first two weeks of the spring semester, beginning Jan. 10, on the Boulder campus, will be remote.

Utility crews have restored gas to 10,000 customers as of Tuesday, Xcel Energy Colorado president Alice Jackson said. About 3,000 customers

In the aftermath of the Marshall Fire, experts are recommending ways to prepare for COURTESY OF THE COLORADO SUN tragedy.

still remain without service.

Outside of the burn path, electricity is back online for everyone who lost service, while workers continue to restore electricity to customers inside the burn area, Jackson said.

The city of Louisville hopes to restore water to all residents affected by the fire by Jan. 9, officials said.

Strong winds Tuesday created dangerous conditions for firefighters in the burn area, Pat Seekings, operations sections chief for the Rocky Mountain Type 1 Incident Management Team said during a briefing earlier Tuesday.

Crews were working within the fire perimeter in Superior and Louisville, focusing on areas that could potentially flare up due to the high winds, Seekins said.

Todd Legler, the team’s safety of-

ficer, warned that high winds pose a significant threat to firefighters and people returning to their homes.

“We saw a lot of significant damage to buildings because of the fire and these winds could topple over some of these buildings, some of these remaining chimneys that are standing, and we don’t want our firefighters or members of the public to get injured by those,” Legler said, urging people to stay out of the restricted areas.

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. The Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

How to prepare for a wildfire in Colorado Experts say to map evacuation routes and gather emergency supplies

BY OLIVIA PRENTZEL THE COLORADO SUN

The Marshall Fire, which forced thousands to flee as flames raced across 6,000 acres in the matter of hours, offered a window into what has become a new reality for many parts of Colorado.

Even if you don’t live in a community directly adjacent to forestland, embers can travel through the air, move rapidly and travel great distances, especially when fueled by intense winds.

Here is a list of ways to prepare in the event a wildfire in Colorado: Before the fire Assemble an emergency kit.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests packing the following items: • Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation) and at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio that can receive NOAA weather radio tone alerts and other batteries • Flashlight and extra batteries • First-aid kit Extra batteries • Whistle (to signal for help)

• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air) • Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities) • Manual can opener (for food) • Local maps • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery • Masks (for everyone ages 2 and above), soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes • Prescription medication and glasses. nonprescription medications to treat pain and diarrhea • A complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes.

• Consider additional clothing for colder temperatures.

• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank records. Place the documents in a portable, waterproof container.

• Cash and change • First aid book • Matches in a waterproof container • Sleeping bag or a warm blanket for each person • Pen and pencil Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children Pet food and extra water for your pet Diapers and formula Keep important documents together.

Collect insurance records, passports, birth certificates, property titles, Social Security cards and any other important documents that may be needed to file claims

after the fire or might be difficult to replace.

Know how you will communicate with your family.

Create a hardcopy list of contact information for your family and other important people and services, like doctors, schools or service providers. Make sure everyone carries a copy in their wallet, purse or backpack. When using a cell phone, a text message is the best way to communicate with family, as it uses less bandwidth.

Know your escape routes.

Have a map with more than one evacuation route and practice them with your family. Make sure everyone in the family knows your safe meeting place and let your friends and family know your plans.

Set up homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.

Homeowners should complete annual insurance policy “checkups” to make sure they keep up with local building costs, home remodeling and inventories of their personal belongings, according to Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. Rates will vary depending on how likely it is a claim will be filed and how much it is likely to cost.

For example, a homeowner living in an area that has high wildfire SEE EMERGENCY, P13

Fort Lupton Press 13

January 13, 2022

Isolation, quarantine guidance changes Updated protocols reflect CDC’s new COVID recommendations

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The state public health department has updated its quarantine and isolation guidance, changing how long it suggests people with COVID-19 — or those who are exposed to it — should avoid others.

Colorado made the move to align with the change in recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to a Dec. 27 news release.

“Isolation” refers to the steps a person should take after a confirmed infection, according to the CDC’s website. Quarantine, on the other hand, is when people avoid others after exposure to the virus and wait to see whether sickness

EMERGENCY

FROM PAGE 12

risk would pay a higher insurance rate than a homeowner living in a low-risk area. Renter’s insurance can cover the cost to replace the belongings inside your rented home (up to policy limits) and most policies include additional living expenses if you are forced out of your home from a fire.

Make an inventory of your home.

Take photos or record the beolongings inside your home and store them outside your home or digitally. Remember to document contents of drawers and closets and if recording, mention the price you paid and where and when you bought the item. Save receipts for major purchases and store them digitally or in a fireproof case.

-Don’t forget to document what’s inside your garage.

Create a digital backup of photos.

For photos taken with your phone, use Google Photos, Apple iCloud, Dropbox or similar services to keep your photos backed up

m

occurs.

The updated guidance reduces the recommended time in isolation for those in the general population with COVID-19 from 10 to five days if asymptomatic on day five, followed by an additional five days wearing a mask when around others, according to the state public health department.

Depending on local public health orders, mask wearing may be required in public in general indoors regardless of isolation or quarantine.

Aside from the isolation guidance, the new quarantine guidance depends on how long it has been since a person’s initial vaccine shots and whether the person has received a booster shot.

For those who have been exposed to the virus, the CDC now recommends quarantine for five days followed by mask use for an additional five days for people who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine dose — or more

than two months after the singledose Johnson & Johnson vaccine — and have not yet received a third dose (or second dose if receiving the J&J vaccine), according to the state public health department.

The established guidelines primarily apply to those who are unvaccinated or were vaccinated more than six months ago and did not get a booster shot.

People who have more recently completed their primary vaccination series, meaning within six months of a person’s second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or within two months of their J&J dose — or who have received their third dose (or second dose if receiving the J&J vaccine) do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but they should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.

Again, the public should note that local orders may require mask wearing in public regardless of the above guidance.

The CDC’s own specific guidance on mask wearing says that people,

including children older than 2, should wear a mask in indoor public places if they are: • Not fully vaccinated • Fully vaccinated and in an area with “substantial or high” COVID transmission • Fully vaccinated and with weakened immune systems For information on the number of COVID cases in local communities and counties, visit the website at at tinyurl.com/CDCcovidspreadtracker.

Regardless of vaccination status, the CDC recommends testing on day 5 after exposure or immediately if symptoms develop, according to the state public health department.

“The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus) transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after,” the CDC said in a Dec. 27 news release about the updated isolation and quarantine guidance.

online. For photo albums and other nondigital keepsakes, use a personal scanner to create copies or use a local scanning service to make backups of irreplaceable images.

foundation vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh • Use tempered glass for windows. CSFS recommends at least two panes • Replace combustible fencing or gates that are within 5 feet of your home • Rake and remove all pine needles and other flammable debris from a 5-foot radius around the foundation of your home • Keep propane tanks at least 30 feet from the home, preferably at the same elevation as the house; remove flammable vegetation within 10 feet of all propane tanks and gas meters • Keep firewood stacked uphill, or at the same elevation as, your home and keep the woodpile at least 30 feet away from your home; do not stack the wood between trees, underneath the deck or on the deck • Remove branches that hang over the roof and chimney • After thinning trees and shrubs, dispose of the slash by chipping, hauling to a disposal site or piling in open areas for burning later. Wood chips should be kept 30 feet or more away from your home.

As the fire approaches If there’s time, move flammable items like propane tanks, brush and wood piles at least 30 feet away from your home. Shut off the gas at the meter and turn off the air-conditioning. Shut windows and doors, but leave them unlocked so firefighters can get in after you evacuate. Remove flammable drapes and curtains. Listen or read the local news for updated emergency information Place valuable documents and mementos inside the car.

Have a plan for your pets and animals.

Many public shelters and hotels don’t allow pets inside. Know a safe place where you can take your pets before disasters happen. Have your pet microchipped. Make sure your address and phone number are up to date. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Consider moving horses and large animals to a safe location early, before evacuation is ordered, if possible.

Know the risk of wildfire where you live.

Reducing fuels around your home can help mitigate wildfire risk. Colorado State Forest Service offers the following tips to help prepare your home and property for a fire: • Remove all debris, including leaves and needles, from decks, roofs and gutters • Screen the attic, roof, eaves and

When you decide to leave Don’t wait for an evacuation order to leave. If you feel unsafe, go. Consider traffic jams if you live in a densely populated area. Grab your go-bag and if there is time, your most important belongings, including personal documents, family keepsakes, cell phones and chargers.

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. The Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

14 Fort Lupton Press

January 13, 2022

The exterior of the University of Colorado Hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, photographed on Oct. 18, 2019. The hospital is the flagship of the UCHealth sys-

Federal relief funds helped most Colo. hospitals profit in 2020 A report finds that hospitals in the Denver area netted $1 billion less on patient care

BY JOHN INGOLD COLORADO SUN

Thanks in part to federal relief funds, most Colorado hospitals were profitable in 2020 A new report found that hospitals in the Denver area netted $1 billion less on patient care in 2020 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

A new report from a national expert on hospital finances shows that Colorado hospitals weathered the early months of the coronavirus pandemic profitably, despite seeing a steep decline in revenue related to patient care.

Hospitals in the Denver metro area posted combined profits of nearly $1.4 billion in 2020, according to the report from Allan Baumgarten, a Minnesota-based health care consultant who has been producing reports on the Colorado hospital market for more than 20 years. His reports are drawn from data the hospitals submit to the federal government and are considered among the most reliable for tracking hospital finances in the state.

Baumgarten also found that health insurance companies in Colorado recorded record profits in 2020. Health maintenance

organizations, or HMOs, in the state logged profits of about $662 million in 2020, a roughly 6% margin. Baumgarten found that the unexpected expenses that insurers incurred related to caring for coronavirus patients were more than offset by the amount insurers had to pay for other types of care – such as nonemergency surgeries – that were delayed during the pandemic.

“Even in times of great distress, hospital systems and health insurers are doing quite well for themselves,” Baumgarten said.

The profits for Denver-area hospitals – roughly an 11% margin relative to net patient revenue – represent a considerable decline from 2018, when they posted a record $2.1 billion in profits.

But Baumgarten found that the decline could have been much steeper.

Hospitals in the Denver metro area took in nearly $440 million less in revenue related to patient care in 2020 than in 2019 – likely the result of the pandemic shutting down lucrative elective procedures at hospitals during its earliest months, as well as people postponing care out of fear of being exposed to the coronavirus.

Hospitals also saw roughly $627 million more in expenses during 2020.

The result – a more than $1 billion double-whammy – pushed operating income from patient care down to about $246 million, combined, for Denver metro hospitals, far below the $1.3 billion hospitals made off of patient care in 2019,

according to Baumgarten’s report.

Two hospitals – National Jewish Health and Children’s Hospital Colorado – each lost more than $100 million treating patients in 2020, according to Baumgarten’s report.

But hospitals saw an infusion from other sources of revenue – most notably federal stimulus dollars, but also investment income and charitable donations. Baumgarten found that Denver-area hospitals took in a combined $1.1 billion in non-patient revenue in 2020, the highest amount in at least three years. About $386 million of that came from federal provider relief funds, Baumgarten reported.

After adding in non-patient revenue, Baumgarten found that only four metro-area hospitals – Porter Adventist Hospital, Lutheran Medical Center, and the UCHealth hospitals in Highlands Ranch and Broomfield – failed to turn a profit in 2020.

All of Colorado’s major hospital systems in the Denver metro area were profitable in 2020, with privately owned HealthONE on top with profits of about $626 million before taxes, according to Baumgarten’s report. When adding in profits from hospitals outside the metro area, UCHealth pulled ahead, with about $630 million.

Baumgarten said the trends are similar nationwide.

“Large hospital systems around the country, from what I’ve seen, continue to do very well,” he said.

For smaller hospitals outside the metro area, 2020 was a more

challenging year. Of the 29 largest non-Denver-metro hospitals in Colorado, seven of them lost money in 2020. Combined, the hospitals reported about $620 million in profits in 2020, around a 9% margin when calculated as a percentage of net patient revenue.

Baumgarten produces his reports on Colorado hospital and health insurer finances every other year. The data in them is drawn largely from Medicare cost reports, which hospitals are required to file with the federal government.

This year’s report shows only an incomplete picture of the pandemic. Baumgarten said some hospitals ended their 2020 financial years in June of that year, while others went through December.

A spokeswoman for the Colorado Hospital Association said her organization had not yet seen Baumgarten’s report and could not comment. In the past, hospitals have noted that profits are necessary to upgrade old equipment, refurbish worn facilities and save for the future. While most of Colorado’s hospitals are nonprofit, privately owned hospitals also must pay taxes on their profits.

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. The Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

Fort Lupton Press 15

January 13, 2022

State’s taxable home values could skyrocket Forecast predicts up to 20% increases in 2023, but effect on owners is complicated

BY DANIEL DUCASSI THE COLORADO SUN

The taxable value of Colorado homes is expected to rise dramatically in 2023, according to the most recent forecast by the General Assembly’s economists — and not just in the white-hot Front Range and mountain resort real estate markets.

As families flee high housing prices in those areas, they’re pushing up prices on Denver’s fringes and in smaller metro areas.

“Rapid increases in home prices” are expected all over the state, “including some rural areas that don’t usually have that kind of appreciation,” Greg Sobetski, deputy chief economist for the nonpartisan Legislative Council Staff, told state lawmakers who sit on the Joint Budget Committee last month.

He also said legislative economists have noticed sizable value increases for vacant land in mountain communities, which are classified as nonresidential property, but are appreciating similarly to residential property. Increasing home values on the market affect assessed property values and are a critical source of tax revenue for local governments.

Sobetski was updating the influential state committee on current assessed property values and predictions for the future because they can have a big impact on state spending, especially in education.

Local property tax revenue is the first source of funding for local school districts, and key to determining how much state aid is provided to each district. Districts receive state funding to make up the difference between the state’s per pupil funding requirements and the local share of funding.

As local governments collect more property tax revenue to spend on schools, the state’s education spending obligations decrease, leaving lawmakers with a choice about how much state cash they want to pony up. If the local share of K-12 education spending increases, state lawmakers could maintain the level of spending in previous years — boosting K-12 spending overall — or reduce the state contribution to use elsewhere.

And because there are so many factors that determine how much an individual taxpayer will owe, and how much revenue local governments actually collect, it’s hard to say what the increased values will mean for the average homeowner or the state budget.

Local assessors reevaluate property values for tax purposes every other year. This year’s reassessment, which looked at property value increases between June 30, 2018, and June 30, 2020, resulted in an 11.3% increase in residential assessed values. (Nonresidential property values decreased by 1.6%.)

Taxable property values for homes are expected to decrease 1% in 2022,

A view of housing in Lone Tree on Dec. 23, 2020. Douglas County’s population grows by 24 people per day and is projected to reach more than 460,000 by 2031, including additional development in communities such as Lone Tree. PHOTO BY KATHRYN SCOTT, SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN

but then jump 19.5% when they are reassessed in 2023, to nearly $84 billion from $70.3 billion.

Eighty three school districts are expected to see total taxable property values increase by more than 15%, with 43 of those districts seeing growth greater than 15%.

Most of those districts are along the Front Range and in mountain communities. Slower growth is expected for many school districts in southern parts of the state, like the San Luis Valley and the Southwest mountains around Durango.

The forecast increase is “consistent with home price increases during the pandemic in Colorado and nationally, owing to supply constraints, increasing costs for building materials and labor, low interest rates, and elevated household savings,” according to the report from nonpartisan staff for the Colorado Legislative Council.

The report notes that increasing housing costs, especially in the metro Denver area, are causing families with school-aged children to move to the fringes, smaller metropolitan areas elsewhere in Colorado, or out of the state altogether.

It’s affecting the mountain region as well, where high housing costs have spurred families to save money by moving into more affordable places outside of resort communities.

It’s a domino effect that pushes up housing prices in places that were previously more affordable.

The Legislative Council Staff report explained that the slight decrease forecast for next year’s home values, and an expected 5.3% increase in 2024, are the result of changes to how home values are assessed under Senate Bill 293. That

It is hard to buy new and existing homes as inventory is scooped up quickly across the PHOTO BY THELMA GRIMES Denver Metro area.

measure, which passed last legislative session, temporarily reduces property assessment rates for the 2022 and 2023 tax years.

Here are some other takeaways from the report: • The Colorado Springs area is likely to see continued appreciation in home prices as buyers look outside of the Denver area for more affordable houses.

• The Denver metro area is also likely to see assessed values of homes pick back up after a slight dip in 2022, with faster appreciation in northern, eastern and southern suburbs and fringes.

• Home prices are expected to rise in Eastern Plains towns on the fringes of Front Range metro areas.

• The Legislative Council Staff also see strong home price appreciation on the horizon in Larimer and Weld counties, and noted a recent acceleration in new residential construction there.

• Over on the Western Slope, legislative economists expect strong home price appreciation across the region, especially in Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel counties.

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. The Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

16 Fort Lupton Press

LOCAL

January 13, 2022

LIFE

Highest-elevation spots in metro Denver counties sit at some unexpected places

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

T

o outdoor-recreation enthusiasts, Colorado is known for its fourteeners: mountain peaks that exceed 14,000 feet.

But take a drive through the Denver area, and you might notice how the elevation varies — even all the way down here.

Finding the highest-elevation points in metro Denver counties takes you to places that you might not expect to hold the top spots. Some sit in areas that make for great photos or bike rides.

Here’s a look at the highest points in several metro counties and information about their surroundings.

Arapahoe County Unless you live in the immediate area, there’s a good hance you’ve never passed by Arapahoe County’s highest stretch.

It sits near the edge of far southeast Aurora, just outside of Blackstone Country Club, amid the maze of twisting suburban streets.

Douglas County sits a few blocks to the south across County Line Road — and Elbert County sits a short drive to the southeast.

Michael Hubbard, a geographic information system analyst with Arapahoe County, believes that the highest point in the county point sits near the intersection of Powhaton Road and Otero Drive, at around 6,220 feet above sea level.

Hubbard said he determined that location from “our 10-foot elevation contours that cover the entire county.”

Near the high point, the south Aurora area features the large Southlands outdoor mall but quickly gives way to the plains to the east.

The high point is not far from where Smoky Hill Road ends, dipping south of Arapahoe Road.

The Smoky Hill Trail, once the shortest route to Denver from Kansas, ran roughly along parts of what is today Smoky Hill Road, according to the Aurora History Museum. The route was used from the 1850s until 1870, according to a guide from the museum online.

“Archaeological evidence found near (a historical) marker indicates that native peoples occupied the area approximately 850 years before the first European American immigrants arrived,” the guide says.

Adams County Another place where the suburbs meet the plains, Adams County’s highest point, just off of Interstate 70, is not far from an industrial area.

Drivers can access the area off a frontage road along I-70 — Colfax Avenue, which, after some twists and turns, continues east past the I-70/E-470 interchange and crosses Powhaton Road.

Based on the county’s contour map, the highest point in the county is northeast of that crossing. It is 5,670 feet in elevation, located on 26th Avenue, approximately 2,680 feet east of Powhaton Road, said a statement from county spokesperson Amber DiGiallonardo.

Signs advertising new homes in the area sit at the intersection of Powhaton Road and 26th Avenue, a mark of the continuing suburban sprawl.

A map illustrates the locations of Douglas County’s high-elevation points.

Denver County At first glance, the area of Kipling Street and Belleview Avenue looks like a nondescript suburban intersection: a Taco Bell here, a King Soopers there.

Walk a couple blocks north, though, and you’re out of Jefferson County and back inDenver, close to Denver’s highest point.

“The highest point within the City and County of Denver is somewhere along the south and/ or west fence lines behind the residence 4899 S. Johnson St.,” a statement from Denver staff said. “These fence lines are along the boundary between Denver and Jefferson counties, and elevation continues to rise to the south and west. The elevation here is approximately 5,684 feet -5,685 feet.”

If you don’t pay close attention to the look of the street signs, you wouldn’t know you’re back in Denver.

The spot is part of the area where Denver’s boundaries snake farthest southwest. Parts of that general area were annexed into Denver sometime in the 1970s, according to materials on the Denver Public Library’s website.

On the other end of Denver near its southeast edges, another high point sits near where Interstate 25 meets Belleview Avenue.

“Honorable mention should be given to the building site at 6900 E. Layton Ave. in the Belleview Station area,” Denver’s statement to Colorado Community Media said. “Prior to the development of this block, city contour data showed a couple of small domes exceeding 5,685 feet. It is unlikely that these survived development.”

Elevations at other points of interest in Denver, according to the city, include: • Loretto Heights Park, just to the west of the Loretto Heights campus, rises to approximately 5,510 feet. The “historic building(s)” on the campus sit at about 5,490 feet. The 70-acre campus, a former Catholic college that grew out of an effort by the Sisters of Loretto that dates back to 1891, sits off Federal Boulevard and Dartmouth Avenue.

COURTESY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY

The street signs along Kipling Street — within the City of Denver and just outside Jefferson County — north of Belleview Avenue on Dec. 29. The highest point in the City of Denver sits a short walk away.

• Inspiration Point Park summits at approximately 5,415 feet. The park sits along Sheridan Boulevard just north of I-70 and offers compelling views.

• The old radio station at the southwest corner of Ruby Hill Park is at 5,395 feet. The park sits in southwest Denver near the Overland Golf Course.

• Denver International Airport ranges from 5,300 feet to 5,400 feet.

All elevations shown in Denver’s statement were derived from the “2014 1-foot contour GIS layer created in conjunction with the 2014 Denver Regional Aerial Photography Project.”

Broomfield Broomfield’s highest point sits near Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, a place with a complicated history.

SEE HIGH POINTS, P17

Fort Lupton Press 17

January 13, 2022

Butterfly Pavilion focuses on Birdwings New display features unique butterflies in January STAFF REPORT

Westminster’s Butterfly Pavilion will feature a unique species through Jan. 31, the Birdwing butterflies.

The Pavilion invites visitors to “Beauty of the Birdwing” to immerse themselves among hundreds of beautiful, big, and spectacular Birdwing butterflies while learning more about these vulnerable invertebrates and how to help protect them.

The Common Green Birdwing (Ornithoptera priamus) is among the largest butterflies in the world, with an astonishing wingspan of up to one foot in length. They are found in the tropics of Southeast Asia and Australasia - and now are featured in Butterfly Pavilion’s conservatory, allowing guests a rare experience to observe them up-close in glorious flight.

“These butterflies will have been in their chrysalis form for nearly a month, so when they emerge and are released into our conservatory it is an exciting and wondrous sight for returning and new visitors to witness,” says Shiran Hershcovich, Lepidopterist Manager at Butterfly Pavilion said in a written statement.

“The event is both engaging and educational providing an opportunity to see these butterflies up close while learning more about them and their need for protection.”

The species features bright colors that serve as a visible warn-

HIGH POINTS FROM PAGE 16

The high point sits at 5,851.11 feet, according to a statement from the city and county.

“General location is south of state Highway 128 and east of Indiana Street. The elevation point was derived from (the) Broomfield 2006 Aerial/lidar mapping project,” the statement from spokesperson Carolyn Romero said.

Rocky Flats was once a U.S. nuclear weapons plant that from 1952 until 1989 manufactured the plutonium detonators, or triggers, used in nuclear bombs. Production was halted amid an investigation of the plant’s operator, Rockwell International Corporation, for violations of environmental law, according to the Britannica online encyclopedia.

The site was one of 13 nuclearweapons production facilities in the United States during the Cold War and was managed by the Department of Energy, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.

The plant operated from 1952 to 1994, with manufacturing activities taking place in the center portion of the site with a large buffer zone around the area, the website says.

Large and colorful, Birdwing butterflies will be featured at Westminster’s Butterfly Pavilion through January.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BUTTERFLY PAVILION

ing to predators of their toxicity.

However, the large size and bright coloration make them a regular target of their most feared predator of all - human poachers. People are drawn to their rarity and their stunning colors, making them highly sought after as part of the illegal trade industry.

All species of birdwing butterflies are protected under CITES, an international agreement that aims to ensure that the international trade

of vulnerable animals does not threaten their survival.

The Pavillion’s Birdwings, as with all their invertebrates, are sourced from sustainable butterfly suppliers that our organization works with as part of our conservation initiatives.

“Our butterfly suppliers are not just vendors, but our conservation partners around the world,” Hershcovich said. “By visiting Butterfly Pavilion, beyond experiencing the Birdwings, you are supporting

sustainable wildlife-based economies like butterfly farms that help combat illegal trade, as well as our global field conservation projects.”

The pavilion is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $14.50, $12.50 for seniors and $9.50 for children. Pavilion members can attend with free admission.

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit: https://butterflies.org/ event/birdwing/

“Dismantling of the plant and cleanup of the highly contaminated site was undertaken in the mid1990s and declared completed in 2005,” Britannica’s website says.

“Two years later, most of the site was designated a national wildlife refuge, with areas set aside for eventual recreational use, while the remainder was permanently closed to the public.”

Whether the remaining contamination constitutes a significant risk to public health is a matter of dispute, Britannica’s website says.

Visiting Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge is free.

“Discover the 10.3 miles of yearround hiking trails for wildlife viewing, photography, and to connect with nature,” the webpage says.

is located west of State Highway 67, southwest of the Town of Larkspur, according to a map provided by the county.

Devils Head sits far south of where state Highway 67 meets Rampart Range Road. It’s east of Rampart Range Road, west of Larkspur.

Clear Creek This story is intended to highlight lesser-known points of high elevation in counties, but the highest elevation in Clear Creek County is 14,278 feet at Grays Peak, according to visitclearcreek.com, which says it is “the official travel planning website for tourism in Clear Creek County.”

Douglas County The highest point in Douglas County is near Thunder Butte, according to a statement from county spokesperson Wendy Holmes.

The spot’s elevation, according to the “LIDAR 2020 Contours,” is 9,836 feet, the statement said.

A butte is an isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top, similar to but narrower than a mesa.

The next-highest point is near Devils Head, at an elevation of 9,748 feet, according to the county.

Both points sit in the southwest part of the county. Thunder Butte

Jefferson County The highest point in Jefferson County is Buffalo Peak at 11,589 feet — also known as Freeman Peak, according to a statement from county spokesperson Julie Story.

“Buffalo Peak is part of the Kenosha Mountains and is located (about) 2.5 miles south of Wellington Lake, just east of the JeffersonPark county line, in the Lost Creek Wilderness of Pike National Forest,” the statement said.

Some other relatively high summits in Jefferson that are closer to the Denver area, according to Jefferson’s statement, include the following spots: • On Green Mountain at 6,855 feet • North Table Mountain has three peaks; the highest is at 6,575 feet • South Table Mountain has two peaks; the highest is at 6,335 feet • On Mount Carbon at 5,772 feet The information in the county’s statement came from a data set from the United States Geological Survey dated 2010, according to the county.

Elbert County Asked about Elbert County’s highest point, Greg Thompson, county planning manager, pointed to a map on peakbagger.com. He said he doesn’t necessarily have any more specific information than that site would have.

The Elbert County high-point elevation is given as around 7,360 feet on the webpage at tinyurl.com/ ElbertCountyHighPoint. That spot is near the Elbert-El Paso county line, according to the webpage’s map. Elbert meets Douglas County some distance to the west, according to the map.

“It was interesting to see how the contours changed from one end of Elbert County to the other,” Thompson said, speaking about the map.

“The high point in the south end is about 1,000 feet higher than Kiowa and 2,000 feet higher than Limon.

It’s a more pronounced elevation change than I would have anticipated!”

18 Fort Lupton Press

LOCAL

January 13, 2022

SPORTS

FLHS’ Fells plans next softball/education stop

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Fort Lupton High School softball pitcher Taylor Fells finished a highschool senior’s right of passage before the holidays.

She chose a college – Bluefield State College, an NCAA Division II program in West Virginia – for her next educational and athletic stop.

“I built a pretty good relationship with the head coach (Sam White) during the recruiting process,” she said. “I also liked that it is a smaller school but still at the DII level.”

She was able to take a visit, and she discovered she liked the environment and the campus.

“They are doing a lot of upgrades, like new dorms and a new softball field,” she said. “I was unable to meet future teammates due to it being winter break (Thanksgiving to New Year’s).”

She was a sought-after player.

Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, Molloy College in Rockville Centre, N.Y., Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Juniata College in Huntington Pennsylvania, the State University of New York-Morrisville and several junior colleges wanted Fells to play for them. Distance from home played a part in her decision.

“I want to experience the culture down south and the East Coast after playing in Pennsylvania and Florida on my comp team,” she said.

The recruiting process was a little strange, thanks to the ongoing pandemic.

“I went to showcase tournaments but there weren’t the amount of coaches there like you would have seen in a normal year,” she said. “I have recruiting profiles that I was able to upload a lot of videos, and that really helped out.”

Fells batted .373 for the Bluedevils this season. FLHS advanced to

Fort Lupton’s Taylor Fells lays down a bunt during the second inning of her team’s regular-season finale against Valley High School Oct. 8 in Fort Lupton. PHOTO

BY STEVE SMITH

the state quarterfinals for the first time. She struck out 115 batters in 84 2/3 innings of pitching, and her earned-run average was 2.73. Fells wants to major in sports management and business administration.

She’d like to join a sporting organization in the future.

“I’m both nervous and excited.

It will be my first time that far from home, and I’ll be playing with people I don’t know yet,” Fells said.

“I also know that the commitment required by the coach will be very demanding. I’m excited because it is a new coach, and I want to be part of building a successful program.”

Former Northglenn mayor Odell Barry dies

BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Former Northglenn Mayor Odell Barry died Jan. 2 at the age of 80 due to congestive heart disease.

Odell served Northglenn in a multitude of capacities, including owning Colorado’s first full-service Dairy Queen, representing Ward 2 for eight years on the city council and as mayor for two years from 1980 to 1982.

He stands as Northglenn’s first black mayor.

“Mayor Barry will be remembered in part for his leadership in establishing a master plan for our city, building a City Hall and community center and sup-

porting an $80 million water project,” said Mayor Meredith Leighty.

Born in Memphis, Tenn. in 1941, Barry grew up in Toledo, Ohio. The Denver Broncos drafted him out of the University of Findlay in the 19th round of the 1964 American Football League Draft.

Odell played for two seasons in 26 games as a return specialist, with 2,215 total return yards. As a rookie, he led the National Football League in kickoff returns and return yards.

Odell started off as Northglenn’s recreation director and began his work with the city, making his mark on the local sports community.

Football wasn’t the only sport where he left his mark. He served on the Colorado Baseball Commission in the early 1990s and helped create the Colorado Rockies as a Major League Baseball expansion team.

Justice Center West Park Northglenn’s Diversity, Inclusivity and Social Equity board recommended naming Justice Center West Park after Barry to the city’s parks and recreation board, which was approved according to Diana Wilson, a spokesperson for the city of Northglenn. “...the next step is for city council to consider the request. They will be discuss-

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ing the proposal at their Feb. 7 city council meeting.

If consensus is received by council on Feb. 7, a resolution will be considered at a future council meeting,” Wilson said.

Barry had a wife, two sons and five grandchildren.

“I thank our former mayor for his deep commitment to our community and for having the courage to break down barriers. To honor his legacy, The city of Northglenn will continue to focus on the deeply rooted values of diversity, equality and inclusivity,” said Leighty.

Memorial information The viewing for Odell Barry is scheduled from 5-7

p.m. Jan. at Scott United Methodist Church, 2880 N. Garfield St. Denver.

The funeral service is scheduled 11 a.m. Jan. 15 at Scott United Methodist Church.

Interment follows immediately at Olinger Highland Cemetery, 10201 Grant St., Thornton.

Masks will be required, and a live streaming service option will be available.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Denver Kappa Alpha Psi Scholarship Foundation (DKAPS), PO Box 370597 Denver, CO 80237. Please share memories and condolences at www.OlingerHighland.com.

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Fort Lupton Press 19

January 13, 2022

Memories aplenty from Warriors’ trip to Ball Arena

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The first order of business is that Green Mountain slipped past Frederick 63-57 in overtime on Dec. 23.

Bryce Conover led the Warriors with 14 points. Jacoby Conway tossed in 13, while Alex Sturn and Luke Justice contributed eight points. Cooper Francy led the Rams with 18 points. Cayson Pearson and Corbin Jantzer added 15.

The back story, though, is where the game took place – Ball Arena, the home of the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association.

The game was part of a season-long

series of prep-pro doubleheaders that the Nuggets offer every year.

It meant some adjustments for Frederick’s players. One dealt with a regulation-sized NBA court, which is bigger than high school courts.

“It was definitely bigger,” Conover said. “Our coach said they play on a little bigger of a court than high school, and that was shown very early. We were all extremely tired after the first few possessions. Just running a few extra feet per possession really started to have an effect on us.”

“The biggest adjustment my team and I had to make was shooting and the size of the court,” said Harry

Singh. “We had to be ready to shoot different because of the depth perception. There was an impact on the shooting because it had no backdrop. But when you hit a shot, it felt even better.”

Singh scored five points in the game.

Conover didn’t think the background had as much of an impact as feared.

“We actually shot the 3 (3-pointers) very well,” he said. “But just playing in a big arena like that was an amazing experience, knowing that there have been many great NBA players and legends who have played on that court.”

Even though the game ended in a loss, both players enjoyed the opportunity.

“It was a great team experience for all of us and definitely opened our eyes to how lucky we are,” Conover said.

“Playing at that arena was really fun. It was crazy because you grow up watching games get played there and your favorite players playing there,” Singh said. “I think there was an impact because we had more energy and we’re hyped to play there. It was a fun experience that I won’t ever forget. Even though, we lost I think we all made memories we won’t forget.”

Winter Sports Calendar STAFF REPORT

Fort Lupton High School Boys basketball Team score on left, Opponent and their score 44, *Wiggins, 48 53, *Valley, 44 54, *Platte Valley, 57 57, **Stargate School (OT), 56 57, **Bennett, 44 42, **Lutheran, 50 54 Jefferson Academy, 47 Jan. 11: @Estes Park, 7 p.m.

Upcoming games Jan. 20: @Arvada, 7 p.m.

Jan. 21: @Resurrection Christian, 7 p.m.

Jan. 25: Weld Central, 7 p.m.

Jan. 27: Englewood, 7 p.m.

Feb. 1: @Thornton, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 3: @Skyview, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 7: Eagle Ridge Academy, 7 p.m.

Feb. 10: Aurora Central, 7 p.m. *-Platte Valley HS tournament ** - Santiago’s Shootout Girls basketball Team score on left, Opponent and their score 38, Aurora West , 4 6, JFK, 53 23, *Stargate School, 16

38, *Jefferson, 26 L, *Skyview 18, @St. Mary’s, 100 9 Jefferson Academy 48 Jan. 11: @Lincoln, 7 p.m.

Upcoming games Jan. 18: @Manual, 6 p.m.

Jan. 20: @Arvada, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 25: @Weld Central, 7 p.m.

Jan. 27: @Englewood, 7 p.m.

Feb. 1: Thornton, 7 p.m.

Feb. 3: Skyview: , 7 p.m.

Feb. 8: @Eagle Ridge, 7 p.m.

Feb. 10: @Aurora Central, 7 p.m.

Wrestling Team score on left, Opponent and their score 36, @Riverdale Ridge, 36 2-1 , Fort Lupton duals 21, @Pueblo East, 42 2-0, Weld Central, Wiggins Jan. 8, Gary Daum Classic, Niwot HS Upcoming games Jan. 15: @Eaglecrest Invitational, 8:30 .m.

Jan. 21-22: @Top of the Rockies Centaurus High School Jan. 26: @Fort Morgan, 6 p.m.

Feb. 5: Colorado League meet Weld Central High School SEE CALENDAR, P21

Jefferson Academy’s Cameron Butman, 1, tries a jump pass for teammate Aries Mendez, 23, against Fort Lupton’s Omar Barron Jan. 7 in Fort Lupton. FLHS’ other defenders are Maddax Farrer 910 and Diego Medina, 5. FLHS won the game 54-47.

PHOTO BY STEVE SMITH

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20 Fort Lupton Press

January 13, 2022

C R O S SWO R D P U Z Z L E

© 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.

Solution

TRIVIA 1. LITERATURE: What was the title of Stephen King’s first published novel?

2. ADVERTISING SLOGANS: Which restaurant chain has the advertising slogan, “Have it your way”?

3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the first president whose likeness appeared on a U.S. coin?

is the same on the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales?

10. FOOD & DRINK: Where was Coca-Cola first sold?

Answers 1. “Carrie” 2. Burger King

4. TELEVISION: What is the family’s last name in the “Family Ties” sitcom?

3. Abraham Lincoln

5. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin phrase “lupus in fabula” mean?

5. The wolf in the story

6. GEOGRAPHY: What did the city of Mumbai, India, used to be called?

7. “True Grit”

7. MOVIES: Which movie features a character called Rooster Cogburn?

4. Keaton 6. Bombay 8. “Nineteen Eighty-Four,” by George Orwell 9. -40 degrees C and and -40 degrees F

8. LITERATURE: Which 20thcentury novel features a type of language called “newspeak”?

10. Atlanta

9. SCIENCE: What temperature

(c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

Crossword Solution

Fort Lupton Press 21

January 13, 2022

CALENDAR FROM PAGE 19

Feb. 11-12 : Regionals Feb. 17: State 3A tournament, Ball Arena Girls wrestling Team score on left, Opponent and their score 42, Golden, , 6 36, Platte Valley, 9 30, Severance, 15 Jan. 8, @Bennett tournament Jan. 12, Chatfield, 6 p.m.

Upcoming games Jan. 14-15, MLK girls tournament Jan. 20, @Riverdale Ridge, 6 p.m.

Jan. 24, Mead, 6 p.m.

Jan. 27, @Northridge, 6 p.m.

Frederick High School Boys basketball Team score on left, Opponent and their score 57, @Centaurus, 64 71, *Pueblo East, 40 74, *Thomas Jefferson, 68

83, *Sierra, , 45 53 @Longmont 51, 41, Silver Creek, 58 76, @Skyline, 56 57, **Green Mountain (OT), 63 79, Harrison, 65 68 @Thompson Valley 58 Jan. 11: Berthoud, 7 p.m.

Upcoming games Jan. 14: @Mountain View, 7 p.m.

Jan. 19: Fort Morgan, 7 p.m.

Jan. 12: @Roosevelt, 7 p.m.

Jan. 25: Niwot, 7 p.m.

Jan. 28: @Severance, 7 p.m.

Feb. 2: Riverdale Ridge: , 7 p.m.

Feb. 5: Northridge, 7 p.m.

Feb. 9, 12, 16, 18-19: Tri Valley League tournament *- D’Evelyn/Golden Preview Classic ** - Ball Arena Denver Girls basketball Team score on left, Opponent and their score 63, @Centaurus 57 47, Mead, 58 80, *Mountain Range, 34 32, *George Washington, 72 58, *Thomas Jefferson, 48

78, @Skyline , 41 76, Silver Creek, 49 66 @Harrison 24 51 Thompson Valley, 58 Jan. 11: Berthoud, 5:30 p.m.

Upcoming games Jan. 14: @Mountain View, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 15: @Ralston Valley: Noon Jan. 19: Fort Morgan, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 22: @Roosevelt, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 25: Niwot: , 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 28: @Severance, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 2: Riverdale Ridge, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 5: Northridge, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 8, 11, 15, 18: Tri Valley League tournament *Centaurus tournament Girls swimming Team score on left, Opponent and their score 67, @Eaton, 113 42, @Thompson Valley, 137 88, @Rangeview, 225 Upcoming games Jan. 15: All St. Vrain City meet @Mountain View Aquatic Center Jan. 25: @Berthoud, 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 27: @Brighton, 5 p.m.

Jan. 28-29: @Boulder County Invite

Broomfield Community Center Feb. 4-5, Longs Peak League meet Loveland Wrestling Team score on left, Opponent and their score 36, Berthoud, 48 3-3 , @Fort Lupton dual tournament 18, Riverdale Ridge, 47 Dec. 17-18: @Weld Central tournament Jan. 5: Mead: , 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 8: @Niwot tournament Upcoming games Jan. 13: Niwot, 6:30 p.m.

Upcoming games Jan. 15 : Warrior Invitational, 9 a.m. (Erie, Skyline, Boulder, Greeley Central, Northridge, Strasburg, Yuma, Vista Peak, Ralston Valley, Monarch) Jan. 22: @Northglenn Invitational Jan. 27: @Roosevelt, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 29: @Thomas Jefferson tournament Feb. 11-12: regionals Feb. 17: State 4A tournament, Ball Arena

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Public Notices call Marley 303-566-4123 Legals City of Ft. Lupton Public Notice ORDINANCE NO.

2022-1136

INTRODUCED BY: FITZGERALD

BRUCE

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 18, ARTICLE XI, INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE, SECTION 18-221 ADOPTION, OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON MUNICIPAL CODES, ADDING APPENDIX CHAPTER F REGARDING RADON TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE WHEREAS, the City desires to amend Chapter 18 of the Fort Lupton Municipal Code to add Appendix Chapter F to Section 18-221 Adoption.

WHEREAS, Appendix Chapter F refers to Radon requirements.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON, WELD COUNTY, COLORADO: Section 1. The Fort Lupton Municipal Code is hereby amended by the following: Sec. 18-221. Adoption.

Pursuant to Title 31, Article 16, Part 2, C.R.S., The International Residential Code, 2012 Edition as published by the International Code Council, 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478, Chapters 1 through 43 inclusive and Appendix Chapters G, H and F is hereby adopted by reference as the City of Fort Lupton Residential Building Code as if fully set out in this Article with additions, deletions, insertions and changes as provided.

INTRODUCED, READ, AND PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this 4th day of January 2022.

PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press the 12th day of January 2021.

FINALLY READ BY TITLE ONLY, PASSED AND ORDERED PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY this __ day of __ 2021.

PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY the 2021.

day of

EFFECTIVE (after publication) the _ day of _ 2021.

CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO Zo Stieber, Mayor

2021.

EFFECTIVE (after publication) the _ day of _ 2021.

CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO Zo Stieber, Mayor

Approved as to form: Andy Ausmus, City Attorney Legal Notice No. FLP498 First Publication: January 13, 2022 Last Publication: January 13, 2022 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press Public Notice ORDINANCE NO.

2022-1135

INTRODUCED BY: ALD

BRUCE FITZGER-

Legal Notice No. FLP497 First Publication: January 13, 2022 Last Publication: January 13, 2022 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press Public Notice 2021-1134 CHRIS

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO, TO AMEND CHAPTER 18, ARTICLE I, SECTION 18-7 BUILDING PERMIT FEES IN THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON MUNICIPAL CODES

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF FORT LUPTON ACCEPTING THE BEEN MSD PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY DEDICATION FOR CR 19 LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 16, TOWNSHIP 1 NORTH, RANGE 67 WEST OF THE SIXTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, WELD COUNTY, COLORADO.

WHEREAS, the City desires to allow changes in Chapter 18 of the Fort Lupton municipal code to be amended by a resolution.

INTRODUCED, READ, AND PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this 7th Day of December 2021.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON, WELD COUNTY, COLORADO:

PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press the 15th day of December 2021.

Section 1. The Fort Lupton Municipal Code is hereby amended by the following: Sec. 18-7. Building permit fees. (a) All references to fees in any and all of the building codes adopted by this chapter shall be set by Resolution.

INTRODUCED, READ, AND PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this 4th Day of January 2022.

PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press the 12th day of January 2022.

FINALLY READ BY TITLE ONLY, PASSED AND ORDERED PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY this __day of __2021.

PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY the __day of __

FINALLY READ BY TITLE ONLY, PASSED AND ORDERED PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY this 4th day of January 2021.

PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY the 12th day of January 2021.

EFFECTIVE (after publication) the 3rd day of February 2021.

CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO Zo Stieber, Mayor ATTEST: Maricela Peña, City Clerk Approved as to form: Andy Ausmus, City Attorney Legal Notice No. FLP496

Metropolitan Districts NOTICE OF VACANCIES

Approved as to form: Andy Ausmus, City Attorney

ORDINANCE NO. INTRODUCED BY: CERETTO

Shirley C. Briggs, Personal Representative Patrick R. Thiessen (40185) Frie, Arndt, Danborn & Thiessen P.C. 7400 Wadsworth Blvd., #201 Arvada, Colorado 80003 303/420-1234 Attorney for Personal Representative

Public Notice

ATTEST: Maricela Peña, City Clerk

ATTEST: Maricela Peña, City Clerk

First Publication: January 13, 2022 Last Publication: January 13, 2022 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly, to the electors of the Murata Farms Residential Metropolitan District, City of Fort Lupton, Weld County, Colorado (the “District”).

NOTICE IS GIVEN that two (2) vacancies have occurred on the Board of Directors of the District (the “Board”). Two (2) directors may be appointed by the Board to serve until the next regular election of the District in May of 2022.

Any eligible elector of the District may submit a letter of interest to the offices of the District’s legal counsel, Law Office of Michael E. Davis, LLC, 5910 S. University Blvd., Ste. C-18, #203, Greenwood Village, CO 80121. Letters of interest meeting the requirements of § 32-1-808, C.R.S., must be returned within ten (10) days of the publication of this Notice, which date is January 23, 2022.

MURATA FARMS RESIDENTIAL METROPOLITAN DISTRICT By: /s/ LAW OFFICE OF MICHAEL E. DAVIS, LLC

Legal Notice No. FLP494 First Publication: January 13, 2022 Last Publication: January 27, 2022 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Juliana S. Fix, Deceased Case Number: 2020 PR 31197 All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Weld County, Colorado on or before May 13, 2022, or the claims may be forever barred.

Leif A. Nelson, P.C. Attorney for the Personal Representative 29029 Upper Bear Creek Road, Suite 202 Evergreen, Colorado 80439 Legal Notice No. FLP495 First Publication: January 13, 2022 Last Publication: January 27, 2022 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Ralph Warren Campbell, a/k/a Ralph W. Campbell, a/k/a Ralph Campbell, Deceased Case Number: 2021PR030655

Legal Notice No. FLP499 First Publication: January 13, 2022 Last Publication: January 13, 2022 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

Notice to Creditors Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Robert A. Briggs, Jr., also known as Robert A. Briggs, Robert Alvin Briggs, Jr., Robert Alvin Briggs, Robert Briggs, Jr., Robert Briggs, Bob Briggs, and Bob A. Briggs, Deceased Case Number: 2021PR030728 All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Weld County, Colorado on or before May 13, 2022, or the claims may be forever barred.

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the Weld County District Court on or before May 6, 2022 or the claims may be forever barred.

Beverly Slater, Personal Representative P.O. Box 313 Windsor, CO 80550 Legal Notice No. FLP491 First Publication: January 6, 2022 Last Publication: January 20, 2022 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

Fort Lupton Legals 1.13.22 * 1

22 Fort Lupton Press

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Fort Lupton Press 23

January 13, 2022

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January 13, 2022