LOCAL

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.

“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 offi cials.”

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 offi cial 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 fi nd 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

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 fi rst 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 fi nance and administration, accounting and purchasing, clerk to the board, the county attorney, human resources, public relations and communications, and the treasurer’s offi ce. The assistant coordinator is Commissioner Mike Freeman.

Commissioner Mike Freeman: departments of health, coroner’s offi ce, information technology, justice services, the offi ce 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 fl eet services. The assistant coordinator is Commissioner Perry Buck.

Commissioner Perry Buck: department of planning services, the oil and gas energy department and the extension offi ce. 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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Don’t fall victim to tax scams

It’s that time of year, when we gather the forms and documents we need to file taxes. Unfortunately, it’s also the busy season for tax scammers. How can you avoid being scammed?

Here are some suggestions:

First, protect your personal information, especially your Social Security number. You can also apply to the IRS for an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number, or IP PIN, which will make it much harder for identity thieves to file a fake return in your name.

Next, be suspicious of “ghost” tax preparers who won’t sign your tax return or include their Preparer Tax Identification Number.

And watch out for “phishing” emails supposedly sent by the IRS. In reality, the IRS does not send unsolicited emails to taxpayers, it won’t discuss tax account information with you via email, and it won’t use emails to solicit sensitive financial and personal information. Furthermore, the IRS won’t make threatening phone calls demanding payment for back taxes, penalties or fees.

By staying vigilant and getting professional help if you need it, you can help protect yourself from being scammed – this year and every year.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

‘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.

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

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 benefi ts 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 fi rst meeting of the year Jan. 4, City Clerk Mari Pena told the council four of the applications were for retail interests, while the fi fth was for medical marijuana.

“All of the qualifi cations 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.

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

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

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 discoveries. 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 Springfi eld, Missouri, the Discover Center in Springfi eld, 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 Broomfi eld 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 offi cials,” said Brad Cochi, CHSAA’s director of digital media.

Offi cials 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 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 Denver man, 26, for causing a traffi c accident, driving under the infl uence 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.

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

Dec. 31

A Fort Lupton man, 69, received a summons in the 100 block of South Rollie Avenue for causing a traffi c 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.

• 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, identifi cation 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 certifi cates, property titles, Social Security cards and any other important documents that may be needed to fi le claims after the fi re or might be diffi cult 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 fi led and how much it is likely to cost.

For example, a homeowner living in an area that has high wildfi re 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 fi re.

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 fi reproof 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.

Know the risk of wildfi re where you live.

Reducing fuels around your home can help mitigate wildfi re risk. Colorado State Forest Service offers the following tips to help prepare your home and property for a fi re: • 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 fl ammable 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 fl ammable vegetation within 10 feet of all propane tanks and gas meters • Keep fi rewood 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 fi re approaches

If there’s time, move fl ammable 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 fi refi ghters can get in after you evacuate. Remove fl ammable 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 traffi c jams if you live in a densely populated area. Grab COVID increase means little your go-bag and if there is time, your most important belongings, including personal documents, family keepsakes, cell phones and impact on local prep sports 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: ' e Chosen', a new wonderful lm 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. A er that, the lm 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

Once we start, don’t stop

Have 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 fi rst 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 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 movement towards our goals and dreams, little by little we pick up steam, our confi dence 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 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 fi re 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 fi re 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 fi rst 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 fulfi lled 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.

WINNING WORDS

Michael Norton

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

Cooler 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 fi rst step to making your home more energy effi cient is knowing what simple fi xes 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 fl ashlight 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 fi ts, heat is escaping. To test windows, place a dollar bill across the weather-stripping 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 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 effi ciency upgrades, as 7% to 12% of a building’s heating and cooling loss occurs around these areas. Check your furnace. Conduct regular maintenance on your furnace, like cleaning your furnace fi lter 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 effi ciently. 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 certifi ed 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 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 effi ciency 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 effi ciency 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.

GUEST COLUMN Amy Fiala

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

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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 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.

• 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