34 minute read
CALENDAR
Thu 2/10
Family Paint Party
@ 1am Feb 10th - Feb 9th Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760
Featured
Ryan Hutchens at Bitto Bistro @ 6pm Bitto Bistro, 14697 Delaware St #1000, Westminster Featured
Colorado Avalanche vs. Tampa Bay Lightning @ 7pm / $71-$9999 Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver Extraordinary AdventuresAmazing Caves
@ 8pm Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760
Featured
Dirty Side Down Band: Dirty Side Down @ Cheers Featured
Bruce Cook: Odde's Music Grill
@ 8pm Odde's Music Grill, 9975 Wadsworth Pkwy N2, Westminster Sat 2/12
Comedy Night at Buffalo Run 21+
@ 3am Offsite, 6060 E Parkway Drive, Commerce City. 303-289-3760 DEKA STRONG - Hosted by FIT FOCR - Brighton, CO - February 12th, 2022
@ 5am FIT FOCR, 14560 Holly St, Brighton. 5555555555
Featured
Mariachi Rock Revolution
@ 8pm Armory Performing Arts Center, 300 Strong St, Brighton Featured
Sun 2/13
Natalie Cressman
@ 1pm Dazzle Denver, 1512 Curtis St, Denver
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Rattlesnake Kate @ 2pm / $30 Wolf Theatre, Speer Blvd & Arapa‐hoe Street, Denver. bgutierrez@ dcpa.org, 303-893-4000
Mon 2/14
Featured
Anti-Valentine's Day: Davinci's Heart
@ 12pm Anythink Brighton, 327 East Bridge Street, Brighton. rbowman @anythinklibraries.org, 303-4053230
Valentine's Day Biscuits & Gravy Breakfast
@ 3pm Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760
powered by
Tue 2/15
Loveland Museum & Breakfast
@ 3:30pm Fort Lupton Recreation & Parks De‐partment, 203 S Harrison, Fort Lupton. 303-857-4200
Featured
Intro to Adobe Illustrator: Type Tool
@ 5:30pm Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 East 120th Avenue, Thornton. mhibben @anythinklibraries.org, 303-4053200 Caravan Palace
@ 7pm Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson St, Denver
Wed 2/16
Medicare 101 Class 2/16
@ 4pm Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760
Featured
Perfect Posture
@ 4:30pm Anythink Perl Mack, 7611 Hilltop Circle, Denver. amartinez@anythin klibraries.org, 303-428-3576 the Still Tide
@ 8pm Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St, Boulder
BY CLAIRE CLEVELAND COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO
During the holidays, lots of Coloradans relied on rapid COVID-19 tests to determine whether they should gather for parties, visit with friends and family or stay home. But those tests weren’t widely available at local pharmacies. And when they were, the prices could be exorbitantly high.
Dr. Richard Zane, director of emergency services at UCHealth, said he gets asked a few times a week about fi nding at-home tests and how often his patients should test themselves for COVID-19, especially as the omicron variant rips through the state. According to state data, this week nearly 26 percent of PCR tests have come back positive.
“I think that the public, over the course of the last two years, has gotten remarkably mixed messages about testing,” Zane said. “I feel for people because they are getting messages, like go buy over-the-counter tests and test your family before you have a party — things that are scientifi cally ludicrous.”
How at-home tests are di erent from PCR tests
The fi rst thing that’s important to understand, Zane said, is that antigen tests — which are the rapid, at-home tests — are fundamentally different from PCR tests (the ones that take several days to get results for), which are understood as the gold standard for detecting COVID-19.
A rapid test looks for antigens, which are what the immune system responds to, while a PCR test detects the virus itself through a replication process.
Antigen tests are more likely to detect COVID-19 if a person is experiencing symptoms or has a high viral load, while the PCR can detect a relatively small amount of virus and therefore may detect the virus earlier in the disease process.
Zane said it’s best to think about a rapid test result as positive or indeterminate. If the test comes back positive, you should isolate, seek medical care if you need it. If the rapid test is not positive, “it’s as though you didn’t do the test,” he said.
With rapid tests, results really depend on the point in time. If the test was taken during the earliest phase of an infection, the test could return a false negative. Some of the at-home tests have a sensitivity of about 85 percent. That means 85 percent of people who are infected are detected by the test while the other 15 percent of infected people are missed. In some studies, the reliability of these
Using tests before parties or other gatherings
So back to that big party that has you wondering whether or not to attend. That’s when the real issue with relying on rapid tests comes into play. These at-home tests may detect some positive cases and rule those people out from going to the party (or a concert or the offi ce). But the tests could miss other people who actually have the virus and could spread it to others when they show up.
“You’ll decrease the number of people who are positive and spreading disease. So it could become a safer party,” Zane said. “But the people who don’t have a positive test, they should interpret it as though they didn’t do the test.”
The rapid tests can help to minimize spread, but they’re most effective when combined with other measures such as vaccines, masks and limiting gatherings to outdoor or well-ventilated spaces with fewer people as much as possible.
Negative at-home tests could be misleading
Erika Allen is a technician at the University of Denver’s molecular diagnostics laboratory, where oncampus university students must take a PCR test every three days.
“Seeing all of the rapid tests being sold out of stores, people trying to get testing and failing and people spending a lot of money on tests that frankly are nothing more than a false sense of security is very frustrating to me,” she said.
Allen echoed the sentiments of Zane: That the negative result from an at-home test can give people the illusion that they’re negative for COVID-19 when they might not be. But Allen said there is still clinical relevance for the tests. If you have symptoms, an antigen test is very likely to tell you whether it’s COVID.
“(With) the rollout of these athome tests to citizens, especially people who may not be as familiar with medical diagnostics, I don’t think the information was provided to them to help them really understand the strengths and the limitations of this type of testing,” she said.
But both Allen and Zane agree that at a population level, the results of rapid tests are helpful for public health offi cials to understand the spread of COVID-19. And that’s why Coloradans who use the tests should report the results to the state.
This story is from CPR News, a nonprofi t news source. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org.
Should you still wear a mask?
What to know as Colorado mask mandates expire (again)
BY MATT BLOOK CPR
Falling COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Colorado have led many local health departments to abandon their mask mandates for indoor public settings, such as restaurants and retail shops.
The mayors of Denver and Glenwood Springs both announced on Jan. 31 that they will allow their public health orders to expire this week. Leaders of health departments in Larimer, Adams and Arapahoe counties quickly followed suit, though Larimer’s mandate won’t expire until Feb. 12.
“We’re transitioning into a more sustainable management of COVID,” said Michael Hancock, Denver’s mayor. “A more targeted and methodical approach to outbreaks will allow us to focus resources without broad restrictions being forced on all residents and businesses in our city.”
Despite the loosening rules, health experts say widespread use of masks could help dampen future waves of COVID-19 and slow down the evolution of harmful variants. It’s also still a simple and effective measure that can protect you and your family, since COVID-19 isn’t going away any time soon.
“We should not be rejoicing and burning our masks,” said Dr. May Chu, a clinical professor in the department of epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health. “That psychology is wrong.”
CPR spoke with Dr. Chu about what residents should know as rules around masks loosen in many communities.
Matt Bloom: Many health departments, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are still recommending folks wear masks in crowded indoor settings, even though government mandates are going away. This might be a simple question, but is it still important to wear masks?
Dr. Chu: We have found that [masking] helps reduce the amount of transmission of COVID-19 between people. If you’re infected, and you wear a mask, you are reducing the source of the virus. And if you are wearing a mask and not ill, but somebody else you’re talking to is ill, and you both have a mask on, not only is that person reducing the source of contamination, but also you as the uninfected have a better protective barrier before you inhale it.
So wearing masks, keeping a mask handy and practicing other health measures, like getting vaccinated, is still a very important part of the toolbox that we have. When you come to talk about lifting mask man-
SEE MASKS, P9
BY ALEXIS KIKOEN ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS
On an unseasonably warm, 60 degrees Fahrenheit January day, Andy Lurie heads from his south Denver apartment to Red Rocks Amphitheater, cell phone in hand. When he arrives, he immediately starts scouting the area, looking for faces to photograph.
“I’m really drawn to hats, beards, big smiles,” Lurie says, looking around.
He’s here to take portraits for The American Quilt Project.
“The American Quilt Project is basically a metaphorical quilt of humanity,” Lurie explains. “It’s essentially a lot of portrait photographs of all kinds of people who I’ve come across… and it’s all together on Instagram.”
Lurie began the project fi ve or six years ago, after a second suicide attempt. He woke up in the hospital days later, thankful to be alive.
“I decided I needed something to do, I needed a purpose,” says Lurie. “I wanted to do something that showed love and connection.”
Lurie originally took landscape photographs, but soon found he was more drawn to people. He started approaching people at a festival in Morrison, asking them if he could take their picture.
Back at his apartment, Lurie’s picture wall features dozens of portraits including ones from the early days of the project. He points to one young man, sporting a huge grin across his face.
“He was one of my very fi rst pictures, and I remember pointing my camera and having him beam this huge smile at me,” Lurie remembers fondly. “I think that’s all it took, I was hooked at that point.”
Now, he frequents places like Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver’s 16th Street Mall, farmers’ markets, festivals — anywhere that people gather. Since starting this project in 2017, Lurie has amassed over fi ve thousand portraits, all displayed on his Instagram page.
“It would take you all day to go from the top to the bottom of my Instagram page,” Lurie laughs.
While he’s not quite sure what the end goal of his project looks like, Lurie does know he wants to make a difference, no matter how small.
“I want people to feel uplifted, like they belong to this human race as well,” Lurie says. “I hope the pictures emanate a kind of a love, and that people feel connected to that.”
You can follow along with the American Quilt Project here.
This story is from Rocky Mountain PBS. Used by permission. For more information, visit https://www.rmpbs.org/.
Andy Lurie takes a portrait at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
COURTESY OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS
MASKS
dates, I think people are looking at the economic and the psychological and the social well-being of many others in that decision, because the stress [of mandates] can be enormous.
Bloom: If you’re someone who is still concerned about getting sick, when and where are the best places to wear a mask?
Dr. Chu: So there are some scientifi c numbers and facts that you should consider about the current situation where you live. If the infection rate or the prevalence of the virus in your community is less than 3 percent, there’s a good chance that 97 percent of the time, you’re not going to meet with somebody that has an infection, right? Just 3 percent of the time. And so it’s pretty safe. You could probably not wear a mask if you are vaccinated, you don’t mind getting infected, you feel like you are going to be in an area where you’re not gonna be able to give it to somebody else that would suffer more than you would. So those factors need to be considered as part of being a responsible community citizen, if you want to just be sure.
be a little more comfortable, maybe not wearing a mask to the grocery store, or for example, if it’s not required.
Dr. Chu: Right. And that information is readily available online, on TV.
Bloom: If you’re vaccinated, is it still benefi cial to you and your family’s health to wear a mask in public?
Dr. Chu: Yes. Because vaccination is not what we call a “sterile immunity,” which means when you’re vaccinated, you can’t get the disease. You still can get infected [with COVID-19 after being vaccinated]. But the fact is that the infection is usually limited. But you’ve heard those stories where … there is a husband and wife, for example, a husband just has like nothing. And the wife, you know, gets very ill even though their vax profi le is exactly the same. So there is a chance that somebody else could catch the virus from you and get quite sick even if you’re not.
Bloom: If I’m someone who starts wearing a mask less often, what’s the best way to store them for future or less frequent use?
Dr. Chu: I’ve seen people pull it down below their chin. I see now some of these, ingenious things, folks wear it as a clip-on their shirt or on a necklace kind of thing. So you can keep it as long as it’s dry, it’s still good. Something is better than nothing. We’re asking folks now to wear what we call the KN95 or KN94 masks with respirators because the material is better at fi ltering out virus particles. But the fact is whatever you’re wearing should be fi tted to your face. Otherwise, you lose the benefi ts, because if it leaks, you’re really not getting much more protection. You just look like you’re doing it. If your mask gets soiled, set it aside and just put it aside for about 72 hours, according to the CDC, in a paper bag and then it’s safe to reuse again.
Bloom: Are there any outdoor settings where it’s still recommended to wear masks?
Dr. Chu: You should use your smarts, right? I mean, people need to think about where they are situationally. If you follow NFL football and you follow, especially games played in the cold, you can see players and coaches their breath in the air. And if you look at where the plumes of air coming out, somebody’s mouth during yelling and screaming, and if you have three or four people around you, their warm air breath blends with the other, and as the wind comes, swirls around them and comes back to them. You can imagine those could be the conditions in a lot of places. If you don’t wanna breathe somebody else’s air a mask might be a good idea. we love very much and we don’t wanna bring any infection home. And so I will mask and protect myself to protect my beloved family member to not get COVID-19 from me because I don’t think I can live with that guilt.
Bloom: I think a lot of people can probably relate to that. Either they have a young kid who isn’t able to get vaccinated or an elderly family member they see a lot.
Dr. Chu: It’s interesting. Authorities used mask mandates as a way of saying, you know, by July 4th, you can picnic with your family without a mask. So they sort of gave people a timeline when you can let loose, because there’s still a very negative connotation of masking. Because then you think, ‘I’m being punished until July the fourth,’ right? But it shouldn’t be about being let out of jail, if you will. The virus is not done with us. In Asia, wearing a mask has been used by everybody in many countries and cultures since before [COVID-19]. They just accept it and there’s certain times they don’t wear a mask because they know they don’t have to. And I would suggest at some point we might head that way as well.
GOP U.S. Senator candidiate invited to the forum left, Joe O’Dea, Ron Hanks, Gino Campana, Peter Yu, Eli Bremer, Gregory Moore, Deborah Flora, and Daniel Hendricks.
PHOTO BY BELEN WARD
FORUM
he’s done the best he can. I think he’s a brilliant tactician and I would support him.”
Parents United America founder Deborah Flora acknowledged that there are different opinions about McConnell, but she is grateful that Attorney General Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, is not sitting on the Supreme Court. She thanks McConnell for that.
“Merrick Garland weaponized the DOJ and called parents like myself who stood up at our school board- domestic terrorists. While Biden called the Taliban partners,” Flora said. “I think we need to pause for a moment and realize that our judicial system right now, is the last safeguard we have for our liberty until we retake the Senate, which we will. So we can be grateful for what he’s done.”
Daniel Hendricks, the owner of a Marijuana grows business, said he won’t disagree with somebody on the Right.
“I don’t care. I like Ted Cruz- I look forward to working with the man. I am a constitutional person. We’re going to change the constitution. We’re going to pass on a bill of rights on healthcare reform votes. I want to replace Obamacare. With $30 trillion in debt, instead of bankruptcy- right it off as COVID which will lead to communist China.”
Fort Collins business owner Gino Campana said he’d rather focus on President Joe Biden not doing a good job with challenges.
“Trump was a businessman, and it’s how you approach business deals. I’ve been a businessman for 30 years. I believe that’s why President Trump appointed me to administration so I can bring business skills to the task at hand,” said Campana. “ We need to focus on being the best candidate to beat Bennet.”
More drilling at home
The group was united in support of Colorado’s oil and gas industry. O’ Dea criticized Biden for having talks with offi cials from Qatar and OPEC to bolster oil and gas.
“I’m wondering why in the hell he did not call Colorado, Wyoming, and North Dakota and ask us to get back into production? We need security, we need independence and that only comes with us having those fuels here in Colorado,” said O’Dea.
Hanks also agrees energy should be produced in the United States.
Campana says there are 350,000 jobs in the energy industry in the state of Colorado and said Democrats are killing these jobs.
“We have leases stacked up on somebody’s desk on federal lands, but none are being signed. After Polis was elected, gas revenues dropped 40%, the fi rst year, the second year another 40%, and the third year another 40%, said Campana. “ They went from having a reserve of over $100 million that has reduced and now they are writing grants for 1000s of dollars rather than millions of dollars. The impact is tremendous.”
Peter Yu noted that fracking has been going on for years and people are concerned it’s dangerous. Science says otherwise.
“According to the Colorado Department of Public Health environment tested every single well, they found zero levels of elevated toxins outside of the 500-foot setback,” said Yu.
SEE FORUM, P11
Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group
Presented by Bruce Petrie with a PHD in Neuroscience and over 20 years’ experience. February 14 at 7pm
2nd Monday each month • No charge to attend
Contact Nellie at Inglenook with any questions: 303-659-4148
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
BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Fort Lupton City Council unanimously OK’d the purchase of a $21,000 lawn mower for the city’s parks and recreation department during the council’s Feb. 1 meeting.
Parks Supervisor Brian Oswalt wanted to buy the 40-inch mower to replace one that “will need work done to it continuously.”
He told council that warranties on various parts of the mower ranged from two to three years with unlimited use to a three-year, 3,000-mile warranty on the transmission, whichever came first.
“The trade-in would be between $2,000 and $3,000,” he told councilors. “We can have that as a back-up. We can house it at Pearson Park. Or we can take it to an auction.”
More money
Council also approved a $40,000 purchase of Microsoft Office 2021 Licenses, payable from the technology budget. Council’s vote was unanimous.
Travis Aksamitowski, who is in the city’s IT department, said choosing Google Suite for the city’s needs would cost less – $32,000 per year.
“But it comes with no training or merger (of data between the systems),” he told council. “There are a lot of add-ins that departments would have to pay for.”
Upcoming calendar
The Tuesday, Feb. 15, council meeting is at 7 p.m. City Hall is closed Monday, Feb. 21, because of Presidents Day. There will be a town hall meeting Tuesday, Feb. 22, and a regular meeting of council Tuesday, March 1.
FORUM
Rather, Yu made the case that counties with an active oil industry are safer and healthier.
“In the nine counties within greater Denver Metro area. Weld County has the lowest rate of cancer and all the counties. We have reliable and affordable energy and we want to make sure we are protecting Weld County and our energy development. Also because of the construction with oil and gas, Weld County lost $45 million worth of tax revenue.”
Bremer says the Democrats and Liberals have sold taxpayers lies about the industry.
“Why are they cutting down production? They say oil and gas are increasing greenhouse gases globally,” Bremer said. “We should do a global study that shows the clean natural gas and clean energy produced is right here in Weld County and Colorado. It is good for our environment and our economy,” said Bremer.
Moore’s noted that politicians have tried to block fracking and have blocked fossil fuel exploration.
“(When) we have laws and technology to be green to keep our beautiful state, the working people pay the price for the higher costs of their policies. We can search for rare earth minerals here in Colorado in an environmentally sensitive way. I think we can do it,” said Moore.
Flora’s noted that Weld County produces 90% of the oil and 43% of natural gas in this state.
“When you have a senator like Michael Bennet who votes 96% of the time with Bernie Sanders, 100% of the time with Biden 96% and Bernie Sanders, they are pushing the green New Deal that harms everyone,” said Flora. “This is an issue of 1000s of jobs that have been lost causing families around the state concern if they can keep their home, put gas in their tank, and put protein on their children’s plate.”
Hendricks said he supports energy independence.
International stage
The candidates also agreed that Democrats are making the U.S. look bad to our allies and trading partners. In Campana’s opinion, Biden is crushing the American dream of safety and security. Our allies don’t trust us and our enemies don’t fear us, he said.
“President Trump sent bombs over Ukraine last time Russia was acting up. Biden sent blankets and box lunches. We have a botched Afghanistan exit,” said Campana.
“We have to get back to earning the trust of our allies being the strength of the world that holds the stability of our planet. I will ensure those relationships are intact and hold senators accountable. I’ll be on the Senate Intelligence Committee like the President or Michael Bennet.”
Yu thinks America determines what the future will hold.
“We do have options to avoid any kind of military conflict, we can easily put sanctions and control Russian oil and gas top revenue and put restrictions on banks and the dollar which is the world currency- it will handy cap Russian.”
Bremer agrees it is 100%, foreseeable Vladimir Putin is taking over Ukraine to partner with NATO.
“If he continues the annexation of Crimea, onto Ukraine, continue going south, going west and into Poland -this is the strategy of Putin and Russia,” said Bremer.
Biden is not paying attention, he said.
“Joe Biden (is) not perceiving this and spending more time saving his sons from bad business deals,” Bremer said. “We should have been selling them Javelin missiles, we should have been selling them drones. Thankfully, some of our European allies and even Japan are now shipping ammunition over there. This is not going to stop Putin.”
Moore would seek to get on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which has an important influence on US foreign policy.
“I would commit more air power so we can deter Putin’s tanks. He will keep going and we have to put more troops in Baltic and Poland,” said Moore.
Flora’s goal is to serve on the Armed Services Committee and hold accountability.
“Afghanistan is where we lost the respect of the world. Biden is saying he cannot protect Americans in Ukraine- it’s unacceptable,” said Flora.
Hendricks agrees with the other senator candidates and O’Dea said the microphone should be removed from Joe Biden. Every time he comes out and talks, it makes our allies nervous.
“His advisors come out ten minutes later and correct him,” Hendricks said. “As far as Ukraine, I support sanctions, such as banking and energy. Energy independence is why Russia is over there because we approved the XL pipeline. Tell the Germans the line would not be put in, it would change the dynamics of everything right now. I would also support air if we needed it,” said O’Dea.
Hanks predicted that if Ukraine is attacked China will do something in the Pacific.
“If we get one, we’re going to get the other. Biden offers Russia access to NATO Navy bases. It’s the wrong direction to go,” Hanks said. “We should have offered Ukraine a NATO statute. NATO should offer Ukraine article five protection. I don’t see Russia going beyond Ukraine and It’s unacceptable. I do not think they have the horsepower to go further.”
Election security
O’Dea thinks the election was not stolen and that Biden is our president. He is a lousy president, however.
“We need to stay focused this year on his agenda and his partner in crime, Michael Bennet. If we stay to the issues we’re going to have a Republican in the US Senate is next November,” he said.
Bremer said Republicans need to accept that they did not do well in the last elections.
“Focus on 2022 for Republicans to win back the house and the Senate in 2024 win back the White House. Its only way is we will get more votes than our opponents,” he said.
Moore’s said he does not think it’s not clear who won the election.
“It took some time and a lot of court cases, I am glad we have a system where if there are doubts people have their day in court, and the Trump team did that. The outcome Congress ratified that result, it was their decision,” Moore said.
“There were a lot of problems that need to be fixed and people are concerned. Despite the doubts, the system worked itself out that Biden is the president and we have to move on,” he added. “I think 44% of the voters of this state are unaffiliated, we need to work on getting their trust back over to our side.”
Flora thinks Republicans need to push back.
“We have a president that vilifies people of goodwill, who have understandable questions and equate sense to bigots and racists. They tried to make election integrity dirty words, it’s not okay,” said Flora.
“The last four presidents have had their results challenged by parties of both sides. There needs to be complete transparency and stays at the state level. There can be no federal takeover elections because any reforms need to happen right here and make sure Coloradans have confidence in their vote. That’s what we need to change in DC.”
Hendricks was clear: “The election was stolen, conversation over! We need to get out and vote come November.”
Hanks agreed and said Trump won the election.
“I started a lawsuit against our Secretary of State Jenna Griswold. We had five states stop the vote counting on November 3rd, 2020. Americans knew in their gut level, there was a problem. We have never seen that before,” said Hanks.
“The Colorado election systems are not secure. They are built in China with foreign manufacturers. They have wireless connectivity in them. Look up the bill sheet of Dell laptops that are part of the Dominion system. Our legal system is slow and sclerotic.”
Campana said he woke up the morning after the election wondered how it happened and when the recounting took place.
“After everything was contested, I couldn’t find hard evidence. I could find all kinds of undisputed issues. I look at those issues, so if I’m your new U.S. Senator I’m holding Joe Biden and Michael Bennet accountable for what they’ve done in just one year,” said Campana.
Yu says he agrees the election was stolen.
“The question should be why the Democrats keep talking about this,” Yu said.”The reason why they keep talking about it is that they know they have nothing else to distract us. They don’t want to talk about the economy. Just last week, state courts in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania said that they violated their voting laws and their state constitution.”
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July 4 party is July 2
Fort Lupton’s Independence Day celebration is two days early this year, Saturday, July 2, at the city’s recreation center, 203 S. Harrison Ave.
The ingredients didn’t change -- food, fi reworks, the region’s only Ninja Warrior Course, water slides, a bounce house obstacle course, a bouncy boxing arena, a tractor people mover, face painting, food trucks, shaved ice-cream cones and a live concert.
The fi reworks show at Coyote Creek Golf Course, courtesy of the Fort Lupton Fire Department, starts at dusk.
Vendor, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are available. Call 720928-4071.
National Night Out
Fort Lupton’s observance of National Night Out will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at Koshio Park, 131 McKinley Ave. It’s a chance to meet police offi cers in an informal setting. It’s also a chance to munch on hot dogs and hamburgers hot from the grill. There will be bounce houses, games and a tug-o-war.
Get masks at the library
The Fort Lupton Public & School Library is a distribution point for KN-95 masks, according to Weld Re-8 school board member Matthew Adame.
‘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.
Splash pad
The city of Fort Lupton is searching for comments about and sponsorships for a new splash pad.
Sponsor funds will be used for the splash park and amenities. Call 303857-6694
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).
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 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 an all-volunteer program and is in need of volunteers. If interested in volunteering or donating, call 303718-4440. Mail donations to Blessings in a Bag, 306 Park Ave., Fort Lupton 80621.
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 303-857-4200.
Committee openings
Fort Lupton has openings for several of its citizen advisory committees. Visit https://www.fortluptonco. gov/966/I-Want-To-Apply-for-aCommittee.
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 fi ve-year term), FLURA alternate member (term expires March 5, 2023) and library board trustee (term expires December 2024).
Call Alyssa Knutson at 720-4666128.
Chess tournament
The Fort Lupton Public & School Library put together a chess tournament that’s ideal for beginning players.
Visit https://docs.google.com/ forms/d/1UFPA1ENiETkHnJjaHh_ E3hUAOEWSRKUXpU7utzYab-U/ viewform?fbclid=IwAR1M9cUK4b p7cJyH9phmivtIV6gmeXqd3kNra 5q_L113Py-IhRIHDjMHRd4&edit_ requested=true
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.
Co ee group
Fort Lupton’s weekly coffee group sessions are at 8 a.m. Wednesdays. Call 303-857-4200.
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
Craft classes
Monthly craft classes through the Fort Lupton Recreation Center (203 S. Harrison Ave.) are available. Call 303-857-4200, ext. 6166 with questions.
Free short-term radon test kits
Weld County residents can receive a free radon test kit (one per household, while supplies last). Test kits can be requested online at www. drhomeair.com/weld, according to a statement.
Call the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment at (970) 400-2226 or visit: www.weldgov.com/go/radon.
Warm Line up and running
Community Reach Center is offering a Warm Line (303-280-6602) for those who want to talk to mentalhealth professionals about anxiety, lack of sleep and strained relationships, among other topics. The professionals can facilitate referrals to other programs for assistance.
The line is not for crisis intervention. Those feeling unsafe or suicidal should call Colorado Crisis Services (1-844-493-8255) or text 38255 or visit the Behavioral Urgent Care Center, 2551 W. 84th Ave., Westminster.
Also, the center’s COVID-19 Heroes Program is set up to assist healthcare workers during the pandemic. Those who live or work in Adams County can receive up to six free counseling sessions. Use the Warm Line for support and free counseling.
Brighton’s community intake location is at 1850 E. Egbert St., on the second fl oor. It’s open from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays.
Here’s a list of locations where you can receive a test for COVID-19:
Brighton Advanced Urgent Care, 2801 Purcell St. Call 303-659-9700 or visit https://advurgent.com/locations/brighton/
Brighton Salud, 1860 E. Egbert St. Testing is available on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Call 303-6972583 or visit https://www.saludclinic.org/covid-testing
Fort Lupton Salud, 1115 Second St. Testing is available on Tuesday and Thursday. Call 303-697-2583 or visit https://www.saludclinic.org/covidtesting
Alcoholics Anonymous
The Brighton chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 147 S. Second Place. Meeting times are 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sundays, noon and 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 6 p.m. Thursdays and 9 p.m. Fridays.
Call 303-659-9953 or visit www. brighton1aa.org.
Volunteers needed
Qualifi ed Listeners needs volunteers to drive veterans to and from appointments, run errands for veterans who cannot get out, handyman services, help administer veteran and family resource guide inventory in local libraries and veterans to be trained to become qualifi ed listeners.
Visit qualifi edlisteners.org/volunteerapp and fi ll out the form or call 720-600-0860.
Eagle Express rides
Barr Lake State Park will offer virtual rides aboard the Eagle Express. Join Ranger Michelle and her friends as they read a story about our natural world that is sure to entertain your preschooler while teaching them about plants, animals and our planet. Call 303-659-6005.
Storytime
Barr Lake State Park’s storytime program goes virtual this year.
Rangers will read stories about the natural world. Call 303-659-6005 with questions.
The South Platte Valley Historical Park will be reopening for public visitation on May 3, 2021. The hours the park will be open are from 10:00 till 4:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, check our website, www.spvhs.org or call 303-857-1710.
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