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
75cI
ISSUE 7
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 17, 2022
Paws to Heal
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 , 2020
VOLUME 117
ISSUE 48
THE SEASON FOR SHARING
Therapy dogs help patients and staff with stress BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Therapy dog Sweet usually starts her day walking down the halls of Platte Valley Medical Center towards section two-west. She heads into the nurse’s stations there where a group of six nurses surrounds the pup, excited to see her. “Sweet put her head down in one lady’s lap which she’s has never done that before. The lady had been crying and asked if she could hug Sweet and mentioned she needed loving today and had a tough day, “said Cheryl Palumbo, Fort Lupton’s Anastyn Livesay, who won this quarterfinal round match at 161 pounds over Pomona’s Anastacia Fucci at the Sweet’s handler. “Dogs know when girls regional wrestling tournament at FLHS Feb. 11, placed third in her weight class and qualified for this week’s state girls people need attention.” PHOTO BY HECTOR LOPEZ tournament in Denver. Sweet, a slender and calm greyhound, is a working therapy dog with an organization called Paws to Heal. The therapy dogs go into the hospitals visiting patients and cates. the other 75% of the state living staff bringing comfort, joy and re“There’s a growing recognition without a buyout option, sponsors ducing stress. Paws to Heal started that we have to reduce the amount and environmental backers said. at Platte Valley Medical Center of irrigated turf we have, and a “No one has a picnic on the strip (PVMC) years ago when it first growing recognition that while of grass in the median at a shopopened at its location in 2007. some turf is definitely benefiping mall,” cosponsor Sen. Jeff Palumbo had not heard of the BY MICHAEL BOOTH cial – parks, sports fields, parts of Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, THE COLORADO SUN program so when she took Sweet said. With the Colorado River Basin people’s yards – we all know there’s in for a checkup one of the ladies draining in a decades-long drought, at the veterinarian office, who Colorado would expand grass turf a lot of turf that doesn’t get used,” was in the Paws to Heal group, buyouts statewide and double exist- and neighboring downriver states Berggren said. threatening legal action to get their witnessed Sweet’s interaction with ing city rip-and-replace programs House Bill 1151 is sponsored by water rights from Colorado, Bridges Bridges, Sen. Cleave Simpson, people, dogs and a cat in the waitin a bill aimed at solving misuse of said, “we need to do more to make ing area. precious water during the state’s R-Alamosa; Rep. Marc Catlin, Rsure we’re getting the most possible Montrose; and Rep. Dylan Roberts, long-term drought. “The lady told me your dog use, the most benefit, from what we The bipartisan bill would create D-Avon. would be perfect as a therapy dog have here in the state.” a $2 million to $4 million annual Bill sponsors and conservation so she told me a little about it. Conservation groups, who have pool from general fund money to supporters estimate all the buyout After six months, I took her to the pay homeowners, businesses or any long argued it’s time to trim nonnaprograms in the state currently trainer,” said Palumbo. tive grass watering that Colorado other landlords willing to replace Susan Wiant with her previous spend about $1.3 million a year, and State University experts estimate thirsty bluegrass on lawns, road lab named Avalanche also started they want to at least double that medians, highway ditches and other makes up most of the 55% of Front volunteering with Paws to Heal amount. Legislators are still negoRange urban water used on the places the decorative greens are when PVMC first opened. The ortiating on the general fund amount outdoors, hail the statewide buyout draining state reservoirs. ganization started as two separate they will ask for. idea as a great first step that they Most current turf buyout procompanies, Alliance Therapy Dogs Some southwestern cities have hope will expand. grams in Colorado pay $1 per and Pet Partners, so the organizamore aggressive buyout programs. “This is all part of a strategy to square foot to replace grass with tions renamed it Paws to Heal. Las Vegas offers $3 a square foot to make Colorado landscapes more drought-friendly alternatives, and help tear out grass and design low“We have seven actual teams and Every year before Thanksgiving, First United Methodist Church in Fort Lupton and the Fort Lupton Food and Clothingwater Bank gardens provide community water efficient. And so we think a they only cover about 25% of the and landscaping. two new teams that will be startmembers with food boxes. This will be the program’s 10th consecutive year. Above, Joe Hubert, left China Garcia and Sue Hubert with Change 4 Change, statewide turf buyback program is population. The turf buyout bill A $2 million to $4 million budget ing so we will have nine teams of one great way to do that,” said John would be tiny in the big picture – matchSee local spending to 2. dogs,” Wiant. anothersaid organization that helps with thewould food drive. more on Page Berggren, a water analyst with the increase the buyouts to $2 a square SEE DOGS, P4 SEE TURF BUYOUT, P11 nonprofit Western Resource Advofoot, and bring $1 a foot buyouts to
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2 Fort Lupton Press
February 17, 2022
Our Family Helping Your Family HAAKE
24-Hour Phone Lines 303-654-0112 • 303-857-2290 Brighton: 75 S. 13th Avenue Obituaries, Arrangements and Resources Online at
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Oscar F. Haake, Jr.
SHULL
May 2, 1930 – February 3, 2022
Oscar Fred Haake Jr. was called home to his Lord February 3rd, 2022 after living a full life as son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, uncle, soldier, neighbor, and friend.
occurred as a result of the pandemic did take a toll on both him and Ruth.
Throughout his life Oscar enjoyed the fellowship of bible studies and theological discussions with anyone who was interested. His faith was Oscar was born in St. Louis County, always strong, and even in the last weeks of Missouri on May 2nd, 1930 to Oscar and his life he would venture out to early morning Ruth (Brase) Haake Sr. As a child his parents bible studies with men of the Calvary moved to Nashville, Illinois where they grew Lutheran Church congregation. He touched their family, adding sister Darlene and brother the lives – often unknowingly – of many Ron to the family. people with the strength of his faith and witness in his savior Jesus. In 1946, Oscar Sr and Ruth moved the family to Colorado and started farming two One of Oscar’s passions was Allis-Chalmers mile west of Brighton on Highway 7. The and Moline tractors. He became a collector Brighton farm originally consisted of 160 over the years, accumulating tractors he acres and a few dairy cows. remembered farming with when he was a child and spent many hours and probably Oscar was drafted into the Army for the thousands of gallons of fuel hauling them Korean War in September 1951 and served across the country to tractor pulls – events for 2 years in the Corps of Engineers US his sons and grandsons often participated in Army. He often spoke of his time of service with him. and how it shaped his life after his return home in 1953. Oscar was a proud Veteran Oscar was always very active in his and was usually seen sporting his Korean War community, serving as President of the Veteran hat everywhere he went. He taught SW Adams Conservation District, Prime his great-grandsons to stand at attention Rib Club, and Adams & Larimer County and sound off when he called “Auctune Farm Bureaus for decades. He served as an (attention)!” elder at Zion Lutheran Church in Brighton and was active in the Korean War Veterans Oscar married Mazell Kramer in 1956. In 1961 they moved the operation one mile east Association the VFW and Adams County Historical Society. over Pitman Hill. Mazell’s family originally pioneered and settled in the Brighton area in Oscar dearly loved his children, 1859 and she was raised on a farm along the grandchildren and especially the blessings South Platte River on the old River Road. of great-grandchildren. He is preceded in Together Oscar and Mazell brought into the death by his father and mother, sister Arleen, world three children: Bradley Oscar in 1957, wife Mazell, nieces Denise and Andrea, Mark Kramer in 1960, and Marla Ann in stepdaughter Marie, and nephews Dennis and 1964. Eric. Oscar is survived by his wife Ruth, sister Darlene (Harley) Lee of Greeley, brother Ron Dairy cows became the primary business (Margie) of Fort Lupton, children Bradley over the next 20 years, and by 1980 300 (Julie) Haake of Holyoke, Mark (Mildred) Holsteins and Brown Swiss cows were being Haake of Wiggins, and Marla (Brad) Rock of milked twice daily. By the late 1980s a beef Wray, Sandy (Bill) Wagner/Getz of Alamosa, cow-calf herd and small feedlot to finish out and Rick (Sue) Wagner of Fort Collins, beef calves and dairy steers was added to grandchildren Anita (Chas) Lengfelder, the additional farm ground when the farm Barbara (Darren) Hinderer, Matt Haake, expanded. Jessilyn (Weston) Bugbee, Tessa Haake, Alex Oscar “retired” after Mazell was diagnosed (Audrey) Rock, Amanda (Michael) Kerbs, with cancer. He viewed his primary Kate Wagner, Jayne (David) Wagner, and occupation as caring for his wife for the last Maleesa (Brandon) Foreside, and 13 greatseven years of her life. They pursued many grandchildren. treatments and traveled extensively in search of a cure. Mazell’s fight ended November 19th, 1994 after 38 years of marriage.
On April 13th, 1996 Oscar married Ruth Wagner and moved to her farm near Wellington, Colorado. Ruth, who had also lost a spouse to cancer, was Oscar’s constant companion for the next 25 years. He described her as “feisty”, and together they traveled and enjoyed events of grandchildren and having great-grandchildren. For decades he was a regular and enjoyed morning coffee at the T-Bar in Wellington. In the fall of 2019 Oscar and Ruth relocated to Wray, Colorado to assisted living. Although Oscar never contracted COVID, the isolation that CARDOSO
Visitation was on Monday, February 14, 2022, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Tabor Funeral Home, Brighton, CO. Funeral Service was Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, Brighton, CO with Interment and Military Honors following at Elmwood Cemetery.
Oscar’s Family would welcome memorials to the Lutheran Hour Ministries and Korean War Veterans Association. https://www.lhm.org/ give/forms/formgeneral. asp?id=1&cid=&campaign=22CMN20AA https://kwva.us/?page=mem_donate
June Eileen (Davis) Cardoso June 12, 1933 - February 9, 2022
Known through most of her life as Eileen, June Cardoso passed away February 9th in Brighton, Colorado. A funeral mass for Eileen will be held at Saint Augustine Catholic Church in Brighton, Colorado on February 18th at 11:00 AM. She will be laid to rest later this year at Mount Zion Cemetery in Fairmont, West Virginia.
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Carol Shull
February 8, 1936 - January 23, 2022
Carol Jean (Opie) Shull, 85, of Ft. Lupton, Colorado, passed away January 23, 2022 at her home. She was born February 8, 1936 in Denver, Colorado to William and Esther (Tippett) Opie and grew up in Denver. Her father was born in Aspen and when she was young, her family would take annual camping trips to a mountain lake near Aspen. She loved those trips and often reminisced about them. She attended Colorado A&M (which later became Colorado State University) in Ft. Collins, Colorado, and was studying voice and piano performance, when she met George B. Shull. They were married June 25, 1955, shortly after he graduated from Colorado A & M. They honeymooned in a cabin in the Boulder Canyon, then packed up their belongings and continued their honeymoon as they traveled via the Black Hills, Lake Superior, Niagara Falls, and Montreal, Canada, before finally arriving in Connecticut, where George started his first engineering job, at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company. Carol also got a job at Pratt & Whitney, in the office. They soon became a family – their first seven children were born in Connecticut. Their next child, Dana Lee, was born after they moved back to Denver; she died when she was only six months old. They moved away from Colorado two more times, to Idaho (where Doug was born) and California, each time returning to Colorado for several years between George’s aerospace jobs in other locations, and they finally retired in Ft. Lupton. Carol loved being a mom. While in Connecticut, she helped with a Girl Scout troop and enjoyed going camping with the troop. Over the years she also was active in the churches she attended, frequently singing WEBB
in the choir, playing piano and organ, and more recently, helping with a puppet ministry. She also taught Sunday School and served as the Sunday School superintendent at one of the churches. She had a heart for babies and young mothers and knit baby items for newborns and for caring pregnancy centers. She started the Open Arms Pregnancy Center which had two locations - in Brighton and Ft. Lupton - and she was the director for a number of years. Other interests involved sewing, reading and collecting things; she had collections of dolls, teddy bears, teapots, and crèches. Carol is survived by these children: George Daniel (Theresa) Shull, Deborah Ruth (Tom) Schesvold, Diane Carol (Rick) Perrin, Darrell William (Susan) Shull, Donna Lynn (David) Stall, Doreen Kay (Eric) Wiechert, daughterin-law Dionne Shull (wife of David Matthew Shull), Douglas James (Autumn) Shull; 16 Grandchildren: Trevor Shull, Joshua (Ezzy) Schesvold, Jennifer Schesvold, Matthew Schesvold, Abigail (Charles) Lutte, Joseph Perrin, Nathan Perrin, Jesse (Sadie) Shull, Jasper (Bill) Guildner, Andrew (Lea) Stall, Aaron Stall, Kate Stall, Nicholas Wiechert, Christopher Wiechert, Anthony (Kate) Albright, Santana Shull; and 6 greatgrandchildren: Imogen, Hannah, Evaline, Evelyn, Carolynn, Benjamin (and one more soon to arrive). She is preceded in death by her husband George Bolton Shull, her daughter Dana and her son David. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, March 12th at 10:30 am at Harvest Fellowship Church, 11401 E 160th Avenue, Brighton, CO 80602.
Steven Lee Webb
June 22, 1947 - January 22, 2022
Steven Lee Webb passed into Eternal Life on January 22, 2022 at his home in Fort Lupton. He was 74 years old. Steve was born to Alvin and Audrey Webb on June 22, 1947. He loved being outdoors. He was passionate about hunting and fishing. Steve was always a hard worker. He painted houses with speed and perfection. He also sold insurance. And he started a family business that is still going today.
grandchildren and one step-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Pat Webb.
Steve loved his family. He wanted them to have great memories. He provided many opportunities for them to make those memories. But most of all he loved Jesus. He was a Godly man. Going to church on Sunday morning was something he looked forward to all week. His words to He leaves behind his wife of 24 years, Gayle, people leaving the house, even at the end of his children from his first marriage, Thadwick his life here on earth, were, “Keep your eyes Webb, Aaron Webb (Jacqueline), Kimberly on Jesus!” King, and Sara Castle. Also, his sisters, A Celebration of life honoring Steven’s life Sandy (Chuck) Mercy and Linda Bragg, will be held on Saturday, February 19th, 2022 and his brothers, Mike Webb (Vanessa) at 11:00 AM at Crossroads Church (1115 and Andy Webb. He also leaves behind his 1st Street, Fort Lupton, CO 80621). All are step-children, Vanessa Rivas, Sean Ryley, welcome to attend. Shay Ryley, Bryan Ryley (Teresa), and Danny Tabor Funeral Home, Brighton, CO is Ryley (Alyssa) as well as five grandchildren handling arrangements. and twelve step-grandchildren, four great
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Fort Lupton Press 3
February 17, 2022
Exit interviews say city is a good place to work BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Fort Lupton’s human resource director, Laura Howe, outlined some of the reasons why 72 employees left the city’s employ during a town hall meeting of Fort Lupton City Council on Feb. 8. Of the 72 who are no longer on the payroll, seven were seasonal employees, seven left “involuntarily” and 58 left voluntarily for such things as better-paying jobs or retirement. The city made exit interviews available to those workers. Fifteen completed the questionnaire, and those employees were able to offer several answers to each question.
Forty-seven percent left for new employment. Twenty-six percent went for a new job with more money, and 40 percent wanted jobs that were more in line with their experience. Other factors were spending more time with kids (6 percent) and commuting distance. “Everyone was happy with their supervisor,” Howe told the council. “I’m pleased with that. No one said the workload was ‘too little,’ so we don’t have folks who are leaving because they are overworked.” Two-thirds of those who participated said the city was a good place to work. The other third said it was a good place to work but had reservations.
The question of previously approved department incentives and their impact on morale came up during this discussion. Police chief John Fryar hasn’t seen any voluntary departures from the force since the council OK’d the incentive package late last year. “We’ve had some departures involuntarily, such as people who didn’t complete the training process or who were dismissed for cause,” Fryar told councilors. “We have three (new officers) in training. We could have three more by the end of the month. Until they start, we won’t know if the incentives were a success.” Public Works Director Roy Ves-
tal said morale improved in his department. “We have three positions open that we filled internally,” he told the council. “We did interviews with people on the outside. But we had some issues. Morale is definitely up. They can see more of a future within the organization.” Council also wanted to explore the idea of spreading incentive packages across all departments in the city, not just a handful. “When we are deciding on the changes you request, this helps us see what employees are thinking,” Mayor Zo Stieber said. Howe plans to return to the Feb. 22 town hall with the results of an employee survey.
‘Contentious meetings’ draw attention of police BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Fort Lupton Police Chief John Fryar is sensing a problem, and he came to the Fort Lupton City Council’s town hall on Feb. 8 to outline his concern. “We’ve been present during a number of events where fights have broken out and where meetings have been contentious,” he
told the council without elaborating. “We’ve had some issues, so we are working with the school district to see if our school resource officers can work at some of these events.” He wants to amend a memorandum of understanding between the department and the Weld Re-8 School District “and still fall within our operational procedures at the same time.” Fryar said ask-
Fort Lupton council wants to keep number of marijuana businesses at four BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Any desire to increase the number of allowed medical and retail marijuana businesses in Fort Lupton seems to be on its last legs. During a Fort Lupton City Council town hall session on Feb. 9, the council seemed inclined to keep its cap of four such businesses in place. Council didn’t make a decision because of the format of the meeting. Mayor Zo Stieber agreed with the
ing higher-paid officers to help may have an impact on the department’s budget “but officers making less money? We’re not going to go over budget.” Fryar also said any change in the working arrangement between the district and the police department won’t result in extra budget issues. “I don’t see why anyone would object to that,” Mayor Zo Stieber said. “What if no one takes it?”
Local Focus. More News.
When Fort Lupton Public Works Director Roy Vestal takes the microphone before the council, it’s usually a prelude to a discussion about money. Such was the case on Feb. 8 during
SEE MARIJUANA, P4
a Fort Lupton City Council town hall. His first topic was a $2 million change in a special improvement assessment for the Murata Farms Development in the 14000 block of state Highway 52. The improvements to such things as water systems, SEE VESTAL, P4
CORRECTION A story in the Feb. 10 edition about Dr. Stephens Cardo’s Day was incorrect. Dr. Bobette Ranney had also been a pediatrician in Adams County since 1981 to
ColoradoCommunityMedia.com
city attorney’s argument to leave the rules as they are. “Our attorney (Andy Ausmus) is against it because of the possibility of a suit by applicants who didn’t apply because they thought the cap was four,” she said. “We set it at four, and should stay at four.” “I don’t know what the process was. But if we set it at four, we should stick with four,” said councilman Carlos Barron.
Vestal talks money with Fort Lupton City Council BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
“We’re going to avoid that,” Fryar joked. “We can’t guarantee the SROs (school resource officers) won’t take on these assignments. They know the kids best. But if they aren’t available, then we’ll offer it to officers Fryar wasn’t as worried about day-long tournaments, such as the girls’ regional wrestling tournament that Fort Lupton High School hosted over the weekend.
1984. Colorado Community Media regrets the error. If you have corrections, please send them to staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com
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4 Fort Lupton Press
February 17, 2022
DOGS
FROM PAGE 1
During the COVID pandemic shutdown impacted the therapy dogs and handlers too not being able to come to the hospital. “They let us back in with staff for a while and it’s been wonderful with the dogs. Slowly we are allowed on all the units with patients, but with COVID, it’s been the main concern with us, “ said Wiant. All the therapy dogs are members of their owners’ households but go through obedient training and Canine Good Citizen training. The handlers go through training, too. Beverly Cudsik with her dog Pepper has volunteered for six years visiting hospitals. “Pepper did a lot of training in the beginning when she was a puppy and I took her to obedience and Canine Good Citizen classes. Then you are connected to organizations,” said Cudsik. “When you use your dog, you know what kind of personality they have. When I got my dog seven months ago, she was just so sweet and calm. I just knew she’d make a great therapy dog.” Once the dog completes training, they are evaluated on basic skills, such as how they react to people, to noises and to different environments. After passing, the therapy dog is ready to visit organizations. The breed of a dog does not matter, Cudzik said. The main thing is personality and if they like people or like being petted. “It could be any dog, a big dog or PAID ADVERTISEMENT
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Joy Memmen a ICU registered nurse has two visitors left Sweets and Pepper.
small dog. Whatever you choose, you know your dog,” said Cudsik. “Sometimes the dog can be wonderful at home but don’t like people or crowds, so they are not a good therapy dog.” Cudsik chooses where she and Pepper want to visit from hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. PVMC was her first assignment has been coming ever since. “I go other places, but I like Platte Valley. It’s like home and family. It makes me so happy. Pepper just loves it and seeing the joy she brings to people,” said Cudsik. “Also, we bring them to the courthouse and she calms people down,” she said. “They are all stressed out and afraid to testify. S,he just makes them happy and the staff too. They say ‘You just made my day.’ “ Brad Layman is a registered nurse and nurse educator at the hospital for 22-years and was in the emergency department. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have known Susan Wiant since the inception and watched her wonderful family of dogs going through
here, which I got very connected with,” said Layman. Layman says with the patientcentered care model at PVMC the therapy dogs are a great addition to the hospital. “This is phenomenal addition is very successful, in my opinion, as far as with visiting the patients,” said Layman. “In this day on how healthcare has gone and the stress on healthcare workers is a lot and associates as well. It’s not only for the patients, which is a huge part of it and very effective. The hospital’s employees look forward to seeing the dogs, too. “Everybody is just overjoyed with them and it has helped with the health and wellness of the caregivers as well,” said Layman. “It’s a huge asset to the entire organization. I can’t imagine not having them. They make my day every time I see him.” Joy Memmen a registered nurse at Platte Valley and has held various positions, but spent most of her time as an ICU nurse. During the COVID pandemic, I
would describe it to people there are two worlds, there’s the world outside the hospital, and the world inside the hospital- the world inside the hospital has been like a war the last couple of years,” said Memmen. Our staff, our patients, all the caregivers have endured a lot of trauma.” Memmen says when the staff sees the dogs it helps to heal the trauma, but when the dogs were unable to come in during the shut down the staff was devastated for the first few months. So when the therapy dogs were allowed to come to the parking lot outside, the staff scheduled time to come out to visit them. “I seek out the dogs and know what time they come in and when they are at the bistro. I’ll go down to say hello to the dogs just to spend a few minutes with them. I’m not sure what we would have done without them, “ said Memmen. “It is so important for mental health to have that little bit of sunshine and a little bit of animal companionship.”
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ing before we move to cultivation,” Ausmus said. “There’s going to be a lot of administrative things going on, and I’d prefer to wait.” City consultant Laura Bower agreed. “I recommend you get comfortable with the process,” she told councilors. “Different types of licensing processes can be a challenge. They want to grow their
own. They want to sell it in stores. Having separate license processes could be a problem.” The city’s contracted planner, Todd Hodges, said it would take 60 to 90 days to review a site plan once the city receives the application. “I have no objection to waiting until we get our licensees,” Stieber said. The rest of council didn’t either.
development.
said. Vestal also updated the council on an increase in money from the state’s highway user tax fund. The state collects money from such things as road safety surcharges, oversize/ overweight surcharges, rental car surcharges late vehicle registration fees. “The formula changes every year,” he told councilors. “In 2021, we had 67 user miles of roads. Now the total is 72.3, That means you’ll get an increase. But I don’t have a specific amount.”
FROM PAGE 2
More pot talk Council also seemed inclined to leave potential marijuana cultivation alone until sometime in June. “I’d like to see us get through the lottery and the initial licens-
VESTAL FROM PAGE 2
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nonpotable water systems and street repairs will be about $9 million spread into two sections. Four million is set aside for street work. The Coyote Creek subdivision (council approved the fourth filing Feb. 1) needs special improvements, too, to the tune of $2.6 million. Most of that work is similar to the Murata
Finance part 2 Vestal suggested the council approve a $119,000 contract with Burns & McDonnell, an engineering and consulting firm, for a utility plan for the required wastewater improvements. Another firm, CH2M Hill, also submitted a bid. “Did you ask them (CH2M Hill) if they would meet the price? Mayor Zo Stieber asked. “Yes. They kind of waffled,” Vestal
Fort Lupton Press 5
February 17, 2022
Driverless warehouse company ready to go BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A company that specializes in artificially intelligent, driverless systems that help dock trailers full of goods into distribution yards said they are ready to go to market. For Andrew Smith, founder and CEO of Golden-based tech firm Outrider, it might be a key solution to the nation’s current supply chain woes. “Automation is key to relieving the inflationary pressure on the supply chain,” Smith said. “Distribution yards are critical links in the supply chain and prime targets for automating the flow of goods between over-the-road transportation and fulfillment centers, warehouses, and manufacturing plants. Automating yards requires reliable systems capable of backing trailers of all kinds safely and
precisely into parking spots and dock spots billions of times a year, he said. Outrider specializes in the kinds of autonomous yard operations that could change the face of the trucking industry and distribution yards. The Golden company has been testing its fleet of fully autonomous yard trucks that can back semitrailers using a full range of motion, parking them into tight spots without additional modifications. It is designed to fit on any semi-trailer — including 28-foot single trailers and articulated trailers up to 53-feet — and can also park dry van trailers, containers, and refrigerated trailers without human interaction. Outrider opened its first testing facility site in Brighton in August 2021, using self-driving trucks driven in a distribution yard with technology to move and park semi-trailers into loading docks to
distribute freight and cargo. The facility, located at 22600 E. I-76 Frontage Road in Brighton, has been used both to assemble and test the selfdriving vehicles. The facility is a 200,000 square foot distribution yard built with 49 dock door. Each yard truck is capable of precisely backing trailers into the docks, controlled by a computer operated by an employee within the building near the dock using Outriders backing technology. Each unit is fully autonomous with strict operational requirements. Crooked parking Tyler Hults, a former truck driver, joined the Outrider team in 2020 as a Test Operations Lead at the Brighton Outrider location. He has experience parking a rig in a distribution yard and understands the job’s challenges. “High-precision articulated back-
ing will increase the efficiency and organization of distribution yards by having trailers backed perfectly in their spot, every time,” said Hults. “In most yards, you have trailers that are parked crooked, double-parked, or so off-center that the dockworker can’t get the loading ramp into the trailer, requiring a yard hostler to redo the job. With Outrider’s precise backing abilities, the job will be done right the first time and allow more throughput at the facility.” The Outrider system is designed into three parts; the management software, the autonomous vehicles and the site infrastructure. The system uses robotics to hitch, unhitch, connect and disconnect brakes lines on trailers. It also has built-in commands to interact safely with loading docks, tractor-trailer locations and it manages all of the system functions from one location.
RE-8 signals interest in IGA with city BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The Weld Re-8 School District has its eyes on land for potential school development on the east and west ends of Fort Lupton. With that as a backdrop, Superintendent Alan Kaylor told his bosses, the members of the school board, it should engage with the city of Fort Lupton to make it happen. The two entities had a renewable, five-year intergovernmental agreement that expired in 2013. The lack of an agreement with the city of Fort Lupton costs the district money in terms of rooftops, he s. The district and the city of Dacono have an IGA. Kaylor said a piece of the builders’ permit cards indicates an obligation to pay the local school district. “That’s what we’re after. We are collecting zero dollars on these new houses,” Kaylor told the school board. “It’s instant profit for the
builders. We have a problem collecting these moneys. The builder basically says, ‘Thank you but no thank you. We have no obligation to pay you. “Think of the numbers of homes that have gone up since 2012, 2013. At some point, we may need to do some leveraging and go to a council meeting and encourage them to go forward with an IGA,” he added. The district has been in talks with city Planner Todd Hodges and City Administrator Chris Cross. Kaylor said he sensed some interest on the city’s part to enter into another IGA. Kaylor also suggested an agreement of no more than five years in length to leave open the chance for revisions based on growth and enrollment patterns. “We have to be careful that we spend the money appropriately,” Kaylor cautioned. “We can use the money for building and land acquisitions only.” Kaylor also enlisted the services
Former 27J employee accused of sexual assault STAFF REPORT
A former employee of 27J Schools faces three sexual-assault charges. The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office charged Cathia Covarrubias Ruiz, 24, for having an alleged sexual relationship with a student at Quist Middle School in Thornton while she was employed as a paraeducator at the school between October 2021 and January 2022, according to a statement. The district released a statement in which it said it was “very sad and -angered by the alleged inappropriate relationship of a former employee with a student.” “Based on the charges brought against the defendant, we find this situation deeply disturbing and traumatic,” the statement said. Ruiz also faces a count of sexual
assault on a child as a pattern of abuse and sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust both felonies. “Our first priority is the care and support of the victim,” the district’s statement said. “We have offered support to the victim’s family and will continue to offer ongoing support.” Thornton police are continuing their investigation, so extra information is not available. “However, because we value transparency with our families, earlier this week we reached out to our school parent community to let them know about the allegation and the nature of law enforcement’s investigation,” the district said. “As we received further information about this case today, we shared with Quist parents the name of the defendant and the charges brought against her.”
of Shannon Bingham, to produce an estimate of the value of rooftops in Dacono and Fort Lupton. The cost is between $5,000 and $6,000, Kaylor said. She helped the district redesign its school-board member boundaries last year. “It’s well worth it,” Kaylor told the board. “We should get more money per rooftop. We’re looking at growth on the east and west ends of the
district.” One parcel is near Weld County Road 13 and Summit Boulevard, on the west end of the district. The 50acre project wound up on the back burner because of the pandemic. Kaylor also identified 55 acres on the east end of town as a site for potential development. “At some point, we’re going to be needing that,” he told the board.
Open Enrollment Starts February 22 Preschool - 8th Grade (Morals & Values - Bible Based) Test Scores Top 15% of Nation Art, Technology, PE, Music & Sports
Call the school office for a tour Scholarship Assistance Available
1400 Skeel St. ,Brighton 303-659-3443 • www.brightonzls.org Zion Lutheran School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities accorded the students of our school. Accredited by National Lutheran Schools Accreditation.
6 Fort Lupton Press
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LOCAL
VOICES
New connections, new information lead to new opportunities
n business as in life, sometimes we approach situations and people strategically, and other times we recognize opportunistic moments. When that happens, we try and capitalize on those times when fortune seems to smile down upon us. It reminds me about the question, “Would you rather be lucky or good?” And the appropriate answer is always, “I want to be both, lucky and good.” As much as these past two years have taken many of us out of our rhythm when it comes to seeing or meeting people, it has also created incredible opportunities to be opportunistic and strategic and to connect with more people than ever before. Social media platforms make it really easy to find people and begin new relationships, both personally and professionally. And virtual meeting technology continues to improve, making it feel like we are actually in the same room with the person we are meeting with virtually. One reality of the virtual world we live and work in is fatigue. Many of us spend our entire days on Zoom or Microsoft Teams, Google Hangout, or other such platform. In a future column I will share some tips and
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February 17, 2022
WINNING WORDS
Michael Norton
techniques for avoiding burnout and fatigue. For now, I would share that if we can get comfortable with using these platforms coupled with the technologies and sites that allow us to make new connections and receive new information, it creates an environment for new
opportunities. Some of the businesses that I work with have shared that these past two years turned out to be the best years they have ever had in business. The salespeople on their teams figured out how to maximize all available resources and technology to find new prospects, build better and deeper relationships with customers, leverage data and insights based on the readily available access to information, and all of that helped them to find more opportunities to not only win more customers, but to serve their customers in such a way that it created raving fans. And although we all are aware of
what is being referred to as the “Great Resignation,” we are all probably aware of the job market that has an abundance of openings and opportunities. Many of you have reached out and shared some of your own success stories about connecting with people you had not known before, learning about companies you had never considered, and landing new positions in a role that you really wanted. New connections and new information led you to new opportunities. In my industry, training and development and motivational speaking, conducting sessions virtually was already happening pre-pandemic. And when the pandemic hit, some companies and speakers were well equipped to move meetings and training sessions to virtual platforms. Others had to catch up. But now two years later, we are finding that leveraging the power of technology and virtual training environments has improved the effectiveness of the training and transfer of knowledge. Additionally, the new people, departments, and teams we can connect with has made it easier to share information across an organization and created new opportunities for learning that was
otherwise unavailable in the past. Here we are in another Valentine’s Day week. Romance is in the air. How many couples have met by making new connections online, were introduced to someone through an online platform or service, had the ability to learn more about the other person to see if they were compatible, and created opportunities to get to know one another better? I know several couples in my own circle who have benefited from this level of connection, information, and opportunity. Are you making the most of your new connections and access to information? Have you noticed an increase in opportunities that have popped up for you, your family, or your friends over these past two years? I would love to hear your story at mnorton@ tramazing.com, and when we can harness the power of being lucky and good along with connection, information, and opportunity, 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 motivator to businesses of all sizes.
Achieving a more equitable, accountable and effective behavioral health system
gazed out the window at the snowcovered peaks and patchwork fields below as my plane approached the tarmac at Denver International Airport. Wheels down at last. I had arrived at my new home–a brilliant blue sky overhead and blinding snow as far as the eye could see. It is hard to wrap my mind around how such a majestic place can also possess one of the country’s highest rates of suicide and prevalence of mental health challenges. My mission? Harness the momentum that has driven an unprecedented two-year planning effort to bring about transformational change in Colorado’s behavioral health system so that it truly and compassionately puts people first. I am humbled that Governor Jared Polis has appointed me to serve as Colorado’s first Behavioral Health Commissioner to lead the new Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), which we will launch by July. This clinically trained mental health and addiction treatment practitioner has come to Colorado at an urgent and exciting moment. We are on the verge of making history and have a
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real opportunity to develop a system that is equitable, accountable and effective. The BHA we build will oversee a system that serves all of Colorado, provides care that is timely and helps people find success by achieving wholeMorgan Medlock person health and wellbeing. When we get this right, our state stands to become an exemplar on the national stage of what it means to provide person-centered, community-based and data-informed behavioral health care.
experience. By July we will have established an Advisory Council that is diverse in its membership and co-chaired by someone with lived experience. Council meetings will be inclusive and accessible, held in different parts of the state, with attendance and input widely encouraged and sought out. In the same vein, I am proud that the BHA’s first official action has been to sponsor five individuals to participate in the College for Behavioral Health Leadership’s Equity-Grounded Leadership Fellow Program pilot this spring. The program’s goal is to empower and equip leaders to take bold action to unravel systemic racism and create equitable behavioral health systems in their communities.
When I worked as an emergency department psychiatrist in Boston, I saw first hand how the scarcity of behavioral health treatment options in the community and the stigma of seeking support can result in our family, friends, and neighbors landing in some of their darkest moments. The BHA we build will be driven by individuals with this lived
Sadly, we are all too familiar with the tragic stories of Colorado’s behavioral health safety net failing our state’s most vulnerable citizens, including those from marginalized populations. Individuals with complex needs are turned away, insurance coverage is inadequate or nonexistent, appointments are unavailable. The BHA we build will be transparent, account-
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able and effective. We will define new metrics that will help us identify and design solutions to fill the gaps and ensure Coloradans are benefitting from timely services that are culturally responsive and meet the highest standards of care. We will use data to measure our progress toward fortifying and expanding our safety net so that we catch people before they find themselves in crisis. And we will publish our findings in a transparent and accessible way through public dashboards and reporting to the General Assembly. We are making history. Join us. I am committed to working with patients, partners and other stakeholders to build an equitable and just system of behavioral health care for Colorado. The BHA we build will bring partners together to align our funding and resources under a unified vision and strategy for transforming our behavioral health system. This strategy will be bold, be based in empathy, integrity and data, and will always put people first. Dr. Morgan Medlock is Colorado’s behavioral health commissioner.
Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Press. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone. Email letters to staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.
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@ 10am Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Pica‐ dilly Road, Brighton. Dnr_bar rlake.Naturecenter@state.co.us, 303-659-6005 10th Annual Front Range International Film Festival
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Rocky Mountain Record Show @ 11am / Free Redline, 2350 Arapahoe Street, Denver. rockymountainrecordshow@gmail.com
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Sat 2/19 Family Fun Friday- Literacy Night @ 1am Feb 19th - Feb 18th Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760
Colorado Mammoth vs. Saskatchewan Rush @ 3pm / $10-$9999 Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver Call Me Karizma @ 7pm Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St, Denver
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8 Fort Lupton Press
February 17, 2022
BRIEFS New FLHS scholarship The Genevieve Adame Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to one Fort Lupton High School boy and girl from the graduating class of 2022 who will be enrolling as a full-time student at an accredited college/university or trade school. Applications are now available online and in the school’s guidance/ counselors’ office. They are due by 4 p.m. May 2.
system, how NASA scientists are searching for these worlds and how they may be like our own planet. Call 303-857-1634.
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, fireworks, 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 fireworks 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.
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.
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 officers 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. ONGOING ‘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
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
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 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
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)
8:30 to 11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 303-857-4200.
Learn more at: https://www.fortluptonco.gov/950/Senior-Pen-PalProgram
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.
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.
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 720-4666128.
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.
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. Coffee 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.
With heartfelt thanks and gratitude the family of Kelli Adams Benson and L.J. Benson sincerely thank all who organized and attended the fundraising event for Kelli on January 23rd. We are touched by the generosity of so many caring folks who donated items for the Silent Auction, the Fort Lupton American Legion #102, and the Legion Auxiliary for the dinner. Your thoughtfulness will long be remembered.
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 floor. 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 Qualified 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 qualified listeners. Visit qualifiedlisteners.org/volunteerapp and fill out the form or call 720-600-0860.
Fort Lupton Press 9
February 17, 2022
Marshall fire disaster hits close to home for SBA worker BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Rick Tillery is the public information officer for the U.S. Small Business Administration. But these days, Tillery has more of a connection to his latest assignment, the Dec. 30 Marshall Fire in Boulder County, than he probably wants. His sister’s home was very close to the fire. “Six of my friends lost their homes,” he said. The blaze destroyed more than 1,000 homes and damaged almost 150 more. Property damage is estimated at $513 million.
The fire’s cause remains under investigation. The SBA and FEMA are accepting applications for residential and business loans. The deadline for FEMA’s applications is March 2; it’s March 1 for the Small Business Administration. “We’ve approved more than $69 million for homeowners and renters and $3 million for businesses and nonprofits,” Tillery said. “We can do mitigation work over and above the amount of the loan, 20 percent just for such things as fireresistant roofing and up to $200,000 for uninsured losses to the structure and $40,000 for uninsured con-
tent losses and primary vehicles.” Interest rates for homeowners’ and renters’ loans are 1.438 percent, as of Feb. 9. The rate for businesses is 2.83 percent and 1.875 percent for nonprofits. The disaster recovery center is at 1755 S. Public Road in Lafayette. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Tillery said those interested in applying should go to the center in person. “It’s an intricate process,” he said. “It’s not overly complicated. But there are a lot of details. It’s part of the process. Go in person. We have staff who will help walk you through it.”
Tillery and Rossyveth Rey-Berrios, the public information officer for FEMA, said they will be in the area past the March deadlines “because we have to close loan applications.” “Traffic is slowing down,” Tillery said. “We still have people coming in, though. We’ve approved more than 400 loans. We have a special disbursement team in Dallas just for the Marshall fire to help people get the process moving.” Questions? Call Rey at 202-5381325 or email Roosyveth.Rey@fema. dhs.gov. Contact Tillery at 571-7520659 or email Richard.tillery@sba. gov.
Some lawmakers seek more wildfire investigators Legislators want more fire investigators to help change that BY VERONICA PENNEY AND BEN MARKUS COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO
Colorado legislators have proposed hiring more wildfire investigators, an effort to reduce the state’s number of unsolved cases. Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Kerry Donovan and state Rep. Dylan Roberts, would create a wildfire investigation team at the state level to aid local fire departments at a cost of $3 million annually. The bill also requires the state Division of Fire Prevention and Control to ensure the origin and cause data for fires is accurate and used to prevent future fires. In October, a CPR News Investigation found that among Western states, Colorado ranks last at solving large, human-started wildfires. In more than half of those wildfires, investigators were unable to pinpoint the individuals or devices that sparked the fire. Most of the state’s counties, which are responsible for investigating wildfires, do not have a trained wildfire investigator on staff. CPR News spoke with dozens of current and former wildfire investigators, experts and county and state employees who said that Colorado does not have enough resources to investigate each of the thousands of wildfires reported each year. “Colorado doesn’t do as thorough a job as we possibly should and could on determining the cause of wildland fire,” said Donovan, D-Eagle County, who noted that the bill, SB 22-
In the aftermath of the Marshal Fire, experts are recommending ways to prepare for tragedy.
080, is in early stages. It is not yet known how new investigators at the state Division of Fire Prevention and Control would fit in with investigative efforts by local sheriffs and fire departments, which must currently ask the state for help before the agency can aid in an investigation. Many of Colorado’s largest wildfires occur on federal land, and those wildfires are investigated by the U.S. Forest Service or the Bureau of
Land Management. Donovan said discussions are ongoing “to see how best the Division thinks that they can support the locals and vice versa, kind of how that chain of command should work.” She envisions regional teams of state investigators. The Division of Fire Prevention and Control told CPR back in October that it has six people certified in wildfire investigation, or in the process of obtaining certification. It also has a
dog trained to find arson evidence. Mike Morgan, the director of the Division of Fire Prevention and Control, said through a spokeswoman that he looks forward to working with the bill sponsors and hearing more about what they want to accomplish through DFPC. Gov. Jared Polis, while not referencing this specific bill, signaled his support for beefing up state investigations in a December interview with CPR News’
COURTESY OF THE COLORADO SUN
Colorado Matters. “I think we have to have a real conversation about what resources are needed. Given the numbers of fires we’re having and the increased incidence at both the local level and the state level to hold people accountable,” Polis said. This story is from CPR News, a nonprofit news source. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org.
10 Fort Lupton Press
February 17, 2022
Colorado kids as young as 10 are being locked up Child advocates want to set the minimum age at 13 BY JENNIFER BROWN THE COLORADO SUN
Elementary school kids as young as 10 are sent to juvenile lockup in Colorado, one of 15 states that sets that age as the minimum to face prosecution. Now, a coalition of child advocates is attempting to raise the bar to age 13. More than 650 times, kids ages 10-12 were locked up in juvenile detention centers in Colorado from 2015-19, even though all but two of them were released after being deemed not dangerous enough to stay behind bars, according to data from the Colorado Division of Youth Services. On average, those kids stayed in lockup for about 11 days before they were sent home. Being handcuffed and thrown in detention, no matter how long the stay, is traumatizing and increases the likelihood that a child will return to detention or adult prison, say advocates of raising the prosecution age to 13. A bill scheduled for its first hearing later this month at the state Capitol would prohibit the prosecution of 10-, 11- and 12-year olds, except in cases of homicide. The proposal is raising concern among prosecutors and law enforcement officials, who say that arrests of elementary school children are rare and already handled with discretion. Plus, children in the juvenile justice system are getting therapy and other services that they likely would not get otherwise, and until Colorado has a better plan to help those kids, the state should back off from such a massive policy change, they urged. The proposal mimics a 2018 California law that banned prosecution of younger children except for murder and rape. It also would raise the age to 14 years old from 12 that a child could face prosecution in adult court in Colorado. The push is aimed at revamping the juvenile justice system so that kids aren’t branded criminals “for exhibiting behaviors that are consistent with their developmental stage in life,” said Dafna Gozani, senior policy attorney for the National Center for Youth Law. Children who are minorities and those who’ve been abused are more likely to get arrested and locked up, where they face more violence, she said. Also, Black children are way overrepresented in the juvenile justice system in Colorado and nationwide. Of the 417 children who were detained in Colorado in a fiveyear span, 81 of them, or 19.4% were Black, according to state data. Less than 7% of 10-12 year olds in Colorado are Black, however. Also, 80% of the young kids
Kids as young as 10 are being sent to detention.
held in juvenile detention were there for nonviolent offenses, including 15% of them for trespassing or criminal mischief, Gozani said. The effort, whose prime sponsors include Democratic Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Republican Sen. Don Coram, is part of a national movement to “end the criminalization of youth,” including attempts to keep prosecutors from charging juveniles as adults, said Apryl Alexander, an association professor of psychology at The University of Denver. A bill that failed last year would have prevented elementary school children from being handcuffed on school grounds. Children who are arrested and held in detention, even for a few days, are labeled as criminals by peers and often treated differently when they return to school, she said. Many were already victims of abuse, bullying and neighborhood violence before they were arrested, she said. “Why don’t we get them treatment instead of incarcerating them?” asked Alexander, who is also the director of the Denver FIRST Juvenile Justice Project. “The juvenile justice system was intended to be rehabilitative.” But Tom Raynes, executive director of the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council, said the proposal represents a massive policy change that actually might harm children. Entering the juvenile justice system triggers a host of therapy and treatment options, in juvenile centers or in the community, that children otherwise would not receive, he said. And other agencies — such as child protective services — are not equipped to handle an influx of kids who get in trouble but never enter the juvenile justice system, he said.
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The data showing that children stay an average of 11 days, and that almost all of them are released, proves that prosecutors are more interested in getting kids services than on putting them behind bars, he said. “This is a significant policy shift,” said Raynes, who previously was district attorney for the 7th District, which includes Gunnison and Ouray. “I’m not averse to getting more kids out from the juvenile justice system umbrella, but we have to build the alternative first.” Besides, Raynes said, prosecutors and law enforcement already handle cases involving elementary school children “very carefully and with discretion.” A statewide mandate that prohibits them from making case-by-case decisions is not necessary, he said. Colorado is one of 15 states that prohibits prosecution of kids under 10, and 28 states have no minimum age, Raynes said. “Is it an eye-opener for an 11-year-old to be arrested? It is,” he said. “But hopefully through the services and therapy, we intervene in a positive manner.” Prosecutors also want discretion regarding which cases are suited for adult court, he said. In one egregious case, a 12-year-old boy in Burlington shot and killed his parents and tried to kill his younger brother and sister in 2011. He was sentenced to seven years in the juvenile system. Instead of the legislation as written, Raynes said he will push for a study of how best to handle the youngest offenders, including a vetting of the issue by the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice. Colorado Counties, Inc., is also against the bill, concerned that it will prevent children from getting mental health treatment. “Making this policy change in
the absence of building out the continuum of services has the potential to push children into the child welfare system when there are no signs of abuse and neglect,” said Gini Pingenot, director of external affairs for the association. Data collected by Colorado Counties found 677 children ages 10-12 were arrested in Colorado in 2021, about half of them for crimes against people. Stacie Nelson Colling, with the Colorado Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel, which represents kids in court, called the number of elementary age children held in lockup “heartbreaking.” “I hear stories of a kid’s handcuffs sliding off their arms because they are too big. Their feet don’t hit the ground when they sit in a chair,” she said. “They’re terrified.” Phillip Roybal was one of those kids. At age 12, in his third week of eighth grade, he was arrested on campus for a property crime he committed outside of school, and expelled from school. Roybal recalled the shame he felt getting handcuffed at school. Now 27, he’s the youth organizing manager for Colorado Circles for Change, which helps minority children who have been in the juvenile justice system or whose families reach out for help. Roybal spent his high school years in youth corrections, eventually earning his GED at age 19. As a kid, he didn’t see his life as traumatic – even though he was raised by a single father who had recently gotten out of a prison while his mother, who was addicted to heroin, was in prison. “I didn’t see those as traumatic experiences because that was baseline for what I knew, “ he said. “I was left to my own decisions. And at 12 years old, I didn’t have the capacity to make those right decisions.” While it’s true that many kids don’t access treatment services until they are in criminal trouble, that’s not how it should work, Roybal said. Colorado should address that access to treatment as it raises the prosecution age to 13, he said. The bill says that law enforcement could take children age 10 and up into temporary custody for safety reasons and then refer them to other services, and that the state would use existing youth detention funding to pay for those services. D “What are we waiting for?” he w asked. “Are we waiting for other m youth to overdose, to be lost with- a in the juvenile justice system? Wet a are tired of waiting.” a This story is from The Colorado r Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering c the state. For more, and to supportt – The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. The Colorado Sun is g s a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado r o Community Media. F
Fort Lupton Press 11
February 17, 2022
Employers can’t fire workers for using cannabis if new bill passes Medical marijuana usage at work also in House Bill 1152 BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN
Colorado employers would be prohibited from denying employment to or firing workers because of their off-the-clock cannabis use – either medical or recreational – under a measure introduced last week at the statehouse. House Bill 1152 would also require employers to let their workers consume medical marijuana while on the job. The legislation would include exceptions for workers whose jobs are in dangerous fields or require fine motor skills, such as positions involving the use of heavy machinery. “Marijuana is legal in Colorado,” said state Rep. Brianna Titone, an Arvada Democrat and prime sponsor of the bill. “And what people do in their spare time that doesn’t impact their work shouldn’t really be a problem for them. They should be able to enjoy the legal things that we have here in Colorado and not be penalized for it.” The bill seeks to answer a workplace question that has been swirling in Colorado since voters passed Amendment 64 in 2012, legalizing the sale and use of recreational cannabis. Most states that have legalized medicinal and recreational pot leave the question over how to handle employees’ marijuana use up to employers, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Nevada and New Jersey are two exceptions. In New Jersey, employers can prohibit employees from using cannabis while on the job or showing up to work impaired. But they are not allowed to penalize an employee solely because of their off-the-clock recreational cannabis use. Each edition if filled with exclusive news, analysis and other behind-the-scenes information you won’t find anywhere else. Subscribe today to see what all the buzz is about. In 2015, the Colorado Supreme Court sided with an employer, Dish Network, who fired an employee, Brandon Coats, who tested posi-
TURF BUYOUT FROM PAGE 1
Denver Water revenues in 2021 from water sales were projected at $311 million. But advocates see public acceptance of buyouts as an important initial goal as climate change and shorter-term drought shrink the amount of water available in Colorado. Environmental groups also believe city water departments need to participate more in conservation efforts – 80% to 85% of Colorado’s water goes to agricultural use, but conservation advocates say they want rural and urban areas to cooperate on long-term water demand issues. Front Range cities rely heavily on
tive for tetrahydrocannabinol – or THC – in a random drug test. Coats had a medical marijuana card as a result of back spasms caused by his quadriplegia. Muscle spasms is one of the seven debilitating conditions for which medical marijuana can be recommended under Colorado law. The closely watched case highlighted a contradiction within Colorado’s stance on pot: marijuana may be legal in Colorado, but using it can still be grounds for termination. Titone and her co-prime sponsor of the bill, Rep. Edie Hooton, D-Boulder, think that shouldn’t be the case. “The whole idea is to signal to the business community and to employers that because we have legalized cannabis we should be following the same laws and rules that apply to alcohol and prescription drugs,” Hooton said. She also pointed out that medical marijuana generally comes in the form of a CBD product, not a THC product. The legislation was introduced on Feb. 4 and Hooton said she is still talking to the business and labor communities about it. Major opposition hasn’t cropped up yet, but it’s likely that employers who have drug-free workplace policies will push back on the measure. A similar bill was rejected in 2020. “The National Federal of Independent Businesses has historically opposed any legislation that would (allow) the use of marijuana on the property of the employer or cause an employee to test positive for any prohibited drug or prohibit any authority of the employer to perform random drug tests,” said Tony Gagliardi, who leads the Colorado chapter of the group. “Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.” The Colorado Chamber of Commerce said it hasn’t taken a formal position on House Bill 1152, but that it’s opposed similar legislation in the past. Titone plans to pitch the measure as a way for employers to more easily find workers in Colorado’s tight labor market. But Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert, R-Douglas County, expressed early opposition to the concept. He has worked on a number of measures expanding medical marijuana access. river water diverted from the Western Slope. Sponsors also emphasize Colorado won’t be dictating that every town have a buyback program, or how they run their payouts. Grass lawns are not getting outlawed, Bridges noted. “We’re creating a fund to say if you agree with us, which we hope you do,” he said, “here’s a way to make it less expensive for you to make the fix that we all know you need to make.” 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.
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Holbert pointed out that Amendment 64 included the following provision: “Nothing in this (ballot measure) is intended to require an employer to permit or accommodate the use, consumption, possession, transfer, delay, transportation, sale or growing of marijuana in the workplace to to affect the ability of employers to have policies restriction the use of marijuana by employees.” “That really did clarify that employers can have a 100% drugfree policy in their workplace, and that, in my opinion, should not be infringed upon,” he said. Holbert said he would encourage employers in Colorado, however, to know the difference between drug tests that can tell if someone has activated THC – which can indicate if someone is actively high – in
their system or just traces of the substance. Colorado has a 5 ng/ml THC blood limit for drivers. People charged with a marijuana DUI in Colorado can argue that they were not impaired during the time of the alleged offense and that the THC in their bloodstream reflects prior or frequent consumption. As of Feb. 10, House Bill 1152 has yet to be scheduled for its first committee hearing. 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.
OBITUARIES TAYLOR
Pearl Letterly Taylor
May 29, 1924 - January 5, 2022
Pearl Taylor, age 97, passed away in Eagle, CO at Castle Peak Senior Living where she had lived since 2016. She is survived by her children, Kristie Damico and Chuck Taylor, son-in-law Peter Damico, grandson Matt Damico and 2 great granddaughters, Elle and Aida. Pearl was preceded in death by her husband Chuck Taylor.
inspired her to build a huge flower garden from a sloping, sage brush, treeless lot into a showcase garden. She never did hire landscape architects or plantsmen. Pearl did her own hard work of 6 to 8 hour days of hauling rocks, wheelbarrows of dirt, experimentation with plants, deadheading and weeding. This led to the Betty Ford Gardens Vail Valley Festival of Flowers competition awarding Pearl was born and grew up in Brighton, her 1st place in her category in 1995, 97, 98 Colorado. Her four grandparents were and 99, Grand Prize in 1996 and Gardener immigrants from Germany and Russia, Emeritus in 2000. Pearl was certified as a settling in Brighton to farm. Her maternal Backyard Wildlife Habitat garden by the grandfather was a founder of the Brighton German Lutheran Church in 1885 (now Zion National Wildlife Federation, as a Colorado Lutheran Church). Pearl wrote, ”My interests Wildscape and 1 of 13 gardeners named in Colorado as a Habitat Hero by the Audubon were sewing, 4-H club with my lambs, Society. The PBS Garden Smart filmed her as playing the accordion and belonging to an an inspiration to gardeners with challenging accordion band. I liked being outdoors and helped with the chickens, worked on the farm plots. All the while making time to hike, ski, and helped Mother with the garden”. crosscountry, volunteer at Vilar Performing Arts Center, and the Beaver Creek Chapel Pearl attended college in Greeley and then every Sunday. She was a weekly volunteer at University of Denver during World War II, the Betty Ford Alpine Garden beginning in which was declared her Senior year of high 1986 until she was 89. school. When the war was over in 1945, she married Chuck Taylor who she had started Pearl never failed to make time for her dating as a senior in high school. family. Being a loving, always available and fun Mother and Granny came first in her They moved back to Brighton and together busy life. built a CPA firm. She worked at the firm during tax season through the 60’s. Pearl Her honorable legacy of kindness and participated in many aspects of small town happiness can be seen in her smile. As she living: the Lutheran Church & School, Boy would say, “It’s no fun not to be happy”. This Scouts, Campfire Girls, county Fair and mantra, dedication to hard work and play, a Rodeo, bridge groups, to name a few. In strong faith in Goodness and Mercy guided 1969, they moved to Boulder. her through and inspired all who knew her. Her wisdom and grace were hers up to the Pearl fell in love with the mountains of the Vail area in 1975 and Pearl and Chuck began very last days of her journey. living part time in East Vail. She learned to Her wishes for a memorial service were that ski and did until she was 85. we all get out in Nature and enjoy ourselves. The move in 1991 to Wildridge, Avon, CO
Just like a Pearl, she was one of a kind.
12 Fort Lupton Press
February 17, 2022
IDs for vaccines a question of parents rights and health care Requiring IDs can hamper outreach, exacerbate inequity, researcher says
‘(The Colorado health department) took away the ability for us to determine how old somebody is that opened up a giant loophole to put children in harm’s way,’
BY ROBERT TANN RTANN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
On Jan. 25, Littleton Public Schools made the decision to end hosting COVID-19 vaccine clinics after two minors, a 15-year-old Littleton High School student and a homeschooled 16-year-old, lied to clinic staff to see if they could get approved for a shot without parental consent. The deception worked, with the 15-year-old giving staff a fake consent form and the 16-year-old lying about his age, saying he was 20, though neither ends up going through with getting a vaccine. Still, their parents said the videos proved that clinics need better guidelines to ensure younger people cannot get a vaccine without a parent’s OK. The most obvious solution, they said, was to check IDs. “(The Colorado health department) took away the ability for us to determine how old somebody is that opened up a giant loophole to put children in harm’s way,” said Gregg McGough, the father of 15-year-old Owen McGough, one of the two minors involved. But according to a social policy and healthcare researcher, avoiding I.D. requirements has been an essential pillar for avoiding vaccine inequity. And the guideline of allowing minors some healthcare without parental approval is nothing new. “It really is a crucial component in ensuring equitable access to healthcare in general,” said Jennifer Greenfield, an assistant professor at the University of Denver, whose work focuses on the intersection between social policy and health disparities. For children with families who may be undocumented in the U.S., as well as families with disabilities and transportation issues, IDs
Gregg McGough, father of Owen McGough, one of the two minors involved
Karen Fetter, a pharmacy technician at Sky Ridge Medical Center, draws the COVID-19 PHOTO BY NICK PUCKETT vaccine from its vial into a syringe Dec. 16.
can be out of reach and the need for one would pose a barrier to healthcare access, Greenfield said. The same is true for those who may be experiencing homelessness. “Housing insecurity, not having stable permanent addresses, certainly can get in the way of getting an ID,” Greenfield said. By removing the need to show ID, vaccine providers can reach more vulnerable populations who may not otherwise feel comfortable, or have the ability, to show up for a shot. This was front of mind for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), when it issued guidelines on Jan. 17, 2021, telling providers to not ask for ID, though they may seek a name, date of birth, or address. “We understand that while vaccine supply is limited, providers are looking to verify age FROM $
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so that they know they are vaccinating groups within the current prioritization phase(s),” the agency said in a letter to vaccine providers. “However, requiring proof of ID, especially a government-issued ID, can exacerbate distrust and accessibility inequities for many critical groups. This requirement is a barrier for people who are unable to get identification or have trouble accessing services that issue IDs, such as those who are undocumented, experiencing homelessness, have a disability, or others on the margins of society who are unable to get an ID.” Greenfield said the practice of allowing minors to access healthcare at schools without their parents’ consent is nothing new. “It’s actually a longstanding policy for school-based health clinics in Colorado,” she said, adding that this could apply for some mental health resources, STD testing and birth control. When it comes to the COVID vaccine, Greenfield said the benefits of reaching great swaths of vulnerable populations outweigh the risks of approving shots for kids who haven’t gotten their parents’ OK. “There’s more potential harm for the kids going unvaccinated,” she said. “If you look at all of the data about the efficacy of the vaccines, the potential side effects … when you compare all of that information it becomes clear that having a higher percentage of our popu-
lation vaccinated and a higher percentage of our kids vaccinated is good for kids, good for families and good for our communities.” Fears have spread online and throughout communities about the safety of vaccines for children. Greenfield said that the risks posed by contracting COVID are far greater, especially from the still-unknown effects of long COVID. “That’s a huge public health concern,” she said, adding that there are also immediate impacts such as hampering a family member’s ability to return to work. Still, she said she understands the contention at play in Littleton. “There’s this sort of tension between parents’ rights to determine their child’s healthcare versus the social good of having children have access to healthcare … and I think that is definitely at play here.” But Greenfield said she wants parents to know that maintaining easy accessibility to school-based healthcare, whether for the COVID vaccine or other resources, is crucial. “We know that school-based health clinics have been incredibly effective in reducing barriers for healthcare for kids,” adding that it has ripple effects on a child’s wellbeing when they don’t have to leave the school for healthcare. As a working parent herself, Greenfield said she knows too well the stress of having to schedule appointments with pediatricians and take her children out of school for several hours, something she had to do when she vaccinated her kids. “They missed reading and math that day,” she said.
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Fort Lupton Press 13
February 17, 2022
Colorado school board races are big-money affairs A new bill seeks to rein in donors through campaign finance limits BY ERICA MELTZER, CHALKBEAT AND SANDRA FISH THE COLORADO SUN
In the aftermath of hotly contested, big money school board elections around the state, Colorado lawmakers are seeking to cap for the first time how much money donors can give to candidates in those races. But legislation that passed a House committee on Jan. 31 won’t affect spending by independent committees that play a ,significant role in some contests. House Bill 1060 would limit ,individual donations in school board races to $2,500 and donations by small donor committees to $25,000 per candidate. School board candidates are among the few elected offices in Colorado without limits on campaign contributions, and the caps proposed in the bill are higher than those for many other offices. “Our electoral system should provide a level playing field so that every candidate has a shot, not just those with wealthy connections,” bill sponsor state Rep. Emily Sirota, a Denver Democrat, told the House State Affairs Committee. Heated debates over COVID protocols, masking, teaching about race, and parents’ rights fueled unprecedented interest in Colorado school board elections last year. More than $2.8 million flowed into 213 school board campaigns, and independent expenditure committees spent an additional $2.1 million on school board races, according to campaign finance reports. The measure would have had the biggest impact on individual giving last year. Of those giving more than $2,500 to a candidate, 29 people donated more than $622,000 to 34 candidates. That’s more than a fifth of all individual contributions in school board races. Nearly half that cash went yto four conservative Douglas County candidates who won their contests. Lone Tree real estate developer Eric Garrett donated $30,000 each to four Douglas County school board candidates — Mike Peterson, Christy Williams, Becky Myers and Kaylee Winegar. Mike Slattery, who co-owns The Emporium in Castle Rock with his wife, Andrea, gave $20,000 each
to the same candidates, while Andrea Slattery gave $10,000 each. R. Stanton Dodge, who lives in Castle Pines and is the chief legal counsel for DraftKings, gave $12,500 to each of those four Douglas County candidates. Stephen Keen, a Fort Collins lawyer, donated $40,000 to Jefferson County school board candidate Paula Reed and $10,000 each to Mary Parker and Danielle Varda in the same district. The candidates, who also received financial support from the teachers union, won their election. And in the Cherry Creek School District, Terrance Bates gave $41,400 to candidate Kelly Bates, who won a three-way race against two more conservative challengers. Small donor committees contributed more than $524,000 to 80 candidates. But in only six instances did those donations exceed $25,000 per candidate. Each of those donations went to four candidates for the Denver Public Schools board and were from two committees representing teachers unions: the Public Education Committee, funded by Colorado Education Association members, and the DCTA Fund, funded by Denver Classroom Teachers Association. The District Twelve Educators Political Action Committee spent nearly $122,000 on Jackson Dreiling’s unsuccessful campaign in the Adams County school district. The bill would treat political committees like individuals limiting them to $2,500 per candidate.
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The law already limits donations from political committees to other types of candidates. For example, they can’t donate more than $2,000 to county commissioners or more than $400 to state Senate candidates. A series of school board candidates, some successful, some not, told legislators that the need to raise so much money deterred many people from running for office and took control of school board elections away from the community. They also said it made school board races more politicized. “There is an idea that if you’re funded by the union you’re left and if you’re funded by something outside the union you’re right, and I was funded by neither,” said Beth Niznik, who said she took pride in winning a three-way race for Boulder Valley school board despite raising the least money. “That is the public perception. These are nonpartisan races.” The bill is supported by Common Cause and Clean Slate Now, groups that advocate for transparency and campaign finance reform, as well as by Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, the League of Women Voters, Education Reform Advocacy Now and the Colorado Association of School Boards. Candidates who benefited from large donations in the most recent election didn’t testify. The bill wouldn’t limit spending by independent expenditure committees, which are protected by the U.S. Supreme Court deci-
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sion Citizens United. Independent expenditure committees may take unlimited donations and spend unlimited amounts, but they can’t give directly to candidates and aren’t supposed to coordinate with candidate campaigns. Such committees don’t participate in most school board races, but in Denver Public Schools, independent expenditure committees accounted for about 67% of the $1.8 million spent last fall. Groups more supportive of education reform outspent groups affiliated with the teachers union, but failed to persuade voters. That $1.2 million in independent spending on Denver contests accounted for nearly 57% of the $2.1 million total in such spending on school board races last year. Nor would the bill limit how much candidates could spend on their own campaigns. Denver school board member Scott Baldermann spent more than $300,000 of his own money to get elected in 2019. “I think the bill is going to have the opposite effect with more dark money (coming into elections),” said state Rep. Patrick Neville, a Castle Rock Republican who voted no. “I think we should be free to donate directly to the candidate and the candidate is responsible for the literature that is put out, rather than an independent expenditure committee.” Democrats on the committee said they shared those concerns, but didn’t see that as a reason to have no limits on individual contributions. The bill passed 6 to 4 with Democrats in favor and Republicans against. It still needs to pass the full House and Senate before going to the governor’s desk. Sirota acknowledged the bill won’t take money out of politics, but she said the change still feels valuable. “Anyone who follows these school board races, it’s hard to imagine it getting any nastier,” Sirota said. “We aren’t going to fix a broken system, but this is one step we can take.” 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. ON AVERAGE, AARP MEMBERS ENJOY
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14 Fort Lupton Press
LOCAL
February 17, 2022
SPORTS
Alarcon prepares for second state title run Seven Bluedevils punch tickets for state tournament BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Fort Lupton’s Dmitri Garza Alarcon is doing just fine on the wrestling mats these days. He’s the top-rated, class 3A, 138-pound wrestler in the state, according to On the Mat Magazine. He has a record of 40-3, too. “I am very happy for the opportunities we have gotten this year, way better than last year,” said Alarcon. He won his state title in Colorado Springs during a COVID-shortened season.” Winning a state title can mean there’s an invisible dot on the winner’s back. That’s not the case with Alarcon. ‘I like to block it out because of the tough match that I’m going to have,” he said. “I just need to focus on taking home
that state title. I keep training to know for a fact that I am the best.” The state 3A meet begins Thursday, Feb. 17, at Ball Arena in Denver. Winning a state title has meant some occasional nerves for Alarcon. “But you’ll always get nervous when you wrestle someone,” he said. “Yes, I did. I can’t lie and say I didn’t when I was.” Alarcon said the state tournament doesn’t compare to other tournaments in which he’s competed. “Because I know these kids. I’ve wrestled them before,” he said. “For instance, like Fargo (a Greco-Roman freestyle tournament), I was very nervous for every match.” He wasn’t the only Bluedevil to earn a spot in the state tournament. Isaac Rodriguez finished second at 160 pounds. Danny Rodriguez took third at 145 pounds. William Alvarado was third at 152 pounds. Christopher Galicia was fourth at 170 pounds, and Alex Mata took fourth at 182 pounds. Kayden Derbigny (220 pounds) and Dylan Jaramillo (285) also placed fourth in their weight classes. Alarcon changed up his training
Fort Lupton’s Dmitri Garza Alarcon, shown in control of a match earlier this year, PHOTO BY STEVE SMITH cleared one hurdle on his way to a second straight state title.
regimen. It includes a 5 a.m. run every day. And yes, he is keeping his eye on a four-peat at state. “I do want four state titles so I can say that I did it,” Alarcon said. “The sport has built my mentality and the way I do things in my everyday life. It’s my motivation to keep pushing
forward. “I want to thank my high-school coaches, as well my club coaches. They were a big influence on my success.” The state 3A tourney begins at noon Thursday, Feb. 17. The finals are at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19.
Girls wrestling: FLHS sends five to state tournament Even though Fort Lupton’s Genevieve Hunt lost this 118-pound quarterfinal match to Northridge’s Victoria Perlas. Hunt placed thrd at the regional tournament at FLHS over the weekend. PHOTO BY HECTOR LOPEZ
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Fort Lupton’s girls’ wrestling team qualified five competitors to the state girls wrestling tournament at Ball Arena next week. On top of that, Fort Lupton won the regional championship. Rylee Balcazar took first place at 100 pounds. She pinned all four of her opponents, including Pomona’s Alyra Gomez in 1:34 of the finals. At 215 pounds, Angelrae Garcia won a regional title. She pinned Northridge’s Paulina
Cruz in 3:02. Genevieve Hunt took third at 118 pounds. Hunt lost in the quarterfinals, then won four in a row to earn her place in the state meet. Anastyn Livesay, who finished second at the state meet last year, finished third at 161 pounds. She, too, won four matches in a row to take the consolation championship. Gizelle Adame took fifth at 185 pounds. She won her last match by forfeit over Overland’s Mox Talmadge.
Softball: Fort Lupton’s Fells signs with Bluefield State College STAFF REPORT
Fort Lupton High School pitcher Taylor Fells put pen to paper Feb. 7 and signed a letter of intent to play softball at Bluefield State College in West Virginia. “It’s just a slim percentage of kids who get to play in college, no matter how good you were in high school,” FLHS Principal John Biner said. “When you watch a kid perform on the field, that’s good stuff. But when the kid is a good student and a good citizen, that;s a beautiful thing.”
Fort Lupton’s Taylor Fells is all smiles. After all, she officially signed her letter of intent to play softball and study at Bluefield State College in Vermont. She signed Feb. 7 at FLHS. PHOTO BY STEVE SMITH
Fort Lupton Press 15
February 17, 2022
RUNNING TO GUNNISON
SPORTS BRIEFS Girls soccer Tryouts for the Fort Lupton girls soccer team will be the week of Monday, Feb. 28. Pre-tryout worksouts continue this week. call coach Archie Suniga at 303-918-1356 or email Archie.suniga@gmail.com. High-school baseball Former Frederick High School baseball coach Blaine Shirley is the new baseball coach at Florence High School. Team sports Fort Lupton’s recreation center is looking for players to fill out various leagues this spring. Adult softball league The city’s adult softball league begins Monday, March 14, at Pearson Park, state Highway 52 and U.S. Highway 85. Registration costs $375 per team, and the deadline is Monday, Feb. 21; afterward, the fee increases to $400.
Frederick quarterback Bryce Conover gets past Pueblo County’s Jace Barger in the first round of the state 3A playoffs. The senior signed a letter of intent this month to attend college and PHOTO BY STEVE SMITH play football at Gunnison’s Western State University.
Youth soccer A coed soccer program needs prekindergarteners, kindergarteners and first- through sixth-graders to participate starting Thursday, March 10. The early registration deadline (with fees of $35 for pre-K through second grade and $55 for third- through sixthgraders) is Saturday, Feb. 12. Afterward, the fee increases $15 for the younger age groups and $20 for the older ones. The final registration date is Saturday, Feb. 19. Questions on any of these leagues? Call 303-857-4200.
Baseball camp Regis University’s baseball coaching and staff will be conducting a clinic at Brighton High School from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 19. Campers will receive a Tshirt, a ticket to Regis’ game against Adams State at 2;30 that afternoon, the chance to shag balls during batting practice before the game and a chance to run the bases after the game. The cost is $50. Register at https://bybsa.net/ program/46262/2022-regisuniversity-baseball-day-at-thepark?fbclid=IwAR1IbRoRe_ PDrJLBOmt7yL1pZrcCVNCKOzCh2cov38as4uUnd47OF5vcjyM
State wrestling tournament AURORA -- The Colorado High School Activities Association announced the schedule for the girls and boys state wrestling tournaments at Ball Arena from Thursday, Feb. 17, to Saturday, Feb. 19. Ball Arena requires patrons to wear masks because of the ongoing pandemic. Feb. 17: 2A/3A prelims, girls preliminary round, noon to 3 p.m.; 4A/5A boys preliminary round, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18: 2A/3A and girls quarterfinals, 8:30 to 11:45 a.m.; 4A/5A boys quarterfinals, 12:45 to 3:30 p.m.; semifinals for boys and girls in all classes, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 19: Third-round consolation matches through consolation semifinals, all classifications, 10 a.m.; a parade of champions and finals, all classifications, 5:30 p.m.
SPORTS CALENDAR
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 53 Brush 49 56 @Estes Park 37 62 @Arvada 52 38: @Resurrection Christian 68 58 Weld Central 50 56 Englewood 70 71 @Thornton 52 57 @Skyview 48 46 Eagle Ridge Academy 63 66 Aurora Central 69 Upcoming games *-Platte Valley HS tournament r ** - Santiago’s Shootout Girls basketball Team score on left, Opponent and their score 38, Aurora West , 4 6, JFK, 53 23, *Stargate School, 16 y 38, *Jefferson, 26 L, *Skyview 18, @St. Mary’s, 100 9 Jefferson Academy 48 19 @Lincoln 26 14 @Manual 30 44 @Arvada 23 15 @Weld Central 42 15 @Englewood 40 8 Skyview 77
15 @Eagle Ridge 51 24 @Aurora Central 69 Upcoming games Feb. 14 Thornton 5 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 2nd @Eaglecrest Invitational 15th @Top of the Rockies 46 @Fort Morgan 19 Upcoming games Jan. 28 Triangular meet 4 p.m. 1st Colorado League meet Weld Central High School 4th Regionals @ Sierra High School 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. Jan. 14-15, MLK girls tournament ccd @Riverdale Ridge 1st Loveland Girls Invitational Upcoming games 36 Mead 18 39 @Northridge 15 4th @Chatfield War Horse Invitational
1st Regionals at Fort Lupton HS 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 88 Berthoud 40 66 @Mountain View 55 81 Fort Morgan 55 65: @Roosevelt 58 29 Niwot 81 81 @Severance 55 SEE CALENDAR, P17
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16 Fort Lupton Press
February 17, 2022
C R O S SWO R D P U Z Z L E
© 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.
Solution
TRIVIA 1. HISTORY: When did the first Winter Olympics take place? 2. PSYCHOLOGY: What is the extreme fear represented by a condition called ophidiophobia? 3. AD SLOGANS: Which company featured this advertising campaign in the mid-1980s: “Quality never goes out of style”? 4. LITERATURE: Which 19thcentury novel begins with the line, “Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show”? 5. MOVIES: Where were the park bench scenes from “Forrest Gump” filmed? 6. ANATOMY: What is the common name for the orbit in human anatomy? 7. MEASUREMENTS: What does a hygrometer measure? 8. U.S. STATES: In which state was the movie “Children of the
Corn” filmed? 9. LANGUAGE: What does “fair dinkum” mean in Australian English? 10. SCIENCE: What is the common name for nitrous oxide? Answers 1. 1924, Chamonix, France 2. Fear of snakes 3. Levi’s 4. “David Copperfield” 5. Chippewa Square, Savannah, Georgia 6. Eye socket 7. Humidity 8. Iowa 9. Unquestionably good 10. Laughing gas (c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.
Crossword Solution
Fort Lupton Press 17
February 17, 2022
CALENDAR FROM PAGE 15
72 Riverdale Ridge 65 (OT) 88 Northridge 44 68 ***@Greeley West 42 62 ***Holy Family 40 Upcoming games Feb. 16 Windsor 7 p.m. *- D’Evelyn/Golden Preview Classic ** - Ball Arena Denver *** -- NCAC/Longs Peak League cross-over tournament 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 33 Berthoud, 54 63 @Mountain View 56 43 @Ralston Valley 63 63 Fort Morgan 25 26 @Roosevelt 78 79 Niwot: 27 62: @Severance 87 Feb. 3: Riverdale Ridge, 5:30 p.m. 53 Northridge 55 43 ***Mead 56 56 ***Silver Creek 40 *Centaurus tournament
*** -- NCAC/Longs Peakj League cross-over tournament Girls swimming Team score on left, Opponent and their score 67, @Eaton, 113 42, @Thompson Valley, 137 88, @Rangeview, 225 6th All St. Vrain City meet Upcoming games 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 6th: Warrior Invitational Jan. 22: @Northglenn Invitational Jan. 27: @Roosevelt, 6:30 p.m. 14th @Thomas Jefferson tournament Feb. 11-12: regionals @ Mead High School Feb. 17: State 4A tournament, Ball Arena
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PUBLIC NOTICES
Public Notices call Marley 303-566-4123 Legals City and County Public Notice REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about March 7, 2022, CHFA will submit a request to the U.S. Department of housing and Urban Development for the release of 542(c) Risk Sharing, Tier I 50/50 funds to undertake a project known as Sagebrush Apartments for the purpose of construction of two (2) 36-unit multi-family apartment buildings, plus one (1) single-story clubhouse/leasing structure. The project is needed to provide affordable housing that will benefit persons with low and moderate incomes including the construction of several very low-income units. Locally, there is a strong desire to ensure that City employees including firefighters, police and teachers will qualify for the low-income units specifically, 20 units at the property will be restricted at 30% of AMI, 8 units will be restricted at 40% of AMI, and 8 units will be restricted at 50% of AMI; estimated funding including non-HUD funding sources is $20,660,554 project location: 1401 2nd Street, Fort Lupton, Weld County, Colorado.
only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of CHFA; (b) CHFA has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD administration at HUD Production, Technical Branch Chief, at MFW-Public-Notices@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact MFW-PublicNotices@hud.gov to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Steve Johnson, Director, Commercial Lending Certifying Officer Legal Notice No. FLP537 First Publication: February 17, 2022 Last Publication: February 17, 2022 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press
City of Ft. Lupton
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Public Notice
The Colorado Housing and Financing Authority has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at CHFA, 1981 Blake Street, Denver CO 80123. and may be examined or copied weekdays _8_A.M to _5_P.M. Due to staff working remotely, the ERR will be made available to the public for review electronically via email, addressed to gdominguez@chfainfo.com or contact by phone at 303-297-7464; requests, weekdays 8 A.M. to 5 P.M.
CITY OF FORT LUPTON NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. All comments received by March 4, 2022, will be considered by the CHFA prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION CHFA certifies to HUD that Steve Johnson in his capacity as Director, Commercial Lending consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows CHFA to use Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and CHFA’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later)
Notice is hereby given that the City of Fort Lupton is in receipt of an application submitted by Mandi Hagler and Lee Hagler for an annexation and initial zoning to the ‘A’ Agriculture Zone District for two parcels located north and adjacent to County Road 22 and approximately 0.20 miles east of County Road 19 in Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to the City of Fort Lupton Municipal Code Notice Requirements. The annexation also includes road right of way. A special use permit for the property is being considered at a separate public hearing before the Planning Commission and City Council. The public hearings are to be held before the Planning Commission on Thursday, February 24, 2022, at 6:00 P.M., and before the City Council on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at 7:00 P.M. or as soon as possible thereafter. The public hearings shall be held at the Fort Lupton City Hall, 130 S. McKinley Avenue in Fort Lupton, Colorado. In the event that the City Hall is closed to the public at the time of the hearings due to COVID-19, the public hearings will be held remotely, accessible to the public by phone and internet. Information on how to attend the hearings will be provided in the agenda as posted on the City’s website, www.fortluptonco.gov. LEGAL DESCRIPTION ANNEXATION NO. 1 A TRACT OF LAND LOCATED IN THE NE1/4 OF SECTION 14 AND THE SE1/4 OF SECTION 11, T2N, R67W OF THE 6TH P.M., COUNTY OF WELD, STATE OF COLORADO, BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS; COMMENCING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 14, THENCE S89°47’21”W,
legals2@coloradocommunitymedia.com
30.00 FEET TO THE WESTERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 23, SAID POINT BEING THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE S00°11’25”E, 29.89 FEET ALONG SAID WESTERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 23 TO THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; THENCE N78°14’11”W, 147.10 FEET; THENCE N78°12’41”E, 146.89 FEET TO THE NORTHERLY LINE OF SAID WELD COUNTY ROAD 22 AND SAID WESTERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 23; THENCE S00°13’54”E, 30.11 FEET ALONG SAID WESTERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 23 TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING.; CONTAINING 0.099 ACRES ANNEXATION NO. 2 A TRACT OF LAND LOCATED IN THE NE1/4 OF SECTION 14 AND THE SE1/4 OF SECTION 11, T2N, R67W OF THE 6TH P.M., COUNTY OF WELD, STATE OF COLORADO, BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS; COMMENCING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 14, THENCE S89°47’21”W, 30.00 FEET TO THE WESTERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 23; THENCE S00°11’25”E, 29.89 FEET ALONG SAID WESTERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 23 TO THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22, SAID POINT BEING THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE S89°59’46”W, 75.00 FEET ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; THENCE N87°20’23”W, 645.38 FEET; THENCE N87°19’51”E, 645.16 FEET TO THE NORTHERLY LINE OF SAID WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; N89°59’46”E, 75.00 FEET ALONG SAID NORTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; THENCE S78°12’41”W, 146.89 FEET; THENCE S78°14’11”E, 147.10 FEET TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING.
A TRACT OF LAND LOCATED IN THE N1/2 OF SECTION 14, THE S1/2 OF SECTION 11, THE N1/2 OF SECTION 15 AND THE S1/2 OF SECTION 10, T2N, R67W OF THE 6TH P.M., COUNTY OF WELD, STATE OF COLORADO, BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS; COMMENCING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 14, THENCE S89°47’21”W, 30.00 FEET TO THE WESTERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 23; THENCE S00°11’25”E, 29.89 FEET ALONG SAID WESTERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 23 TO THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; THENCE S89°59’46”W, 675.00 FEET ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22 TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE S89°59’46”W, 1923.27 FEET ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; THENCE N89°55’06”W, 2606.45 FEET ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; THENCE N89°55’15”W, 2598.85 FEET ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; THENCE N89°56’05”W, 2601.40 FEET ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22 TO THE EASTERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 19; THENCE N00°00’07”W, 30.08 FEET ALONG SAID EASTERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 19; THENCE N00°09’24”W, 29.92 FEET ALONG SAID EASTERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 19 TO THE NORTHERLY LINE OF SAID WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; THENCE S89°56’05”E, 542.07 FEET ALONG SAID NORTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22 TO THE WESTERLY LINE OF LOT C, RECORDED EXEMPTION NO. 1311-10-03 RECX18-0072;
CONTAINING 0.448 ACRES
THENCE ALONG THE EXTERIOR BOUNDARY OF SAID LOT C, RECORDED EXEMPTION NO. 1311-10-03 RECX18-0072 AND SUBDIVISION EXEMPTION NO. 1311-10-03 SUBX18-0023 THE FOLLOWING SEVEN (7) COURSES;
ANNEXATION NO. 3
1. N00°08’56”W, 247.87 FEET;
A TRACT OF LAND LOCATED IN THE N1/2 OF SECTION 14 AND THE S1/2 OF SECTION 11, T2N, R67W OF THE 6TH P.M., COUNTY OF WELD, STATE OF COLORADO, BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS;
2. N89°47’49”E, 97.07 FEET;
COMMENCING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 14, THENCE S89°47’21”W, 30.00 FEET TO THE WESTERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 23; THENCE S00°11’25”E, 29.89 FEET ALONG SAID WESTERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 23 TO THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; THENCE S89°59’46”W, 75.00 FEET ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22 TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING;
5. S00°00’25”W, 34.14 FEET;
THENCE S89°59’46”W, 600.00 FEET ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; THENCE N89°18’42”W, 2561.94 FEET; THENCE N89°20’47”E, 2561.70 FEET TO THE NORTHERLY LINE OF SAID WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; N89°59’46”E, 600.00 FEET ALONG SAID NORTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; THENCE S87°19’51”W, 645.16 FEET; THENCE S87°20’23”E, 645.38 FEET TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING. CONTAINING 2.147 ACRES ANNEXATION NO. 4
CONTAINING 20.997 ACRES RESOLUTION NO. 2022R012 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF FORT LUPTON INITIATING ANNEXATION PROCEEDINGS FOR THE ANNEXATION KNOWN AS THE HAGLER ANNEXATION NOS. 1 – 4 AND SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR MARCH 15, 2022 WHEREAS, the Fort Lupton City Council has reviewed the annexation petition submitted by Mandi Hagler and Lee Hagler for 23.691 acres, more or less, and known as the Hagler Annexation Nos. 1 – 4; and WHEREAS, the Fort Lupton City Council finds the annexation petition to be complete and in substantial conformance with the requirements of C.R.S. 31-12-107 (1) as amended. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Fort Lupton City Council hereby approves this Resolution initiating annexation proceedings for the Hagler Annexation Nos. 1 – 4 and sets the hearing date for March 15, 2022 , to determine if the proposed annexation complies with C.R.S. 31-12-104 and 31-12-105, or such parts thereof as may be required to establish eligibility for annexation under the terms of Part 1, Article 12, Title 31, C.R.S. APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE FORT LUPTON CITY COUNCIL THIS 18th DAY OF JANUARY 2022. /s/Zo Stieber Zo Stieber, Mayor Attest: /s/Maricela Peña Maricela Peña, City Clerk Approved as to form: s/Andy Ausmus Andy Ausmus, City Attorney Legal Notice No. FLP521 First Publication: February 3, 2022 Last Publication: February 24, 2022 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press
3. N32°23’18”E, 296.72 FEET; 4. N89°42’24”E, 239.63 FEET;
Notice to Creditors
6. S89°46’22”E, 440.82 FEET TO THE EASTERLY LINE OF SAID SUBDIVISION EXEMPTION NO. 1311-10-03 SUBX18-0023; 7. S00°25’54”W, 465.19 FEET ALONG SAID EASTERLY LINE OF SUBDIVISION EXEMPTION NO. 1311-10-03 SUBX18-0023 TO SAID NORTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; THENCE S89°56’05”E, 1127.18 FEET ALONG SAID NORTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; THENCE S89°55’15”E, 2598.85 FEET ALONG SAID NORTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; THENCE S89°55’06”E, 2606.40 FEET ALONG SAID NORTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; THENCE N89°59’46”E, 1923.01 FEET ALONG SAID NORTHERLY LINE OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 22; THENCE S89°20’47”W, 2561.70 FEET; THENCE S89°18’42”E, 2561.94 FEET TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING.
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Eva L. Lopez, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR20 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 June 3, 2022, or the claims may be forever barred. Gloria Torrez-Nieto, Personal Representative PO Box 966 Frederick, CO 80530 Legal Notice No. FLP514 First Publication: February 3, 2022 Last Publication: February 17, 2022 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press
Fort Lupton Legals 2.17.22 * 1
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Fort Lupton Press 19
February 17, 2022
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February 17, 2022
Bookstores adapt to attract new readers BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE OLOVE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Book clubs are no longer confined to living rooms, and bookstores offer much more than just books with a whole new realm opening up for gatherings centered around reading. When entering Hearthfire Books and Treats in Evergreen, shoppers are greeted by a bright green wall of frozen yogurt machines and a topping bar. The shop also offers coffee, smoothies and shakes. Owner Kappy Kling believes she has created more than just a store but a space for community. “[It’s] a little oasis for kids and adults to be able to congregate and hang out,” she said. Kling sees many bookstores modifying their business models to attract new customers. “Bookstores over the years, with changes, have adapted by adding different things for engagement, especially smaller ones (bookstores),” she said. “So for us, the frozen yogurt was a big one of those.” Hearthfire attracts a big afterschool crowd from the local schools, and Kling enjoys providing a safe place for kids to hang out, have a snack and read. “It kind of gives these kids a little freedom,” she said. “It allows them to be themselves.” Creating community is also a central focus at BookBar on Tennyson Street in Denver. Nearly nine years ago, Nicole Sullivan was wishing she could have a book club meeting anywhere besides someone’s living room, and from that thought, BookBar was born. The popular bookstore offers wine, coffee and small plates to enjoy while reading and browsing books. Beyond just book club meetings, Sullivan says the shop sees a lot of first dates, girls’ nights, professional meetings and remote work. The pandemic has had its effect on all businesses, especially food and drink service. But when the going got tough for that side of the business, books had BookBar’s back. Book sales kept the business operating until more of the nontraditional features of the shop — food and drink — could return safely. Sullivan says she thinks there is one secret to the continued success of bookstores. “The future of bookstores is com-
The children’s reading area at Hermitage Antiquarian Bookstore is a favorite for owner Robert Topp.
munity bookstores,” Sullivan said. And Sullivan is doing her part to ensure that. She not only owns BookBar but also The Bookies bookstore at 4315 E. Mississippi Ave. in Glendale. Together, the two independent bookstores have become a Public Benefit Corporation, offering the benefits of literacy, environmental sustainability, freedom of expression and diversity, equity and inclusion. Sullivan also has created a nonprofit called BookGive with 10% of book sales from both stores going to this organization. BookGive aims to get books into the hands of people who need them at schools, nursing homes, homeless shelters and more. The group has donated nearly 100,000 books since its inception. Some bookstores, like Hermitage Antiquarian Bookstore in the Cherry Creek area of Denver, are sticking to a more traditional model, however. Robert Topp has owned his book business for nearly 50 years, making it the oldest independent bookstore with one owner in the city. His store only offers hardback books, and 20% of the inventory is considered collectible. While he may not have changed his business model, Topp does see a changing audience in his store. He originally thought his customers would grow old with him, but instead, he has seen something different. “Saturdays, it’s almost everyone under 40,” he said.
PHOTOS BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE
Hermitage offers countless hardcover books, many of which are collectible.
He laughed and said one misconception about young readers is that they only read Stephen King. Topp thinks people are generally too hard on young readers. “Too many people take a cynical attitude toward kids with reading,” he said. “My attitude towards young people with reading has always been very optimistic.” So optimistic in fact, he has dedicated much of his time to reading to them. Topp founded Read Me a Story, Ink after reading to children in public schools for nearly 30 years. His website features recordings of Topp reading stories aloud and over a thousand stories for others to read. He also has a podcast available on major platforms that feature him reading stories fit for the classroom, bedtime and more.
Topp says the internet has made a huge change in the way he does business. Besides his children’s site, Hermitage also enjoys a strong online bookselling business, which has only benefited the store. When it comes to a bookstore model that works, Topp says one thing trumps all. “I still think the most important thing is customer service,” he said. In online reviews, customers rave about the special attention Topp gives to people, often remembering their favorite topics and emailing them when he finds something they might enjoy. Topp says some businesses have rotating staff, but his employees have been with him for the long haul. “We have a collective 150 years book experience,” he said.