Fort Lupton Press 120122

A di erent game, a di erent level of interest

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

On the Eastern Plains, football is a special breed of cat.

Or eagle, as the case may be.

Tucked away north of Interstate 70, an hour or so east of Limon and two or so stops away from the Kansas state line sits the town of Stratton. It occupies half a square mile of land and is home to 658 people and 175 businesses.

More than 450 people work in town. Some of the larger industries in town? Pumpkin patches, professional services and crop preparation services. There are Realtors and dentists, a post office, a bank and a hotel. There’s an auto parts store, three restaurants and a combo inn and winery. An RV park occupies space on a county road.

One-tenth of 1 percent of the town’s population plays at any one time on the high-school football team, one that residents, parents and alumni have rallied around for years.

“The whole town comes to watch them,” said head football coach and Stratton alum Jesse McConnell. “They see them at the gas station. They’re always asking the kids how the season is going. They are really invested in Stratton football, and that’s great to see.”

Pre-pregame

Before you ever arrive in town, one thing you notice is the high school’s mascot.

An eagle.

He (or she) is all over the town’s business pages – automotive businesses, health care, and restaurants. The names, addresses, phone numbers, they’re all there.

So is the eagle.

There are well-wishes from the city on a billboard just south of downtown. At the corner of Interstate 70 and state U.S. Highway 24 sits an open field. During postseason play, you’ll find decals, wishing the involved team well in its upcoming game.

“They hang green-and-white flags up and down Main Street,” said former Stratton football coach Dave Gottmann. “The parents cook

THE SEASON FOR

breakfast for the kids four hours before the game. That’s carried on for years. A group of parents used to have Thursday night dinners before the games. These are traditions that have been carried on for 20 or 30 years. Depending on who’s driving the driving, an ambulance

“We have had much success on the gridiron practically the entire time I’ve lived here,” said Rod Thompson, who graduated from Stratton

Brighton veteran takes honor flight Trip brings back memories of service

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

An October trip with Rocky Mountain Honor Flight brought up a lot of memories for Vietnam veteran Steve Newton, of Brighton.

“When I saw the Gold Star panel of the casualties of World War II, I cried, deeply appreciative. Did not know any of those young kids, it bothers me about my situation and it gives you some survival guilt,” said Newton.

Now 75 years old, the Brighton veteran flew to Washington, D.C. in October to visit all the veteran memorials. It brought him back, he said, to the war itself and the time before.

It was his junior year of high school in Iowa and Newton said he kept informed on what was happening in North Vietnam.

“The North Vietnam warships attack the United States warship U.S.S. Turner and U.S.S. Maddox off the coast of North Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin, it got my attention and raised the amber flag,” Newton said.

In Newton’s senior year, news stories about the seventh cavalry’s fight campaigns in Drang Valley really stood out. That’s what cemented his motivation to go into the service.

“I didn’t have any money or academics, I knew I was going to wear some kind of uniform at some point,” he said.

Born on the Fourth of July

When Newton turned 18 on July 4, 1965, he didn’t wait for his draft orders.

“I decided I might as well get it

will sound the siren when Stratton scores a touchdown.”

Otis’ Taylor Ringlein in this pass for very short yardage, thanks in part to the defense of Stratton’s Cyler Notter (24) during the semifinals of the state six-man football playo s Nov. 19 in Stratton. Notter scored twice as the top-seeded Eagles rolled to a 46-13 win and a berth in next week’s state finals in Pueblo.

PHOTO BY STEVE SMITH

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Polis salutes Fort Lupton for student achievement

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Fort Lupton High School was among 21 high schools in the state to receive the state’s Bright Spot award from Gov. Polis.

The schools demonstrated strong growth in student achievement and “the ability to advance learning through challenging times” since 2019, according to a press statement.

COLA is sweet for Social Security recipients

If you receive Social Security, you’ve probably already heard that your checks in 2023 will be considerably bigger. In fact, there’s an 8.7% cost of living increase, known as COLA. How should you use this extra money?

Of course, the sizable COLA is due to the high inflation of 2022, so you might need the larger checks to help pay for the increased cost of goods and services. But if your cash flow is already relatively strong, you may want to consider a few different moves.

First, the extra money may enable you to withdraw less from your investment portfolio, possibly helping it to last longer throughout your retirement.

Also, you could use some of the bigger checks to build your cash reserves, both in your portfolio and as part of an emergency fund.

You might also want to put some of the extra money into a tax-advantaged 529 education savings plan for a grandchild or another family member. Or, you could boost your contributions to charitable groups.

Future COLA increases likely won’t be as large as the one for 2023 – so try to take full advantage of it while it’s here.

The framework lists six phases or bands, ranging from insufficient data, the lowest band, to the top-tier Distinction Plan. To qualify, schools must have advanced more than two bands on their performance framework since 2019. Fort Lupton, for example, advanced from the Turnaround Plan band – the second lowest rating band – to the Improvement Plan band, which is the third highest rated band.

The use of funds will be determined by each school. Examples of eligible uses of funds include increased mental and behavioral health or tutoring services, preparation and prevention strategies for future health emergencies, faculty development opportunities or school improvements.

“We are honored to receive this award from Gov. Polis,” said Re-8 Superintendent Alan Kaylor. “Our community has demonstrated perseverance throughout the pandemic, and those lessons learned will continue to serve us well. I am proud of the staff at the high school as well as the entire district over the past three years in delivering high-quality education and learning for each student.”

The schools also receive $50,000 of the governor’s emergency relief fund for investments in such things as expanding student resources, faculty development, preparing and preventing health emergencies and other opportunities to benefit students’ learning experiences, the statement read.

“Congratulations to these schools that have shown strong improvements in results despite the pandemic and to all those that worked to advance students’ learning over the last three years,” the governor said in the statement. “The unprecedented challenges schools faced through the pandemic were difficult to navigate. But, your schools, teachers and communities showed incredible resilience, and I am honored to highlight you all.

“I look forward to seeing how you utilize the funding to keep uplifting your students and advance learning,” Polis said. “Investing in education ensures Colorado youth are able to thrive and access the high-quality education they deserve.”

Fort Lupton firefighter Jacob Bolger, Benjamin Simper, firefighter Chris Blohm, and Evan Wilson and Fitness Coordinator Lacie Reckard are trying out the fitness equipment.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

over with and join,” Newton said. “I wasn’t smart enough to be in the Air Force and wasn’t tough enough to be a Jar Head (a common nickname for the Marines),” Newton said.

He went to the draft board and asked the lady how many were ahead of him. About 50 were. Newton was wearing his bell-bottom trousers, the kind associated with long hair, hippies and dope smokers. That wasn’t him, he said.

“I ended up in the Army taking a battery of tests and tested out to be trained in one the military occupational status (MOS), so I chose refrigeration air conditioning,” he said.

He went into the Engineer Corps, and when Newton told people that’s what he’d be doing, they laughed at him.

“They looked at me and said ‘Those recruiters lied to you, you are not going to get that, they’re looking for combat arms infantry, armory and artillery,’ “ Newton said.

Newton left for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in December 1965.

After base training in January 1966, they sent Newton to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, an engineering school.

Newton said he and 15 other soldiers went through 11 weeks of essential refrigeration, air conditioning, soldering and electrical work.

“Around Memorial Day 1966 I got my orders: Have a nice trip to the tropical breezes and enjoy your onthe-job training in a hostile environment,” said Newton.

Newton trained for combat, but his assignment was to construct a cold storage complex “inside the wire” at Camp Radcliff, not too far from the Drang Valley that he’d read about in high school.

“I did have some survivor guilt because I was inside the wire,” he said. “We went outside the wire twice the whole year I was there. When we did go into the village, we were told that anyone wearing black pajamas was a Viet Cong. There were lots of black pajamas. It scared us.”

Newton said they would only leave the base to re-qualify their weapons and to shoot down range. But they felt like pop-up targets for the enemy when they did.

In June 1967, Newton asked his lieutenant if he should extend his Vietnam rotation to six months to help finish work on the complex.

“He cocked his head and looked at me; ‘What’s wrong with you, kid? I think you should get your anatomy...’ he called it something else ‘... and get on that airplane. Get out of here,’” Newton said.

Leaving Vietnam

Newton left for the states in June 1967, arriving at Fort Hood, Texas where he served until February 1968. After Fort Hood, Newton was sent to the Autobahn in Germany and spent his last six months in the service at Darmstadt.

Real-world events back in the U.S. kept him on his toes there, he said. Most daunting was the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King

“The racial situation got really bad when Martin Luth King was as-

sassinated. All the guys went down to the guest house, a tavern, to get drunk on the German beer, which was a lot stouter, and get into fights. I felt safer in Vietnam,” Newton said.

As Newton’s time in Germany wound down, they asked him to reenlist.

“I looked at him and said the contract ink wouldn’t be dry and you are reaching in your back pocket telling me I should have another nice ride to the tropical breezes, “ Newton said. “I said no and I want to go home.”

He got out in November 1968 and returned home to find his high school sweetheart still waiting for him.

“She waited around, as opposed to sending me a dear John letter hoping I’d have a nice life,” he said.

Newton and his wife have been married for 54 years and moved to Brighton in 1984. They have a daughter, 53, and a son, 50, who shares his July 4 birthday.

Rocky Mountain Honor Flight

The Rocky Mountain Honor Flight is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 that flies veterans to Washington, D.C. to honor their dedication and service. The honored veterans get to visit monuments and memorials. Each trip takes about 30 veterans, and they usually offer four trips a year.

“When I started in 2018, we had all the World War II & Korean veterans and our first Vietnam veteran and took them in September of 2019,” said Keith Monte, Board of Directors Rocky Mountain Honor Flight.

Monte said there were no trips in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID.

They accept applications for honor flights from all veterans and veterans with disabilities.

Newton said he applied for a Rocky Mountain Honor flight five

years ago, before the COVID delays in 2020. He submitted a new application with a friend this year when the American Legion restarted the program. His friend went this spring, and Newton went in October.

He made sure to stop at the memorials for World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, the Lincoln Memorial and the Marine Corps and the Air Force memorials.

“It was a good trip,” he said.

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Steve Newton at the World War II gold star panel memorial saluting to the men and women who died in that war fighting for the freedoms we enjoy today.

PHOTO BY KEITH MONTE

A ordable housing initiative could face rocky future

Proposition 123 was approved by Colorado voters

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Few issues affect Coloradans as much as rising housing prices. The state will take a step toward addressing the problem — to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars per year — as officials implement Proposition 123 approved by voters in November.

In just 12 years, the median cost of a single-family home in the Denver area jumped from about $200,000 to three times that amount, according to the latest report by the Colorado Association of Realtors. The trend was similar statewide.

Under Proposition 123, state officials are required to set money aside for more affordable housing and programs to help Coloradans acquire homes and stay housed.

Though the measure didn’t raise tax rates to fund those programs, it will, eventually, reduce the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, or TABOR, refunds that Coloradans receive — by $86 per taxpayer for 2024, for example.

Yet voters in November also sought to reduce their taxes and, taken together, the changes could lead to difficult decisions down

the road, said Scott Wasserman, who leads the nonprofit Bell Policy Center, which advocates for economic mobility for Coloradans. He called the passage of the measure “bittersweet.”

“I think what makes it bitter is that it passed in conjunction with Proposition 121,” a measure voters approved to lower the state income tax rate, Wasserman said.

Proposition 121 is expected to take a roughly $400-million bite out of the state budget next year while Proposition 123 will eventually increase spending about $290 million yearly.

State Rep. Rod Bockenfeld, a Republican who represents rural areas east of Denver, including parts of Adams, Arapahoe and Elbert counties, did not share Wasserman’s concern that the new measures could be problematic for state spending. However, Bockenfeld, who serves on the state legislature’s Joint Budget Committee, acknowledged the picture could change when the state faces strong economic headwinds.

“There’s a certain point where if we hit a severe downturn and we go into a deep recession, then a reduced tax rate will reduce state revenues,” Bockenfeld said.

Though the state struggles like the rest of the country with high inflation, the situation hasn’t been characterized as a recession or severe, though concerns that could happen linger.

How 123 works

Proposition 123 defines affordable housing based on two factors: household income and housing costs, according to the state’s “blue book” voter guide.

Under the proposal, affordable housing means housing for renters making up to 60% of the area median income or homeowners making up to 100% of the area median income. For context, in the metro area, the median income is $117,800, and 60% of median income is $70,700.

Under Proposition 123, local communities have flexibility to respond to housing needs.

The money could go toward grants and loans to local governments and nonprofits to acquire land for affordable housing developments; assistance to develop multifamily rentals, including apartments; programs that help first-time homebuyers; preventing homelessness through rental assistance and eviction defense; and grants to raise

WHAT COLORADO CURRENTLY DOES ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The state partners with local communities to increase and preserve Colorado’s a ordable housing stock, manage rental-assistance vouchers, and address homelessness, says the state’s “blue book” voter guide, noting the state Department of Local A airs is involved.

The current budget for the department’s a ordable housing initiatives is about $200 million, about half of which is from state sources, with the rest coming from federal sources.

Since 2021, the state has allocated more than $1.2 billion from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for a ordable housing and services that address housing insecurity, lack of a ordable and workforce housing, or homelessness. (The Urban Land Institute defines “workforce” households as those earning between 60% and 120% of the area median income.)

These are one-time funds that will be spent over the next several years on:

• Emergency rental assistance;

• Homeowner mortgage assistance;

• Tax credits for developers;

• Housing and infrastructure;

• And other housing solutions, such as manufactured homes.

capacity at local government landuse departments.

The measure also could support “equity” sharing with tenants in housing projects. Equity is important because it allows people to gain

A trio of hot air balloons lift o over the burgeoning neighborhoods in northern Westminster and Thornton and into the October sky.

PHOTO BY SCOTT TAYLOR

financially from the rising value of their property and do things such as borrow money based on it.

“We know that home equity is a part of how you build intergenerational wealth,” said Wasserman.

He noted that people who are renting don’t have that opportunity to build equity.

Overall, the measure could help create more higher-density, environmentally sustainable homes, according to the voter guide.

Some in the housing industry say they can’t make a profit building “the kind of housing we need,” Wasserman said.

The measure, he added, tells housing developers, “‘We’re here to help you make it.’”

TABOR makes for di cult math

But the math isn’t easy. Part of what makes the equation difficult is TABOR, the state constitutional amendment that limits government spending. Under TABOR, revenue above the limit — sometimes called a “TABOR surplus” — gets refunded to taxpayers. The $750 rebate check that Coloradans received this year were a result of TABOR.

Colorado is seeing “very large TABOR surpluses,” in the ballpark of $3 billion this year and next year, Wasserman said. Although that sounds like a lot of money, it goes quick.

For example, money from the state’s “general fund” — which supports basic services, like K-12

The state partners with local communities to increase and preserve Colorado’s a ordable housing stock, manage rentalassistance vouchers, and address homelessness, says the state’s “blue book” voter guide, noting the state Department of Local A airs is involved.

The current budget for the department’s a ordable housing initiatives is about $200 million, about half of which is from state sources, with the rest coming from federal sources.

Since 2021, the state has allocated more than $1.2 billion from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for

education and public assistance — recently totaled $12.5 billion.

In years when state revenue comes in over the TABOR limit, Proposition 123 is estimated to decrease the amount returned by $43 per taxpayer in tax year 2023 and $86 per taxpayer in tax year 2024, according to the voter guide.

Meanwhile, Proposition 121, the measure to lower Colorado’s income tax, will also decrease refunds to taxpayers in years when state revenue exceeds TABOR’s limits. In those years, taxpayers generally may end up keeping money that would have been refunded anyway, Bockenfeld said.

“It leaves the money in the pocket of citizens rather than giving it to the government and the government giving it back,” Bockenfeld said.

Education often a target for cuts Colorado’s new normal under

HOUSING

a ordable housing and services that address housing insecurity, lack of a ordable and workforce housing, or homelessness. (The Urban Land Institute defines “workforce” households as those earning between 60% and 120% of the area median income.)

These are one-time funds that will be spent over the next several years on:

• Emergency rental assistance;

• Homeowner mortgage assistance;

• Tax credits for developers;

• Housing and infrastructure;

• And other housing solutions, such as manufactured homes.

Propositions 123 and 121 may not present hard choices when the economy is strong and the state takes in large sums of tax revenue. But during an economic downturn, Colorado may not see a so-called TABOR surplus of revenue.

That’s when priorities may end up on the cutting block, according to Wasserman.

Proposition 123 allows the state legislature to reduce part of the new housing funding to balance the state budget, according to the state’s voter guide. Essentially, if lawmakers find themselves in enough of a pinch, they can “turn off” parts of the measure, Wasserman said.

The alternative is typically cuts to education, especially higher education, meaning housing and education could be competing not to be cut.

In such a situation, “you’re not able to increase education funding based on growth or needs of

schools,” Wasserman said.

In a tight spot, it’s possible state lawmakers could turn off the flow of funding to Proposition 123, according to Legislative Council Staff, the nonpartisan research arm at the state Capitol. The measure explicitly contemplates the fact that lawmakers might want to reduce the spending for budget balancing, so it says they are allowed to cut about half. But in practice, lawmakers could cut the spending entirely, according to staff.

Yet whether lawmakers would actually choose to override the will of the voters remains to be seen.

Another complication: When there is enough money, Colorado lawmakers can dip into the TABOR surplus for another purpose. The state allows a property tax exemption for qualifying senior citizens and disabled veterans, referred to as the homestead exemption. The senior homestead exemption can be paid for by the TABOR surplus, Wasserman said, potentially cutting into the available funds for affordable housing.

“That pool of money which is coming from our existing tax rates — it’s a life raft, and it’s like we’re shrinking the size of the life raft,” Wasserman said.

He also looks at Proposition 121 in anticipating future budget problems.

“If the state ends up as a result of this election cutting things, it’s not going to be because of 123 — it’s going to be because of 121,” he claimed. “I can’t be emphatic enough about that. We can shut off parts of 123 … we can never, ever, ever get the money back from 121.”

A Christmas Carol

By Charles Dickens

Adapted by Richard Hellesen

Music by David de Berry Directed by Anthony Powell

VOICES

Autumn anglers have a friend

When you need some good ole basic rod and reel fishing advice you have a lot of sources, not the least of which is our helpful State Parks & Wildlife pros.

Add to that group your long-time personal fishing buddy, maybe that agent you have come to like at the nearby sporting goods shop. You can even look beyond this circle, as I did, and discover someone in the neighborhood rumored to spend a lot of time wading lake shorelines or in casting from fishing boats.

I discovered long time Westminster resident Don Goodman, a gentleman busy in his church with a “year around” fishing calendar marked heavily with his numerous angling outings. Unlike many anglers, Don’s fishing season does not end with the summer season. He is not one that stores his rods when the aspens turn gold, and the fall chill of winter settles in the foothills and along the Front Range.

“December is the slow, quiet month for me,” Don stated. He patiently waits for summer lake waters to cool and ice over. December is a good month for Don to tackle the angling gear repairs and check out fishing catalogs and sporting goods shops for the latest new fishing gear and technology.

OUTDOOR LIVING

The executive had put out a message out to his network that he was looking to hire top-performing salespeople for his team. While reconnecting with a former colleague, he also mentioned to her that he was looking for salespeople and asked that if she knew anyone, would she send them his way.

Within just a couple of hours she had sent him the name of someone she thought could possibly be a fit. The two connected on LinkedIn and through email, eventually setting up an interview that would take place over a virtual Zoom call.

When the executive and the candidate met and made initial introductions, the executive noticed a picture of legendary Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi hanging on the wall behind the candidate. So before jumping into the interview he had asked him the story behind the picture. As the candidate shared his story about Vince Lombardi’s dedication, discipline and determination and how that inspired him, the executive could not help but smile. He shared that when he was in high school, he had written his term

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Ron Hellbusch

Don frequents both cold water mountain lakes and warm water eastern slope reservoirs year around. His choice of lake baits includes night crawlers, liver, or sucker meat, fished off the bottom of the lake in a slow and varied jigging action. Carefully selected lures are equally popular in Don’s tackle boxes. Both are activated in slower movements to match the slower movement of the fish in the colder winter water temperatures. Don uses similar gear and seeks out similar water depths and environments in both summer and winter.

“To offset slower movement of fish in colder water I slow my speeds jigging or drifting.” he confirmed.

Don pursues fish at both eastern lakes like Jackson Lake, Boyd Lake, Pueblo Reservoir and Aurora Reservoir, and high-country mountain lakes alike in South Park and Grand County. He enjoys exceptional success at Sandpiper, Blue Heron, and Coot ponds at the St. Vain State Park ponds near the Longmont-I-25 exit. Closer into the mountains he enjoys

success at Evergreen, Chatfield, and Bear Creek Reservoirs, both are younger waters with closer destinations.

“I have learned the challenge and value of matching, sometimes experimenting, the baits to lake depths and temperatures as the season moves into the early spring. Don encourages this process and has found the result productive to his catching success. Studying a lake for habitat, structure and plant growth is essential. Equally helpful is the fact this process leads an angler to where the fish are schooled.

South Park area reservoirs Antero and Eleven Mile, near the town of Fairplay, tends to attract Don early in the spring. An influencing factor are due primarily to the shallower depths and a faster warming of the water.

Don takes an active role in big fish challenges. His choice waters in the high mountain waters are Granby Reservoir and Willow Creek Reservoirs in Grand County and nearby Lake John near Walden.

“Lake trout, Larger mackinaw and mature rainbow and German Brown trout cruise deeper waters, normally at slower feeding times, requiring similar varied jigjig movements to attract the larger fish,” Don reminds us.

Bait and lure experimenting should be on our year around agenda whenever fishing slows regardless of where we are fishing. The popular and uncomplicated Mepps spinner or bright cast master with or without worms or sucker meat is a good example of one menu of choice for trout in the mountain lakes. Don is convinced there is a definite connection between a lakes natural bug species, aquatic growth, habitat and structure, and the angler’s lure types. Finding that connection is worth the study time.

Don’s confident presence takes on an excitement and big smile when you ask him about his recently awarded “Master Angler” award received last year from the Colorado Division of Parks & Wildlife. Don proudly landed a four-pound smallmouth bass, which comfortably exceeded the three plus pound smallmouth previously on record. The trophy was taken in late fall from an eastern plains warm water pond.

Don genuinely enjoys watching people pursue the sport of fishing and to do so with success. And he suggests fishing can really be a fun year-round experience.

Maintaining the attitude of gratitude

WINNING WORDS

paper on Vince Lombardi, and he chose him for the very same reasons. They had already formed a bond.

him know that he would keep his ears and eyes open for any opportunities that sounded like a good fit.

Unfortunately, as they began the interview, within about 15-20 minutes they both realized that the candidate wasn’t really a good fit for the position. However, they stayed on the call for a little longer. The candidate shared that he was a single dad of two teenagers and was trying to find the right position that would allow him to provide for his family.

Michael Norton

They were saying goodbye when another topic came up and they had some small talk around that. The executive then asked the candidate to tell him a little more about what the perfect job would be that would get him excited to go to work every day. The candidate really loved coaching and training people and helping to develop both personally and professionally. The executive let

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher

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MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SCOTT TAYLOR Metro North Editor staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

BELEN WARD Community Editor bward@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Again, just about to hang up, the executive asked one more question. He asked the candidate, “Is there something that I can pray about for you?” The candidate bowed his head for a good minute before lifting his watery eyes back to the screen. The candidate asked for prayers for his mom as she had cancer. The executive leaned in and said how sorry he was, pausing before asking one more question. He asked the candidate what kind of cancer his mom had. He bowed his head and once again took a moment to speak. As he shared that it was pancreatic cancer, his tears spilled down his cheeks.

The executive stopped and shared this, “This was never about a job interview, this was God’s interview. We were not connected to talk about any job, we were connected for a much greater purpose. My wife passed away in 2013 from pancreatic cancer. She fought for two and a half years, and I learned so much from that journey and experience and I am happy to

STEVE SMITH Sports Editor ssmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

TERESA ALEXIS Marketing Consultant Classified Sales talexis@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Columnists

share any of what I learned with you and your family. I am so very grateful that God planned this interview, and if you need or want anyone to talk to, I am here for you.” And then they prayed together.

Last week I talked about “More than just the attitude of gratitude,” and this week as we think about maintaining the attitude of gratitude beyond Thanksgiving, maybe we can be reminded to be grateful for those connections that are more than work-related, more than perfunctory types of calls. Maybe we can show our gratitude by leaning into those who are placed in our path and connecting with them at an entirely different level. I would love to hear your attitude of gratitude story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can show our gratitude at a deeply human level, it really will be a better than good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

& 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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Outdoorsman and Westminster resident Ron Hellbusch can be reached at Ron-Hellbusch Comcast.net

BRIEFS

Cookies and cocoa and Santa

Cookies and cocoa with Santa comes to the Fort Lupton Public & School Library, 425 S. Denver Ave., at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Call 303857-7180.

Home tour

The Fort Lupton Historic Preservation Board presents its first historic home tour at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at City Hall, 130 S. McKinley Ave.

The tour takes in homes in the first and second Reynolds additions, most of which were built in the first half of the 20th century.

R.S.V.P. by calling 720.466.6111.

First United Methodist Church Christmas Tea

Enjoy a nice cup of tea, great fellowship, delicious food, and entertainment with Neven Castaneda- if you love Elvis.

It’s at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at First United Methodist Church, 306 Park Ave. Contact Sharon Kay at 303-907-9592.

Splash for cash

The Fort Lupton rec center, 203 S. Harrison Ave., is hosting a splash for cash from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9. It’s designed for fifth- to

Our Family Helping Your

Check out the front desk or call 303-857-4200 for more information.

Parade of Lights

Downtown Fort Lupton and the Fort Lupton Chamber of Commerce will host the annual parade of lights at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9.

The holiday celebration continues in the parking lot of the Bank of Colorado Operations Center, 605 Fourth St., for a tree lighting and a chance to visit with and get a picture with Santa.

To enter the parade, visit https:// business.fortluptonchamber.org/ events/Details/parade-of-lights701388?sourceTypeId=Website&fbc lid=IwAR0NPMw90rNYdD2uj200T 1BUDLKwvzroUSnkc1mzCECYyK8PfGyqmkuNNUg

Copper Kettle clock giveaway

The Copper Kettle, 737 Denver Ave., is having its annual clock giveaway until Thursday, Dec. 22. Customers are entered into the drawing when ordering a meal. The clock is displayed on the wall in the restaurant.

Copper Kettle Family Christmas

Join the Copper Kettle in its efforts to help the less fortunate this Christmas.

The restaurant, 737 Denver Ave.,

will serve free meals to the homeless, less fortunate, the elderly and the lonely from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Eve. The menu includes a beverage (coffee, tea, water), ham, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, a roll with butter and a slice of pumplin pie with whipped cream

Donations from businesses are welcome. Volunteers are needed. Call 303-857-3981.

ONGOING

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 303-857-6694

Donation time

The Fort Lupton Food & Clothing Bank is asking for donations of canned fruits and nuts, varieties of dry pasta and pasta dinners, peanut butter and canned meat such as tuna (including the pouches).

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

Drop off donations at the food and

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

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 fun talk.

Blessings in a Bag

Fort Lupton’s Backpack Program helps school children in need with a backpack of healthy food. It’s an all-volunteer program and is in need of volunteers. If interested in volunteering or donating, call 303718-4440. Mail donations to Blessings in a Bag, 306 Park Ave., Fort Lupton 80621.

Drop-in child care

The Fort Lupton Recreation Center offers drop-in child care from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 303-857-4200.

Obituaries, Arrangements and Resources Online at

game via NFHS,” Rod Thompson said. “The family from Spain say that the experience their son has here is second to none. They all feel he is so lucky to have gotten to be involved with such a supportive community.”

Corey Wedel has some history at Stratton, too. He is a former coach and defensive coordinator for 10 years, during which the Eagles won a state title and finished second. He’s also the school’s agriculture education teacher, the school’s Future Farmers of America Advisor (24 years running) and the team’s publicaddress announcer.

Wedel graduated from Burlington High School in 1993. His son, Braden, was the Eagles’ place-kicker from 2019 to 2021.

“The four guys who run the chains (the chain gang) for the games are all former SHS football players,” he said. “The community of Stratton has quite a few alumni living in the area. They have kids in school.”

“I think everyone that lives in Stratton currently or has lived here in the past has so much pride in the town.,” Rod Thompson said. “I have had many people that I went to high school with, or had graduated before or after me from Stratton that moved away, but would come back for homecoming say that they wish their kids had the same opportunities that these

like homecoming, significant sports games, holidays, visits to family, etc. Because Stratton is a farming community, there are always family members who return to the farm-andranch operation.”

Gottmann grew up in Littleton and went to Heritage High School.

“I never understood homecoming,” he said. “In a small town, a thousand people will show up for a free barbecue. At homecoming, the 10-year classes? Every single graduate will

high-school sweethearts in the late 1990s,” he said. “Now, they have three kids – one each in high school, middle school and elementary school. Stratton’s community even has graduates from nearby rivals Flagler, Hi-Plains and Burlington schools in our community. And now, they proudly wear the Eagle green and white.

“Including me.”

The school and sports Stratton, with an enrollment of

The rallying point this year is the Eagles’ trek through the six-man football playoffs. Stratton was the top seed.

When the game starts, some people sit in the stands; a good many don’t and sit on the field. Still more park their cars behind a fence on the north side of the field – locals said the cars started showing up two or three days before the Nov. 19 semifi-

A reminder of Stratton’s athletic success in full view of motorists as they enter the town.

There’s plenty of room on the sidelines for fans who’d rather see the game “up close.” Fans also parked their cars behind a chainlink fence on the north side of the field for a view of play

Dec. 1

Fort Lupton Holiday lighting contest: City residents and those who live within five miles of the Fort Lupton City limits can register with the Chamber of Commerce to have their home holiday displays reviewed and judged. Winners in several categories will be announced at 3 p.m. Dec. 19. Contact Allison Johnson at executivedirector@fortluptonchamber.org for more information or register at shorturl.at/fijwF.

Dec. 2

Thornton Santa Calling: The registration deadline for Thornton’s annual check-in from Santa is Dec. 2. Santa will call between 6 and 8 p.m. Dec. 13 through 15.

Adults can register interested kids, specifying a date and rough time for the call and providing some information about their child — name, age, address, brothers and sisters, favorite things, the names of their pets, what they want for Christmas and how they’ve been behaving.

One of Thornton’s volunteer elves will call, putting Santa — or one of his helpers — on the line when they’re ready. Visit https://www. thorntonco.gov/festivals-events/ Documents/santas-calling-form.pdf for the registration form.

Call 720-977-5916 if you have questions or need more information.

GAME

FROM PAGE 8

Noel Northglenn: The City of Northglenn kicks off the holiday celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Parsons entrance of the Northglenn Recreation Center at 1 E. Memorial Parkway. Many of the most popular events from past festivals will be back!

Santa will be on hand and ready to take pictures with the families –whether they are free (taken with your own phone) or $5 per photo with a professional photographer. Mrs. Claus will be there too, sharing her favorite holiday songs. There will be free crafts for the kids, carriage rides and free children’s books while supplies last. There will also be new opportunities to learn about winter holidays in other cultures.

A pizza dinner can be purchased, with proceeds going to benefit the Northglenn Community Foundation. And returning this year, the gym will be reserved for fun and chaotic indoor snowball fights.

Historic Westminster Home Town Christmas: The Westminster Historical Society hosts this annual event featuring carolers, roasted chestnuts and visits with Santa from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Fireman’s Park, 7290 Bradburn Blvd. Stick around for the lighting of the park’s Christmas tree, reportedly the tallest living Christmas tree in the state.

Thornton Christmas Memories Concert: Thornton’s Community Chorus will offer two performances of their annual holiday concert “Christmas Memories”, featuring all varieties of holiday music, at 4 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. in the McAllister Park Building, 750 W. 96th Ave., Thornton. Email thorntonchorus@ gmail.com for more information.

straight games. Gottmann was one of the team’s assistant coaches in 1992.

Dec. 3

Adams County Holiday Bazaar: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the at Riverdale Regional Park and Fairgrounds, 9755 Henderson Rd., Brighton. Featuring holiday crafts, homemade gifts and other treats. Admission is $3, cash, and children 12 and younger are free.

Cookies and cocoa with Santa: Come visit with Santa, enjoy some cookies, play some games and have a professional photograph taken from 10 a.m. to noon at the Fort Lupton Public Library, 425 S. Denver Ave., Fort Lupton.

Olde Fashioned Christmas: Northglenn’s Stonehocker Farmhouse, 10950 Fox Run Parkway, will host the annual celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Enjoy holiday music as soon as you enter the door from local performers including the Northland Chorale. You can browse affordable baked goods, gifts and stocking stuffers in the kitchen. Santa awaits upstairs to take photos with the kids. Afterward, they can pick out a free book to bring home, thanks to Northglenn Build A Generation.

Brighton Tree Lighting Ceremony: The city’s annual holiday season opener moves to Founders Plaza, 5 S. Main St., and runs from 2-7 p.m

The day kicks off as Santa comes to town at 2 p.m. with free face painting and the Teddy Bear & Friends Tree. New this year is a Winter Market on South Main St. (near the plaza) from 2-7 p.m. The market will feature unique artists, crafters and artisan food vendors.

The tree lighting is scheduled for 5 p.m., followed by a concert performance by Boulder’s Face Vocal Band. Contact Amy Porter at 303-655-2126

for more information.

Westminster Holiday Lights: The city of Westminster kicks off the countdown to Christmas at 5:30 p.m. with the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony at City Hall, 4800 W. 92nd Ave. in Westminster.

Come see the magical wonderland of lights, complete with holiday music, hot chocolate, cookies and a visit from Santa Claus. There will be a full-sized sleigh and miniature train for photos, and carnival games. Free of charge, sponsored by SCL Health and O’Toole’s Garden Center.

Dec. 9

Fort Lupton Parade of Lights: The city hosts its holiday parade of bright lights and cheer beginning at 6 p.m. at 605 4th St. – the Bank of Colorado Operations Center. A tree lighting ceremony is set for 6:45 p.m. Santa sticks around for photos from 7-8 p.m.

Thornton Winterfest: Come celebrate the season with the city’s annual holiday celebration through Dec. 11 at the Carpenter Park Fields, 108th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. The festival opens at 6:30 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday and runs until 9 p.m. nightly.

The festival features Santa’s Village, with ice skating, ice carving, food vendors, a tree decorating contest, a beer garden and visits from Santa Claus himself. The city will also present a holiday movie Friday night and another on Sunday night.

Saturday events include a breakfast with Santa at 7:30 a.m., a 10 a.m. Winterfest Fun Run 5k, a holiday marketplace and an 8:30 p.m. fireworks display.

nal game -- where, minus the chain-

nal game -- where, minus the chainlink nature of the fence, the view is pretty good.

“It’s a social event,” Gottmann said. He is the timekeeper for nearby Bethune High School, about 10 miles east of town. “Everyone is fired up. People are roaming the sidelines. In a small town, you are on the sideline. You aren’t more than 10 feet from the game.”

“Stratton parents, grandparents, fans, friends, family and teachers travel to road games very consistently, even if it means driving three or more hours,” said Wedel, who is an agriculture teacher at SHS, the school’s Future Farmers of America advisor (24 years running) and the football team’s public address announcer.

The fan support is consistent, even in lean years.

“One of the best seasons I coached, we went 3-5 and didn’t make the playoffs,” Gottmann said. “The kids were great, they did everything. And we had the fan support. When they get to the playoffs, you see all the people show up, and you haven’t seen them for years.”

Wedel said the support has been strong since the late 1980s or early 1990s. The Eagles’ first state title was in 1992 “and a few of the players are still in the community with kids of their own.” Stratton won four state titles in eight-man football from 1992 to 1995. The Eagles also won 48

“Stratton is definitely a football town, and many of our high-school players have dreamed about playing for the Eagles and winning a state championship since they were in elementary school,” Wedel said. “Our community loves supporting football, but they support all the other sports, too.

“Volleyball has been really good recently with three consecutive trips to the state tournament. Baseball had a great stretch back in 2010-2012, winning three straight championships,” he added. “Girls and boys both have golf teams now.” He is the boys’ coach.

Go time

The rules for six-man football are a little different. The field is smaller – 80 yards wide and 40 yards long. Teams have to gain 15 yards for a first down, not 10. There are no “direct” runs. The quarterback can rush if there is a “clean exchange” from another player.

Everyone on the offense can catch a forward pass – yes, even those on the offensive line. Field goals are worth four points instead of three. A kicked point-after touchdown is worth two points; a successful run or pass play on a PAT is worth one point.

Stratton averaged almost 58 points a game through the first 12 on the schedule. The Eagles’ opponent in the semifinals, Otis High School, is no stranger. The two teams played earlier in the season, and Stratton won by more than 40 points.

Rushing the ball is key. In those first 12 games, the Eagles averaged 11.5 yards per carry and scored 73 touchdowns. Alex Cruz, he of 1,514 rushing yards this season, averages almost 15 yards per carry.

He’s also scored 41 touchdowns, including four in a lopsided, 46-13 semifinal round win over Otis High School on Nov. 19.

“The boys have been here quite a bit. They didn’t overlook anybody and were ready to play,” coach Jesse McConnell said. “That was good. We have a good pass rush. Still, they want to run the ball, too, so we were ready for that.”

In conclusion

The win pushed the Eagles into the state six-man finals.

“These boys set out on a mission,” McConnell said. “They have had this championship on their minds from almost exactly a year ago. They are free-playing, that’s for sure.”

“I kept thinking, ‘These are the good old days,” Gottmann said of his time as Eagles’ head football coach. “I was blessed with good kids. A lot of people complained about our sports programs. But I think it’s harder academically at Stratton. A teacher who transferred to Stratton told me he couldn’t believe how competitive the kids were in class.”

Three alums on the coaching staff – all within two years of each other –are special to McConnell.

“When we wore the green and white and played on this very field, to come back and be able to coach for this town and for these kids means a lot,” McConnell said. “This is my

seventh year overall and my second as the head coach. I went to Western State (in Gunnison) and played football for five years. I didn’t want to grad school, so I came back, and got a good job.”

“Even when our teams, whether it be football, basketball, baseball, whatever sport it may be aren’t contending for a state title, the fans and community still show up for the games and are there to support the kids. Our entire community takes pride in our school and its sports teams, FFA program, and all other extracurricular activities we offer,” Rod Thompson said. “While the kids are in school -- and especially once they graduate -- they all want our town and the school to be known as the best small school in the state.”

“In a small town, it’s a social gathering,” Gottman said. “Everyone in the town is involved, whether they are involved with the school or not. They have something in common. A lot of them went to school there. So at the game, they are talking on the sidelines. They are talking in the stands.

“It’s something for people to feel good.”

“It is just different because kids can do every sport basically or be part of any activity they choose.” Rod Thompson added. “I feel very fortunate that I gave my kids the chance to grow up here, and I hope the tradition continues.”

“I wasn’t ready to give up football yet,” McConnell said. “I got into it. Now, I’m stuck, I guess. I’m really enjoying it. I enjoy being around the kids. I love it.”

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Thu 12/01

Parent/Tot - Frosty the Snowman (Bilingual)

@ 4pm

Dec 1st - Dec 15th

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

Gambling Trip- Grand Z Casino (12/1)

@ 4pm

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

Noel Northglenn

@ 5pm

Northglenn Recreation Center, 1 East Memorial Parkway, North‐glenn. agarst@northglenn.org, 303-450-8935

Sat 12/03

Family Fun Friday- Holiday Cookie

Decorating @ 1am

Dec 3rd - Dec 2nd

Disney Junior Live On Tour: Costume Palooza

@ 6pm / $39.95-$59.95

Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glen‐arm, Denver

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

Kidz Only- Ugly Sweater Party @ 1am Dec 3rd - Dec 2nd

Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760

Elf: The Musical @ 6pm / $10-$25

The LoCol Theatre, 800 South Hover Road, Longmont

Tue 12/06

@ 7:30pm

BRAVE Church, 11500 Sheridan Boulevard, Westminster Beauty And The Beast

@ 7:30pm

Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Ar‐vada

Fri 12/02

Smitten Mitten

@ 4pm

Dec 2nd - Dec 16th

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

Denver’s Global Fair-Trade Holiday Bazaar

@ 4pm

Dec 2nd - Dec 3rd

430 W 9th Ave, 430 West 9th Avenue, Den‐ver. stephaniephibbs@hotmail.com, 303892-1038

2022 All-Out Fa La La 5K, 10K and Half Marathon @ 9am

Church Ranch �f�ce Park, 10170 CHURCH RANCH WAY, WEST‐MINSTER. events@alloutmulti pro.com

Colorado Children's Chorale Presents Merry & Bright @ 6pm

Boettcher Concert Hall, 1400 Cur‐tis Street, Denver

Mon 12/05

100 Things to Do Before You're 12 @ 5pm

Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760

Legal Self-Help Clinic

@ 2pm

Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 East 120th Avenue, Thornton. morgan@ hayday.org, 303-520-6088

Wed 12/07

Color Outside the Lines

@ 1am

Dec 7th - Dec 6th

Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760

Holiday Shopping Outing

@ 4:30pm

Fort Lupton Recreation & Parks De‐partment, 203 S Harrison, Fort Lupton. 303-857-4200

Lafayette Collectibles & Flea Market (12/7)

@ 5pm

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

Vic Dillahay, Guitarist: First Wednesday Jazz with Nico Steffens and Vic Dillahay @ 7pm

Dry Land Distillers, 519 Main St, Longmont

Archery @ 11:30pm

Dec 7th - Dec 14th

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

Thu 12/08

Christmas Bird Count 4 Kids! @ 9:30am / Free

Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Pica‐dilly Rd, Brighton. 303-659-4348 ext. 49

Scott Fowler Music: Scott Fowler @ Rails end Brewing

@ 4pm

Rails End Beer Company, 11625 Reed Ct unit b, Broom�eld

Sun 12/04

Union Colony Civic Center/Greeley Orchestra Holiday Concert @ 12am

Fort Lupton Recreation & Parks De‐partment, 203 S Harrison, Fort Lupton. 303-857-4200

Ring in the holidays with Rocky Mountain Ringers @ 6:45pm

Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 East 120th Avenue, Thornton. mhibben @anythinklibraries.org, 303-4053200

Happy Holidays

@ 8pm

Dec 5th - Dec 19th

Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760

Snow�akes

@ 9pm

Dec 5th - Dec 19th

Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

@ 6pm / $10-$15

The LoCol Theatre, 800 South Hover Road, Longmont Anavrin's Day at Hoffbrau @ 9pm

Hoffbrau, 9110 Wadsworth Pkwy, West‐minster

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Here are the police reports for Nov.. 5 to Nov. 11 to the Fort Lupton Police Department. Not every call made to the police is not listed on this report.

November 5

A Fort Lupton man, 72, reported a burglary in the amount of $700 worth of tires and tools taken in the 400 block Pacific Avenue. The case was under investigation.

November 6

Police issued a summons to a Gilcrest man, 27, for causing a careless driving accident and driving with no insurance.

November 7

A Greeley woman, 25, was arrested at U.S. Highway 52 & Weld County Road 23 for DUI causing a traffic accident. He was

held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

November 8

Police arrested a Fort Lupton man, 57, in the 1400 block of Second Street for aggravated motor vehicle theft, traffic violation and for a felony warrant out of Jefferson county for vehicle theft. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Police issued a summons to a Castle Rock man, 19, at U.S. Highway 85 & Weld County Road 14.5 for causing a careless driving accident.

A Fort Lupton man, 42, reported a theft of his tools valued at $531.58 stolen in the 800 block of South Hoover Avenue.

November 10

Police arrested an Arvada man, 34, at U.S. Highway 52 & Weld County Road 23 on warrants with the Denver Sheriff’s Department for probation violation, a

Broomfield warrant for failure to appear on a traffic offense and a Boulder County for failure to appear on false reporting. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

A Thornton man, 40, was arrested at U.S. Highway 52 & Weld County Road 23 on a Weld County warrant for failure to appear on a traffic offense. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

November 11

Police arrested a Greeley man at US. Highway 85 and Weld County Road 14.5 for a Morgan County DUI warrant and driving while license is under restraint. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Police took a Thornton man, 45, into custody at mile marker 247 and U.S. Highway 85 for a DUI and for causing a traffic accident. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Legals

City and County

Public Notice

Notice of Proposed Decision

The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety has issued a proposed decision to Bond Release Application No. 11 (SL-11) for the Keenesburg Strip Mine, Permit No. C-1981-028. When finalized, SL-11 will Phase I release 101.28 acres including the reclaimed B Pit, the reclaimed Long Term Spoil Area, reclaimed roads, and other areas. The surface operation is operated by Coors Energy Company under the provisions of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act of 1979. The bond release application was submitted by Coors Energy Company on June 21, 2022. This application requests Phase I release of a large por tion of the remaining permit area. The affected area is located in Weld County, approximately 7 miles North of Keenesburg, Colorado. Copies of the proposed decision are available for review at https://dnrweblink.state.co.us/drms/search.aspx by searching C1981028 in the “Permit No” field. A user guide is available to help first time users of the imaged document system and can be viewed at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l8OUdf_Mpjo3kx IHkP5hMH-w7MeBtxX7/view..

Any person who has an interest which is or may be adversely affected may request an adjudica tory hearing regarding this proposed decision. Requests for a hearing must be made in writing within thirty (30) days of the date following initial publication of this notice, and shall state with reasonable specificity the reasons for the request and objections to the proposed decision.

Legal Notice No. FLP755

First Publication: December 1, 2022

Last Publication: December 8, 2022

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press City of Ft. Lupton

WHEREAS,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO THE FORT LUPTON MUNICIPAL CODE IS HEREBY AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Section 6-32 of the Fort Lupton Munici pal Code shall be amended to read as follows: Sec. 6-32. - Classification. The business of selling at retail any fermented malt beverages, malt, vinous or spirituous liquors for beverage purposes within the City is hereby defined and separately classified as such occu pation for the purposes of this Article, as follows:

(1) Class “A” Operators: All operators who are licensed as hotel and restaurant, tavern, brew pub, distillery pub, vintner’s restaurant, beer and wine, and lodging and entertainment.

(2) Class “B” Operators: All operators licensed as retail liquor store.

(3) Class “C” Operators: All operators licensed as clubs

(4) Class “D” Operators: All operators licensed as fermented malt beverage.

(5) Class “E” Operators: All operators licensed as liquor-licensed drugstores.

(6) Class “F” Operators: All operators licensed as arts.

(7) Class “G” Operators: All operators licensed as racetracks.

Section 2. Section 6-35 of the Fort Lupton Munici pal Code shall be amended to read as follows: Sec. 6-35. When fee due.

(a) Such fee shall be due and payable to the City Clerk upon submission of an application for a new license or for transfer of ownership and upon submission of the application for annual renewal of any license. No application for a license of any type shall be accepted for processing without payment of such fee at the time of filing of any such application.

(b) Upon receipt of such fee, it shall be the duty of the City Clerk to execute and deliver to the operator paying the fee the occupational license showing the name of the licensed operator, fee, the date of payment, the annual period for which said license is paid and the place at which said operator conducts business.

(c) The operator shall, at all times during said year, keep said license posted in a conspicuous place in his or her place of business.

(d) No refund shall be made to any person who discontinues said business during the year. All fees provided for in this Article shall be due as provided above, except all fees provided for in this paragraph shall be due and payable upon the beginning of business and shall be delinquent ten (l0) days thereafter.

CITY OF FORT LUPTON

Zo Hubbard, Mayor

Attest:

Maricela Peña, City Clerk

Approved as to form: Andy Ausmus, City Attorney

Legal Notice No. FLP753

First Publication: December 1, 2022

Last Publication: December 1, 2022 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press Public Notice

Preliminary Public Notice and Private Party Notification

Potential Impacts to Floodplains

The City of Fort Lupton intends to seek financial assistance from USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) for construction and Infrastructure Improve ments. The proposed project consists of improve ments made to the existing wastewater treatment facility site as well as construction of a 6.3 mile 20” PVC force main travelling within the Highway 85 corridor to Metro Water Recovery’s Northern Treatment Plant. The existing wastewater treat ment facility is located just to the north of Pearson Park. If implemented, the proposed project will substantially improve an existing building within the wastewater treatment facility to house lift sta tion pumps. This building is within the 100-year floodplain. In addition, the most northern and southern stretches of the forcemain will also be constructed within the 100-year floodplain. Total acreage of floodplain areas to be constructed within is approximately 2 acres. In accordance with Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Manage ment and USDA Departmental Regulation 9500-3, Land Use Policy, the purpose of this notice is to inform the public of this proposed conversion or effect and request comments concerning the proposal, alternative sites or actions that would avoid these impacts, and methods that could be used to minimize these impacts.

The environmental documentation regarding this proposal is available for review at The City of Fort Lupton’s City Hall – 130 S McKinley Ave, Fort Lupton, CO 80621. For questions regarding this proposal, contact Elaine Moran at (720) 544-2921.

Any person interested in commenting on this proposal should submit comments to the address above by December 15, 2022.

Legal Notice No. FLP757

First Publication: December 1, 2022

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that City Council hereby accepts said Dedication, and or ders that the Instrument of Dedication be recorded in the Recorder’s Office of the County of Weld, State of Colorado, and said described real estate is hereby declared open and dedicated pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-68-101, et seq.

THIS RIGHT OF WAY IS CREATED AND GRANT ED THIS 15th DAY OF NOVEMBER 2022.

INTRODUCED, READ, AND PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this 15th Day of November 2022.

PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press the 1st day of December 2022.

FINALLY READ BY TITLE ONLY, PASSED AND ORDERED PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY this __ day of __ 2022.

PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY the _ day of 2022.

EFFECTIVE (after publication) the _ day of _ 2022. CITY

Legal Notice No. FLP759

First Publication: December 1, 2022

Last Publication: December 1, 2022

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

Notice to Creditors

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Elaine Isabel Brombacher, aka Elaine I. Brombacher, aka Elaine Brombacher, Deceased Case Number: 2022 PR 30591

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 April 3, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Daniel R. Klein

Personal Representative 7535 E. Hampden Ave., Suite 400 Denver, CO 80231

Legal Notice No. FLP758

First Publication: December 1, 2022

Last Publication: December 15, 2022

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Christine Diane Long, Deceased Case Number: 2022 PR 298

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 March 24, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

David Ortt

Personal Representative 4045 S Orleans Ct Aurora, CO 80013

Legal Notice No. FLP750

First Publication: November 24, 2022

Last Publication: December 8, 2022

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of NANCY JEAN BAKER, Deceased Case Number: 2022 PR 30604

WHEREAS, pursuant to C.R.S. §31-15-501 (c) et seq. the governing bodies of municipalities have the power to regulate businesses; to license, regu late, and tax, subject to any law of this state, any lawful occupation, business place, amusement, or place of amusements and to fix the amount, terms, and manner of issuing and revoking licenses is sued therefor; and

WHEREAS, the Fort Lupton Municipal Code (the “Code”) currently lists four (4) classes of licenses with the occupation fee due January 1st of each year; and

INTRODUCED, READ, PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this 15th day of November 2022.

PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press the 1st day of December 2022.

FINALLY READ BY TITLE ONLY, PASSED, AND ORDERED FINALLY PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY this XX day of XXX 2022.

PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press the XX day of XX 2022.

Last Publication: December 1, 2022 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press Public Notice

ORDINANCE NO. 2022-1151

INTRODUCED BY: BRUCE FITZGERALD

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF FORT LUPTON ACCEPTING THE HAGLER SPECIAL USE PERMIT PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY DEDICATION FOR COUNTY ROAD 22 LOCATED IN THE SOUTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 10, TOWNSHIP 2 NORTH, RANGE 67 WEST OF THE SIXTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, WELD COUNTY, COLORADO.

us02web.zoom.us/j/85074358900; Webinar ID: 850 7435 8900; or join by phone (719) 359 4580. Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget, inspect the

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 April 3, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Renee Lynn Loewen &

Christopher Lee Baker

Personal Representatives c/o Mark A. Weseman, Esq. 357 S. Mccaslin Blvd., #200 Louisville CO 80027

Legal Notice No. FLP756

First Publication: December 1, 2022 Last Publication: December 15, 2022

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

WHEREAS, additional classes of licenses need added to the Code in anticipation of future liquor licensed businesses; and

for tracking purposes, the Occupation Fee shall be due at time of submittal of a liquor license application or for transfer of ownership or at time of submittal of an annual liquor license renewal application.

EFFECTIVE (after publication) the XX day of XX 2022.

WHEREAS, Lee Keith Hagler and Mandi Brook Hagler, have this day filed with the City of Fort Lupton, Colorado (the “City”), its dedication of certain real estate, which Dedication is herein above set forth; and

WHEREAS, the City finds that said Dedication is desirable and necessary.