Fort Lupton Press 121522

Navy joins Adams County to celebrate memorial

New veterans memorial in shape of a battleship reaches midpoint in construction

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A lifesized replica of a World War II-era battleship USS Colorado that’s taking shape on the banks of Brighton’s Mann-Nyholt Lake

will never see naval service, but it’s already received honors from the U.S. Navy.

Several U.S. Navy offi cers joined veterans and Adams County offi cials for the offi cial “mast stepping” ceremony for the replica battleship, destined to debut by Memorial Day 2023 as the county’s new Veterans Memorial.

“The Navy is excited about it because they want to use it as a recruitment tool, bring potential recruits, maybe bring out veterans to do physical therapy, weddings, military weddings, or commissioning of offi cers or chiefs, or retirements. We are going to have

RED NOSED LADDER TRUCK

the USS Colorado’s bell the same one on the submarine, “ said Adam County Commissioner Charles “Chaz” Tedesco, a retired Navy Veteran.

Crews are continuing to build the Veterans Memorial at the Riverdale Regional Park, on the shore of Mann-Nyholt Lake. It’s meant to honor past, present, and future veterans for their sacrifi ces to defend our country, Tedesco said.

Fort Lupton council wades through money matters

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In the span of one unanimous vote on Dec. 6, Fort Lupton City Council revised water and sewer plant fees, restated the city’s new liquor license fees and approved a slight increase in green and cart fees for Coyote Creek Golf Course.

The water and sewer plant fee increased by $410 per single-family equivalent household. The new rate is $10,500. Staff notes said the average water tap fee of six surveyed communities was $15,2228 for a ¾-inch meter.

The change takes effect Tuesday, Jan. 3.

The new occupational fee for liquor businesses increased by $50. It applies to any business selling fermented malt beverages, vinous or spiritous liquors (except medicinal liquors).

The last increase was in 2011. The increase took effect. Dec. 6.

Green fees and cart fees (for both nine- and 18-hole rounds) increased by $1, the first such increase since January 2021. Fees for a full round of golf are $29 on weekdays, $23 for twilight hours on weekdays, $27 for seniors and $16 for juniors. Weekend fees range from $30 to $45 for 18 holes.

The items were on the council’s consent agenda. Those matters tend to be routine and seldom need discussion.

Splash pad money

Council also accepted a $790,000 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado’s Community Impact Grant to be used for the construction of the new

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

STAFF REPORT

Dec. 16:

Holiday Hi-Fi: Motones & Jerseys: Holiday Hi-Fi returns to Northglenn featuring nine singers backed by an incredible band performing holiday classic favorites alongside some of the greatest songs of the 20th century. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17 with a 2 p.m. matinee Dec. 18 at Northglenn’s Parsons Theater, 1 East Memorial Parkway. Tickets range from $18 to $25 with discounts for seniors and the military. Visit https:// northglennarts.org/ for more information or to purchase tickets.

Dec. 17

4800 W. 92nd Ave. in Westminster. While you are there, enjoy the magical wonderland of lights, the full-sized sleigh and the miniature train – all of them suitable for holiday photos! The event is being hosted by the Westminster 7:10 Rotary Club.

Dec. 18

Our mission is to lower

costs and provide the healthiest quality air possible. For anyone, business or residential, we will increase e ciency of your system by using the very latest techniques, the latest technologies and top of the line products. We will provide the highest quality of work possible. Our professional sta will assure a high level of professionalism that cannot be matched in our industry. We guarantee our products and services.

Santa on the Plaza : Bring a camera or smartphone to snap photographs of Santa on the plaza at Westminster City Hall,

Hanukka at Orchard Mall: Families can come and celebrate Chanukah with The Orchard’s Grand Menorah Lighting Celebration with live music, latkes, donuts, hot beverages and a variety of performances between 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Orchard Town Center Square, 14697 Delaware St. Westminster -- next to the Rock Bottom Restaurant and the AMC Theaters. Hosted by The Chabad of NW Metro Denver in loving memory of Jessica Ridgeway on The Orchard’s entertainment stage.

Volunteers sorting gifts to be distributed to families.

Angel tree project aims to make holidays brighter

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

An annual Fort Lupton tradition bringing holiday joy to needy families wrapped its collection and delivered its goodies Dec. 8.

The Optimist Club hosted its annual Angel Tree project, placing four trees around the community – at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center, the Public & School Library, Pack and Ship,

and Dales Pharmacy.

The trees are placed with attached angel tags with the child’s name and wish. Customers and employees select a tag, purchase the gift, and bring it back to the same location and its place under the trees. The schools provide the list of families and children in need to the Optimist club to create the tags.

In the end, gifts were distributed for 198 children and 77 families in need received some

holiday help.

“As always a big thank you to the community who purchases gifts for the angel recipients. This along with monetary contributions helps us supplement the bags,” said Steve Moore Optimist Club.

The gifts were sorted by volunteers and put into family bags for distribution Dec. 8.

“We also need to thank our business donors especially the Bank of Colorado,” Moore said.

Vestal: Not to worry about Fort Lupton water quality

Despite what a posted flier on many residences’ doors in town might say, Fort Lupton Public Works Director Roy Vestal said the city’s water quality is fine.

The flier, which wound up on doors of residents who mainly speak Spanish, is from the Water Quality Center and contains a phone number to set up an appointment for water filters.

Vestal told Fort Lupton City Council Dec. 6 he’s received complaints from residents who think the city is behind the flier.

“I can assure you the water quality is top-notch,” he told councilors. “It’s regularly tested. I’ve seen some posts on the Neighborhood (app) about hard water and how people have to put softener in it. Our water comes from the top of a mountain. Anybody who says anything about hard water in town doesn’t know what they are talking about.

“I’d say we have better water quality than what’s in Denver.”

COUNCIL

FROM

splash park at Community Center Park. Staff notes said the money can be used for associated costs with project planning, coordination, communication, staff expenses and cost of surveys.

In July, Fort Lupton Parks and Recreation Director Monty Schuman emphasized that the city’s new splash park is not part of a hopedfor expansion to the city’s recreation center.

If all goes well, the larger facility could be ready for business by June 2023.

“The city set aside a substantial amount of money,” Schuman said at the time. “We’re applying for major grants. We’ll have new trails, concrete. It’ll be an overhaul of (rec center) park. It’s a substantial project if we get the funding.”

Speaking of the rec center, the council also approved an $878,000 contract with Perkins and Will Architectural Services for design and engineering services for the center’s new additions. The work includes concept designs, construction contracts and design development.

Staff notes said the city hopes to get a general contractor on board by mid-February. Construction drawings could be complete by the end of June, and the groundbreaking could be in late July or early August. The construction timeline is about 12 months.

Mill levy

The city’s mill levy dropped by more than 7 ½ mills, according to finance Director Leann Perino.

The budget included a 5.5 percent increase in property tax revenue. As a result, Perino told council, the mill levy decreased.

“Who’s going to complain about that?” asked Mayor Zo Hubbard.

Add layers of protection to financial strategy

To achieve your financial security, and that of your family, you will need to create a comprehensive strategy. And you’ll need to guard this strategy from various challenges –which means you’ll need to build in different layers of protection.

For starters, you’ll want to protect your ability to achieve your goals. To do so, you’ll need to develop an investment portfolio that’s appropriate for your objectives, risk tolerance and time horizon.

And to protect your family’s future wellbeing in case something happened to you, you’ll need adequate life insurance. Also, to protect your income in case you became temporarily disabled, you may need disability insurance.

You’ll also want to protect your IRA and 401(k) from being used for short-term needs, such as an expensive home repair. You can help avoid this threat by building an emergency fund containing three to six months’ worth of living expenses.

Finally, protect your financial independence from the threat of long-term care, such as an extended nursing home stay. A financial professional can offer appropriate strategies. It can be challenging to keep your financial strategy intact – so do whatever it takes to protect it.

COURTESY OPTIMIST CLUB

Some unspoken words need to be said

One of the more difficult things about the holiday season is something that impacts so many people is grieving the loss of someone who is no longer with us. And for those of us who have lost someone where a particular holiday meant so much to our family, it doesn’t matter if it was many years ago or just recently, the pain may ease, but it never truly goes away. And you know what? That’s a good thing as it stirs beautiful and loving memories that we want to hold onto forever.

This came up during a few conversations and email exchanges that I had over the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend. And during two of those conversations those that I was speaking with shared that their biggest regret was not having the chance to clear the air about a misunderstanding or grievance, or more importantly, their pain was coming from the fact that during their last visit together, whether in person or by phone, they missed the opportunity to tell them that they loved them. And for both individuals, it was

WINNING WORDS

weighing heavy upon their hearts.

Are some things better left unsaid? I believe so. We all have heard the expression, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” It’s absolutely true, if what we are about to say is coming from a place of anger or if we are simply trying to stir up trouble. It’s different if there are things we need to say, especially if it’s something others need to hear, even though they may not want to hear it. The problem is this, if we miss an opportunity to share information that could help someone, but we lack the courage to confront them, they may not be able to address or fix what they do not know. I love this quote by Audre Lorde, “When we speak, we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still

afraid. So, it is better to speak.” Some words are better left unspoken, until they are not.

Each one of us can probably think of a time when we forgot to say something or wish we had said something. Good or bad, right or wrong, we then get mad at ourselves for not having had the courage to speak up, or we promise ourselves we will speak up next time. Hoping that there will indeed be a next time.

As we are right here in the middle of the holiday season, and as some of us are experiencing grief and the loss of a loved one who will not be celebrating with the family this year, may we lovingly remember them. And if we think we forgot to say “I love you” one last time, or that we were sorry, or anything else where we might have regrets, I encourage us not to focus on that one last time where we may have missed it, instead focus on all the times it was said and heard.

May we use this as a reminder for all those that are still with us and who we love so very much. May another

day pass by where we forget or lack the courage to share with others just how grateful we are for having them in our lives, how much we love them, how much we appreciate all they do, and that they have been forgiven for any foolishness that may have come between us.

How about you, are there people you will miss this holiday season? Can you remember all the times that you did share with them just how special they were to you and how much you cared for them and loved them? Is there someone that needs to hear and know that you do care for them and love them, and maybe even forgive them? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can say the words that need to be spoken, 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.

Enough power in a heat wave in 2025? State o cials wonder

It got hot last summer across Colorado. Denver had 67 days of temperature that hit 90 and above, the third most in a century and a half of thermometer-watching.

What if it got much hotter, say 115 degrees for several days? And instead of being relatively isolated, like the Pacific Northwest oven in June 2021, this heat dome caused air conditioners from Sacramento to El Paso to Colorado Springs to work overtime?

Would there be electricity sufficient to meet the demand in Aspen, Boulder, and Sterling? Grand Junction, Alamosa, and Steamboat Springs? Amid this record heat, would Coloradans be left without electricity as occurred with the rolling blackouts in California during 2020?

Last week, on a day when the thermometer in Denver struggled to get above freezing, members of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission started hashing through this and other questions related to what utility planners call resource adequacy. They indicated they’re most focused not on the longer term. Instead, they’re thinking about 2025 and 2026.

Utilities have always tried to maintain reserve margins of generating capacity. Most use a standard expectation of not meeting demand just one day in 10 years.

Now we’re rapidly closing coal plants. They were never entirely reliable, as witnessed the many times that

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Colorado’s youngest coal plant, Comanche 3, had to suspend operations in recent years. But they did run when on those rare times when the prairies become still, unruffled by the usual winds.

February 2021, during Winter Storm Uri, was one of those times of quiet.

Colorado’s second largest utility, TriState Generation and Transmission, burned fuel oil to generate electricity.

Natural gas plants would seem to supply an answer, and Xcel Energy, Colorado’s largest utility, plans to add generating capacity in the next few years. But Nicholas Garza, a researcher in the emerging issues division of the utilities commission, told PUC commissioners that natural gas has its own vulnerabilities in such times, as was evident in Texas during Uri. Xcel also had its natural gas problems during that storm.

The warming climate has also become more volatile. This poses a challenge to existing electrical infrastructure, both renewables and fossil fuels.

In time, with new technological development and production at scale, some of the limitations of renewables may be addressed with longer-term

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storage. Construction of transmission to knit together diverse areas of the country may also diminish the threat of power outages. It’s extremely rare that it can be hot as Hades in both Seattle and Salida.

For now, though, state regulators are sweating about summer heat. Wildfires could exacerbate the situation. A study by researchers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research found that California’s wildfires in September 2020 darkened the skies so much that solar power production during peak hours was slashed by 10% to 30%. Read more here.

Then there’s hydropower. It constitutes between 20% and 25% of the generating capacity in the West. But, of course, the giant reservoirs in the Colorado River as well as their smaller siblings in the headwaters —think Flaming Gorge and Blue Mesa—keep dropping in water levels.

“Some hydrologists are saying that Hoover and Glen Canyon could get below (minimum power pool) by 2026 or 2027, and that takes 8 to 9 gigawatthours out of the wholesale market,” said John Gavan, a PUC commissioner.

Utilities such as Xcel Energy mostly have their own generating assets and also contracts for firm deliveries through power-purchase agreements. But a growing number of utilities are buying growing quantities of power

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Columnists

from the wholesale power market. This assumes available power that is usually there but not guaranteed.

This concerns Gavan. With Colorado’s two investor-owned utilities and with Tri-State, Colorado can look over their shoulders about reliability. It lacks that oversight of municipal utilities and Colorado’s four independent. Another cooperative, United Power, the second’s largest, also has vowed to become independent.

Guzman Energy and Crossover Capital have emerged as private — and unregulated — suppliers.

Gavan suggested that legislation being readied may attempt to impose oversight of this growing component of the electrical market.

Another element of this story is the coming demand for electricity for transportation and to replace fossil fuel combustion in buildings. Eric Blank, the PUC chair, estimated that beneficial electrification could grow demand for electricity by 30%.

The takeaway here is that you can expect more wariness as we move forward about avoiding missteps. Nobody I know argues that shutting down coal plants is a mistake. They’re horribly polluting and the power has become expensive. But neither is the precise path forward altogether clear.

Allen Best tracks the energy and water transitions in Colorado and beyond at BigPivots.com.

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GUEST COLUMN

Meaning behind mast stepping

The mast stepping ceremony was celebrated on Dec. 7, which is the Remembrance Day of Pearl Harbor. Veterans and community members placed mementos in a box that were placed inside the battleship’s mast.

U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Benjamin Chester, a 22-year veteran who has deployed on three different ships, gave of speech on what the stepping of the mast means and the ceremony’s history.

“The stepping of the mast is a meaningful event of the building a ship,” Chester said. “The mast is carefully lowered through the whole main deck surrounded by reinforcing shocks reinforcing shocks security structural beams, the mast was in jostled into position through a slot into the keelson.”

Chester said the tradition started with the

Our Family Helping Your Family

ancient Greeks and Romans placing coins under the step of the mast to pay a toll for the crew to cross the dangers of the sea – and into the afterlife in case the ship sank. The Roman tradition paid Charon the ferryman to cross a river, Styx, into the afterlife.

“Placing the coins in ship functions as a form of advice, thanking the gods for successful construction, and requests for divine protection,” Chester said.

Chester said it was also the practice after a ship has been demasted and lost its original mast; the coin was placed in the new mast for good luck.

Chester said the Vikings placed coins in a container over the mast. Navies have continued the tradition, and coins were placed in the USS Constitution, Old Iron Sides, and on the original six heavy frigates of the U.S. Navy, still in service today.

“It’s a rich tradition carried forward to the present. Though today the

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Command Master Chief Benjamin Chester from the United States Navy is carrying the box of mementos to be placed on the battleship mast.

Colorado Navy soldiers came in honor of the stepping mast ceremony.

PHOTOS BY BELEN WARD

Two construction workers with a cherry picker placed the silver box on the mast. It’s a time capsule of history.

Empty seat reminds Fort Lupton coach of more than basketball

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Someone is missing from the Fort Lupton High School boys basketball team bench this season. Coach Jim Roedel knows exactly whose clipboard occupies an empty seat and who his team salutes after every huddle on the bench.

Roedel may even stencil Lee Amato’s name on the gym floor for the balance of the season.

Amato, 73, and his wife, Sandy, 66, died together in May. Sandy Amato was a French teacher at FLHS for 26 years until she retired because of a brain tumor. She met her future husband when they worked together as substitute teachers.

Coach Lee Amato graduated from Fort Lupton High School in 1967. After serving in the Army in Vietnam, he went to the University of Northern Colorado and earned a teaching degree on the GI Bill.

Amato had also received an offer to teach and coach. But his father died in 1976, and Amato took over the family dairy farm. Amato sold the cows, farmed hay and started a commercial beef herd that grew to include 50 momma cows. He also coached boys’ basketball at Fort Lupton High School for 47 years.

One of his players was Jim Roedel.

“It was an emotional night for me, first night at home. For me, it was the national anthem. It meant so much to him as a veteran. He would stand there with pride, and he would teach our kids. Our kids don’t know what D-Day means. He would make a point of it to share a story about what it means,” Roedel said as his voice cracked.

“When you hear things like that, that’s what breaks you down, not that he wasn’t there,” Roedel said. “It was knowing that the legacy he carried on for so long was not there.”

Roedel said Amato was one of the kindest people anyone could hope to

Frederick High School Wrestling

Frederick’s Diego Rangel won the 157-pound title at the seventh annual Vista Peak Bison Invitational Dec. 10. He pinned ed two of his three opponents in 1:15.

Nikolas Carrillo took second place at 113 pounds. Adriel Casillas was second at 165 pounds,. Ricardo Moreno wound up fourth at 144 pounds, and Daniel Bartez was fourth at 120 pounds.

The Golden Eagles were third in the team standings.

Skyline topped Frederick 57-24 in Frederick Dec. 7.

The Golden Eagles’ on-mat winners were Kayler Reed (138 pounds), Diego Rangel (157) and Hunter Kenney (215).

Boys basketball

Frederick slipped past Denver South 69-67 to win the championship of the Mustang Classic at Ponderosa High School Dec. 10. No stats were available.

Frederick (5-0 this season) rolled

meet “in the roughest kind of body.”

“He was an old farmer, a war veteran. So when you hear those things, you think rough and tumble,” Roedel said. “The emotional side of him and how he cared about people and kids and what he dedicated his life to? I don’t know that you’ll see that in a coach like that.”

Roedel played for Amato in eighth grade and played for him as a freshman in high school. Sixteen years ago, Roedel took the head job, and Amato was one of his assistants.

“He was very quiet about it,” Roedel added. “If a kid needed help, if a kid needed shoes, if a kid couldn’t get to practice, if a kid couldn’t get to camp, (Amato) was like, ‘Coach, I’ll help you out. I’ll do this. I’ll do that. Don’t talk to anybody about that.’ That quiet, gentleness to him people probably wouldn’t understand.”

Amato’s patience extended to the coaching staff.

“I coached an entire year, and I had so much to learn. I didn’t really ask, but he wouldn’t tell,” Roedel said. “He let me live through my mistakes the entire first year. That takes a lot for a coach with that kind of experience and background and knowledge to know I needed that as a coach and it wasn’t his job as an assistant to tell me what to do.”

Roedel recalled one story that happened late in his first year of coaching the Bluedevils.

“I came into the locker room, and he says, ‘Coach you do a great job at halftime, You tell them what they are doing wrong, but you never tell them how to win,’” Roedel said. “And I said, ‘You waited until now to tell me this? And he said, ‘You never asked.’

“He understood I was the head coach and I needed to learn from my own experiences. It was his job to help mentor me. It was that Armyness in him. He was a rank-and-file guy. That’s unprecedented,” Roedel added. “When I started, he had 30 years of experience. He had that

to a 69-36 win over Grand Junction in the tournament semifinals Dec. 9. Luke Justice, who was held to four points in the tournament opener, rebounded for a team-high 22 points for the Golden Eagles. Harry Singh and Matias Aldana added 11. No stats were available for GJHS.

Frederick routed Pueblo East 86-28 in the opening round Dec. 8. Aldana topped the Golden Eagles with 23 points. JJ Strojinc added 14, and Jacob Lovins scored 13. No stats were available for Pueblo East.

Frederick won its Longs Peak League opener Dec. 6, a 78-73 win over Mountain View on the Golden Eagles’ floor. FHS scored 49 of its points in the second half.

Justice poured in 25 points for Frederick. He had help from Singh (17 points), Aldana 14) and Rylan Cram (10). Noa Phillips led the Mountain Lions with 26 points. Javi Carrillo tossed in a dozen.

Girls basketball

Frederick opened up play at the Steamboat Springs Invitational

quiet leadership approach to letting you as an individual, whether you’re a kid or a head coach, make mistakes. If he told me what to do, it wasn’t going to be as meaningful for me to go through the process.

“He taught more about life than he did about basketball,” Roedel added. “Every kid who walks out of this program, their favorite coach isn’t going to be me. It was never going to be (former coach) Kerry Brunton. It was never going to be anybody else but Lee Amato. It’s just fact. You’re a 14-year-old young man playing

tournament Dec. 8 by beating Colorado Academy 44-36. No stats were available.

Frederick won its conference opener Dec. 6 by beating Mountain View 55-45 in Frederick. Addison Branscum led Mountain View with 25 points. Brie Matchett tossed in 11. No stats were available for the Golden Eagles.

The Golden Eagles won their semifinal round tournament against Highland 65-52. No stats were available for the Dec. 9 game.

Legend captured the championship with a 44-38 win over the Golden Eagles Dec. 10. No stats were available for either team.

Fort Lupton High School Wrestling

PUEBLO -- D’mitri Garza-Alarcon stayed undefeated through eight matches after winning the 138-pound championship at the Pueblo East Invitational Dec. 10. Kayden Derbigny also stayed undefeated through eight matches this season after winning the 215-pound

freshman basketball, and you’re going to learn more about life than you did about basketball, hands down. You’re going to learn about how to be a person, how to respect people, how to work hard, how to show up every day.

“The man was here for 47 years. He was like a father, so that was tough,” he concluded. “We keep an open chair. His clipboard is there. It’s a reminder for us when we break every huddle with ‘Amato.’ He taught values and character more than x’s and o’s.”

title.

Donovan BIrmingham was second at 113 pounds. Josiah Gonzales captured second place at 132 pounds. Danny Rodriguez was third at 144 pounds. William Alvarado (157) and Alex Mata (175) finished third.

The Bluedevils placed third in the team standings.

Girls basketball

Prairie View rolled past Fort Lupton 47-7 at the Santiago’s Shootout tournament in Fort Lupton Dec. 7. No stats were available for the ThunderHawks. Daniella Aviles had four of Fort Lupton’s points.

The Bluedevils bounced back in the consolation round with a 47-28 win over Bruce Randolph School. It was the first win for FLHS with Dan Lira as its coach.

No stats were available for the Grizzlies. Aviles poured in 19 points for the Bluedevils. Marely Gomez added 14.

Thornton beat the Bluedevils 51-30 in the fifth-place game at the tournament Dec. 10. Aviles scored 17 points

Valley High School’s Owen Peterson is in a three-way tug of war with Fort Lupton’s Gabriel Chavez, center, and Shane Callahan, right, during the first round of the Bluedevils’ sixth annual Santiago’s Shootout Dec. 6.

PHOTO BY STEVE SMITH

FORT LUPTON POLICE BLOTTER

Nov. 26

Police arrested a Berthoud man, 22, in the 700 block of McKinley Avenue for DUI and causing a traffi c accident. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Police issued a summons to a Fort Lupton man, 45, for following too closely and a traffi c accident at Denver Avenue & First Street.

Nov. 27

A Fort Lupton man, 27, was arrested at U.S. Highway 85 & Mile Marker 242 for causing a DUI traffi c accident. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Police arrested an Evans woman, 24, in the 600 block of 14 th Street for unlawful possession of a schedule II drug, the introduction of contraband, possession of drug paraphernalia and for a traffi c charge. She was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Nov. 28

Police issued a summons to an Evans man, 24, for possession of drug paraphernalia in the 600 block of 14 th street.

A Greeley man, 24, was arrested in the 600

BRIEFS

Holiday lighting contest

Winners for the 18th annual Fort Lupton Lighting Contest will be announced at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19. Registration is not necessary for city residents but is encouraged for those within five miles of town.

Call the chamber of commerce at 303-857-4474.

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. Af-

block of 14 th Street on a Weld County warrant for failure to appear for dangerous drugs and vehicle eluding charges. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

A Fort Lupton man, 32, reported an attempt to steal his car in the 800 block of McKinley Avenue to police. The case was under investigation.

Nov. 29

A Fort Lupton man, 40, reported his father’s vehicle stolen in the 200 block of Seventh Street. The case was under investigation.

Police arrested a Fort Lupton woman, 34, on an Adams County warrant for domestic violence-related harassment, child abuse and protection order violation charges. She was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Nov. 30

Police took a Fort Lupton man, 20, into custody in the 12000 block State Highway 52 on a Denver warrant for a traffi c violation. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Dec. 1

ter 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 303-718-4440. 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.

Fort Lupton senior lunches

Senior lunches are available at noon Mondays at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave. Sign up by noon the previous Thursday. Call 303-857-4200, ext. 6166.

Co ee group

Fort Lupton’s weekly coffee group sessions are at 8 a.m. Wednesdays. Call 303-857-4200.

Silver Sneakers

Silver Sneaker Yoga is available Fridays from 9 to 9:45 a.m. and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Fort Lupton recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave.

Water aerobics

The city’s water aerobics class meets from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave. Call 303-857-4200.

Pen pals

Fort Lupton’s senior pen pal program through Twombly Elementary School is looking for participants. Learn more at: https://www.fortluptonco.gov/950/Senior-Pen-Pal-Program.

Craft classes

Monthly craft classes through the Fort Lupton Recreation Center (203 S. Harrison Ave.) are available. Call 303-857-4200, ext. 6166 with questions.

Free short-term radon test kits

Weld County residents can receive a free radon test kit (one per household, while supplies last). Test kits can be requested online at www.drhomeair.com/weld, according to a statement.

Call the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment at (970) 400-2226 or visit: www.weldgov.com/go/radon.

Warm line up and running

Police arrested a Fort Lupton man, 21, in the 2900 block of 9 th Street on a Weld County warrant for a probation violation. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

A Fort Lupton woman, 53, was arrested at First Street & Denver Avenue for a Weld County warrant for failure to appear on a dangerous drug charge. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Police arrested a Brighton man, 30, in the 1000 block of Mountainview Avenue for felony menacing, harassment, child abuse, criminal mischief and domestic violence. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

A Brighton man, 44, was arrested in the 2900 block of 9 th Street on a Weld County warrant for failure to comply with conditions of probation. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Dec. 3

Two Fort Lupton teenage boys, 14 and 15, were arrested for felony menacing and underage possession of cannabis and alcohol. Both were held on bond at the Prairie Vista Juvenile Detention Center.

Community Reach Center is offering a warm line (303-280-6602) for those who want to talk to mental-health 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.

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.

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.

Eagle Express rides

Barr Lake State Park will offer virtual rides aboard the Eagle Express. Join Ranger Michelle and her friends as they read a story about our natural world that is sure to entertain your preschooler while teaching them about plants, animals and our planet. Call 303-659-6005.

Help for vets

Qualified Listeners, a veteran and family resource hub serving northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, has several power chairs, power scooters and electric wheelchairs available.

The VA offers urgent care services to eligible veterans, both at VA medical facilities or at several in-network urgent care clinics that are closer to home.

To find the closest facility to you visit www. va.gov/find-locations or call 720-600-0860.

Qualified Listeners also 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.

Thu 12/15

Sat 12/17

Clay Creations

@ 12am

Dec 17th - Dec 16th

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

Kidz Only- Winter Wonderland

@ 1am

Dec 17th - Dec 16th

A Christmas Carol

@ 7pm

Denver Center for the Performing Arts, 1245 Champa St, Denver

Colorado Avalanche vs. Buffalo Sabres

@ 7pm / $58-$999

Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver

Fri 12/16

Christmas Lights Tour

@ 12am

Dec 16th - Dec 15th

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

Breakfast Burrito Bingo 12/16

@ 4pm

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

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

Snowshoes & Hot Chocolate

@ 4pm

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

Denver Broncos vs. Arizona Cardinals

@ 2:05pm /

@ 6pm

Mother Tucker Brewing, Thornton

Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators

@ 7pm / $74-$999

Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver

Mojomama Live and Kicking

@ 7pm

Superior Community Center, 1500 Coalton Rd, Superior

Dave Mensch at Floodstage Ale Works - Brighton, CO

@ 8pm

Flood Stage Ale Works, 170 S Main St, Brighton

Phat Daddy @ 8pm

Brewski's Pub and Grill, 2100 E 104th Ave, Thornton

Family Sleigh Ride & Dinner @ 10pm

Dec 17th - Dec 18th

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

Sun 12/18

Gallery on the Go

@ 12am

Dec 18th - Dec 17th

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

Denver

Mon 12/19

Colorado

Tue 12/20

Holiday

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

The

Denver

Wed 12/21

Twilight Dinner @ 12:30am Dec 21st - Dec 20th

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

Code Club @ 1am Dec 21st - Dec 20th

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

Medicare 101 (12/21)

4pm Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

Colorado

powered by

Keith Hicks

Careers

Help Wanted

Office position with computer and accounting knowledge. Full time, 4 to 5 days. Contact Jim or Deron, 303-857-2750. Send resume to jim@houseofsmokeinc.com.

Real Estate & Rental

Rentals

Homes

3 BD, 2 BA Brighton house for rent with garage & basement. $1800/mo. 720-308-4279.

Market Place

Merchandise

Furniture

FREE queen size box spring. Clean, excellent condition. 303-979-9534 (please leave message if no answer)

Health & Beauty

VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS!

50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-445-5928 Hablamos Espanol

DENTAL INSURANCEPhysicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurancenot a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/58 #6258.

Medical

Attention oxygen therapy users!

Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-929-9587

Miscellaneous

Free high speed internet if qualified. Govt. pgm for recipients of select pgms incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet. Android tablet free w/one-time $20 copay. Free shipping. Call Maxsip Telecom! 1-833-758-3892

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Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-855-948-6176

1-800245-0398

A Christmas Carol

By Charles Dickens

Adapted by Richard Hellesen

Music by David de Berry

Directed by Anthony Powell

TAX BEING ALLOWED TO BE INCREASED OR DECREASED WITHOUT FURTHER VOTER APPROVAL SO LONG AS THE RATE OF TAXATION DOES NOT EXCEED 4%, AND WITH THE RESULTING TAX REVENUE BEING ALLOWED TO BE COLLECTED AND SPENT AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY EXPENDITURE, REVENUE RAISING, OR OTHER LIMITATION CONTAINED IN ARTICLE X, § 20 (TABOR), OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?

Yes/For 1223 No/Against 1260 Total Votes Cast 2483 Ballot Issue 2D

DEBT QUESTION (extension of expiring tax) WITHOUT IMPOSING ANY NEW TAX, SHALL CITY OF FORT LUPTON DEBT BE INCREASED $10,000,000 WITH A MAXIMUM TOTAL REPAYMENT COST OF NOT MORE THAN $18,240,000 AND A MAXIMUM ANNUAL REPAYMENT COST OF NOT MORE THAN $608,000 FOR THE PURPOSES OF CONSTRUCTING AND EQUIPPING PHASE TWO OF THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF THE RECREATION CENTER TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, AN EXPANSION OF THE GYMNASIUM, FITNESS CENTER AND AQUATICS AREA; AND SHALL THE TAXES AUTHORIZED AT THE CITY’S ELECTION IN 2002 TO CONSTRUCT THE COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER BE EXTENDED AND AUTHORIZED TO BE USED TO PAY THE DEBT AUTHORIZED AT THIS ELECTION IN ADDITION TO THE DEBT AUTHORIZED AT SUCH PRIOR ELECTION;

AND SHALL THE MILL LEVY BE ESTABLISHED IN ANY YEAR AT A RATE NECESSARY TO GENERATE AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF, PREMIUM, IF ANY, AND INTEREST ON SUCH DEBT OR ANY REFUNDING DEBT (OR TO CREATE A RESERVE FOR SUCH PAYMENT); AND MAY SUCH DEBT BE EVIDENCED BY THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OR OTHER MULTIPLE FISCAL YEAR OBLIGATIONS TO BE SOLD IN ONE SERIES OR MORE, FOR A PRICE ABOVE OR BELOW THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT THEREOF, ON TERMS AND CONDITIONS, AND WITH SUCH MATURITIES AS PERMITTED BY LAW AND AS THE CITY MAY DETERMINE, AND BEARING INTEREST AT A MAXIMUM NET EFFECTIVE INTEREST RATE NOT TO EXCEED 5.00%; AND SHALL SUCH TAX REVENUES, DEBT PROCEEDS, AND THE EARNINGS FROM THE INVESTMENT OF SUCH DEBT PROCEEDS AND TAX REVENUES BE COLLECTED, RETAINED AND SPENT AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?

Yes/For 1420 No/Against 1064 Total Votes Cast 2484

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this 5th day of December 2022.

Maricela Peña, City Clerk City of Fort Lupton

Legal Notice No. FLP765

First Publication: December 15, 2022

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 NANCY JEAN BAKER, Deceased Case Number: 2022 PR 30604

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of CARL ALLAN VAIR a/k/a CARL A. VAIR a/k/a CARL VAIR, Deceased Case Number: 2022 PR 30652

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 10, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Jodi R. Raymond Personal Representative c/o LAW OFFICES OF KIMBER Z. SMITH, P.C. Kimber Z. Smith, #8479 P. O. Box 1105 Arvada, CO 80001

Legal Notice No. FLP760

First Publication: December 8, 2022

Last Publication: December 22, 2022

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

11/22/202272632WELD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE181.83 11/29/202272633ADT SECURITY SYSTEM 138.95 11/29/202272634ALL TRAFFIC SOLUTIONS, INC.21469.00 11/29/202272635AXON ENTERPRISES INC 156.50 11/29/202272636CENTURA HEALTH 600.00 11/29/202272637CH2M 22907.50 11/29/202272638CINTAS FIRST AID & SAFETY 613.21 11/29/202272639CITY OF FORT LUPTON 250.00 11/29/202272640CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP 2079.00 11/29/202272641COMCAST CABLE COMM, LLC 474.30 11/29/202272642FORT LUPTON VETERINARY 2160.00 11/29/202272643FRONT RANGE LUMBER COMPANY66.42 11/29/202272644INSIGHT PUBLIC SECTOR INC1375.33 11/29/202272645JOHN ELWAY CHEVROLET 83501.00 11/29/202272646KIMBERLEE NEELEY 135.00 11/29/202272647LEADSONLINE 878.00

Chester said there is no official instruction or regulation which covers mass stepping. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition and an important part of bringing a ship to life.

“Today the ceremonies vary greatly from region to region and even throughout the individual shipyards. It focuses on history, heritage and ships’ namesake enduring tie between the shipbuilder’s crew, the plank owners and the sponsors of the ship, linking the past with future,” Chester said.

Chester placed a Navy Talent Acquisition Group Rocky Mountain Command Chief challenge coin on the USS Colorado mast.

“I hope that it may bring luck and strength, I’m happy to be part of this today with Veterans Advisory Committee,” Chester said.

Adam County Commissioner Charles Chaz Tedesco also served in the Navy for six years as a Boiler Technician taking care of the power units for the ship, the boiler, which ran on steam back in the day. He also served part of his Navy career on the USS Midway before its decommission.

Tedesco said his father, who adopted him, also served in the Navy in

Sasebo, Japan, right after the bombing of Japan. In honor of his father, he placed his Good Conduct Medal from World War II on the mast.

“I served almost 45 years later, in Sasebo, Japan, that was my base,” Tedesco said.

USS Colorado

Stephen Leek, another former sailor, served in the Navy from 1993 and 1997 as an aviation machinist working on airplanes on the carriers. He came in from Seattle to help with this memorial; his grandfather Elmer Hitchcock served on the original USS Colorado battleship in World War II as a first-class seaman.

“After he passed away, I started volunteering with his alumni group that served with my grandfather

on the USS Colorado,” Leek said. “They would have annual reunions after the war; they were all busy with their lives working and raising families. But as they got older, the reunions didn’t happen as often. It was a regular part of my life with them, who fought in World War II with my grandfather.”

Leek said when they couldn’t take care of themselves, he answered the phones and sent out the newsletter.

About 12 to 13 years ago, there were up to 200 of them. Now we are

“The good news is that with the help of Adams County, all four plan on coming here to open the official ribbon cutting in May for Memorial Day,” Leek said.

The Lucky Ship

Leek said the original USS Colorado History battleship was commissioned after World War I and was considered a dinosaur by World War II– one of the older ships in the Navy at the time.

“The Navy realized in World War II during Pearl Harbor that battleships were very vulnerable and became obsolete, and as December 8, 1941, the aircraft carrier had become the ship of battleships,” Leek said.

When the attack on the Pacific Fleet began on Dec. 7, 1941, the USS Colorado was the only battleship that was not at Pearl Harbor.

“She had electrical problems and was at the Puget Sound Navy Yard on that morning that every other Pacific Fleet battleship was at Pearl Harbor and every one of them was damaged to some extent or another that morning. She was considered a lucky ship,” Leek said.

The attack created a new role for battleships.

“The World War I era dreadnought kind of a ship couldn’t keep up with faster battleships and aircraft carriers they were making,” Leek said.

Leek said the USS Colorado still had a purpose as support for ground invasions such as Tarawa, Okinawa, etc.

“Those older slower battleships they would go in with the invasion forces soften up the beaches, so it kind of became her purpose after that,” Leek said.

Found foghorn

The USS Colorado was decommissioned in 1947 and scrapped in 1959 and 1960.

Leek said all the parts from the battleship were sold and scrapped in Seattle as well.

“A lot of the pieces of the battleship have been found. Since I’m part of that alumni group, I get called about found pieces. A company near the Seattle airport had the USS Colorado’s foghorn since 1960, using it inside its factory as emergency evacuation and about seven years, it upgraded to a modern system,” Leek said.

One of those pieces was the ship’s original foghorn. Lee said it’s been placedon campus at the University of Colorado museum. He contacted them and they plan on bringing the foghorn to the ceremony in May to blow her horn when the memorial is complete.

“I’ve been getting more original parts and pieces and have some of the teak wood deckings from the ship that I’m bringing to be built into this battleship,” said Leek.

Commissioner Charles Chaz Tedesco placed his father’s Good Conduct Medal from World war two in the box to be put on the mast.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD