Fort Lupton Press 020923

FORT LUPTON

THE SEASON FOR SHARING

Our in-depth look at the housing crisis

Gov. Polis stresses more housing is key to Colorado’s economic health

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

If lawmakers don’t act to make housing more a ordable now, “we will soon face a spiraling point of no return.”

at’s what Gov. Jared Polis said in January, during his annual State of the State Address. He noted myriad problems linked to rising housing costs.

Council gets explanation of how to make incentives work

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Incentives to attract businesses to Fort Lupton are not the same as tax breaks.

at’s according to Michelle Magelssen, the economic development manager for the city. She made her comments during a Fort Lupton City Council town hall on Jan. 31.

Fort Lupton is in the Weld Enterprise Zone, which means businesses that come to town are eligible for tax breaks. e amounts range from 1.5 percent for commercial vehicle investments to $500 for establishing a new business.

Magelssen emphasized that businesses eligible for incentives have to show some sort of impact on the community, such as an employment base or other contributions to the area.

“It’s not considered a subsidy,” she told councilors. “ e intent is for them to stay or open a business here.”

Magelssen o ered a couple of examples. One is a business that needs an extra 30 square feet of space but is in touch with another county or city.

time and money spent on long commutes, more air pollution, and greater economic and workforce challenges,” Polis said. Polis added that rising housing prices are “putting the dream of homeownership out of range for more and more Coloradans.”

go to landlords. Young families can’t nd starter homes they can a ord. Retirees don’t see any attractive options for moving and downsizing, meaning their homes stay o the market, helping keep prices high.

“ at would be worthwhile to consider,” she said. “Its application process is going to analyze the economics, plus any incentives paired with other programs that are available.”

“It’s a case-by-case basis,” said councilman Carlos Barron.

“What if there is a daycare business? It’s not going to generate much revenue,” Magelssen said. “But it’s de nitely a need. at would be worthwhile to look at.”

People, he said, “are being forced out of their neighborhoods with no hope of ever living close to where they work.”

“ at means more tra c, lost

e governor’s assessment squares with the ndings of Colorado Community Media in our four-week series exploring what many experts say is a housing crisis — one that a ects practically everyone in the Denver area. Lower-income workers are seeing larger chunks of their paychecks

“Just look west,” Polis said in his address. “In California, decades of poor planning has led to interruptions of drinking water and electricity for entire towns and cities, average home prices over $1 million in major cities and 16lane freeways” with “bumper-to-

Rec center bond update

City Administrator Chris Cross told the council the sale date for bonds to help expand the recreation center could be sold as early as March 22.

Voters approved a $10 million debt increase to the city (total repayment

Every year before Thanksgiving, First United Methodist Church in Fort Lupton and the Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Bank provide community members with food boxes. This will be the program’s 10th consecutive year. Above, Joe Hubert, left China Garcia and Sue Hubert with Change 4 Change, another organization that helps with the food drive. See more on Page 2.

SEE COUNCIL, P3

Fort Lupton’s World Pizza Champ helps break Guinness Record

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Wholly Stromboli Melissa Rickman joined other members of the World Pizza Champions to set a new Guinness World Record, hosting the Largest Pizza Party in the World and raising $42,000 for the Make-A-Wish foundation.

“We are so proud of the way multiple entities came together for the sake of raising money for a well-deserving organization and, in doing so, put some serious funds in their corner and accomplished a huge title of World Record Holder for the World’s Largest Pizza Party,” said,” said Melissa Rickman, owner of Wholly Stromboli.

“Wholly Stromboli has always been a big contributor to our local community and to take those e orts to a bigger level was wholly satisfying.”

Rickman is part of the World Pizza Champions, a group of 48 pizza professionals across the country promot-

Weld County submits report for 2023 highway maintenance funding

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Weld County Commissioners approved the 2022 Highway User Tax Fund and the Annual Mileage and Certi cate Report, hoping to garner state money to help maintain its nearly 2,900 miles of roads.

e report is submitted to the Colorado Department of Transportation to determine how much funding the county will receive in 2023 to maintain its roads.

Road miles uctuate and the total number of maintainable roads in Weld County decreased by nine in 2021. e number increased in 2022, however after the county approved nine annexations and worked on 21 county road paving maintenance projects.

At the end of December 2022, Weld County reportedly maintains a total of 2,885.4 miles of road, including 751.8 miles of paved roads and 2,133.6 miles of gravel road, according to o cials in a written statement.

According to o cials, the High-

way User Tax fund in 2022 awarded Weld County $11 million for road maintenance, the third highest of all Colorado Counties.

e Highway User Tax Fund was established in 1953 by the Colorado General Assembly as the state’s revenue for road maintenance.

More than $500 million is generated annually, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOTs’s) Annual Final Budget Allocation Plan for the Fiscal Year of 2022-2023.

e sources for the highway tax fund come from state-levied fuel taxes, vehicle registration fees, road usage fees, and retail delivery fees. According to statutory formulas, the state treasures allocate and distribute the funding to municipalities, CDOT, and counties.

For more information about road maintenance in Weld County, visit the Department of Public Works homepage. Visit the Colorado Department of the Treasury to learn more about the Highway User Tax Fund and to view how that money is distributed.

campus to set a new record. e group

pizza and a bottle of water to a total of 3,357 people in 15 minutes.

e event was held during a pregame festivity for the Tulsa University men’s basketball game against Tulane. It took 15 minutes to raise funds; then, the University sponsored an afterparty with additional pizza and a beer garden.

e money raised will go towards the wishes of kids with critical illnesses.

“We are so thankful the World Pizza Champions stepped up to this enormous challenge to put on what was not only an incredibly fun event, but also a largely successful one,” said Jane Rohweder, Senior Director of Development, Make-A-Wish Oklahoma.

“Events like these help us grant wishes to deserving children and we are so excited to make some calls in the coming weeks to let our wish kids who have waited so patiently know that their wish will be granted with the money raised from this event.”

Eaton getting new Weld County roundabout

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Weld County will add another roundabout at the intersection of Weld County Road 74 and WCR 33 to control tra c heavy tra c safely, according to a news release.

“County Road 74 continues to be a heavily used east-west route throughout our county. Given the growth projections for Weld County in the coming years, it’s necessary to look at enhancements along the corridor,” said Weld County Commissioner Chair Mike Freeman. “ is roundabout will reduce congestion and the likelihood of accidents, which are two major elements that ensure we provide a safe and ecient transportation system now and in the future.”

e intersection is east of Eaton and north of Greeley.

e Lawson Construction Company was awarded the project in late December for $9,210,800. e Colorado Department of Transportation also awarded a grant for $1,091.818. In addition, the Town of Eaton contributed $22,696. Lawson will construct the roundabout, and Weld County Public Works will oversee as project manager.

Public Works collects crash risks data on county intersections. e daily tra c rate is about 5,970 at the intersection of WCR 75 and WCR 33; it could result in a broadside accident, so building a roundabout increases safety, according to o cials.

“When we’re evaluating improvements for intersections, we’re always looking at many di erent options. When it comes to broadside accidents, a roundabout reduces the likelihood of one occurring by 80%,” _said Weld County Public Works Director Curtis Hall. “ ey’re also more cost-e ective in the long run versus a stoplight, and they help eliminate congestion as well.”

According to o cials, the new roundabout at WCR 74 and WCR 33 would be constructed with the same duplicate design as its awardwinning roundabout at WCR 54 and WCR 17, with durable concrete pavement and wider lanes for large agricultural equipment and semitrucks.

e planning phases have begun, but the road closures to start construction are expected in April, with projected completion at the end of September. For updates about the project, follow Weld County’s Facebook and Twitter.

Weld County will build another roundabaout, this time just east of Eaton on WCR 74 at its intersection with WCR 33. COURTESY WELD COUNTY

The World Pizza Champs with Melissa Rickman, third row center, broke the Guinness World Record for the Largest Pizza Party, selling pizza in 15 minutes for the Make-a-Wish

Fort Lupton’s snow removal 101

Vestal: ‘We’ve got enough sta ’

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Fort Lupton’s public works director, Roy Vestal, has a favorite piece of snow-removal equipment each winter.

But, as he told city council during a Jan. 31 town hall, “Old Sol” hasn’t been seen too much this year.

An abundance of snow, a lack of a strong sun angle this time of year and colder weather has made things a little harder for snow removal this year than in others. Vestal said this year’s $60,000 budget was just ne.

After a big snowstorm in 2021, Vestal doubled the budget and asked for more equipment.

“I chuckle. One of the councilors asked, ‘How many blades do you need?’” Vestal said. “I said, ‘One day you’re going to want all of them.”

e city has three dump trucks. Two have blades. One is a sander. Vestal’s regular sta is 13. He can call three others from the city’s parks department if necessary. He also has two contractors that are on call. e city and those contractors do not have a formal agreement yet.

“We’ve got enough sta ,” Vestal said. “I will never turn down additional sta . But we’re in good shape.”

City ordinance sets up priorities for snow removal. e most im-

portant routes are so-called public access points, such as those in front of the police and re departments, schools and City Hall. e main roads in town are next, then a onelane pass through residential areas.

“We expect challenges, no matter how we do it,” Vestal said. “One of the biggest is the pass through. We have to send a plow in because of the narrow nature of the street and because cars are parked on the street.”

Another issue is where the snow goes. On occasion, it can go onto property that’s been recently cleared.

“We have to push the snow to the side,” Vestal said. “It’s never done on purpose. But there’s no other place to throw it.”

Bevy of agreements to come before council

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Engineering, mining pits, o ce space and prairie dogs.

ose were some of the potential agreements set to come before Fort Lupton City Council during its Feb. 7 meeting, which is after press deadlines.

e city is looking to move its economic development and planning departments to available space in the Safeway shopping center east of the city’s recreation center.

“ ere have been lots of improvements there,” said Planning Director Todd Hodges during a Jan. 31 town hall. “It’s a great spot for additional meeting spaces for the public.”

Hodges also noted a nal draft is ready for review and signatures. Hooking up internet service between the remote o ce space and City Hall won’t be a problem, said the city’s IT manager, Travis Aksamitowski.

“I think it’ll be more e cient,” Hodges told councilors. “it’s a pretty decent deal for what’s out there.”

Mining

Another contract deals with a reclamation project by the city of Broom eld near Weld County roads 20 and 25, the Heit Pit. It’s a well eld along the South Platte River meant to carry water to a 24-foot pipeline and the pump station at Heit Pit.

If there is damage to the roadway because of the reclamation e ort, Public Works Director Roy Vestal said the city won’t have to pony up money for repairs.

“It’s to our bene t,” he told a council town hall Jan. 31. “ e chances of anything happening are very low. I wouldn’t expect it.”

Engineering work

Vestal also outlined a potential $97,000 contract with the Farnsworth Group for railroad crossing work on WCR 12 east of Denver Avenue. If approved, the speci ed work would include design surveys and preliminary and nal design work.

“We chose on o our on-call list,” Vestal told councilors. “ ey were the only ones with railroad experience.”

Prairie dogs

Vestal also outlined a deal with Prairie Dog Pros worth $37,000, if approved.

The Better Business Bureau’s website said the business provides dog fumigation and bating services.

The efforts are to be focused on three main areas, Golden Pond, the public works building and the recreation center on South Harrison Avenue.

Vestal said once a month, the business could come back to town for follow-up efforts. The cost is $150.

“They consider themselves that good that there won’t be that many (dogs for a second spraying),” he said.

Salud names new chief medical o cer

STAFF REPORT

Salud Family Health announce Jan. 26 that it would make Pradeep Dhar, MD its newest Chief Medical O cer.

Dhar succeeds Dr. Tillman Farley, who served in the position for 25 years. Farley will continue to see patients at the Salud Fort Lupton clinic.

Dhar said he is thrilled to continue his work at Salud in the new role, which will allow him to continue providing medical guidance and leadership to Salud’s communities, patients, practitioners and sta .

“It is an honor and privilege to continue working with a team of dedicated leaders and healthcare providers at Salud,:” Dhar said in a written statement. “I am motivated by the opportunity given to me by

the Board of Directors and executive leadership team.”

Dhar completed medical school at the University of Bombay, India and pursued a Fellowship in Interventional Radiology. After graduating from medical school, he worked for a health insurance company as Vice President of Medical Services. He then completed his residency in Family Medicine at the University of North Dakota and the University of Hawaii.

He is Board certi ed in Family Medicine and received the Best Resident award at the completion of his program. During his residency, he worked with Native American communities through the Indian Health Service.

Dhar joined Salud in 2006, initially

pricing structure.

Liquor sales

cost is $18.2 million at an annual repayment rate of $608,000 per year over 30 years) in November.

Cross planned to present a formal agreement to the council on Feb. 8, after press deadlines, outlining who could approve the bond

City Clerk Maria Pena said a resident asked the city to waive the 500-foot rule between schools and places that sell liquor.

She didn’t identify the person, nor did she identify the business.

“I thought I should let you know there’s been an inquiry about it,” she told councilors.

as a Family Physician and Clinic Director for the Salud clinic in Sterling before moving to the Salud clinic in Brighton. Dhar has served on the Peer Review Committee, the Ethics Committee, and the Credentialing Committee at the Banner Sterling Regional Hospital.

He is currently a member of the Peer Review Committees at Salud and the Platt Valley Medical Center.

He served as Salud’s Vice President of Medical Services from 2016-2022. Salud Family Health is a Federally Quali ed Health Center (FQHC), operating 13 clinic locations, 10 school sites, and a mobile unit that provides medical, dental, pharmacy and behavioral health services to low-income, medically underserved, and seasonal farmworker populations.

Fort Lupton Public Works Director Roy Vestal FILE PHOTO

Air Duct Cleaning Winter Specials

Expanded preschool program received 12,000 applications

BY ERICA BREUNLIN THE COLORADO SUN

Close to 12,000 applicants signed up for the state’s expanded preschool program Tuesday, the rst day parents could enroll their child ahead of the program’s start this fall.

e number of applications is a promising sign for the new program and is prompting state o cials to rethink the number of children who will enroll.

“We’re pleasantly surprised,” said Lisa Roy, executive director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. “It exceeded our expectations for the rst day. We think it’s an excellent indicator of family interest” in the state’s expanded preschool program, known as “universal preschool.”

than 15 minutes to complete, Mares said, adding that the state has created the application by asking, “how can we best take (the) burden o of families?”

All 4-year-olds in the state will be eligible for at least 15 hours of free preschool per week — close to a half day of care. Additionally, some 3-year-olds will qualify for 10 hours of free preschool per week, including those with a disability, from low-income families, facing housing insecurity, learning English or living in foster care.

Our mission is to lower energy 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.

e department originally projected about 30,000 kids would opt into the state program during its rst year, about half the number of kids who will be eligible, Chalkbeat Colorado rst reported. State o cials largely based that estimate on enrollment numbers across the country and from the Denver preschool program, Roy said.

“Colorado is giving us an indicator that our initial projections are lower than what the uptake will be,” she said. “And that’s exciting. We have the funding. We need to make sure that … by the fall we have the seats available, and based on the provider uptake, we look like we’re in really great shape.”

So far, 1,477 child care providers have submitted forms to o er services through the preschool program, with another nearly 1,000 forms that providers have started but not yet submitted, according to the department. Based on the number of providers who plan to participate in the program, 60,000 slots are available for kids, nearly double the department’s initial expectation, said Melissa Mares, director of early childhood initiatives for the Colorado Children’s Campaign.

e rst round of applications for families closes Feb. 14, but the expanded preschool program is not rst come, rst served. Instead, the department will evaluate all families’ applications at the same time and use an analytics system that will consider a variety of factors when matching families to preschool settings — including home-based, center-based and school-based programs. ose factors include transportation, whether families want a full day of preschool and whether a program is listed as a family’s rst choice. When applying, parents and caregivers can select up to ve preschool programs, ranking their preferred programs starting with their top choice.

e application is available in English, Spanish and Arabic and takes no more

e state’s newly expanded preschool program was made possible by Colorado taxpayers in 2020, when voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition EE, which raised taxes on cigarettes and other products containing nicotine partly to fund more preschool for Colorado kids.

Providing free hours of preschool to families has been a major goal of Gov. Jared Polis, who has championed early childhood education since he rst ran for governor. Polis touted the launch of the application window for expanded preschool during his State of the State address Tuesday.

e program “will save families at least $6,000 a year and give every child the best possible start in life,” Polis said during his speech.

Department of Early Childhood spokesperson Hope Shuler noted that preschool applications swelled during and after Polis’ address. e department’s website encountered few technology challenges amid the urry of applications, running slowly the rst 15 minutes of the day but then resolved and managed the intake of applications, she said.

e department will likely launch a second round of applications for families and possibly a third, depending on the ow of applications.

If the majority of eligible children have applied by the end of the rst or second round, Roy said, “we’ll adapt as needed.”

Meanwhile, the department is also focused on establishing academic standards, assessments and curriculum support for all types of preschool providers, she noted, while also approving curriculum that some providers already use.

“We have a lot to do before fall,” Roy said, “but we plan on having many of the important areas that were identi ed by the statute in place before the summer comes.”

is story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

FORT LUPTON POLICE BLOTTER

Jan. 21

A Denver man, 40, was issued a summons for causing an accident while driving too fast for the conditions in the 1500 block of Barley Avenue.

Jan. 22

A Loveland man, 43, was issued a summons for causing a careless driving accident for driving while his license was under restrain at U.S. Highway 85 & Weld County Road 22.

Police arrested a Fort Lupton man, 36, at Ninth Street & Harrison Avenue on a Weld County warrant for robbery, felony men-

BRIEFS

Peanut butter drive

e Tailtwisters 4-H Club’s fth annual Spread the Love Peanut Butter Drive continues through Tuesday, Feb. 14. It’s a bene t for the Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Bank.

Financial and canned donations are welcome. Donate peanut butter jars at the KM Cup, 721 Fourth St., Cinna-A-Brew, 2424 E. Bridge St., Brighton, or call 720-353-1649.

Museum crafts

Come to the Fort Lupton Museum, 453 First St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Our Family Helping Your Family

ROJO

acing, trespassing and failure to appear on a DUI charge. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

A Fort Lupton woman, 33, was arrested on a protection order violation in the 1000 block of Weld County Road 25.5.  She was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Jan. 23

A Fort Lupton woman, 43, called the police reporting her car’s rear window had been smashed in the 700 block of Harrison Avenue. The case was under investigation.

Saturday, Feb. 14,. and create valentines for that special someone. Call 303-857-1634.

Library brick walk

Here’s a chance to buy a brick and help support the new library facility at the same time. Donations will be used for resources, such as an exterial metal awning to cover outdoor programming and performance space. e deadline is Wednesday, March

1. Visit https://www.fortluptonco. gov/751/New-Public-Library-Facility.

Jan. 24

Police arrested a Denver man, 27, on an Adams County warrant for failure to appear for a tra c o ense in the 600 block of 14th Street. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

A Fort Lupton man, 23, was issued a summon for operating a vehicle with ctitious plates at 14th Street & Denver Avenue.

Jan. 25

Police arrested a Commerce City man, 29, in the 700 block of Denver Avenue for criminal impersonation, obstruction, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. He was held on bond at

Lifeguard training

The city of Fort Lupton will offer lifeguard training from March 19 to March 24.

It’s open to anyone older than age 15.

Participants have to attend every class to receive American Red Cross certification. Call 303-8574200, ext. 6164, or email dcook@ fortluptonco.gov.

Easter egg hunt

The annual Easter egg hunt takes place at 9 a.m. Saturday,

the Weld County Jail.

Jan. 27

A Fort Lupton woman, 35, was arrested in the 100 block of McKinley Avenue on a warrant for failure to appear on a public order crime. She was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

A Fort Lupton 17-year-old was issued a summons for assault in the 500 block of Reynolds Street.

Police arrested a Fort Lupton man, 38, in the 1100 block of Paci c Court for an unlawful sexual assault on a child in a position of trust. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

April 8, at community Park outside the Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave.

The traditional event also includes fresh coffee for the adults and fun for the kids.

Hunting areas are set off by age .. up to 3 years, 4- to 8-year-olds and 9- to 12-year-olds. Ten gold prize eggs will be in each of the hunting areas. There will be an opportunity for pictures with the Easter bunny, too.

Visit https://fortluptonco. gov/857/Easter-Egg-Hunt.

MARCHUS-FERN

Sherri Rojo

November 3, 1964 - February 2, 2023

Celebrating the life of SHERRI

ANN GUTIERREZ-ROJO, daughter, sister, wife, mother, sister-inlaw and grandmother.

Sherri was born in Denver Colorado on November 3, 1964 to John and Angelina Gutierrez. She attended Ranum High school brie y, before moving to Fort Lupton Colorado to care for her elderly grandma. Sherri met her future husband James Rojo in high school there. ey were married May 24th 1985. Sherri was a Dental assistant at the Salud clinic in Fort Lupton. ey had their rst son Joshua Paul on September 2 1987. After the birth of their second son, Zachary James on June 27 1990, Sherri gave up her career to focus on her family.

Sherri was an amazing cook, baker and craft person, her cooking and baking were legendary. Sherri was a Christian and was a member of various church and Bible groups. Sherri loved being a mother, but the birth of her granddaughter Mckinnley was truly one of the highlights of her life. She absolutely loved being a grandmother and cherished the time she spent with her “sweet Kin”

Tragically Sherri and Jim lost Joshua in an accident while he was a freshman at Colorado

Michael S. (Smucygz) Marchus-Fern

March 24, 1943 - January 18, 2023

Michael S. Fern passed away on January 18th, 2023 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

e Marchus Family will be hosting an informal open house/celebration of life on February 24th, 2023 from 3-6 p.m. at e Armory, 300 Strong St.,

Brighton, CO. Please feel free to stop by to see some family and friends as we celebrate her beautiful life. No formal service will be performed, but Derek Marchus will say a few words around 4 p.m. Feel free to share words or memories as well.

George Hammerlund

April 8, 1924 - December 4, 2022

George H. Hammerlund of Brighton Colo. He was laid to rest along with Harriet Hammerlund Dec.27th 2022 at Fort Logan National Cemetery. George and Harriet are survived by their 5 children , 9 grand children , 17 great grand children and 3 great great grand children. ey will be greatly missed.

The complicated space between capitalism, life and death

If Damar Hamlin had died, would you be less likely to watch the Super Bowl?

e National Football League is a $18-billion per year industry, so a lot was riding on that question. Fortunately, the Bu alo Bills safety survived a near-death injury he sustained on Jan. 2 before a live television audience of 24 million. He might even suit up again this fall.

During that uncertain week of Hamlin’s injury, NFL o cials faced an unprecedented challenge of deciding how to handle a canceled game, a distressed team, and a worried nation. But somewhere in New York City, a small group of NFL analysts were likely crunching numbers – laying out economic scenarios for how Hamlin’s death would impact the league. Would people pull their kids out of youth football? Would attendance or television viewership decline? Would advertisers pull out of the broadcast?

God forbid – would Rhianna pull out of the Super Bowl Halftime Show?

e NFL got lucky.

If Hamlin had died, the playo s and Super

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Bowl would be taking place amid loud public debate about the danger of football. Instead, the NFL will surely have Hamlin waving to fans from sweet box seats.

ere is a very complicated space existing between big-dollar capitalism and the unpredictable realities of life, death, and public perception. When billions are at risk, well-resourced professionals go to extraordinary lengths to manage how you think.

ey want you to know that risk exists – that keeps things exciting – but not enough to turn you away.

Do you know how many people die on Colorado’s ski slopes each year?

Spoiler alert: you don’t.

e ski industry contributes $5 billion annually to the state’s economy, and their government a airs operations have successfully blocked past legislative attempts – the last in 2021 – to make fatality statistics public information.

e U.S. Coast Guard can tell you how many people died in recreational boating accidents last year, but no one in Colorado will give you an ofcial number on deaths at the state’s ski resorts. Do you have the right to know that number? ey think no.

e NFL had their potential public relations and marketing nightmare play out on national television. Meanwhile, the ski industry spends

generously to keep you in the dark to avoid theirs, avoiding public accountability and awareness.

In 2021, the Colorado Sun did an investigative report attempting to document the number of ski-related deaths in the state. To do it, they had to call county coroners for data the ski industry wouldn’t provide. In their 2017 investigative series “Whiteout,” the Summit Daily News reported at least 137 deaths on Colorado’s slopes in the preceding 10 seasons. e National Ski Areas Association estimates an average of 45 “catastrophic injuries” each year.

If you knew that number – if Colorado law allowed you to know that number – would you be less likely to sign up your middle-schooler for ski lessons? Would you plan your girls weekend on a beach instead of on a mountain?

Maybe you would, marking it up to acceptable risk. Or, maybe you wouldn’t.

My former roommate, Martin, was 32 when he died on an intermediate slope at Vail in April 2008, leaving behind a wife and a newborn daughter. We think he was the 17th and nal skirelated death in Colorado that year. Of course, we will never know.

I haven’t participated in winter sports since.

T.J. Sullivan is the executive director of the Parker Chamber of Commerce

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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

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BELEN WARD Community Editor bward@coloradocommunitymedia.com

STEVE SMITH Sports Editor ssmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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Columnists & Guest Commentaries

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The Long Way Home

State leaders, communities search for solutions

BY MICHAEL DE YOANNA MICHAEL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

For a month, our reporters and editors brought you stories of your neighbors, your wouldbe neighbors and even people who struggle to survive under bridges. We are all a ected by the rising costs of housing across the Denver area.

e problem is clear: Prices for homes and rents have skyrocketed in recent years. And though the trend shows signs of leveling out, prices are nothing like they were just a few years ago. Jumps in values of hundreds of thousands of dollars were common in the past ve years. For instance, in Brighton, northeast of Denver, and in Littleton, to the south, home values rose $225,000-$300,000, respectively, between 2017 and 2022. Renters are also giving more of their paychecks to their landlords.

Experts at Denver-based Root Policy Research, which studies housing issues, say 700,000 Colorado families are “cost burdened.” e term describes households that devote 30% or more of their income to rent or mortgages. Alarmingly, even families earning as much as $75,000 can be considered burdened.

is week, we look at potential solutions, starting with some

STRESSES

bumper tra c.”

e governor then pivoted to what he sees as solutions. Since 2019, he said, billions of dollars have been invested in housing. For instance, American Rescue Plan Act funds have gone toward projects around the state, he said. And Colorado voters in November passed Proposition 123, which is expected to bring hundreds of millions more dollars to a ordable housing e orts in the years ahead.

“But we can’t just buy our way out of this,” Polis added.

Public o cials, he said, need to break down rules that stand in the way of building more housing.

at idea resonates with ex-

espoused by Jared Polis, the Democratic governor who last month surprised us with his intense focus on housing during his annual State of the State Address. Colorado “will soon face a spiraling point of no return” if housing remains on the course that it is now, Polis said.

Senior Reporter Ellis Arnold rushed to the Capitol for Polis’ news conference after the speech, getting a few o -thecu answers. Billions of dollars have already been spent in recent years to make housing more a ordable, the governor says. He highlighted federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, the stimulus that came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, Colorado voters in November decided to earmark hundreds of millions of dollars a year through Proposition 123, which backs local housing affordability e orts.

Yet, for all the tax dollars involved, the governor says, “We can’t just buy our way out of this.” Local rules, like zoning, need to be addressed too, he said.

Experts have told our reporters the same. Reporter McKenna Harford looks at how changes to zoning, among other strategies, can make housing more a ordable. Meanwhile, reporter Luke Zarzecki looks at how the development of our

perts like Christy Rogers, who teaches housing policy at the University of Colorado Boulder.

“Where are our starter homes?” Rogers said. “Where’s our ability to provide housing for a bunch of di erent income levels?”

Many communities need more variety. Some need more density, housing units built closer together, she said.

Housing advocates often point to “the middle,” homes that are neither large, singlefamily units nor big apartment complexes. e middle consists of smaller single-family units and condos that get people their rst foothold in homeownership, a home that they can build equity in and, as their family grows, sell and reinvest the pro ts to upgrade to a bigger one.

e governor appears to be

cities contributes to healthharming pollution and how ideas like better-planned transit can improve our air and reduce climate change. Reporters Belen Ward and Steve Smith look at tiny homes and how di cult it can be to nd a home, even with some help.

In the end, there is no one solution and, frankly, the problem looks like it will continue, and potentially worsen, in the months ahead. Yet we acknowledge e orts to reverse the trend, including collaborations between federal, state and local o cials on myriad projects in our communities. We also hope that they are successful and that Colorado does not turn into what Polis decries — his portrayal of California as a poorly-planned nightmare, where residents face shortages in drinking water, commute on clogged highways and pay $1 million for a typical home.

In the months ahead, we plan to follow up with o cials and hold them accountable for their promises to improve the situation. We will ask for speci cs and then seek out local leaders and residents for their reactions. We also plan forums where our readers and local leaders can join us to speak about the work that needs to be done. In the meantime, we welcome your letters with ideas.

headed in a direction where that kind of market is more possible. He said he wants to “legalize more housing choices for every Coloradan” while “protecting the character” of the state.

Yet it is an idea marked mostly by the sweeping language of the governor’s speech — at least for now.

Colorado Community Media asked the governor for more details since his address. In one statement, the governor said only that “across our state we need more housing for purchase and for rent at a lower price, and I look forward to working on all ways we can help make this happen.”

In another sign, the governor touted Lakewood’s “forwardlooking vision” after he visited

Contributors to the project include:

The state Capitol stands January in Denver.

PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

Metro Growth: The Hidden Cost of Urban Sprawl

BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Drive along the interstate into Colorado from its eastern side and the rolling plains slowly transform into vast hills of lights.

Shelley Cook, a former director with the Regional Transportation District and a former Arvada councilor, moved to the city in 1983. Back then, those lights weren’t as bright.

“(I moved) back when Olde Town was that sleepy little place and property values were cheap,” she said.

Over the decades, Denver and the cities and towns that surround it have grown together, absorbing wide open spaces in all directions. Every decade for almost a century, the region’s growth rate has outpaced the national average, according to the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, and prices did too.

“People aren’t able to live right in Olde Town, property values are expensive,” Cook said.

In the last 10 years, the region grew fast, and the Regional Transportation District is keeping track. RTD expects the population to keep rising, from 3.36 million people in 2020 to 4.41 million by 2050.

at means more roads, more water pipes, more single-family homes and ultimately more greenhouse gas emissions. In the past 30 years, Colorado has warmed substantially, and estimates project a rise by 2.5-5 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050.

“I’m very concerned too, have been for years,” Cook said. “But for the world, for the people who follow us and the people who live in other places and people in developing countries who are the hardest hit in many cases, I’m very, very concerned.”

Zoom in from the mounting pressures of a world issue and see Colorado’s local municipalities — and residents — at the forefront of a solution. Climate anxiety may be alleviated with solutions that aim to reduce emissions.

Housing is part of the equation. Increasing density, building developments near transit lines and planning for other vehicles, like e-bikes, can all be solutions to the climate crisis. ough, they may come with other issues too.

Higher density results in less lawn use, accessible transit increases ridershi[ and electric cars emit less pollution. However, people are less inclined to live in dense areas, funding for transit remains low and electric cars may outsource pollution elsewhere.

Part of the problem is traced to housing and the way Americans live, according to one study from the University of California Berkeley. Households in the United States alone directly or indirectly bear responsibility for about 20% of the world’s emissions of greenhouse gases, and those households represent only 4.3% of the total global population.

Local leaders have identi ed the scope of the problem, solutions and,

in some cases, new problems created by attempts at solutions.

Pouring sand on a map

Christopher Jones, director of the CoolClimate Network at the University of California, analyzed the relationship between density and carbon emissions per household.

To measure the carbon footprints, Jones and his team looked at six key variables to estimate consumption: household income, household/family size, size of their homes, home ownership, education level and vehicle ownership.

Overall, Jones said they didn’t nd any correlation between overall density and emissions. Looking at zip codes everywhere, there are very rural areas with very low emissions, very rural areas with high emissions, cities with low emissions and so forth.

However, there exists a strong correlation between dense cities and emissions.

“It’s only when you get into the very, very high density areas that you have low emissions,” he said.

Looking at New York City, those living in Manhattan or Brooklyn have low carbon footprints, but that doesn’t necessarily mean lower emissions overall. Large cities are associated with extensive suburbs.

“It’s like pouring sand on a map. You can pour more sand in the middle and the pile just gets bigger and bigger. What you really need to do is pour the sand in a cup on the map and have it go up without going out, and we haven’t seen that in the United States,” he said.

ey don’t know if density is causing sprawl: they just know that’s what happened historically.

“Large populous cities actually have higher carbon footprints overall, even while the people who live in the urban core, their carbon foot-

prints are much lower. So what you really need to do is prevent sprawl,” he said.

Sprawl by design

e Denver area isn’t zoned for density. Instead, it encourages the kind of growth Jones nds problematic.

Jones sees building density as a short-term solution to reducing carbon emissions from housing. Technology and decarbonizing the economy in the long term will be much more e cient. at serves those who don’t want to change their lifestyle, as well as those who can’t a ord to live in dense areas, since density sometimes leads to pricing owners out of the area.

In Colorado, vehicle fuel and electricity are the two highest contributors to one’s carbon footprint, according to the CoolClimate Network data.

“If you can get truly renewable electricity to power your vehicle and your home, that’s certainly the quickest thing you can do,” he said.  ough, that may take years to come.

Carrie Makarewicz, an associate professor of urban and regional planning at the University of Colorado Denver, said roughly 80% of land in the metro area is zoned for residential single-family homes.

“Of the percentage of land in the region (included in the Denver Regional Council of Governments, or DRCOG) that is zoned only for residential, whether the zoning is for low, medium or high density residential (but excluding agricultural land that allows residential), the very low density zoning is 83.9% of land. Our de nition of low density is almost exclusively single family detached,” Makarewicz wrote in an email.

Just 4.4% of the built housing units

is for two-to-nine unit housing.

A lot of communities in Colorado are mostly single-family homes, resulting in less density and forcing developments to sprawl out. Within Denver metro communities, that

According to Root Policy Research, between 2000 and 2019, Adams County increased single-family attached homes by 34%, Arapahoe County by 26%, Douglas County by 76% and Je erson County by 11%.  Progress to diversify housing stock has picked up in some areas, such as in Douglas County. e county increased duplexes by 174%, developments with three to four units by 179%, developments with ve to 49 units by 220%, and developments with 50 or more units by 471%.

However, numbers for denser residential developments are much lower than single-family homes. In 2000 in Douglas County, there were 54,428 single-family attached homes, 103 duplexes, 738 of three to four units, 4,453 of ve to 49 units and 773 of 50 or more units.  With most of the land zoned for single-family homes, the process for developers to build anything else is more arduous for them. It means they’ll most likely face hurdles, including public hearings and approval processes involving elected o cials.

Local purview Zoning rules, infrastructure and transit between communities all impact climate change and a ordability. So does hyperlocal opposition to projects. at’s because housing plays a major role in how people live, and it’s decided by local electeds.

“Land use decisions are the purview of local governments exclusively,” said Jacob Riger, the long range transportation planning manager for Denver Regional Council of Governments.

It puts power within municipal government, since housing policy is local: cities set codes, they vote on plans for development and they decide how they want their land to look. at accounts for the housing stock today.

Infrastructure within cities can address climate change. Dense, walkable neighborhoods with public transit have the potential to lower carbon emissions and there are plans for such neighborhoods popping up along the Front Range — along with ghts over them.

Bill Rigler, principal at Boulderbased Greenlight Strategy, has seen it all.

“NIMBY tactics are literally the same in every community across the Front Range,” Rigler said. “I will never not be astounded by what a group of 10 or 15 angry individuals with the working knowledge of Nextdoor and Facebook can do to scuttle or dramatically alter the proposals for housing.”

NIMBY stands for Not In My Back Yard, but given the adamant

A map of average U.S. household carbon footprint by zip code of a zoomed-in portion of Colorado. The blue zip codes have lower carbon footprints (mostly in Denver, Boulder and mountain counties) while red have higher carbon footprints. The map is a screenshot from the CoolClimate Network. https://coolclimate.org/ maps COURTESY OF COOLCLIMATE NETWORK

Woman goes from being homeless to an apartment

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Lisa Hojeboom has a new place to call home.

It’s a one-bedroom apartment near Chat eld Dam complete with a walkout basement, a washing machine and a neighbor’s water feature “that sounds like a babbling brook.”

It’s quite a change. Hojeboom spent a year and a half living in places other than apartments. She lived in her car. She lived in a shelter. She lived at the Northglenn Recreation Center, where she slept on the oor of the gym and could get a 30-minute shower for $4.50.

“ e rst thing I did when I moved in was soak in a hot tub,” she said. “It was so nice.”

She was among many forced out of living arrangements because of the high cost of housing.

“I never pictured myself in that situation,” she said. “I did what I had to do.”

Hojeboom lived with her brother, but soon had to move.

“New owners bought the place, and they were going to raise the rent,” she said. “When my brother found out, he bailed. I had no job. I had just broken my elbow and was out of work

GROWTH

opposition of groups to some projects, Rigler said a new attitude has appeared: “NOPE,” standing for Nothing On Planet Earth.  “ ere is rarely — if ever — a time I can think of where opponents to these projects have relied 100% on the truth. ey have a very uid relationship with facts,” Rigler said.  Rigler’s group works with developers to help get mixed-used and affordable housing projects approved and only accepts developments if they reach a certain standard regarding sustainability.

He noted each one he works on goes above city building requirements, like water usage, by a factor of two or three. Even so, approval isn’t guaranteed and extra e orts by the developer increase costs.

Some of those NIMBY arguments cite defense of the environment, Rigler said. e groups cite dense developments as taking up land that would otherwise be used as open space, or that the new housing would attract more tra c, causing more pollution.

New research may counter those stances.

What about water?

When Makarewicz thinks about density and water use, she thinks of leakage from pipes.

“ ere’s a lot of leakage in our water pipes,” she said. “Each time you create those joints and individ-

Fighting the Odds

for six months. I was getting hired for full-time work and getting part-time hours.”

On top of that, Hojeboom said, she su ered from post-traumatic stress disorder and was on medication, making it di cult to work, not to mention driving to work.

But she did. She did it while struggling with numerous other health issues — from a blockage in her small intestine to insomnia. rough multiple visits to the hospital and bouts of extreme pain, she held onto various jobs.

After losing her home she went looking for a new place to live. But the $1,400 per month rents she could nd were out of her price range.

“ ere’s nothing to live on,” she said, a reference to how little money she would have left after paying rent.

“It’s ridiculous. I wasn’t the only one in this situation.”

She felt she had no other option.

“I couldn’t a ord living anywhere except my car,” she said. “I saw no end. I couldn’t a ord rent.”

Hojeboom found herself living on the streets.

“ ere was one industrial street in ornton, LeRoy Drive,” she said.

“One of the parks had a ush toilet. I was never harassed. But when I got to Northglenn, the police told me I couldn’t stay on the streets overnight. I stayed employed through this.”

She even worked in airport security.

Hojeboom also had a job as a con-

ual pipes and stretch them farther out into undeveloped parts of the county, you’re losing water.”

She also thinks of lawns. Lower density areas usually require more square feet of lawns. With more units, less water is going towards Kentucky bluegrass.

Less density doesn’t always mean less water usage, either. She said it really comes down to per-person usage and how many water-based appliances are in the home.

at’s where more e cient technology plays a role. In Westminster, water consumption declined in the past two decades despite an increase in population and commercial use. In fact, Westminster added 15,000 residents to the community and 150 new commercial business accounts.

Senior Water Resources Analyst Drew Beckwith said technology affects a large portion of that decline, like newer high-e ciency toilets that use less water than older ones.

e question of how much technology can continue to improve remains, though Sarah Borgers, interim department director of Westminster’s public works and utilities department, thinks there’s much more room to grow.

“Industry-wide, I think the sense is we are not close to there yet. ere’s still a long way to go before we hit that plateau,” she said. “We don’t know what the bottom is, but we aren’t there yet.”

Pro-density ratings are low e majority of Americans are increasingly opposed to the idea of living in dense areas. In fact, about

struction site agger, one that paid employees by the day. While she was recuperating from illness, she carried a cardboard sign to solicit money.

“I was fortunate,” she said. “It was Christmas and people were generous. I made $200. I froze my ass o , but I did what I had to do.”

Eventually, Hojeboom got into the City of Northglenn’s temporary winter housing program, which ran from December 2021 and ended in August.

e partnership between Adams County, the city and the Denver Rescue Mission opened a temporary, 25-bed program inside the former Northglenn Recreation Center.

Northglenn’s program has since ended, but more programs are coming. Voters in November approved a ballot measure earmarking tax revenue for a ordable housing, and Gov. Jared Polis made the issue a point of emphasis in his ongoing agenda. ose who took advantage of the program met with case managers once a month.

“I slept on the gym oor on a mat for the last six months,” she told Colorado Community Media last year. “We were given breakfast, a sack lunch, a shower and a warm place to stay.”

Finding a permanent place wasn’t easy.

“I responded to ve ads,” she said. “Only one was legitimate. e rest were scams. I thought, ‘I’m not going to give you information if that’s the way you roll.’”

60% want “houses farther apart, but schools, stores and restaurants are several miles away.”

e number of Americans wanting homes “smaller and closer to each other, but schools, stores and restaurants are within walking distance” went from 47% in 2019 to 39% in 2021.

e Pew Research Center said the shift occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic with increased “telework, remote schooling and pandemicrelated restrictions on indoor dining and other indoor activities.”

Despite attitudes shifting against density, Riger said the region mostly will densify with many municipalities at build-out and reaching their outward boundaries as population increases.

“I think it’s going to be a mix of growing out and growing up,” he said.

With higher density comes transit options, because land use is a transportation strategy.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health, transportation was the second largest greenhouse gas contributor for the state by sector, losing to electric power as the rst.

With mixed-use, well designed, higher density areas, residents are able to walk more, reduce their travel times and distances, and have the ability to support transit lines and bike lanes.

An example could be seen in Olde Town Arvada.

Housing on transit lines

Since Cook moved into Arvada back in 1983, she’s seen the city

e one legitimate ad turned into her new home near Chat eld Dam. It’s the rst time she’s had roommates. e city of Northglenn paid her deposit and gave her $200 more than what was necessary to secure the unit.

It’s quite a turnaround. She’d owned her own home at one point.

“I am not a loser,” Hojeboom said. “I’ve had success in my life. My career just took some bad twists. Breaking my elbow? at sucks. Not collecting disability? at sucks.”

“Being homeless sucks. I went to a food pantry, but I had no refrigeration,” she added. “I had a cooler, but I couldn’t keep food. My eating habits were not ideal.”

“It’s been a trip.”

She landed a job as a medical transport driver for a rm associated with the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

“My personality is perseverance, but I’m worried for people who don’t have it together,” she said. “What do landlords expect? ey are pricing everyone out of the market. Interest rates are going up, which will make it harder to nd homes.”

She drives a Jeep Wagoneer for her job.

“I never wanted to wave a cardboard sign,” Hojeboom added. “I’m resilient. I’m a diehard. I smile through the face of adversity. People like my spirit. I was an inspiration to a lot of people.”

transform into something di erent, crediting transit oriented development with bringing life into Arvada’s Olde Town.

Cook, along with several others, teamed up with Forward Arvada, a nonpro t looking to revitalize Olde Town in the 90s. ey tasked themselves with making an idea — to run a train line along decommissioned railroad tracks — into a reality to make sure Olde Town began to thrive.

Eventually, the G Line opened in 2019 and development began to spring up.

It didn’t happen without opposition, though. Residents voiced concerns over sacri cing the historical character of the town. In fact, the city faced lawsuits from a group called All the People regarding approving development plans to add to the transit oriented development, or TOD.

e city prevailed and the new transit oriented development transformed Arvada, Cook said. It created a center that attracts citizens from around the area and which bene ts merchants, restaurants and others.

All of that can also be attributed to the mixed-use, higher density design model, where someone can live above a bakery or right next to a co ee shop.

With less emphasis put on cars, which Cook sees as a good thing, residents can live in a place where they can walk to various places. She said it contributes to more of a family feel.

See more on urban sprawl online at coloradocommunitymedia.com/ longwayhome/index.html.

The battle over tiny homes began with a bill

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

For some Coloradans, the American dream is a spacious home. It might have four bedrooms, several bathrooms, high ceilings, a two-car garage and a yard with a vegetable garden. For others, the dream looks di erent — and the house, smaller. Much smaller.

A “tiny home” is a fraction of the dream, often a single room with a loft. And it can be had at a fraction of the price of a traditional home.

Tiny homes are a reality after Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 1242 last year. e law recognizes tiny homes as a new option amid skyrocketing home values. Prices have risen so fast in recent years that many Coloradans are simply priced out of the market.

e Polis administration, in an announcement, said the law is meant to “preserve and protect housing a ordability and expand access to a ordable housing.”

While tiny home builders have applauded the bill, it wasn’t always that way. Builder Byron Fears said the legislation in its current form almost did not come together.

“ ey didn’t have the realistic side of what a tiny home is about and what it takes to build a tiny home,” Fears said.

Fears is the owner of SimBlissity

Tiny Homes in Longmont. He is also on the executive committee of the nonpro t Tiny Home Industry Association, which launched in Colorado under the leadership of former Gov. John Hickenlooper and has expanded across the country.

But Fears said the original draft of the bill had the potential to put tiny home builders out of business.

He turned to state Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Larimer County, one of the bill’s sponsors.

“We did a Zoom call the next day and then another Zoom call the following day with more people involved,” Fears said.

Boon

to the industry

Eventually, changes to the bill came and the industry got on board.

e industry looks at tiny homes as a boon to the state’s tight housing market. And they’re supported by a movement: tiny-house advocates who emphasize the environmental and personal bene ts of living in smaller spaces.

e dwellings can be as large as 400 square feet but many are much smaller. Some cost around $50,000, with prices ranging up to $200,000, depending on size and amenities — a ordable, especially when compared to median Colorado home prices that are well above $500,000.

Like regular homes, they must pass a code inspection to hook up to water, sewage and utilities. e new law also addresses manufactured homes, also known as mobile homes, simplifying contract and disclosure requirements and establishing a raft of standards from escrow to inspections meant to protect homeowners.

Fears said legislators and others worked closely with builders, too.

e new law relies on the 2018 International Residential Code model, building codes written by builders around the world and adopted by individual counties, cities and towns.

e IRC’s Appendix Q speci cally addresses tiny homes and spells out the size and shape of the buildings, stairway standards, lofts and doors.

From industry to county

It all may sound dull, but those residential codes are the bread and butter of the business because they standardize tiny homes, giving builders, local communities and buyers an idea of what they can expect.

But writing the codes for national industry standards is one thing, getting counties to change zoning laws is another. e new state law simply makes it possible for county o cials to adopt tiny home rules of their own, Fears said.

“It still going to take a lot of work to get the di erent counties to adopt the Appendix Q IRC, which is what most of the building requirements will be based around,” he said.

Fears’ group met with o cials in Adams County and said they were not interested. Adams County ofcials provided no comment when contacted by Colorado Community Media.

But Fears said other counties are amenable to the idea.

“Some counties are already starting to talk with us,” Fears said.

Weld County began allowing tiny homes even before the state law passed. Tom Parko, director of the Department of Planning Services, said the county created its own policy a couple of years ago allowing people to buy a parcel of land to park a tiny home.

“We wanted to make sure the tiny home was hooked up to either a well or a public water system for potable water and then also a septic system,” Parko said. “We still do require a permanent foundation. So, the tiny home cannot be on wheels. at would be considered more of an RV and a temporary situation.”

Requirements like that can be a sticking point for some buyers.

Some tiny homeowners want to have semi-permanent foundations that keep the homes secure but allow them to be moved. e state is working on clari cation about the foundations, Fears said.

“It is one of our most signi cant sticking points and that clari cation will become guidelines counties can adopt or not adopt,” Fears said.

Weld County has more to explore, Parko said. e current rules treat a potential tiny home community like a mobile home park.

“It would allow somebody to buy 40 acres, and then allow 20 tiny homes to park on one parcel very similar to what you might nd in a mobile home park,” Parko said.

Parko said it gets a little more complicated when considering utilities. Weld County is not a water and sewer provider in unincorporated areas and in communities like Fort Lupton.

Special districts and utilities need to provide those services.

“Also sewerage and septic also have to be addressed,” Parko said. “It’s those types of things we’re kind of batting around a little bit to accommodate more of a tiny home community. But we certainly allow tiny homes in Weld County, if it’s just one per parcel.”

With tiny home living an option, Parko recommended contacting

the local planning and zoning departments in the county where you are interested in living before making a purchase to ensure they’re allowed.

But for residents and buyers of tiny homes, all the regulatory wrangling is worth it. Sandy Brooks is one of those people. She was 75 years old when she purchased her tiny home in 2019.

“I’m older than most, and tiny homes are wonderful for older people,” she said. “I would rather buy a tiny home and live in it for many years than pay a lot for independent living. I feel like I’m living independently now.”

Brooks describes her tiny home as akin to a small apartment. It has a bedroom, closet, living room, and ofce space. It even has a kitchen with a dishwasher and a bathroom with a washer and dryer.

“It has all the amenities, Brooks said. “I love it, don’t regret it, and am grateful. I love my location. I live in Durango on the side of a mountain. It’s beautiful.”

Brooks said her place is perched alongside 24 other tiny homes.

“An engineer, therapists, and retired people live here, and our community helps each other,” Brooks said. “We all communicate and respect each other, and it is a wonderful place to live.”

The living room of the Valhalla tiny home with stairs leading up to the bedroom with storage space within the staircase.

Sandy Brooks kitchen with dishwasher. COURTESY OF SIMBLISSITY

The tiny home owned by Sandy Brooks with her dog Zoey. PHOTO BY SANDY BROOKS

an apartment complex that includes some below-market-rate units and sits next to an RTD rail line.

Big spending

Another hint at what the governor wants came in response to questions after his State of the State Address. Polis said that he doesn’t want the state to get mired in age-old local debates over what the ideal mix is between affordable and marketrate housing.

“There is no state AMI figure that works for Summit County, for Denver (and) for Boulder,” Polis said, in a reference to area median income, a measure often used to determine who is eligible for housing assistance.

However the mix of new homes might look, Colorado is wading deeper into spending to boost the supply of less costly housing.

Just days before the governor’s speech, the state announced a new program expected to help create up to 5,000 “high-quality, low-cost” housing units over the next five years. The Innovative Housing Incentive Program directs funding to Coloradobased housing manufacturers in an effort to boost the supply of houses that aren’t built traditionally. That includes modular homes, or factory-made houses, that are assembled at the location where the homeowner will move in.

Polis touted a company from the mountain town of Buena Vista, saying it “can build a home in roughly 18 working days, compared to close to a year for traditionally built homes.”

Alone, 5,000 new homes over several years won’t make a huge dent, but the state is also armed with other new initiatives.

Proposition 123 requires state officials to set money aside for more affordable housing and related programs. The money could go toward grants and loans to local governments and nonprofits to acquire land for affordable housing developments. Funds could also go to help develop multifamily rentals, including apartments, and programs that help first-time homebuyers, among other efforts. As Proposition 123 ramps up, eventually about $300 million a year will be spent around the state on such efforts.

Polis’ office also highlighted how millions of dollars in federal economic recovery funds were spent amid the response to the coronavirus pandemic. In the last year, the state invested roughly $830 million into housing, including roughly $400 million based on funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act in programs passed by state lawmakers, including:

• Affordable-housing spending detailed in House Bill 22-1304, which provides grants to local governments and nonprofits toward investments in affordable housing and housing-related matters.

• A loan program under Senate Bill 22-159 to make investments in affordable housing.

• The loan and grant program under Senate Bill 22-160 to provide assistance and financing to mobile home owners seeking to organize and purchase their mobile home parks.

• The expansion of the “middle income access program” of the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority under Senate Bill 22146. The authority, a state entity, invests in affordable housing.

• The “Infrastructure and Strong Communities” program, also under House Bill 22-1304, to provide grants to enable local governments to invest in infrastructure projects that support affordable housing.

Those investments build upon an additional $460 million in emergency rental assistance, $180 million in homeowner assistance and $7 million in vouchers that Colorado also invested using federal funds, the governor’s office told CCM.

Polis portrayed housing as integral to the fabric of Colorado, placing it in the larger context of climate, economic and water policy.

“Building smart, efficient housing statewide, especially in urban communities and job centers, won’t just reduce costs, it will save energy, conserve our water, and protect the lands and wildlife that are so important to our Colorado way of life,” Polis said.

Beyond spending, zoning is an important tool that officials — from the governor to city leaders — are looking at tweaking in hopes of alleviating the rising cost of housing and its effects on communities.

State role in the mix

It’s a conversation that is older than many Coloradans. Making the case for new policies today, Polis harked back to changes from five decades ago.

“The last time Colorado made major land-use changes was in 1974 — before I, and most of you, were born,” Polis said. “We were a different state then.”

The governor’s office didn’t specify to CCM more about those changes, but at least two pieces of legislation arose that year that affected how local governments regulate how land is used.

Polis seemed to tease at the possibility of state intervention in how local communities govern housing.

“Since issues like transportation, water, energy, and more inherently cross jurisdictional boundaries, it becomes a statewide problem that truly impacts all of us,” Polis said.

He spoke of the need for more flexible zoning to allow more housing and “streamlined regulations that cut through red tape.” He touched on expedited approval processes for projects like modular housing, sustainable development and more building in transit-oriented communities.

The governor and his office also didn’t specify what changes

to zoning policy he would support or oppose. Polis has not said that he wants the state to require zoning changes in cities. Instead, the governor spoke about the state leaning in on an existing policy.

“We want to lean in to allowing local governments to use tools like inclusionary zoning to help create the right mix for their community, and I think that local input in design is very important,” Polis said in a Jan. 17 news conference, following his address.

So-called “inclusionary” housing policies typically ask property developers to set aside a percentage of units in new developments for affordable housing, although developers are given different options to fulfill those requirements, The Colorado Sun has reported.

The landscape of local governments’ power to affect housing affordability in Colorado saw a big change recently. In 2021, Polis signed state House Bill 211117, allowing cities to impose affordable housing requirements on new or redeveloped projects, so long as developers or property owners have alternatives.

For example, they could trade those for affordable units built elsewhere, pay a fee into an affordable housing fund, or any number of other options, the Sun reported.

It’s unclear whether Polis would support anything further than the existing allowance for cities to use inclusionary zoning.

As of late January, the governor was focused on gathering input to work with state lawmakers and develop a proposal on landuse policy. As of press deadline, no bill had been introduced.

‘Can’t expect to lose money’

Polis noted the wide gap that has opened between housing prices and people’s income over the last several decades, putting homeownership out of reach for many families.

More government spending on housing is part of the solution to affordability, experts told CCM, including Yonah Freemark, senior research associate at the nonprofit Urban Institute, based in Washington, D.C.

“Assuming that we can rely entirely on the private market to address the affordable housing need is, I think, unrealistic and unlikely to address the needs of the people who have the lowest incomes,” Freemark said.

Ron Throupe, associate professor of real estate at the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver, said “it’s inevitable” that government must provide the needed funding to bolster the supply side of the housing market.

“We do things (on) the supply side, but it’s not enough,” Throupe said. “And you can’t expect a developer to build something and lose money.”

Spending from higher levels of government could benefit in particular the suburbs, which are struggling with housing affordability but have less political appetite to tackle the problem

themselves, Freemark said.

“Ultimately, the most exclusionary places, which are often suburbs, have no incentive to invest in affordable housing” because “they don’t see affordable housing as (needed) by their residents,” Freemark said.

That said, creating housing affordability for key workers like teachers, police and firefighters is an important part of the puzzle for communities, Throupe said.

“You lose your teachers, and then you lose the quality of your schools, and it hurts the area. Same with police and fire,” Throupe said.

In the larger business community, housing plays a crucial role too, Polis said.

“Coloradans have to be able to afford to live in our communities where they can earn a good living, and companies need to be able to find the workers they need to thrive,” he said in the speech.

‘We are not California’

The governor’s one-liner when speaking about housing — “We are not California. We are Colorado” — raises the question of where the state could be headed if it doesn’t change course. Net migration, the difference between the number of people coming into and the number of people leaving an area, has long been positive in Colorado. In 2015, net migration was about 69,000 people, according to the State Demography Office. Although the number reached a recent pre-pandemic low in 2019 with about 34,000, newcomers are still flowing in.

“There are (home) buyers moving in from out of state, and many of them come from higher-priced areas, so they don’t have sticker shocks,” Throupe said, speaking to the sustained high demand and high prices in metro Denver.

Looking to the future, Throupe doesn’t think the metro Denver housing market is on a similar trajectory that large metro areas such as New York City and San Francisco have experienced in terms of high housing prices.

“New York is a coastal city and a financial center — same with (several) California (cities), San Francisco. We’ll never be that. We’re our own animal,” Throupe said.

“The choice between those cities and Denver pricing-wise has been extreme; it’ll tighten up. It’ll never be their prices, but it’ll tighten up,” Throupe added.

Freemark noted that geographically, Denver has less of a physical barrier to new construction than in places like San Francisco — and that New York City is largely surrounded by water.

Rogers, the teaching assistant professor in the program for environmental design at CU Boulder, described the metro Denver housing market’s future in terms of uncertainty.

“ I think that we are in a place we’ve never been before, so I can’t extrapolate the future from that,” Rogers said. “I feel like we’re in unknown waters.”

The Missing Middle: Cities where six-figure salaries can’t buy homes

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Aldjia Oudachene’s Littleton home is “a wish come true.”

e house is close to the school bus stop, near work and even has a guest room where Oudachene’s father stays when he visits.

“We have good neighbors who have children the same age, so they play together and I’m so happy here,” Oudachene said.

Originally from Tizi Ouzou, Algeria, Oudachene, her husband and two children moved to Littleton in October 2020. In Algeria, Oudachene’s family lived in a house they could a ord on her and her husband’s incomes as French teachers. When they moved to Littleton, Oudachene said it was a challenge.

“When we came here, we started our life from nothing,” she said. “Here, to teach French, I have to learn English rst.”

To make ends meet, Oudachene and her husband took full-time positions with Walmart, but, even then, the high cost of housing put homeownership outside of their budget. Instead, they rented a two-bedroom apartment.

“With the apartment, life was stressful for us,” she said. “ ere wasn’t a lot of space and no place for (the children) to play.”

Oudachene’s family needed more space and privacy. So they kept looking for a house. Oudachene said her family friend told her about Habitat for Humanity. e national nonpro t vision is a “world where everyone has a decent place to live.” And a ordability is a major part of the organization’s vision.

e application process took about a year, but Oudachene said there was no way her family would have a house without Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver’s help. In the end, the organization provided an opportunity for the family to invest in a home within their budget.

“We would have had to wait to have the budget without Habitat,” she said. “It was so fast. Now, I’m happy to pay

the mortgage because it goes into our home.”

From 2017 to 2022, the average home price in Littleton has gone up $300,000, but the city is not alone. Over the same period, Brighton saw home prices increase $225,000, Arvada saw a $275,000 increase and Lone Tree homes are up more than $470,000 on average.

As nding a ordable housing becomes harder for a growing number of Colorado families, municipalities and nonpro ts are looking to expand existing solutions like inclusionary zoning, community land trusts and deed restrictions.

Communities that have implemented one or more of these approaches report increasing their a ordable housing stock, though o cials emphasized that the complexity of Colorado’s housing situation means there is no silver bullet.

However, across the board, a key element to getting support for the expansion of a ordable housing programs is changing the mindset of who bene ts from them.

Supply, but for whom?

Another impact of rising housing costs throughout the metro area, many communities are reaching a critical point where a majority of workers can’t a ord to live where they’re employed.

Corey Reitz, the executive director for South Metro Housing Options, an a ordable housing provider that serves Littleton and Arapahoe County, said housing prices are now una ordable even for people who take home a solid paycheck. at includes earners topping $82,000, the median household income in Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas and Je erson counties, according to data from the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority.

“In the past there was an a ordability issue around those lower (area median incomes), but we’re to a point right now where a ordability impacts so many people across a larger spectrum,” Reitz said.

Across the state, the share of housing a ordable to Coloradans has dropped

signi cantly. In 2021, just 51% of the state’s housing stock was a ordable for median income earners. at’s down from 76% in 2015, according to research from the Colorado Futures Center, a nonpartisan research group out of Colorado State University.

Phyllis Resnick and Jennifer Newcomer, the authors of the study, said they believe the continuous rise in pricing, even as the housing supply grows, indicates a mismatch in the kind of housing needed and the kind of housing being built.

“ ere’s supply, but supply for who? At what monetary level?” Newcomer asked.

It looks like this: subdivisions of fourand ve-bedroom homes, handfuls of luxury apartments and few, if any, condos and starter homes.

“ e thing that we’re trying to gure out how to illuminate most speci cally is this nuanced distinction between total rooftops and this notion of supply with respect to availability,” Newcomer said.

Resnick said the current market doesn’t incentivize the construction of lower-cost housing. Per her 2021 analysis, housing values in Colorado would need to drop by roughly onethird to return to the 2015 levels of a ordability – something unlikely to happen, experts have told Colorado Community Media throughout our four-week housing series.

e ones feeling the crunch the most are those who earn the least money, though many of those struggling to a ord housing have above-average salaries.

“I suspect when we nish our research, we’re going to nd that housing that is a ordable to people who are closer to the economic margins is sort of not feasible in the sense of being pro table for the folks who need to be out there building that housing,” Resnick said.

A Golden gap

Without the market providing entry-level housing or starter homes,

nonpro ts and local governments have stepped in to try to ll the gap by subsidizing building and buying costs.

An extreme example is the city of Golden, where 95% of its workforce lives outside city limits.

Just this month, the city applied for a grant to support a $65 million partnership with Habitat for Humanity to construct 120 for-sale condos and townhomes for residents making 80% of the area median income for households. at’s roughly $65,000 for an individual and around $93,000 for a family of four.

Golden recently completed a housing needs assessment in October, which found that both housing prices and rent increased exponentially in less than a decade. e cost of the average house in the city doubled between 2015 and 2022. For the rst half of 2022, the average single-family home sold for $1 million, up from $533,000 in 2015.

is means even relatively highincome earners in Golden are considered by the city to be burdened by housing costs.

“ e majority of the housing that we’re projected to need in the next 10 years will need to serve households at or above 120% area median income,” Golden Housing Coordinator Janet Maccubbin said. “So you’re looking at households that would make well into six gures and yet there’s not housing that exists for them in Golden.”

Maccubbin said the newly formed A ordable Housing Committee is expected to meet in February and will begin to shape the city’s response and goals for addressing housing needs.

To see more of our housing series online please visit: ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

Thu 2/09

Colorado Symphony Orchestra @ 7:30pm

Mon 2/13

Valentine's Day Biscuits & Gravy Breakfast (2/14)

@ 3:30pm

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

2023 USA Curling Men’s & Women’s National Championships

@ 9am Denver Coliseum, 4600 Humboldt Street, Denver

Hammond's Candy Factory Tour (2/9)

@ 3:45pm

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

Boettcher Hall, 1000 14th Street, Denver

Sat 2/11

Family Fun Friday- Try ‘N Escape @ 1am

Feb 11th - Feb 10th

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

Valentine's Day cupcake decorating @ 5pm

Anythink Huron Street, 9417 Huron Street, Thornton. swhitelonis@any thinklibraries.org, 303-452-7534

Survivalist Seekers @ 8pm

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

Tue 2/14

Bally's Casino @ 3:14pm Fort Lupton Recreation & Parks De‐partment, 203 S Harrison, Fort Lupton. 303-857-4200

Simple Steps To Boost Your Immune System (2/15) @ 6pm

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

Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks @ 7pm / $59-$3970 Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver

Sweet Trip Outing @ 7pm Fort Lupton Recreation & Parks De‐partment, 203 S Harrison, Fort Lupton. 303-857-4200

Thu 2/16

Nature Photography @ 12am

Feb 16th - Feb 25th

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

Drunken Hearts: Andrew McConathy

@ 6pm

Odde's Music Grill, 9975 Wadsworth Pkwy N2, Westminster

Lunch & Movie

@ 7pm Fort Lupton Recreation & Parks De‐partment, 203 S Harrison, Fort Lupton. 303-857-4200

Fri 2/10

Crafty Corner (2/10)

@ 5pm

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-289-

3760

Bald Eagle Tour @ 9am Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Pica‐dilly Road, Brighton. dnr_barrlake_ naturecenter@state.co.us, 303659-6005

Teens: Urban Air @ 7pm Fort Lupton Community / Recreation Cen‐ter, 203 S. Harrison Avenue, Fort Lupton. 303-857-4200

Sun 2/12

Teen Try 'N Escape - Cupid's Challenge @ 1:30am

Feb 12th - Feb 11th

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

Monster Jam

@ 7pm / $23-$75

Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver

Brighton Music Choir & Orchestra Concert (2/12) @ 10:15pm

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

Colorado Avalanche vs. Tampa Bay Lightning @ 7pm / $69-$999

Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver

Valentine Cookie Exchange & Movie @ 8pm Fort Lupton Recreation & Parks De‐partment, 203 S Harrison, Fort Lupton. 303-857-4200

Family Sports Jam - Colorado Avalanche @ 11:15pm

Feb 14th - Feb 15th

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

Wed 2/15

Birding for All - February @ 10am / Free Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Picadilly Rd, Brighton. 303-659-4348 ext. 53

All About Raptors @ 9am / Free Bird Conservancy's Environmental Learning Center, 14500 Lark Bunting Lane, Brighton. 303-6594348 ext. 53

CHSAA State Wrestling Championships - Session 1 @ 12pm / $15

Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver

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Fort Lupton sophomore finds motivation in team, family

BY JUAN ARELLANO SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

For many kids, nding the right motivation to continue practicing a sport can be a challenge. Such was the case for Uriel “Cookie” Leon.

Last year, he was not sure if he’d continue the wrestling journey that he started at a young age.

“As time went on it wasn’t as fun. But with my team it’s really fun,” he said With a shy but friendly attitude, the sophomore said that this year he felt a bit similar going into the season but that it was easier for him to overcome that obstacle and power through it.

“My parents really motivate me. Another reason why I’m wrestling this year, for sure, is because of the seniors I wrestled with when I was in sixth grade and they were eighth-graders. Now it’s their senior year, so I just wanted to nish it with them,” Leon said

“We had to talk him to it [continue wrestling], his parents talked him to it,” said FLHS wrestling coach Tom Galicia. “He ended up going to summer camp with us, he enjoyed it and now he’s really working hard towards wrestling.”

At 113 pounds, “Cookie” -as mostly everybody calls him -- has seen the improvements on the mat from his freshman year.

“He’s been getting better throughout the year little by

little. You saw he went 1-1 tonight (Feb. 1 in a triangular meet against Skyview and Elizabeth high schools). But when he’s on re, he’s good to go,” Galicia said. “‘Cookie’ has improved on his mat awareness, where he’s at on the mat and how to nish when he gets a kid on his back.”

Leon lost a tough match against Elizabeth’s Cooper Dunn,  who is ranked in the top 5 in the state by On the Mat Magazine, but pinned Skyview’s Mario Macias in his second match of the night.

“My rst match, it happens,” Leon said. “He [Dunn] is really good, just better than me. My second match, I went in there with a di erent mindset, not being scared. And it was a better outcome for the second one.”

FLHS heads for Eaton High School and a two-day regional tournament. e top four nishers in each weight class advance to the state meet. With the end of the regular season around the corner, Leon, as well as the rest of the team, are con dent that they can take the next step.

“In regionals, those are the type of guys he’s going to have to battle with, the Elizabeth. It’s those kids so he can qualify for state. So we are going to have to get past those type of guys,” Galicia said.

“I just really need to get my mindset there, start eating right, practicing harder and being on point fully,” Leon said.

FLHS SWEEPS TRIANGULAR MEET

Fort Lupton won both ends of its triangular meet against Elizabeth and Skyview high schools

Feb. 1.

FLHS beat Skyview 66-15. On-mat winners for the Bluedevils were Uriel “Cookie” Leon (113 pounds), Cameron Reeves (120), Danny Ridriguez (144), Christopher Galicia (165), Alex Mata

(175), Camren Galicia (190) and Jovanni Carleton (285).

The Bluedevils also beat the Cardinals by a score of 66-13. Contested-match winners for Fort Lupton were Josiah Gonzales 9q26), Xzavier Aragon (132), Royce Guerrero (150), Christopher Galicia (165), Camren Galicia (190) and Kayden Derbigny (215).

Frederick’s Purcell commits to Wyoming

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e combination of schooling, football and family ties at the University of Wyoming was too much for Frederick’s Lafai Purcell to ignore. He announced his commitment on Twitter, and he’ll sign his letter of intent in early May.

“I chose Wyoming because it has a great sports medicine program, and I’m looking forward to it,” he

said. “Wyoming has always had my heart. It’s where my uncle (Mike Purcell) played, and my sister (Lilli Martin) is one of the cheer coaches there. It’s been a big place for my family, and it’s been my dream to go here since I was little.”

e Golden Eagles advanced to the second round of the state playo s last season. In nine games. Purcell caught ve passes for 45 yards. He also accounted for 32 total tackles. All but one

were solo e orts.

“I was able to go on a visit during football season and meet a lot of the coaches and people I would be around,” Purcell said. “I will have another visit coming up here in the next couple of months.”

Other schools had some interest “but no one who really caught my eye like Wyoming did.”

His plan is to study chi-

Frederick’s Lafai Purcell said he plans to sign a letter of intent with the University of Wyoming.

Fort Lupton’s Uriel “Cookie” Leon takes down Standley Lake’s Paul Lopez during their dual meet in January.

Uriel “Cookie” Leon. Fort Lupton’s 113-pounder, celebrates his victory against Standley Lake Jan. 11.

PHOTOS BY JUAN ARELLANO

Fort Lupton’s Gonzales chooses Garden City CC

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Fort Lupton’s Sammy Gonzales put pen to paper Feb. 1 and signed a letter of intent to play softball and study at Garden City, Kan., Community College.

e reason was pretty simple.

“Garden City was close to home,” she said. “It was a smaller school for me. at’s what I needed. I had softball there, too. It’s very good. I like being close to my family, and this is my rst time being away from home. I chose to be close.”

She drew some interest from Northeastern Junior College in Sterling and Kansas Technical College.

“ e visit (to Garden City) sealed the deal,” Gonzales said. “ e coach (Amy Schmeckpeper) was convincing. She was like, ‘I’m going to make you better.’ I’m going to learn more there and play better at the next level. She’s someone I can count on.”

e Bluedevils were 20-7 last season and advanced to the second round of the state 3A softball playo s. Gonzales batted .395 with 32 RBIs and 13 extra-base hits. She wants to study applied science with the goal of a job in radiology.

“My mom brought it up,” Gonzales said. “She was like, ‘Why don’t you try this?’ I got more into it and got interested in it. I want to be a stenography tech and a radiology tech. I’ll get into both of them eventually.”

Gonzales also pitched for FLHS this season. She threw 139 innings and had an earned-run average of 2.42. She struck out 185 batters and walked just 41.

“I’m scared, nervous and excited,” she said. “I’m really nervous. I’ll be away from my family. ey won’t be a phone call away. And college is so much di erent, from what I hear. I think the change will be good. I can grow on my own and learn more things, build my future.”

Fort Lupton’s Mendoza signs on with NE Community College

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Like a lot of high-school seniors, Fort Lupton’s Rozzie Mendoza wants to get out on her own, which is one reason she signed a letter of intent to play softball and study at Sterling, Kan., College.

“I really love the community. It’s small, which is something I’m used to coming from Fort Lupton,” she said. “ e environment was really nice. e players and the coaches were very welcoming when I went for my visit.”

Her o cial visit to the school was in July.

“I knew in advance. I built a relationship with the coach (Taylor Stoltz) previously,” Mendoza said. “I kind of knew that was my rst option. e visit tied it in. Some of my new teammates, I play with in summer travel ball. I’ll play against them in the summer, then I’ll play with them in the fall.”

Regis and Friends universities showed some interest during Mendoza’s recruiting process.

“I did want to go farther from home to see what life would be

PURCELL

ropractic medicine and get an advanced degree. He was looking at jobs in sports medicine and thought his eld of study sounded interesting. His dream may get in the way of professional interests – at least at rst.

“I have the dream, like most players, to get into the NFL,” he said. “But I know the chances of that happening aren’t very high. But if that doesn’t work, then I’ll try and

like without my family,” she said. “I wanted to prepare myself for the real world. I just want to see what’s out there.”

Mendoza batted .446 in Fort Lupton’s 27 games last year. She drove in 22 runs, and 11 of her 29 hits went for extra bases. She wants to study athletic training. A big goal is to be an athletic trainer in college. She’d be happy with a similar job at a high school but away from Colorado.

“I’ve been around it all the time,” she said. “Injuries, being sore all the time. It just sparked an interest.” e pandemic played two parts in her recruiting e orts.

“Being at home made me realize what I’m missing,” she said. “I play on a traveling team. It was hard not to travel. We only played in Wyoming, but we only played there twice. at was the most traveling we did. COVID came the year we usually start recruiting.”

Mendoza is a combination of scared, nervous and excited about what lies ahead.

“De nitely all three,” she said. “I’m more excited. I’m very eager to play in college and see the new environment I’m going to be in.”

become a chiropractor.”

As was the case with a lot of highschool athletes over the past three years, the pandemic disrupted Purcell’s recruiting e orts.

“ e pandemic played a lot because it killed my sophomore season and I couldn’t have a full season,” he said. “Also. it was hard to train and everything to get better.”

In the end, things worked out just ne.

“I’m nervous to be playing with the best of the best and, now, it’s going to be harder,” Purcell said. “But I’m excited and ready for the journey.”

Girls soccer

Kyle Reddy is the new girls soccer coach at Fort Lupton High School. He’s the head coach of the Bluedevils’ boys soccer program for three years. FLHS has advanced to the state playo s the past three years.

Football

Here’s the list of all-state players through CHSAANow.com, MaxPreps and ColoradoPreps.com:

In class 3A, Frederick’s Cruz

Fort Lupton High School

Girls basketball

Bennett beat Fort Lupton 61-27 on the Tigers’ oor Feb. 4. No stats were available for either team.

Denver School of Science-Technology/Montview beat Fort Lupton 4834 in Denver Feb. 2 behind 15 points from Kaliyah Toliver-Simpson. No stats were available for FLHS.

Arrupe Jesuit beat Fort Lupton 71-25 in Fort Lupton Jan. 31. Karen Alvarez scored 22 points for the Generals. Destiney Gallegos added 17. No stats were available for the Bluedevils.

Boys basketball

Coach Jim Roedel’s beard is intact. His Fort Lupton High School boys basketball team won its 16th straight game Feb. 4 by beating Bennett 70-

Zamudio and Will Triplett were second-team choices. Kooper Anderson was an honorable-mention choice.

In class 2A, Fort Lupton’s Kayden Derbigny earned honorable-mention honors.

Youth sports

e city of Fort Lupton needs third- through eighth-graders for its girls volleyball program. Practice begins the week of Monday, March 6. e season begins Saturday,

March 18, and concludes Saturday, April 29. e early bird fee is $60, payable by Saturday, Feb. 11. e fee increases to $75 afterwards. Questions? Call 303-857-4200.

Lifeguard training

e city of Fort Lupton will o er lifeguard training from March 19 to March 24.It’s open to anyone older than age 15.

Participants have to attend every class to receive American Red Cross certi -

SPORTS SCORECARD

32. No stats were available for either team.

e 15th straight win was a 76-74 overtime triumph at Denver School of Science-Technology-Montview

Feb. 2. No stats were available. Fort Lupton’s win streak reached 14 games Jan. 31. e most recent win was a 66-34 home- oor win over Arrupe Jesuit Jan. 31. No stats were available for either team.

Girls wrestling

Poudre had just enough to beat Fort Lupton 42-40 in Fort Lupton

Feb. 2.

On-mat winners for the Bluedevils were Genevieve Hunt (125 pounds) and Valeria Villalobos (130), Fort Lupton got past Severance 45-30 on the Golden Knights’ mats

Jan. 31.

On-mat winners for the Bluedevils

were Hunt and Villalobos, together with Aneesa Chavez (140) and Lashya Tijerina (155).

Frederick High School

Girls basketball

Riverdale Ridge beat Frederick 6236 in ornton Feb. 4. No stats were available for either team.

Roosevelt beat Frederick 58-39 on the Golden Eagles’ oor Feb. 2. No stats were available for either team.

Northridge stopped Frederick 47-38 in Frederick Jan. 31. Katy Jo Werner scored 14 points for the Grizzlies. Rylee Beck had 11, and Savanna Amack scored 10. Peyton Pack led the Golden Eagles with 13 points. Savanna Sta added 11.

Boys basketball

Riverdale Ridge snapped Freder-

cation. Call 303-857-4200, ext. 6164, or email dcook@fortluptonco.gov.

Cinco de Mayo 5K

is year’s Cinco de Mayo 5K run will be at 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 5, at Railroad Park, across the street from the Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave.

Live music and prizes are part of the agenda as well. Visit https:// fortluptonco.gov/775/Cinco-deMayo-5K.

ick’s 18-game winning streak Feb. 4 by beating the Golden Eagles 75-74 in ornton.

e Ravens outscored Fredrick 1914 in the fourth quarter to pick up the win. No stats were available for either team.

Frederick remained unbeaten through 18 games this season after beating Roosevelt 76-50 in Frederick Feb. 2. Bowie Schultz led the Roughriders with 18 points. Seppe Salvatore added 11. No stats were available for FHS.

Frederick’s 17th straight win was against Northridge by a count of 88-55 on the Golden Eagles’ oor Jan. 31.

Luke Justice poured in 26 points for Frederick. Harry Singh added 17. Zak Van soest led the Grizzlies with 14 points. Drake Walker tossed in nine.

Amazon put workers at risk at Aurora warehouse

BY JOSHUA PERRY THE COLORADO SUN

Amazon faces new nes for workplace violations at its Aurora facility and several other warehouses nationwide, according to citations issued Wednesday by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

OSHA cited Amazon for “unsafe conditions and ergonomic hazards” in Aurora as part of an ongoing federal investigation that also cited warehouses in Castleton, New York and Nampa, Idaho. e proposed ne totals $46,875.

e announcement follows the conclusion of similar investigations of three Amazon warehouses in Waukegan, Illinois; Deltona, Florida; and New Windsor, New York that resulted in similar citations totaling $60,269 in proposed nes.

Although citations have been issued, the investigation of workplace safety in Colorado, New York and Idaho warehouses, which began Aug. 1, is ongoing and subject to change. OSHA investigations usually must report ndings after six months, but on Monday a judge extended the deadline to April 18.

e investigation of all six sites has been the largest enforcement of ergonomic safety compliance ever, OSHA said in a Jan. 18 news release.

Ergonomic safety hazards increase the risk of musculoskeletal disor-

ders, or MSDs, by exposing employees to situations like “lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body postures and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively,” according to OSHA’s de nition.

In the past, ergonomic safety violations have often been di cult for OSHA to address. No established legal standard exists for enforcing ergonomic safety, said Eric Frumin, health and safety director of the Strategic Organizing Center, a coalition of labor unions. Frumin said previous attempts to establish a legal standard for ergonomic safety have faced powerful corporate opposition. is recent e ort by OSHA is unprecedented, he said.

“ ey’ve been investigating a lot of companies, big companies, with di erent kinds of problems over the years, and they have never had an investigation of this magnitude,” Frumin said.

OSHA’s investigation discovered high rates of MSDs among Amazon workers. According to the o cial citation, employees at the Aurora warehouse work in an environment that puts them at signi cant risk for developing MSDs from “repetitive lifting and carrying, twisting, bending and long reaches and combinations thereof.”

e safety of working conditions in Amazon warehouses has

been contested by labor advocates for years. A 2020 investigation by Reveal, the Bay Area investigative journalism organization, pored through internal safety records and found that serious injuries at Amazon warehouses had increased 33% in three years, nearly double the industry standard at the time.

Amazon said that it intends to appeal the OSHA citations.

“We take the safety and health of our employees very seriously, and we don’t believe the government’s allegations re ect the reality of safety at our sites,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said. “We’ve cooperated with the government through its investigation and have demonstrated how we work to mitigate risks and keep our people safe, and our publicly available data show we reduced injury rates in the U.S. nearly 15% between 2019 and 2021.”

OSHA also cited Amazon with 14 violations for improper recordkeeping in the company’s injury reports during the rst round of investigation in December, levying $29,008 more in possible nes.

No Amazon workers are unionized in Colorado — the only unionized Amazon warehouse is in Staten Island, New York. e Amazon Labor Union tried to organize at a warehouse in Albany, New York, but employees voted no to a union in October. E orts to organize service

workers from Apple to Starbucks last year were met with mixed results. Several Starbucks stores in Colorado have voted to unionize, but contracts are still under negotiation.

Amazon employs more than 20,000 full- and part-time workers in Colorado. Many work in the warehouses and as ful llment center workers. A number are also employed at the 22 Whole Foods Market grocery stores around the state.

e company opened its rst warehouse in Colorado in 2016. e Aurora facility, known as DEN5, is where the latest OSHA citations were issued. Workers at the facility sort already sealed packages and then route them by ZIP code to local post o ces for faster delivery to Colorado customers. Its rst ful llment center opened in 2018, also in Aurora, followed by another in ornton where employees are assisted by robots. A Colorado Springs warehouse opened in 2021. e company is also constructing a new ful llment center in Loveland.

is story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun. com. e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

CROWSSUPDRO ELZZ

©

TRIVIA

1. ART: Where is the Prado Museum located?

2. GEOGRAPHY: What is the only country that the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn pass through?

3. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin phrase “tempus fugit” mean?

4. MATH: What is another name for the division sign?

5. MUSIC: How long did it take singer Bob Dylan to write the big hit “Blowin’ in the Wind”?

6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: How many times on average does a ruby-throated hummingbird ap its wings in one second?

7. MOVIES: Which movie features the line, “Keep the change, ya lthy animal”?

8. LITERATURE: Which novel features four children named Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy?

Solution

9. TELEVISION: What is Joey’s famous line in the sitcom “Friends”?

10. ANATOMY: What is a common name for the pinna in human anatomy?

Answers

1. Madrid, Spain.

2. Brazil.

3. Time ies.

4. Obelus.

5. 10 minutes, according to Dylan.

6. About 50 times.

7. “Home Alone.”

8. “ e Lion, e Witch and the Wardrobe.”

9. “How you doin’?”

10. Outer ear.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Crossword Solution

NOW HERE’S A TIP

* Save smaller bits of leftover veggies in a large freezer-safe container or bag, in the freezer. When it’s full, make vegetable soup.

* “Be sure you use bathroom fans correctly, turning on to remove steam, but turning o to keep from pumping out heat. is is equally important in the summer, when you pump out valuable cooled air. Many people don’t think of fans this way, and they end up running for hours.” -- R.D. in Mississippi

* Keep salt or baking soda by the stove for small quick cleanups. A good dose of salt will stop an egg from running all over the place. Dip a damp cloth in baking soda for a handy scrub. Although a handful of either might work in a pinch on a small are-up on the stove, you should have a re extinguisher close by for res.

* “I used to comb through my last year’s calendar for important yearly dates when transferring them to the new

year’s calendar. is year I have gotten smart. At the end of the month, before turning the page, I have highlighted the items I would want to put in next year’s calendar. When I look back, I will not have to search through all the entries for the good stu .” -- U.L. in Ohio

* “I just spent a lot of time cleaning my mother’s bathtub in a long-neglected bathroom. To keep it from mildewing, I used paste wax to protect the walls. You can use car wax for the same purpose, and many people know about this helpful tip. But I wanted to add a caution: walls only. Especially if you have an elderly resident (or a child), do not wax the inside of the tub, and make sure to have a nonslip mat in the tub at all times.” -- A daughter in Oregon

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

FLASHBACK

1. Which group released “Takin’ Care of Business”?

2. Who were Marisa, Merlina, Tony, Benny and Nino?

3. Name the group that released “FreezeFrame.”

4. Who released an album titled “Disco Train”?

5. Name the song that contains these lyrics: “Maybe I don’t wanna know the reason why, But lately you don’t talk to me, Darling I can’t see me in your eyes.”

Answers

1. Bachman-Turner Overdrive in 1973. Randy Bachman had started playing with ideas for the song when he was still a member of e Guess Who.

2. e DeFranco Family. eir best known hit was “Heartbeat, It’s a Lovebeat,” in 1973. ey were on Dick Clark’s

“American Bandstand” nine times.

3. e J. Geils Band, in 1981, on the album of the same name. e song charted around the world.

4. Donny Osmond, in 1976. His cover of “C’mon Marianne” was the one song from the album released as a single, and it only went to No. 38. e Four Seasons’ original 1967 release had climbed to No.

9.

5. “(Our Love) Don’t row It All Away,” by Andy Gibb in 1978. Written by his brother Barry, it was Andy’s fth Top 10 single. Others have covered the song, including Barbra Streisand in 2005.

(c) 2023 King Features Syndicate

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State park visitation dropped o in 2022

BY PAOLO ZIALCITA COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO

Hiking was slightly less popular at Colorado’s state parks in 2022.

During the pandemic, visitors ocked to Colorado’s state parks, shattering visitation records by millions.

With about 19.5 million visitors in 2020, Colorado Parks and Wildlife recorded a nearly 31 percent increase in annual visitors compared to the previous year.

Although stay-at-home orders expired in 2021, even more people visited

the state’s 42 parks that year — a new record of about 19.9 million visitors.

But last year, enthusiasm for the outdoors waned ever so slightly. About 18.2 million visitors entered Colorado’s state parks in 2022, a nearly 9 percent decrease from the previous year.

Joey Livingston, a statewide public information o cer for CPW, said the decrease isn’t a cause for concern for the agency. ey believe the number of visitors is settling to a new baseline.

“What we’re seeing in 2022 is more of a return to what normal levels would

be pre-pandemic,” Livingston said. “We have our new Keep Colorado Wild Pass that just started in January, and so we’re also hoping that more people are gonna have cheaper access to be able to go to the state parks. e hope is to keep those visitation numbers high.”

Visitation statistics are approximations made by CPW. Livingston said they track park pass sales and the number of vehicles that enter the park, which means they might underestimate the number of people inside each car. However, CPW has used the same

measuring system for years, so the numbers are re ective of the overall pattern.

Lake Pueblo was Colorado’s most popular state park in 2022, repeating a consistent trend established over the years. However, the number of visitors at the lake dropped by over a million last year, from 4.6 million to 3.5 million. Other popular state parks, like Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora and Golden Gate Canyon State Park northwest of

Legals

Metropolitan Districts

Public Notice

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

SOUTH WELD METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly, to the eligible electors of South Weld Metropolitan District (“District”) of Weld County, Colorado.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the District will conduct a regular election on the 2nd day of May, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, (3) three directors will be elected for a 4-year term and (0) zero directors will be elected for a 2-year term.

In order to be a candidate for one of the director positions, a qualified individual must submit a Self-Nomination and Acceptance Form. Eligible electors of the District interested in serving on the Board of Directors may obtain a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form from the District’s Designated Election Official (DEO):

Katie Stahl, DEO kstahl@spencerfane.com

Spencer Fane LLP 1700 Lincoln Street, Ste. 2000 Denver, CO 80203 Phone: 303-839-3703

The Self-Nomination and Acceptance Form must be returned to the Designated Election Official by close of business (5:00 p.m. MST) on Friday, February 24, 2023. The form should be emailed to kstahl@spencerfane.com . If the designated election official determines that a self-nomination and acceptance form is not sufficient, the eligible elector who submitted the form may amend the form at any time prior to the close of business on the day of the deadline.

Affidavit of Intent To Be A Write-In-Candidate forms must be submitted to the office of the Designated Election Official by the close of business on Monday, February 27, 2023.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that an application for an absentee ballot may be filed with the Designated Election Official, at the contact information referenced above, no later than the close of business on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

SOUTH WELD METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

Katie Stahl, Designated Election Official

Legal Notice No. FLP795

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

Public Notice

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

FORT LUPTON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly, to the eligible electors of the Fort Lupton Fire Protection District (“District”) of Weld County, Colorado.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a polling place election will be held on the 2nd day of May, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, three directors will be elected to serve four-year terms on the Board of Directors.

In order to be a candidate for one of the director positions, a qualified individual must submit a Self-Nomination and Acceptance Form. SelfNomination and Acceptance Forms are available from Allyson Tkadlec, Designated Election Official of the District. Contact information is as follows:

Allyson Tkadlec

Denver Avenue, Fort Lupton, CO 80621

303-857-4603 Phone 303-857-6619 Fax atkadlec@ftluptonfire.com

The Self-Nomination and Acceptance Form must be returned to the Designated Election Official by close of business on Friday, February, 24, 2023.

A Self-Nomination and Acceptance Form that is not sufficient may be amended or corrected at any time before close of business, on Friday, February, 24, 2023. Earlier submittal is encouraged as the deadline will not permit correcting a form that is deemed insufficient

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that application for an absentee ballot may be filed with Allyson Tkadlec, Designated Election Official, at the contact information referenced above, no later than the close of business on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

FORT LUPTON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

Allyson Tkadlec, Designated Election Official

Legal Notice No. FLP794

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

Public Notice

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR VINCENT VILLAGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly to the electors of the Vincent Village Metropolitan District of Weld County, Colorado.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a regular election will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, three (3) directors will be elected to serve a fouryear term and one (1) director will be elected to serve a two-year term.

Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms are available from Sarah H. Luetjen, the Designated Election Official for the District, at email: sluetjen@ cegrlaw.com. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms must be filed with the Designated Election Official for the District at the above email address not less than 67 days prior to the election (Friday, February 24, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.).

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots may be filed with the Designated Election Official of the District at the above address during normal business hours, until the close of business on the Tuesday immediately preceding the election (Tuesday, April 25, 2023). All absentee ballots must be returned to the Designated Election Official by 7:00 p.m. on election day.

VINCENT VILLAGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By:/s/ Sarah H. Luetjen

Designated Election Official

Legal Notice No. FLP797

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

Metropolitan District No. 1,” from “Highway 119

Metropolitan District No. 6” to “Whispering Waters

Metropolitan District No. 2,” from “Highway 119

Metropolitan District No. 7” to “Whispering Waters

Metropolitan District No. 3,” from “Highway 119

Metropolitan District No. 8” to “Whispering Waters

Metropolitan District No. 4,” from “Highway 119

Metropolitan District No. 9” to “Whispering Waters

Metropolitan District No. 5,” and from “Highway 119 Metropolitan District No. 10” to “Whispering Waters Metropolitan District No. 6.”

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that, pursuant to and in accordance with § 32-1-207(3), C.R.S., any action to enjoin such activity must be brought within forty-five (45) days from publication of this notice on February 8, 2023. Thus, the deadline for any such action is March 27, 2023.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Boards of Directors of Highway 119 Metropolitan District Nos. 4-10, Weld County, Colorado, has authorized this notice to be given.

By: WHITE BEAR ANKELE TANAKA & WALDRON

Attorneys at Law General Counsel to the Districts

Legal Notice No. FLP799

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

Summons and Sheriff Sale

Public Notice

District Court Weld County, Colorado Court Address: 901 9th Avenue Greeley, CO 80631

Plaintiff: WILLOW STATION PARTNERS LLC, a Colorado limited liability company v.

Defendants: WILLOW STATION, LTD., a Colorado limited partnership, and ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS ACTION.

Case Number: 2022CV30851

Attorney for Plaintiff Karsh Gabler Call PC Alan E. Karsh, #1620 Fred Gabler, #8978 1658 Cole Blvd., Bldg. 6, Suite G10 Lakewood, CO 80401

Phone Number: 303-759-9686

E-mail: akarsh@karshgabler.com

fgabler@karshgabler.com

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANT ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS ACTION

You are hereby summoned and required to appear and defend against the claims of the complaint filed with the court in this action, by filing with the clerk of this court an answer or other response. You are required to file your answer or other response within thirty-five (35) days after the service of this summons upon you. Service of this summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication. A copy of the complaint may be obtained from the clerk of the court.

If you fail to file your answer or other response to the complaint in writing within thirty-five (35) days after the date of the last publication, judgment by default may be rendered against you by the court for the relief demanded in the complaint without further notice.

described real property in Weld County, Colorado:

Parcel A:

A part of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 13, Township 5 North, Range 66 West of the 6th P.M., County of Weld, State of Colorado, and being more particularly described as follows:

Commencing at the Southeast corner of said Section 13, and considering the East line of said Section 13 as bearing North 00°26’00” East, and with all other bearings contained herein relative thereto; thence North 00°26’00” East, along said East line and the center line of 23rd Avenue, 578.90 feet; thence North 89°34’00” West, 50 feet to the True Point of Beginning, said point being the intersection of the West right of way line of 23rd Avenue and the North right of way line of 27th Street; thence continuing North 89°34’00” West, along said North right of way line of 27th Street, 671.00 feet; thence North 00°26’00” East, 203.10 feet; thence North 23°35’43” East, 58.48 feet; thence North 00°26’00” East, 104.00 feet; thence South 89°34’00” East, 47.92 feet; thence South 89°35’22” East, 600.08 feet to a point on the West right of way line of 23rd Avenue; thence South 00°26’00” West along said West right of way line, 361.10 feet to the True Point of Beginning (“Parcel A”).

Parcel B:

A Part of the Southeast ¼ of Section 13, Township 5 North, Range 66 West of the 6th P.M., County of Weld, State of Colorado, and being more particularly described as follows:

Commencing at the Southeast corner of said Section 13, and considering the East line of said Section 13 as bearing North 00°26’00” East, and with all other bearings contained herein relative thereto; thence North 00°26’00” East, along said East line of Section 13 and the center line of 23rd Avenue, 578.90 feet; thence North 89°34’00” West, 50 feet to a point, said point being the intersection of the West right of way line of 23rd Avenue and the North right of way line of 27th Street; thence continuing North 89°34’00” West along said North right of way line of 27th Street, 671.00 feet to the True Point of Beginning; thence continuing North 89°34’00” West, 268.64 feet; thence North 43°01’00” West, 317.06 feet; thence North 46°57’31” East, 189.94 feet, (Also known as North 46°59’00” East, recorded as North 46°49’00” East, 189.97 feet), thence South 89°34’00” East, 371.86 feet; thence South 00°26’00” West, 104.00 feet; thence South 23°35’43” West, 58.48 feet; thence South 00°26’00” West, 203.10 feet to the True Point of Beginning (“Parcel B”).

Also known as:

2305-2401 West 27th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80634.

Dated: January 10, 2023.

Karsh Gabler Call PC

/s/ Alan E. Karsh

Alan E. Karsh, #1620 Attorney for Plaintiff

Legal Notice No. FLP776

First Publication: January 19, 2023

Last Publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

tions of petroleum products above the residential Remedial Screening Level (RSL). Pursuant to § 25-15-318.5, C.R.S., once the EURs have been finalized, they are binding on all current and future owners of the land and any persons possessing an interest in the land. CDPHE is accepting public comments on the draft EURs. Copies of the proposed EURs and a legal description of the affected property are available by contacting Caren Johannes of CDPHE at 720-644-6356 or caren. johannes@state.co.us. All comments must be submitted to Ms. Johannes by February 28, 2023.

Legal Notice No. FLP777

First Publication: January 26, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

Notice to Creditors

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Keiko Antonia Doherty a/k/a Keiko Doherty, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 30030

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Weld County, Colorado on or before June 9, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Kathleen Kellinger

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

Legal Notice No. FLP798

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of JEREMY DAVID BROWN, AKA JEREMY BROWN, AKA JEREMY D. BROWN, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 30039

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Weld County, Colorado on or before June 3, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Michelle M. Ciccone, Attorney Ciccone Law, LLC 100 Fillmore Street, 5th Floor Denver, Colorado 80206

Legal Notice No. FLP781

First Publication: February 2, 2023

Last Publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Debra Lynn Turley; aka Debra

SEE PARKS, P24

Lawmakers attempt to tackle auto theft

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

Colorado lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down on the scourge of vehicle theft in the state by decoupling the cost of a stolen car from the criminal penalty a thief faces and by increasing penalties for repeat auto theft o enders.

Senate Bill 97 would make stealing any vehicle a Class 5 felony, which is generally punishable by one to three years in prison or a ne between $1,000 to $100,000, or both.

Right now, the penalty level for an auto thief depends on the value of the vehicle they steal. e lowest level o ense is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail, for stealing a car worth up to $2,000 if it’s a rst or second auto theft.

e highest level o ense is a Class 3 felony, punishable by up to 12 years in prison, for stealing a car valued at $100,000 or more.

Under the new measure, a person who steals a car could be charged with Class 4 felony based on aggravating circumstances, such as should

a thief keep the vehicle for more than a day, use the vehicle during the commission of another crime or take steps to alter or disguise the vehicle. Class 4 felonies are punishable by up to six years in prison.

e legislation, brought at politicians face pressure to deal with an increasing number of car thefts across the state, would also make a third or subsequent auto theft conviction a Class 3 felony, which are generally punishable by four to 12 years in prison and nes of $3,000 to $750,000 or both.

Tim Lane, with the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council, said the legislation creates a tiered auto theft penalty system that aims to send a message that no matter the value of a vehicle, stealing an automobile is a serious o ense. Lane said the legislation likely wouldn’t change the maximum penalty for a juvenile auto thief.

“ is is one thing to help with auto theft,” he said, “but it’s by no means the entire solution.”

Lane spoke at a news conference with Democratic and Republican

Fishers Peak State Park in Trinidad, which is still under development, saw nearly 6,000 visitors after only welcoming 224 in 2021.

state lawmakers. Also attending the event were Denver-area mayors and police chiefs, as well as local prosecutors and key members of Gov. Jared Polis’ administration.

“Imagine waking up one morning to nd your only way of getting to work, of getting your kids to school or day care is gone,” said Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, an Arvada Democrat and prime sponsor of the bill, at Monday’s news conference. “Picture heading to the parking lot after a long day of work to nd your way home has been taken. Imagine the terror of being held up at gunpoint and forced to leave your vehicle in a carjacking. Too many of our neighbors don’t need to imagine what this feels like because they have lived it rsthand.”

e other lead sponsors of the bill are Republican Sen. Bob Gardner of Colorado Springs and Reps. Matt Soper, R-Delta, and Shannon Bird, D-Westminster.

Polis, in a written statement, endorsed the measure.

“To achieve our shared goal of making Colorado one of the top ten safest states in the next ve years,

it is critical we address rising auto theft crimes in our state,” he said. “Coloradans are counting on us. A vehicle’s monetary value does not represent the value to the owner and the impacts a stolen vehicle has on a person or family’s daily life. Criminals should be held accountable for the crimes they commit and charged in a consistent, just, and rational way.”

e new legislation also includes a “joy-ride” provision that would make it a Class 1 misdemeanor to use a vehicle without the owner’s permission as long as the car is returned within 24 hours without damage and only minor tra c o enses were committed. A second and subsequent conviction for the joy-ride o ense would be a Class 5 felony, however.

is story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

Golden, also saw decreases in visitor numbers compared to 2021.

Stagecoach State Park in Routt County saw nearly a 65,000 increase in visitors last year. e newly opened

e massive increase in visitors since 2019 has prompted changes to how some state parks operate. Visits to Eldorado Canyon State Park have nearly doubled since 2016.

“We did implement a timed reser-

vation system at Eldorado Canyon State Park to try to help,” Livingston said. “It’s not really about visitation. Sometimes it’s more about parking, and we only have a limited number of parking spots at a lot of our parks. So some of these parks can handle more people but they can’t always necessarily handle as many vehicles parking in the park.”

Livingston said parks could continue to introduce changes to entry systems as the agency learns more about how increased visitation is impacting state parks.

is story is from CPR News, a nonprofit news source. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org.