State sees growth in smaller communities

Larger cities level o , Census Bureau finds

BY ELLIOTT WENZLER AND SANDRA FISH THE COLORADO SUN

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A group of middle school teens got to see how local government operates rsthand, helping to conduct a Fort Lupton City Council meeting.

“It was a great opportunity for them to see how the town runs and who makes the plans. It was an eye-opener for all of us. It’s an amazing experience for these kids and learning something about it,” said Barbara Miles, an English Language Development teacher at Fort Lupton Middle School.

“ e students have been participating in the Youth in Government for about eight years and it’s my 10th year as advisor for the National Junior Society,” Miles said.

e Fort Lupton Middle School National Junior Honor Society students participated in the Youth in Government program, taking over a Fort Lupton City Council meeting and learning how to conduct council business and pass policy. Miles said the twelve students learned how the government makes policy and also toured the city’s planning o ce.

e school has o ered the Youth in Government program for eight years, and Miles said she’s been an advisor to the National Junior Honor Society for ten years.

Miles said some of the kids took it as a chance to talk about how they would like to see the town expand and what they knew about it. ey also got the opportunity to present policy that is important for youths. Tobacco ordinances changed e actual council members and seven junior council members voted to amend an ordinance in the Fort Lupton municipal code prohibiting minors from possessing cigarettes or Tobacco products.

Currently, the City of Fort Lupton policy requires a young person under 18 charged with possessing a tobacco product to answer a summons and appear in county court. With the policy change individuals under 18 will appear in Fort Lupton local court to answer those summonses.

Jeanelle Andersen, Municipal Court

Colorado’s smaller cities and towns saw the greatest growth from 2020 to 2022, new U.S. Census Bureau estimates show, while the state’s largest cities and ski towns saw declining or stable populations. e changes come as Colorado’s population ages and people search for more a ordable housing, state demographer Elizabeth Garner said. Keenesburg, a Weld County town along Interstate 76 about 40 miles northeast of Denver, logged the most growth with a 65% population explosion over two years. at town grew to 2,080 in 2022 from 1,258 in 2020. In Elbert County, the population of Elizabeth rose from 1,717 to 2,285 from 2020 to 2022, a 33.1% increase. e census estimates released ursday are based on births, deaths, people moving in and out and the number of housing units, Garner said. So they aren’t based on survey data like the census taken every 10 years or the annual American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Fort Lupton Rec Center hosts lifeguard sessions

Don’t miss out on lifeguard training May 30 - June 3! Are you 15 years old or older and looking for a great part-time job with exible hours or a challenging career? American Red Cross Lifeguarding is the best place to start! Lifeguarding puts you in an exciting position, working as part of a team to help people safely enjoy the water. You must attend every class to receive the American Red Cross certi cation. Call 303-8574200 x6164 or email dcook@fortluptonco.gov for registration.

Sign Up Early - Space is Limited!

Mays Memorial Fore Youth Benefit Golf Tournament June 9 e annual Jacobs Jon Mays Memorial Golf Tournament returns to Coyote Creek Golf Course June 9 to bene t local youth. e tournament is a four-person scramble. After an 8 a.m. start, golfers will enjoy 18 holes with fun games and contests. ere’s also a pre-round breakfast, post-event lunch and prizes.

Individual registration is $140 per player and $455 per team. Registration includes green fees, cart and lunch. Sponsorships are available at a variety of price points, and include bene ts like tee-box advertising, team registration, promotional opportunities and more.

To register for the tournament and view a complete list of sponsorship opportunities, visit www.golfgenius.com/ggid/jmay23. If you can’t participate in the tournament, but want to lend your support, consider a monetary donation or an item for our ra e.

South Platte Historical Society is hosting summer at the Independence one-room school.

Children can have fun experiencing pioneer living.

2001 Historic Parkway, Fort Lupton, CO

Session #1 June 5-7

Session #2 June 12-14

Session #3 June 19-20

Go to www.spvhs and click Annual Events, Independent School for Flyer and Registration Form or contact LaVon lwatson@spvhs.org

LaVon Watson 720-273-3609

Splash pad e city of Fort Lupton is searching for comments about and sponsorships for a new splash pad.

Sponsor funds will be used for the splash park and amenities. Call 303857-6694

Donation time e Fort Lupton Food & Clothing Bank is asking for donations of canned fruits and nuts, varieties of dry pasta and pasta dinners, peanut

“Set out each day believing in your dreams. Know without a doubt that you were made for great things.” ~ Josh Hinds