Fort Lupton Press 080323

BRIEFS

Spaghetti Dinner on August 30

Fort Lupton’s Spaghetti Dinner is a very special fundraising event where 100% of the net proceeds from this dinner go directly to purchase school supplies – everything from backpacks to modeling clay to notebooks to computers– for students in Fort Lupton’s Weld RE-8 School district.

Enjoy homemade dinner and dessert, wine, and craft beer. Bring your appetite and your generosity!

e Spaghetti Dinner is sure to ll you up and help our kids thrive in school. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for kids 10 and under.

Drink wristbands are separate for $25 each.

Learn more at: https://www.fortluptonco.gov/968/Spaghetti-Dinner

Veterans Memorial Sign Program Begins

Adams County is highly invested in showing support for residents who are currently serving or are veterans of the United States military services. As part of this commitment, the Public Works Department has implemented the Veterans Memorial Sign Program. is program is intended to allow residents of Adams County who are family or friends of military veterans killed in the line of duty to request dedication of a street in Adams County to the memory of their departed veterans. Our rst o cial application and installation was on July 18, honoring PFC Adolph A. Martinez at the intersection

of Federal Blvd and 65th Ave.

Residents are encouraged to submit applications for veterans they wish to memorialize through the program. Learn more and apply at adcogov.org/ tra c-safety.

Premier Members Credit Union hosting food drive

Premier Members Credit Union will be collecting donations for local food pantries during the entire month of August. Visit your local Premier Members Credit Union branch, or their corporate o ces in Broom eld to donate. Each branch chose a local food pantry to donate to ensure all donations stay local to that community.

Locally, ve branches of the credit union are hosting collections sites.

ey include locations at 755 E. 144th Ave. in ornton, the sites at 10339 N. Federal Blvd and 8440 Federal Blvd. in Westminster and the locations in Firestone and Erie.

“We always want to provide support to our local communities,” said Carlos Pacheco, CEO of Premier Members Credit Union. “One of our company pillars is Premier: Gives, where we provide the communities we serve with funds and employee volunteers to support initiatives of education,nancial literacy, and basic needs. is food drive will help many members of our communities to thrive.”

Splash Park Sponsorship Oppor-

Award-Winning Heart Care in Brighton

tunities

Fort Lupton is working on a Splash Park, but the city will need help from our local businesses and residents. If you’d like to sponsor the Splash Park and have your name engraved on the agstone sponsorship wall, contact Doug at dcook@fortluptonco.gov.

Farm to Market tickets on sale

Tickets for Farm to Table, a fundraising event for the Platte Valley Medical Foundation scheduled for Aug. 17 are on sale now.

e Foundation’s biennial fundraising campaign will bene t women’s health services to help women connect with the care they need throughout their adult years and to support area women who do not always prioritize their own health needs. e foundation hopes to raise $500,000 in the campaign cycle. ey conduct multiple fundraising e orts annually with Farm to Table as the largest event.

Farm to Table will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 17 on the hospital campus. Platte Valley Medical Center’s Chef Mike Anderson uses produce donated by area farmers to create a gourmet meal for about 450 guests.

e event garners so much support that it often sells out long before the date. is year, Muñoz reserved a block of tickets that are available to the public for $75 each. ey are available at https://ftt2023.cbo.io.

State youth council needs members

e Colorado legislature’s nonpartisan Colorado Youth Advisory Council has openings for new members across the state for the 2023-25 term.

e Youth Advisory Council is a statewide organization dedicated to youth-led civic service learning. Youth members lead policy committees that analyze issues and policies that impact youth across Colorado. Policy work can include making recommendations about current policies or advocating for new ones. Council members conduct research, write problem/ solution statements, meet with subject matter experts, build relationships with legislators, and seek feedback from their peers and communities.

e Colorado Legislature created the youth advisory council in 2008 to give Colorado’s youth ages 14-19 a voice in lawmaking. Youth council members work each summer to propose policy ideas to a committee of legislators. Each summer, students present policy proposals to legislators. During the last two years, several policies the youth council identi ed became law, including increased crisis services, higher education programs for fostered youth, educational standards and efforts to prevent eating disorders. Applications are due June 19. State organizers plan to host an informational session for applicants at 6 p.m. June 14. Find info at www.coyac.org/ apply.

Platte Valley Medical Center Awarded 2023

Chest Pain Platinum Performance

Platte Valley Medical Center has been awarded the 2023 Chest Pain - MI registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology. This award demonstrates the collaborative efforts and dedication of our providers and caregivers in providing high-quality care resulting in excellent outcomes for our cardiac patients in Brighton.

The Rocky Mountain Heart Institute, part of Platte Valley Medical Center, offers a team of experienced and highly qualified cardiologists and vascular specialists providing you with comprehensive care, from heart attack prevention to acute 24/7 coronary intervention, to keep your heart and blood vessels healthy and strong.

For more information visit RockyMountainHeart.org or call 303-659-7000 to make an appointment with a cardiologist

Greeley balloon display event is all about the kids

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A Greeley non-pro t hosted the nation’s fourth largest Big Balloon event featuring thousands of small balloons on July 20 through 24 at the Aims Community College.

“ e Big Balloon Build is an international non-pro t that partners with charities and the world’s top balloon artists to raise awareness and funds to help children. In the last 18 months, it has successfully raised more than $500,000 for charities,” said Melanie Hungerford, Big Balloon Build Impact & Engagement Coordinator, in an email press release.

e event had its ribbon-cutting celebration with children and youth served by the Life Stories Child &

Family Advocacy. e children got to walk through the Aims Welcome Center, a magical space with more than 125,000 balloons larger than life.

“We work with kids who have childhood issues, making childhood challenging. It was fantastic to offer something to kids that lights up their life and heart and bring them a memory they’ll never forget, “ said Gwen Schooley, executive director, Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy.

Allison Dunning owner of Balloon Art by Merry Makers in Greeley, for 22 years is an awarded-winning balloon artist that is an instructor and travels to organizes 75 balloon artists from all over Greeley to volunteer to participate in this four-day colorful enormous event.

“I give a lot to my community, to my

family,  to my businesses. Seeing the joy in the faces of the children is what lls my cup up so that I can continue to do what I do.   e world can be harsh and my sole purpose is to bring joy. I do that with balloons. So in a nutshell,  seeing those faces means literally everything to me,” Dunning said.

e event raises funds for Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy, an organization that helps children who experience abuse or neglect in Weld County.

Schooley said they were approached over a little over a year ago by Alison Dunning from Balloon Art by Merrymakers when she applied be a host Greeley for the next balloon build. “ en she did apply with life stories, and she got. en she started talking

Balloon build event in detail and making sure that we were able to help her pull it o ,” Schooley said.

After the event, the balloons will be donated to the Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy to share with communities while raising funds.

“ e kids were excited when you saw their faces in the room. Hearing about balloons is one thing, but being in the room and seeing how many balloons and the characters they turned them into. It was just fanciful and di erent, something they would never see again,” Schooley said.

“All proceeds from the Big Balloon Build Colorado bene t Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy, which gives a voice to children who have been abused or neglected,” said Hungerford in the release.

Fort Lupton responds by raising funds for homeless families

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The community of Fort Lupton lined up for a pancake breakfast at the American Legion Hall to raise funds for the Hope@Miracle House homeless shelter for fami-

lies July 29.

Jacque Kerr, board president for Hope@Miracle House said they weren’t sure how it would turn out but were relieves to see how much the Fort Lupton turned out to show support.

“I’m tickled pink. I always loved

Fort Lupton. They are the most giving, most generous community,” said Kerr.

Deb DeMille, program director, said it was their first pancake breakfast. Annually they always did the Walkabout event where they would go into businesses and

leave little box houses that were tip jars and explained to people what they were for to donate to the shelter.

“These year we combined the events and having a pancake breakfast and its a great turnout,” said DeMille.

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Fort Lupton Police Blotter

Here are the police reports for July 8 to July 14 to the Fort Lupton Police Department. Not every call made to the police is not listed on this report.

July 8

Police arrested a Thornton woman, 31, in the 600 block of 14th Street on criminal impersonation, possession of scheduled II drug,

Police Blotter

possession of paraphernalia and theft. In addition, she had a warrant for failure to appear on drug charges with Adams County and was held without bond at the Weld County Jail.

A Fort Lupton woman, 46, was arrested in the 600 block of 14th Street for possession of controlled substance, protection order violation and possession of paraphernalia. She was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

July 10

Police arrested a Lafayette man,

Richard Arvid Wells March 5, 1944 - July 15, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Richard (Rick) Wells who bravely battled cancer, not once, not twice, but three times. Despite his remarkable strength and resilience, he passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 15th, 2023. He was 79 years old.

Born on March 5th, 1944, Rick was a great father, husband and friend. He was born and raised in Noonan, North Dakota. He graduated from Noonan High School in 1962, playing basketball all four years. He moved to Colorado in 1973 where he raised his children.

Rick worked in the oil eld industry for 45 years, where he made a name for himself as a hard worker.

Beyond his professional achievements, Rick had a profound impact on the lives of those around him. He was a devoted father, grandpa and great grandpa, always putting others’ needs before his own. He was the type of man you would love to go hunting or shing with.

In his free time, Rick enjoyed hunting and shing, as well as old western movies.

Whether it was watching his grand kids sports, going to the casino, or attending holiday parties, he found solace and happiness in spending time with his family.

Rick’s memory will be forever cherished by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Joann, his children Wendy Montoya (Lee Montoya), Tanya Castle (John Castle), Shawn Wells (Rachel Wells) and Cole Whitford (Chandani Raley), his sister Alice Person (Bruce Person), grandchildren Justin (Amanda) and Brandon Montoya (Rachelle), Andrea Kaufholdand Taylor Castle, and Ryan and Alyssa Wells, great grandchildren Shania, Jessy, Jordan and, Addy Alba, Brock, and Jax Montoya. He was preceded in death by his parents Syvertand Genevieve Wells, and his siblings, Lowell, Randy, and Lorraine Wells.

As we mourn the loss of Rick, let us also remember the beautiful moments shared, the lessons learned, and the love that will forever connect us. May his soul nd eternal peace, and may his memory be a guiding light in

Rest in peace, Rick, you will be deeply

47 in 600 block of 14th Street with multiple warrants out of Fort Lupton, Weld County, Longmont and Larimer County, all for failure to appear on miscellaneous charges. Held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

July 11

A Fort Lupton man, 40, was arrested in the 600 block of 14th Street on an Adams County warrant for failure to appear on a possessing narcotic equipment charge. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

A Fort Lupton 15-year old male was issued a summons in the 100 block of Denver Avenue after a vandalism complain for criminal mischief.

A California woman, 30, reported a burglary in the 2000 block of Trading Post Street. The case was under investigation.

July 12

Fort Lupton man, 27, reported his 2015 Kia Optima stolen in the 1400 block of Third St. The case is

SEE

BLOTTER,

P5

DECHANT Alvin Dechant Jr.

September 4, 1951 - July 23, 2023

Alvin Dechant Jr. peacefully passed away on July 23rd, 2023 in his home surrounded by family at the age of 71. Jr. was born on September 4th, 1951 in Denver, Colorado to Alvin Dechant and Josephine Freiberger.

Jr. grew up in Fort Lupton, Colorado on a dairy farm and graduated from Fort Lupton High School in 1969. On April 7th, 1973

Jr. married his high school sweetheart Donna Rabas. Shortly after, they moved to Hudson, Colorado where he continued his love and passion for farming. ey were married for 50 years and had 4 children.

In addition to farming, he spent several years on the Hudson Fire Department Board and spent 17 years with the Frico Irrigation Company as the board President. He also spent years coaching Lil Rebel Wrestling with many of his buddies. Some of Alvin Jr.’s hobbies included riding horses to round up his cattle and working on many of his old antique tractors. He would build many things for his children’s outdoor adventures,

and he also enjoyed xing things using electrical tape, duct tape, bailing twine and wire.

Alvin Jr. is survived by his wife, Donna, three daughters, Valerie (Jason) Zimbelman of Hudson, Jolene (David) Dahlgren of Brighton, LeAnn (Rick) Nelson of Keenesburg and one son, Scott (Danielle) Dechant of Keenesburg. irteen grandchildren, Austin, Brennan and Colton Zimbelman, Maddox and Daxton Dechant, Taylor, Dillon, Kylee, Ally and Jackson Dahlgren, Taea, Tanner and Taden Nelson. Survivors include one brother David (Carmen) Dechant and one sister Pam (Brett) Pachello along with his nieces and nephews He is preceded in death by both of his parents, sister JoAnn, nephews Keith and Daniel and his princess granddaughter Kylee Jo.

Contributions can be made in the memory of Alivin Jr.’s name made to the Keene Clinic, P.O. box 559, Keenesburg, CO 80643

Jeffrey Randall Blair

November 11, 1948 - July 14, 2023

Je rey Randall Blair passed away July 14, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado, at the age of 74.

He was born in Denver

November 11, 1948, to J.R. and Vera (Heinz) Blair. Je graduated from Brighton High School in 1966. After time spent in the Air Force, then a couple of years seeing the country through the windshield of a big rig, he then went to work for Adams County, Colorado. He ended his 40 year working career in a supervisory position with Adams County. He was once named employee of the month, and had received numerous awards and plaques.

Je loved bull riding, team roping –anything rodeo related… and he was good

at it.

He belonged to the Brighton Police Reserves, Brighton Volunteer Fire Department, Brighton Softball Association, and the Adams County Farm Bureau. And Je loved his co ee chats!

He is held dear in memory by his wife of 46 years, Julie, sons Timothy (Nicole) and Justin (Nikki), grandchildren Jeremy, Brittney, Emily, Marissa, and Rylee, several nieces and nephews, as well as two sisters, Darcy Blair and Kimberly Hirsch. Je was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Don Hirsch.

In memory of Je contributions can be made to the: Magic Spurs 4-H, 29993 County Road 16.5, Keenesburg, CO 80643

BLAIR

WELLS

Decarbonizing gets a new chapter

Colorado is starting another chapter in what could be a future history book, “How We Decarbonized our Economy.”

BIG PIVOTS

by 2030.

Allen Best couple

In that book, electricity will be the easy part, at least the storyline through 80% to 90% reduction in emissions. at chapter is incomplete. We may not gure out 100% emissionsfree electricity on a broad scale for a couple more decades.

is new chapter is about tamping down emissions associated with buildings. is plot line will be more complicated. Instead of dealing with a dozen or so coal plants, we have hundreds of thousands of buildings in Colorado, maybe more. Most burn natural gas and propane to heat space and water.

I would start this chapter on Aug. 1. Appropriately, that’s Colorado Day. It’s also the day that Xcel Energy and Colorado Springs Utilities will deliver the nation’s very rst clean-heat plans to state regulators.

ose clean heat plans, required by a 2021 law, will tell state agencies how they intend to reduce emissions from the heat they sell to customers. e targets are 4% by 2025 and 22%

Wishing I had a sex scandal to weave into this chapter or at least something lurid, maybe a conspiracy or two. ink Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in “Chinatown.”

Arguments between utilities and environmental advocates remain polite. Both sides recognize the need for new technologies. e disagreements lie in how best to invest resources that will pay o over time.

e environmental groups see great promise in electri cation, particularly the use of air-source heat pumps. Heat pumps milk the heat out of even very cold air (or, in summer, coolness from hot air).

Good enough for prime time? I know of people in Avon, Fraser, and Gunnison who say heat-pumps deliver even on the coldest winter days.

Xcel says that heat pumps have a role—but cautions that cold temperatures and higher elevations impair their performance by about 10% as compared to testing in coastal areas.

ey will need backup gas heat or electric resistance heating. After two winters of testing at the National Research Energy Laboratory in Golden, the testing of heat pumps will move to construction trailers set up in Leadville, Colorado’s Two-Mile City.

Xcel also frets about adding too much demand, too quickly, to the electrical grid.

Another, perhaps sharper argu-

woman, 22 on obstruction and resisting arrest charge at 11th & park Avenue. She was on bond at the Weld County Jail.

ment has to do with other fuels that would allow Xcel to use its existing gas pipelines. Xcel and other gas utilities have put out a request for renewable natural gas, such as could be harvested from dairies. Xcel also plans to create hydrogen from renewable resources, blending it with natural gas. It plans a demonstration project using existing infrastructure in Adams County, northeast of Denver.

Je Lyng, Xcel Energy’s vice president for energy and sustainability policy, talks about the need for a “spectrum of di erent approaches.” It is far too early, Lyng told me, to take any possible technology o the table.

In a 53-page analysis, Western Resource Advocates sees a greater role for weatherization and other measures to reduce demand for gas. It sees renewable gas, in particular, but also hydrogen, as more costly and slowing the broad market transformation that is necessary.

“I think there’s a real tension that came out between di erent visions of a low-carbon future when it comes to the gas system,” Meera Fickling, an economist with WRA, told me.

We already have a huge ecosystem of energy, a huge investment in natural gas. Just think of all the natural gas lines buried under our streets. No wonder this transition

held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

will be di cult.

“It’s more di cult because everything you do in the gas sector now has a spillover e ect in the electric sector,” says Je Ackermann, the former chair of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. “Each of these sectors move in less than smooth, elegant steps. We don’t want people to fall o one and onto the other and get lost in the transition. ere has to be su cient energy of whatever type.”

Getting back to the book chapter. Colorado has nibbled around the edges of how to end emissions from buildings. With these proceedings, Colorado is moving headlong into this very di cult challenge. e foreplay is done. It’s action time. Xcel talks about a decades-long transition and stresses the need to understand “realistic limitations in regard to both technologies and circumstances.”

Keep in mind, 25 years ago, it had little faith in wind and even less in solar.

Do you see a role for Jack Nicholson in hearings and so forth during the next year? I don’t. Even so, it promise to be a most interesting story.

Allen Best publishes Big Pivots, which keeps track of the energy and water transitions in Colorado. Find him at BigPivots.com.

under investigation.

Police issued a summons to a Fort Lupton woman, 21, for a child abuse complaint in the 600 block of 14th Street. The case is under investigation.

Police arrested a Fort Lupton man, 56, for motor vehicle theft in the 600 block of 14th Street. He was held bond at the Weld County Jail.

July 13

Police arrested a Firestone

Contact us: 143 S. Second Pl., Brighton, CO 80401 - 303-566-4100

Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110 Phone: 303-566-4100

Web: FtLuptonPress.com

To subscribe call 303-566-4100

Police arrested a Firestone woman, 22, at 11th & Park Avenue on warrants out of Boulder County for a protection order violation, Weld County felony warrants for domestic violence, motor vehicle theft, and failure to comply with bond conditions on a drug possession charge. She was held on bond at the Weld County Jail. Police took a 64-year-old Fort Lupton man into custody in  the 1100 block of Fourth Avenue on an Aurora warrant for aggravated assault. He was

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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

SCOTT TAYLOR Metro North Editor staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

BELEN WARD Community Editor bward@coloradocommunitymedia.com

A Dacono man, 59, was arrested in the 2900 block of Ninth Street on a Jefferson County warrant for failure to comply with conditions of probation on a DUI charge. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Police arrested a Fort Lupton man, 22, in the 1000 block of Platte Drive on a Weld and Adams County warrants for failure to appear on criminal mischief and traffic offenses. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

July 14

Police arrested a Denver man,

JOHN RENFROW Sports Editor jrenfrow@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

TERESA ALEXIS Marketing Consultant

Classified Sales talexis@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

29, in the 1000 block Mountview Avenue for burglary, menacing, possession of a weapon by previous offender, protection order violation, unlawful use of controlled substance, prohibited use of weapon, and child abuse. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

A Fort Lupton woman, 34, reported a laptop stolen in the 900 block of McKinley Ave. Her report is under investigation.

Police took a 37-year-old Fort Lupton woman into custody at 12 th Street and Denver Avenue for failure to appear for public orders crimes. She was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Press. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

Email letters to staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

ADenver-based nonpro t music education organization is helping local rising stars showcase and enhance their musical talents, record music and learn podcasting for free.

Youth on Record, founded by local musician community organizer Flobots in 2008 works with people aged 14 to 24.

“Flotbots’ mission was to bring music to young people to improve academic success and youth outreach, and it grew into what is now known as Youth on Record,” said Haley Witt, a guitar musician and singer-songwriter who manages Youth on Record.

Youth on Record recently rocked at its ninth annual block party in support of youth in music with over 20 live music performances, teen activities and vendors at its o ce location near downtown Denver.

“We have a state-of-the-art recording studio soundboard and all sorts of instruments,” Witt said. “So young people can drop into our programs and learn about mixing, mastering songs and learn about songwriting and instrumentation.”

After school programs

e Youth on Record runs afterschool, out-of-school and in-school programming with Denver Public Schools and Aurora Public Schools middle and high schools.

“We partner with the schools to teach four-credit classes, and we hire local professional artists to teach those classes,” Witt said. “Our Youth on Record teaching artists come to the schools, and the young people are able to learn from them. It’s one way that you nd our Youth on Record programs through the schools.”

Youth on Record also has afterschool programs at the Youth on Record media studio space called the open lab on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and is available to young people from 14 to 24 years old.

“It’s self-guided so that they can explore their interests. ey come into the space with a passion for music, making songwriting production, and we teach them the skill set they need to accomplish the projects they’re passionate about,” Witt said.

Witt said Youth on Record also o er an internship and fellowship program and a fellowship program, both of which are paid programs by donors.

“Youth on Record is a nonpro t organization so donors fund our program,” Witt said.

Witt said Youth on Record has had a lot of talented program graduates.

Baily Elora from Hudson/ Keenesburg Colorado, featured in the Fort Lupton Press, went through the program and signed on with Sony Music Subsidiary e Orchard.

“We are proud of all of our program graduates and all of the various directions that they’re headed, it’s really important to us to connect with young people with economic opportunities, “ Witt said.

Witt said Youth on Records is a pillar of academic success, economic opportunity and community activation.

“Our economic opportunity pillar, it’s really important to us to connect young people to community careers and job opportunities,” Witt said.

Witt said they have young people who play gigs in the community and support booking those gigs and paid opportunities for young people to perform.

Youth on Record also places young people into community internships and fellowships.

“Our fellows will have the opportunity to have community internships with local partners as well. It’s important to us to connect young people to jobs in the industry and to connect them to opportunities in creative elds and show them that it’s possible,” Witt said.

ere also is an open mic every rst Friday, and it is open to the public, where the youth perform and gain experience in combination with all the First Fridays and art walks across the city, speci cally in collaboration with the Santa Fe Art Walk.

“ at’s a program run by our fellows and learn how to put together a music festival, run it, secure porta potties and design posters for the festival and how it ties in economic opportunity. e block party is a youth-led program,” Witt said.

Learning about podcasting

David Ladon, Youth on Record audio arts innovation manager, teaches youth how to do podcast interviews. Ladon has been teaching podcasting for nine years and has worked with Youth on Record for three in a half years.

“We have a podcast show that comes out monthly called ‘Generation Collaboration’ that we produce in collaboration with Colorado young leaders,” Ladon said, adding that they just nished season one and that the podcast airs on KGNU.

ARTISTS

“We have another monthly show called ‘Youth on Rewind,’ which is a segment-based show and the tagline podcast amplifying young people’s voices, stories and ideas,” Ladon said.

Ladon said the podcast features segments produced by interns, peer navigators and fellows, covering whatever interests them.

“Our third show is called ‘Underground of the Showcase’ as

the official podcast of the underground music showcase, which Youth and Record helps put on.”

The podcast is hosted and produced by youth interns from 16 to 24 years old.

Ladon said his love for the application of podcast work expanded beyond media production or journalism.

“It gets to the root of socialemotional learning and developing yourself because you’re learning to exercise your voice and get to practice hearing your voice, which is not something we’re all comfortable with,” Ladon said.

Mobile Studio

Oren Bregman, executive director of the Mobile Studio nonprofit music outreach program has partnered with Youth on Record.

Bregman’s program brings the mobile studio to Denver, Green Valley and Montebello pathway schools in Aurora.

“We focused on singing, rapping, and poetry so we bring our equipment and expertise so students can create music to express themselves and share it online with their family and friends,” Bregman said.

Bregman said Youth on Records helped Mobile Studio get their

first grant and gave them some instruments.

“We are happy to be part of the family,” Bregman said.

Witt said that the young people the programs serve are incredibly talented.

“It blows me away to see the ways that they’re able to cultivate their skills, and it’s inspiring to watch and build strong mentorship relationships with our staff and to feel connected to a sense of community through our programs,” Witt said.

For more information about Youth on Record, visit youthonrecord.org or call 303-993-5226.

Youth on Record student Addie Uhl performed at the Youth on Record block party.

PHOTOS BY BELEN WARD

Cornelius Bates sings a hip-hop rap on the mic at the Mobile Studio tent.

David Ladon, Youth on Record audio arts innovation manager, prepares the podcast studio for an interview.

Laura Stedman warms up for her solo performance at the Youth on Record block party.

Weld celebrates agriculture excellence

Ethan Vinney entered the Weld County Fair Restoration competition with a 1957 to 1959 toy crane he refurbished with help from his dad. He found it at the Brass Armadillo antique store in Arvada and won first place and grand champion on July 29.

County Fair marks 105 years in Greeley

Weld County Fair celebrated 105 years in Greeley of bringing agriculture to the community with activi-

ties for families, youth 4-H animal competitions, horticulture, arts and crafts competitions, and ending the fair with a rodeo—an array of vendors and a variety of food trucks from July 22 through July 31.

State farm bill lauded for SNAP program fixes

BY ERIC GALATAS PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE

Colorado is the eighth most-improved state at ensuring SNAP food assistance reaches its most vulnerable residents, according to new rankings from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Anya Rose, public policy manager for Hunger Free Colorado, said the improvements are largely due to more meaningful bene t levels and cuts to red tape during the pandem-

ic, along with strong outreach work.

She hopes Congress will take such key factors into account as it considers the Farm Bill, which includes the program formerly known as food stamps.

“We’re hoping that some of these lessons, of what works for making sure that SNAP has the best impact it can, will be taken up in the Farm Bill,” Rose explained. “To ensure SNAP can feed people as best it can

SEE SNAP, P15

Brianna Patefield took home best-in-show for her California Senior Buck rabbit at the Weld County Fair on July 29.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

Horsemanship begins Weld County Fair celebration

Cooper Furrow, 9, with the Severance 4-H club, during his first show as a beginner at the Weld County Fair July 22. Furrow won third place participating in Novice Western Pleasure category, which is walking and jogging.

e Weld County Fair kicked o it’s 105 year July 22, celebrating the county’s agricultural roots for the last week of the month.

e fair, at 525 N. 15th Ave, Greeley, ran through July 31.

e Weld County Fair is celebrating 105 years of hosting events and activities exhibiting the agricultural roots of Weld County to the com-

munity visitors from July 22 to July 31.

More than 100 kids participated in three days of horsemanship beginning July 24, with western classes, ranch horse speed events, and leadline.

Visit the Weld County Fair website for a list of the events https://www. weldcountyfair.com/Home.

Comprehensive cancer care that sets us apart.

Jill Alldredge, MD Kian Behbakht, MD Bradley Corr,

Lisa Marie Babayan, PA-C Lindsay Brubaker, MD Jaime Arruda, MD Catherine Bouts, PA-C

Marjon,

Walsh,

Billie Mick,14, with the Drylander 4-H in Nunn, Colorado, has been riding since she was eight years old, participating in Western Horsemanship category at the Weld County Fair in Greeley on July 22. The category tests a rider’s abilities in riding, reining, and working on trails. PHOTOS BY BELEN WARD

Fort Lupton’s Balcazar improves at Fargo Nationals

BY STEVE SMITH SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Fort Lupton’s Rylee Balcazar made a return trip to Fargo, North Dakota for her second appearance in the U.S. Marine Corps Nationals, also known as the Fargo Nationals. Some say it’s one of the largest – and hardest – tournaments in the nation.

She placed eighth in her weight class.

“What worked for me in this tournament was not getting in my head so much and taking it match by match,” Balcazar said. “My goal, headed into this tournament, was just to place. Last year I went 0-2, so I was really focused.”

Quali ers have to place in the top six in a state tournament (she nished fourth this winter), or become an all-American in any national tournament (she was fourth at a national tournament in Nebraska).

“I wasn’t too pleased with how I performed,” she said. “Although I reached my goal and placed eighth, I felt like there were things I could’ve done better. I know I could have placed higher than I did.”

She said she was a bit more anxious about this tournament compared to others.

Going into this tournament, I had some nerves because I am not familiar with freestyle wrestling,” Balcazar said. “I have only been training in this style for one year.”

She trained the same way she trains for other tournaments. ere was one hitch, though.

“ e biggest struggle I had was nding places to practice,” Balcazar said. “I would have to take long

too.

drives to Colorado Springs on weekends just to train.”

Fort Lupton’s Rylee Balcazar, shown slipping away from Vista Ridge’s Hayden Newberg during their 105-pound semifinal match at the state girls wrestling tournament in February, placed eighth at a national tournament in North Dakota.

PHOTO BY HECTOR LOPEZ

Thu 8/03

Gambling Trip The Wild Wood Cripple Creek (8/3)

@ 2pm Offsite, 6060 E Parkway Drive, Commerce City. 303-289-3760

Wed 8/09

Jordan Davis @ 7pm

Adams County Fairgrounds, 9755 Henderson Rd, Brighton

Amazing Athletes

@ 7pm Aug 3rd - Aug 10th

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

Fri 8/04

Seth Beamer: Westminster Neighborhood Nights (Solo Set)

@ 6pm Irving Street Library, 7392 Irving St, Westminster

Sat 8/05

Teen Dusk Exploration @ 1am Aug 5th - Aug 4th Offsite, 6060 E Parkway Drive, Commerce City. 303-289-3760

Jacob Larson Band Funk & Soul: Jacob Larson Band LIVE - Orchard Town Center @ 6pm

The Orchard Town Center, 14697 Delaware St, Westminster

Sun 8/06

Birding for All - August @ 10am / Free Bird Conservancy's Environmental Learning Center, 14500 Lark Bunting Lane, Brighton. 303-6594348 ext. 53

Trouble Bound: Ft Lupton Library Concert Series @ 5:45pm

High Plains Library District- Fort Lupton Public & School Library, 425 S Denver Ave, Fort Lupton

Standley Lake Bird Walk @ 7am

Standley Lake Regional Park & Wildlife Refuge, 11610 West 100th Avenue, Westminster. lbmartin@ cityofwestminster.us, 303-4251097

Dog Days of Summer 5k and 1k

Dash @ 8am / $20-$40

Dawson Park at the beautiful McIntosh Lake, 1757 Harvard St, Longmont

Tour De Donut: A Family Bike Ride

@ 2pm Offsite, 6060 E Parkway Drive, Commerce City. 303-289-3760

Hunter Safety : August 5-6 @ 3pm Aug 5th - Aug 6th

Fort Lupton Community / Recreation Cen‐ter, 203 S. Harrison Avenue, Fort Lupton. 303-857-4200

Muddy Princess - Denver, CO @ 4am

The Recess Factory, 3220 Erie Pkwy, Erie. 0000000000

Rotating Tap Comedy @ Something Brewery @ 8pm Something Brewery, 117 N Main St unit A, Brighton

Thu 8/10

Korey Foss: Rock Candy @ Hoffbrau @ 6pm Hoffbrau, 9110 Wadsworth Pkwy, Westminster

DJ SupaJames @ 8pm Adams County Fairgrounds, 9755 Henderson Rd, Brighton

powered by

TRIVIA

1. GEOGRAPHY: Which European city is home to the Prado Museum?

2. MOVIES: What is Forrest’s hometown in the movie “Forrest Gump”?

3. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the only vowel that isn’t on the top row of letters on a keyboard?

4. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What breed of dog is the TV star Lassie?

5. CHEMISTRY: What is a common name for nitrous oxide?

6. MUSIC: Which musical instrument does the singer Lizzo play?

7. LITERATURE: What is a bildungsroman?

8. U.S. STATES: Which two states share the most borders with other states?

9. TELEVISION: What decade is represented in the TV sitcom “ e Goldbergs”?

10. FOOD & DRINK: In which century was co ee introduced to Europe?

Solution

Answers

1. Madrid, Spain.

2. Greenbow, Alabama.

3. A.

4. Rough Collie.

5. Laughing gas.

6. Flute.

7. Novel that focuses on the moral and psychological growth of a protagonist from childhood to adult.

8. Tennessee and Missouri, with eight bordering states each.

9. e 1980s.

10. 16th.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Landscaping/Nurseries

Landscaping & Tree Service

•Landscaping

•Sprinkler Service

•Stump Grinding

•Tree Removal

•Rock and Mulch

• Tree Trimming

Registered & Insured • Free Estimates

J & M Landscaping & Tree Service Call 720-582-5950 Jmlandservices8@gmail.com

Lawn/Garden Services

Landscape & Garden

Sod, Rock, Mulch, Retaining Walls, Sprinklers, Sprinkler Repair, Flagstone, Fence Repair, Power Rake, Fertilize, Aeration, Yard Clean-Ups, Shrub Trimming/Removal, Rock Removal, Weed Control, Trash Hauling and Much More! 720-982-9155

lawnservice9155@gmail.com

Stump grinding specialist

Call or Text

10% off when coupon presented Miscellaneous

A father and son team!

Most stumps $75.00 and up $55 Minimum. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. 41 years experience. Terry 303-424-7357 Corey 720-949-8373

MobileHelp, America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888489-3936

Diagnosed with lung cancer & 65+?

You may qualify for a substantial cash award. No obligation! We’ve recovered millions. Let us help! Call 24/7 1-877-707-5707

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service.

Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-4171306

Pets

SNAP

and is accessible to people.”

Hunger Free Colorado works with community partners across the state to get more people who qualify for food assistance enrolled. But after pre-pandemic SNAP work reporting requirements were reinstated, at least half a million Americans are expected to lose food assistance, according to the Center on Bud-

FREEDOM. TO BE YOU.

Call

get and Policy Priorities. An additional 750,000 are at risk after the debt-ceiling negotiations raised the age cap for reporting requirements to 55.

e majority of SNAP participants are children and people with disabilities, and Rose pointed out most people who can work, do. She added having to ll out paperwork documenting at least 20 hours of work or training activities per week does nothing to help people nd or maintain employment, it just makes the program more costly to admin-

ister.

“Taking away someone’s food does not make it easier to hold down a job, or go to that job interview,” Rose contended. “It just creates more red tape for people to access the basic resources that they need.”

In 2017, SNAP added more than $700 million to local Colorado economies, with an overall economic impact of $1.25 billion, but the state loses more than $230 million each year in grocery sales by not having all eligible residents enrolled. Rose

noted back in 2019, just 59% of Coloradans eligible for SNAP got assistance.

“With the 2021 numbers, we’ve jumped up to 73%,” Rose acknowledged. “ at is a great improvement. But there are still 27% of our lowest-income Coloradans not accessing the program, so there is still a lot of room for us to continue this growth.”

e Public News Service story via e Associated Press’ Storyshare, of which Colorado Community Media is a member.

City Council to adopt a resolution approving, conditionally approving, or disapproving the Amended Service Plan. The Pinnacle Farms Metropolitan District and the Pinnacle Farms Metropolitan District Nos. 2 & 3 (the “Districts”) contain approximately 431 acres and are generally located southwest of the intersection of York Street and Highway 52 in Dacono, Colorado. A full legal description is available from the office of Spencer Fane LLP, 1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 2000, Denver, Colorado 80203. The proposed Amended Service Plan will adopt the City’s Special District Policy and Model Service Plan and will allow for the formation of Pinnacle Farms Metropolitan District Nos. 2 & 3. The maximum mill levy for debt service and operations and maintenance for each District shall be fifty (50) mills, as adjusted and subject to conditions as stated in the Service Plan.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to Section 32-1-203(3.5), C.R.S., any owner of real property within the District(s) may file a request with the Dacono City Council (“City Council”) requesting that such real property be excluded from the District(s). All protests and objections must be submitted in writing to the City Council no later than ten days prior to the hearing in order to be considered, and that any protests and objections to the Amended Service Plan as proposed shall be deemed waived unless presented at the time and in the manner as specified above. The City Council shall not be limited in its action with respect to the exclusion of property based upon such request. Any request for exclusion shall be acted upon before final action of the City Council concerning approval of the Amended Service Plan.

By:City Clerk Dacono, Colorado

Legal Notice No. FLP903

First Publication: August 3, 2023

Last Publication: August 3, 2023

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

Children Services

(Adoption/Guardian/Other)

Public Notice

Hope’s Promise 1585 S. Perry Street, Suite E Castle Rock, CO 80104 (303) 660-0277

Timothy J. Eirich, Esq. Attorney for Hope’s Promise Grob & Eirich, LLC 12596 W. Bayaud Ave., Suite 390 Lakewood, CO 80228 (303) 679-8266

NOTICE OF ANTICIPATED EXPEDITED RELINQUISHMENT OF THE PARENT-CHILD

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED, PURSUANT TO C.R.S. § 19-5-103.7, AS FOLLOWS:

1. You have been identified by Annika Nina Marie Christie as the possible birth father of her child who is expected to be born on August 6, 2023 in Colorado.

2. Ms. Annika Christie plans to relinquish her parental rights to the child on an expedited basis in the Douglas County District Court, State of Colorado, where the adoption agency has an office, pursuant to C.R.S. § 19-5-103.5 in order to make the child available for adoption. Placing a child for adoption requires termination of the birth mother and alleged birth father(s) parentchild legal relationships. Termination of parental rights means that pursuant to a court order, all rights powers, privileges, immunities, duties and obligations existing between a parent and a child are permanently severed, except for inheritance rights, which will be severed at the time of the final decree of adoption. Upon termination of parental rights, a parent shall: (a) no longer have the right to custody of, or parenting time with the child; (b) no longer have the right to any information concerning the whereabouts, activities, health, or well-being of the child; and (c) have no say in any further decisions concerning said child.

3. A birth parent of a child has the right to contest the termination of parental rights.

4. Failure to declare intent to contest the termination of parental rights may likely result in a termination of parental rights to the child. In order to contest the termination of the parent-child legal relationship, YOU MUST:

• Request and then return a “Reply Form to Notice of Anticipated Expedited Relinquishment” to Hope’s Promise at the above addresses or to Grob & Eirich, LLC, 12596 W. Bayaud Ave., Suite 390, Lakewood, CO 80228 by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, no later than twenty-one (21) days after the date of this notice or before the birth mother’s relinquishment petition is filed with the court, whichever occurs later. The date of notice shall be considered the date of the first day of publication in the newspaper. OR

•Request and return a “Reply Form to Notice of Anticipated Expedited Relinquishment” in person to Hope’s Promise, at the address indicated above, no later than twenty-one (21) days after the date of this notice or before the birth mother’s relinquishment petition is filed with the court, whichever occurs later. The date of notice shall be considered the date of the first day of publication in the newspaper. You should bring photo identification with you for in-person submission.

YOU MUST ALSO:

•File a claim of paternity pursuant to Article 4 of Title 19, Colorado Revised Statutes and notify Hope’s Promise pursuant to C.R.S. § 19-4-105.5. This claim of paternity must be filed no later than twenty-one (21) days after the date of this notice or before the birth mother’s relinquishment petition is filed with the court, whichever occurs later. The date of notice shall be considered the date of the first day of publication in the newspaper.

5.You may also waive your right to contest the termination of parental rights and doing so will likely result in a termination of any parental rights you may have to the child. If you do not believe that you are the father of this child, please check the appropriate box on the reply form which will be provided to you by the agency upon request.

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED THAT IF YOU FAIL TO PROPERLY REPLY TO THIS NOTICE IN A MANNER DESCRIBED ABOVE, YOU ALSO WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO ANY FURTHER NOTICE RELATED TO THE ANTICIPATED EXPEDITED RELINQUISHMENT PROCEEDINGS AND YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS, IF ANY, WILL LIKELY BE TERMINATED BY THE COURT.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Attorney