May 14, 2015 VO LUM E 12 6 | IS S UE 42 | 7 5 ¢
LittletonIndependent.net
A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O A publication of
WHAT’S INSIDE
Owen sentenced: Englewood woman gets 38 years in prison for beating man to death. See Page 2
Memorial Day weekend: Check out what’s rockin’ around the metro area. See Page 21
Terri Scrima, an Arapahoe Community College staff member, prepares to slice the cake to celebrate ACC’s 50th anniversary during an event at the college on May 4, its actual birthday. Staff member Michelle Emerson-Lewis greets visitors. Photos by Jennifer Smith
At 50, ACC gets its own day
Warriors exit playoffs: Arapahoe boys fall to Vista. See Page 23
College launches time capsule as part of anniversary fest By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@colorado communitymedia.com
POSTAL ADDRESS
A video depicts scenes from ACC’s past, like the original nursing department on Rapp Street.
LITTLETON INDEPENDENT (ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 315-780) OFFICE: 7315 S. Revere Pkwy., Ste. 603 Centennial, CO 80112 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Englewood, Colorado, the Littleton Independent is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Littleton Independent 7315 S. Revere Pkwy., Ste. 603 Centennial, CO 80112 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 5 p.m. GE T SOCI AL WITH US
P LE A S E R ECYC L E T H I S C O PY
Allan P. Crawfurd, first president of Arapahoe Community College, could never have imagined that the college would livestream its 50th anniversary party from the trendy new cafe on its Littleton campus to its Parker and Castle Rock locations — or even imagined what “livestream”
might mean. Today, ACC’s students can learn all about livestreaming and pretty much anything else they want: nursing, law enforcement, mortuary science, retail management, psychology, automotive service … the list goes on and on. “It’s such an honor to get to carry on its legacy,” said Diana Doyle, current president, during the celebration on May 5, exactly 50 years since the local election that created the college in 1965. “ACC has such a rich history, and we have every intention of keeping that intact as we move forward.” ACC continues on Page 12
Littleton takes reins on construction defects New ordinance is similar to those passed in other cities By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@colorado communitymedia.com Just days after state-level legislation died in a House committee, Littleton became the third Colorado city to take the construction-defects matter into its own hands. “We are not advocates of shoddy construction or shoddy property management,” said Mayor Phil Cernanec. “We’re advocating for conversations.” Mike Braaten, deputy city manager, explained that the city’s new law, passed May 5, is similar to ones enacted in Lakewood and Lone Tree, but differs from what was proposed in the state Legislature in two main ways. First, it gives the builder the absolute right to try to repair any construction defects, so that a property owner or homeowners’ association can’t just go straight
to court. “But if, in good faith, the repairs do not resolve the conflict, the claimant may proceed with action,” Braaten said. Secondly, it requires an HOA to get the consent of the majority of property owners it governs before initiating a suit on behalf of all of them, some of whom might not be experiencing any problems. “It shuts down the ability of every property owner to exercise their property rights, because the lawsuit throws a cloud over the title,” said Stew Meagher, Littleton resident and a member of the South Metro Denver Realtor Association. Twelve people spoke during the public hearing, evenly divided between supporting and opposing the ordinance. Most in the “anti” camp live outside the city, while at least three of those in favor are Littleton residents. But it was the City Council’s vote that mattered, and six of the seven members agreed passing the ordinance was necessary to fill a vast void in the city’s housing Defects continues on Page 4
FBI Special Agent Mike Rankin, right, addresses the media following the announcement that the bank-robbery suspect who shot an FBI agent in Littleton was found dead May 8. At left is Littleton Police Chief Doug Stephens. Photo by Jennifer Smith
FBI agent shot at motel Suspect, who was wanted in a string of bank robberies, found dead in Littleton Staff report An FBI agent was shot in Littleton as he tried to arrest a bankrobbery suspect who was later found dead, authorities said. After shooting the agent May
8, the suspect, later identified as 19-year-old Jesus Emmanual Avila, barricaded himself in a second-story motel room. That led to a standoff that lasted more than two hours, while SWAT and other first responders swarmed the neighborhood and a major road remained closed during rush hour. The agent’s injuries were not believed to be life threatening, and he was taken to Swedish Medical Center.
FBI continues on Page 4