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August 5, 2021
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
LittletonIndependent.net
VOLUME 133 | ISSUE 2
SOUNDS LIKE SUMMER
Littleton district plans near-normal schooling Classes are set to resume Aug. 12 BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
license showing approval of a “safe storage plan,” which mandates all firearms must be stored in a locked safe, gun cabinet or secured safe room after business hours. The law also requires licensees to utilize a burglar alarm that sends reports directly to Littleton Police rather than a store owner or manager. The license must be renewed annually. Littleton’s two pawn shops,
Living through a pandemic has been stressful on students. Robert Reichardt, president of the Littleton Public Schools board, points out that students’ mental and physical health — as well as their learning — have been affected. Therefore, LPS is looking forward to welcoming students back this month in a setting that is as normal as possible. “It’s important to acknowledge that this is a stressful time for everybody,” Reichardt said. “The pandemic has been a constant learning exercise around what works and what doesn’t.” On July 28, Superintendent Brian Ewert sent a letter outlining the district’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols for the 2021-2022 school year, which starts Aug. 12. The school district, which educates about 15,000 students, is planning to start the 2021-2022 school year without a mask requirement, and at the capacity it had prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools will, however, practice physical distancing as much as is possible without disrupting the learning environment. “COVID-19 vaccines for employees and eligible students will continue to be an individual decision and will not be required,” states Ewert’s letter.
SEE GUNS, P28
SEE SCHOOLS, P21
Gary Sloan plays upright bass as David Lawrence and the Spoonful entertain a crowd on July 28 on the Littleton Museum lawn, PHOTO BY SCOTT GILBERT part of the Summer Concert Series provided by Friends of the Library and Museum. More photos, Page 2.
Gun dealers get delay on storage rule Two of 4 comply with city law; others cite delays in construction, materials BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Two of Littleton’s four firearm retailers will miss the deadline to comply with a first-in-thestate safe-storage law intended to prevent burglaries, citing contrac-
tor delays and supply shortages, though Littleton Police say they feel confident the retailers are on the path to compliance. Littleton City Council passed an ordinance in February requiring gun dealers to lock up weapons in safes or hardened rooms after hours, citing frustration after years of gun store burglaries resulting in the collective theft of dozens of firearms. The law, which took effect Aug. 1, requires all gun retailers within city limits to obtain a city-issued
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 29
NEW PLACES TO PLAY New breed of entertainment centers offer food, brews, fun P16