Littleton to host SpaceX rocket booster exhibit

BY SHEA VANCE SVANCE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Former Superintendent Brian Ewert ended his eight-year tenure on June 30, following almost a decade of sweeping change across Littleton Public Schools that coincided with a shifting educational landscape as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, widespread under enrollment, and political rifts in surrounding districts.

With an in-shape budget, a nonpartisan board of education, and a strong sta in the superintendent’s o ce, Ewert thinks the district is in the right place for a big change.

“If the district was in crisis, I would not retire,” Ewert said.

During his time with the district, Ewert oversaw the passage of a major bond in 2018 and a mill levy override in 2020, increases in teacher pay, major school renovations, and the creation of a career and technical education center to be opened this fall.

As he passes the torch to Dr. Todd Lambert, who began as superintendent on July 1, Ewert is ready to depart after expending so much stress and energy managing the district during the pandemic.

“ ose were really, really challenging years for administration, for central o ce, for principals, and for teachers,” Ewert said. “I had used so much energy, and it was such a challenging time that I really felt like I gave everything that I could to lead the district. Honestly, it felt like my tank was running dry, and I didn’t want to be the guy who continued to come to work with an empty tank.”

Ewert said he was “always hoping to get 10 [years] in Littleton,” and that he likely would have stayed an extra two were it not for the pandemic’s impact on schools.

“I won’t miss the work. I will absolutely miss the people,” he said. e board is seeing signi cant changes as well, with longtime member and president for almost two years, Robert Reichardt, preparing to leave when he nishes his second term.

Although Reichardt’s term is not quite over, he has already passed the presidential baton to Angela Christensen, who has served on the board since 2021, to aid the transition.

Reichardt said the changes in the superintendent’s o ce and on the board are by no means indicative of district issues, noting turbulence in neighboring school districts.

“ is is kind of the normal ow of districts,” Reichardt said of the turnover. “ ere’s a lot of districts in our area that are having a lot of problems, and I think we’re not one of them.” is fall, two spots on the board— those currently held by Reichardt and Lindley McCrary—are up for reelection. Reichardt is termed out, but McCrary is running for reelection.

Reichardt described Ewert as a “change agent,” noting his modication to professional learning community meeting operations for

Free attraction will be installed on DISH Network corporate campus

BY SHEA VANCE SVANCE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In an effort to boost tourism, Littleton will this fall display a 146-foot-tall SpaceX Falcon 9 first-stage rocket booster. The free attraction, which would be the third of its kind in the country, can be seen on the DISH Network corporate office campus on Bowles and Santa Fe.

Cantey Ergen, co-founder of DISH, said that the company aims to “bring aerospace technology to the community.”

Littleton’s city council recently heard about the plan during a presentation at a July 18 council meeting. The booster is expected to be delivered by SpaceX — the well-known spacecraft manufacturer founded by business mogul Elon Musk — in September.

Littleton Public Works and Utilities Director Keith Reester told members of the city council about the roles and responsibilities shared between the city, DISH, and the Telluray Foundation, which is funding the project.

River and nearby drainage ways implicates more agencies than might be required at a different location.

“The timing on this project has shifted a number of times,” said City Manager Jim Becklenberg.

The Telluray Foundation is providing a $2.4-million grant to complete the project, but DISH will be responsible for upkeep and

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The 146-foot rocket booster — almost half the length of a football field — will sit horizontal on the western end of the DISH campus, spanning the Littles Creek Trail. It will be on supports that keep the booster about 10 feet off the

Councilors Patrick Driscoll, Kelly Milliman, Stephen Barr and Jerry Valdes raised concerns regarding the location, particularly the impact it would have on foot and bike traffic on the Mary Carter

Ergen said that DISH landed on the location because it was “off the beaten path,” referring to Bowles and Santa Fe traffic, while still being accessible to locals.

Reester and Ergen assured councilors that the placement of the rocket will not significantly hinder foot traffic, as there will be a plot of concrete set aside from the path where people can stand and view. They also said it will have no impact on the South Platte floodplain, and will have minimal impact on the Littles Creek flood-

Despite concerns, the plan received general support from

Milliman said that, aside from the economic and tourism benefits, the educational advantages will serve the community well.

“To get these kids interested in engineering, I am truly so excited about all of this,” Milliman said during the discussion period following the presentation.

Reester also sees the exhibition as an opportunity to boost use of public transportation, as it may be difficult to find parking near the DISH campus.

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