July 23, 2021
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ParkerChronicle.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
Congressional map splits Parker; town objects Council requests change to proposed electoral districts
SEE CONGRESS, P20
Colorado wildfires are year-round danger Hotter, drier climate influences how and when fires ignite
BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The Town of Parker is hoping to be made whole again after a preliminary congressional redistricting map proposed splitting the community between two members of Congress. And the town’s proposed remedy could have an impact on Littleton and other nearby communities. The town council on June 12 agreed to send a formal request to the independent commission charged with redrawing the boundaries of the state’s congressional districts. It comes as the state under-
VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 34
BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
thing you’ve done.” Toborg provided a certificate to recognize the church’s “outstanding support and commitment to Parker small businesses,” he said during the meeting. Tom Fitzgerald, the executive pastor at the church, said the program started in January and the last funding went out in June. “The idea was as we were looking
State climate experts and local fire officials along the Front Range say wildfire season no longer has an end as heat, low moisture and other factors have created a year-round problem. Russ Schumacher, the Colorado state climatologist, and director of the Colorado Climate Center, said 2020 was the worst year on record for wildfires, rewriting record books on what kind of fires can happen and when. In the past, wildfire season was generally contained to the hottest part of summer in July and into August. Now, Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District Chief Daniel Hatlestad said, wildfires are a 12-month priority. The Inter-Canyon Fire District covers 52 square miles in Jefferson County. “We are seeing these fires spread, and spread quickly every month of the year,” Hatlestad said. “The fuel load across the Front Range has created more intense, frequent and longer-burning fires. There is no longer a change of approach to prepare for wildfire season because there is no season.” Schumacher said it is not just Colorado, Western states have had year-round fire problems since 2002
SEE CHURCH, P7
SEE FIRES, P4
A preliminary draft map of Colorado’s proposed congressional district boundaries shows Parker split between the 6th District (orange) and the 7th District (brown). The proposed MAP BY COLORADO INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONS STAFF 4th District is shown in yellow.
Parker recognizes church for helping businesses Southeast Christian Church congregation raised about $205,000 BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A local church is being lauded for a program it put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic that doled
out about $205,000 to struggling local businesses in Douglas County and beyond. The Town of Parker recognized a representative from Southeast Christian Church during their July 12 meeting for the Restart Program. “On behalf of the council and the Town of Parker, thank you so much,” Mayor Jeff Toborg said to Creative Pastor Jeff Percival. “Thank you so much for every-
MOVING ON FROM COSBY
She testified that the actor sexually assaulted her. Now she wants the spotlight on needed changes P2
ON AN UPSWING
Pickleball is still popular among seniors, but now younger generations are discovering the sport
P14