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January 31, 2014 Arapahoe County, Colorado | Volume 13, Issue 11 A publication of
centennialcitizen.net
Arapahoe sheriff set to cap career Grayson Robinson steps down this week By George Lurie
glurie@ coloradocommunitymedia.com After more than four decades of public service, Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson will take off his uniform for the last time on Jan. 31. A retirement ceremony for the popular sheriff will be held at the Arapahoe County Justice Center on his last day and it’s a good bet a few tears will be shed during the speeches extolling the career of one of Colorado’s most highly respected lawmen. Humble and self-effacing to the end, Robinson, 63, a native of western Pennsylvania, said this week that he would rather talk about “the outstanding men and women I’ve been blessed to work with than about myself.” Pressed to reflect on his career, the sher-
iff said, “The last 42 years have been a wonderful adventure. I come from a family of teachers with a long history of community service. I always had a mindset of having a career with a purpose and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.” Robinson was accepted into the Littleton Police Academy at age 21, and he said, “I’ve never looked back. Serving as a public safety officer is all I’ve ever wanted to do.” After working for the Robinson Littleton police department for 20 years, Robinson joined the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office as a captain and worked as division commander of investigations before eventually being appointed undersheriff by then-Sheriff Pat Sullivan. In 2001, when Sullivan resigned before his final term was complete, Robinson was appointed sheriff. He was first elected in November 2002 and then re-elected by wide margins in 2006 and 2010.
WALCHER NAMED NEW SHERIFF The Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners on Jan.28 unanimously appointed Undersheriff David Walcher to replace Sheriff Grayson Robinson effective Feb.1, praising his leadership, confidence and passion. “I feel very strongly about the continuity of keeping this county moving forward with as little interruption as possible, “ said Commissioner Rod Bockenfeld. Walcher Walcher said he appreciates the confidence they have placed in him. “Recent events have shown we need good people in these positions, and you have a great department,” he said. “I will not disappoint you.”
Tragedy before transition The sheriff, who is term-limited, announced his intention to retire late last year as part of what he called a “deliberate and
well-considered succession plan.” Robinson urged Arapahoe County commissioners to appoint his undersheriff, David Walcher, to serve out the remainder of his term — a suggestion the commissioners unanimously approved Jan. 28. Walcher, who has been with the ACSO since 2009, began his career at the FBI’s Denver bureau and then he served 21 years in the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Following Robinson’s retirement ceremony, Walcher will be sworn in as Arapahoe County’s new sheriff. Unfortunately, just 24 hours after Robinson announced his plans to step down, the shooting occurred at Arapahoe High School. So rather than ride off quietly into the sunset, the sheriff has spent the past six weeks at the epicenter of a major investigation — and media firestorm. “It’s been a painstaking and emotional process,” he said. “We’ve been very busy trying to do the right thing. It’s what the community expects — and deserves.” Sheriff continues on Page 10
School-safety hotline bill gains steam Legislation would put state in charge of program By Vic Vela
vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com
During a December 2013 tour given to Centennial Mayor Cathy Noon (center) and Councilmember Ken Lucas (second from left), IKEA manager John Ellis (far left) explains the various features of the store’s “sustainability model,” which is located near the entrance and highlights energy-saving and environmentally friendly improvements made to the Centennial store. Courtesy photo
At IKEA, here comes the sun Centennial store doubles size of its solar footprint By George Lurie
glurie@ coloradocommunitymedia.com In a state where the sun shines more than 300 days a year, IKEA reached a milestone when the company plugged in and powered up Colorado’s largest rooftop solar energy system. Installation of more than 2,000 additional panels for the expanded PV — or Photovoltaic — solar system began this past summer and on Jan. 22, the system became operational. “We’re finally up and running and excited to have the largest rooftop solar energy system in the state,” said store manager John Ellis. “It’s another example of IKEA’s commitment to environmental sustainability.” When the popular Swedish company
IKEA’s recently expanded solar energy system is Colorado’s single-largest rooftop solar array. Photo courtesy of IKEA that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture as well as appliances and home accessories first opened in Centennial two and a half years ago, the store made a point of emphasizing its commitment to
operating in an environmentally friendly manner. Walking into the lobby, shoppers are greeted by a “sustainability model” — a miniature version of the Centennial store that highlights the various ecologically conscious and energy-saving measures the company takes every day. The new, expanded solar system turned on this week is more than twice as large as the rooftop solar system that was in operation from IKEA’s first day in business in Colorado in July 2011. “We are fortunate to have the roof space and corporate commitment to more than double the energy being generated on-site here at the store,” said Ellis. “We’re proud to make this investment and to grow our local sustainable footprint.” Located on 13.5 acres just west of Interstate 25 and north of County Line Road, the 415,000-square-foot IKEA Centennial was the company’s first IKEA continues on Page 10
A chilling irony occurred during a Jan. 23 legislative committee hearing on a school-safety hotline bill. At the same time that lawmakers were hearing testimony, Jefferson County Public Schools was sending out alerts that a lockout involving some of its schools had been lifted following reports that police were investigating a threat at Columbine High School. Tom Mauser — whose son Daniel was killed during the 1999 Columbine massacre — was listening to the testimony from inside a Senate Education Committee hearing room, when he received the alerts on his phone. “It just goes to show that we have to continue with our vigilance,” Mauser told committee members. Nothing came of the threats the day of the committee hearing. But what happened at Columbine High School 15 years ago is exactly what the Safe2Tell Hotline was intended to prevent. Since 1999, the hotline has operated as an anonymous way for students to notify law enforcement of potential campus threats. But the nonprofit-backed hotline is at risk of shutting down due to a lack of funding. Because of that, lawmakers want the state take over operations for a program that they believe has been successful in thwarting several school tragedies. “Rarely in government do we get an opportunity to adopt something that’s working,” said Senate Minority Leader Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs. Cadman and Senate President Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, are co-sponsors of Senate Bill 2, which would transfer operations School continues on Page 10
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