Commerce City Sentinel Express March 6, 2025 by Colorado Community Media

Prescribed burn planned at Rocky Mountain Arsenal

Fish and Wildlife Service to burn almost 3,000 acres in March

BY JACKIE RAMIREZ

SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

e Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge near Commerce City will be burning nearly 3,000 acres of vegetation from March 4 through March 18, weather permitting, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced earlier this week.

Smoke may be visible for several miles from the perimeter of the refuge, and people in the area may smell smoke, according to a Feb. 25 press release from the service’s Mountain-Prairie Region ofce, which covers Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, and North and South Dakota.

Given the Los Angeles res early this year, burning of any kind could cause concern for folks, but the release explained that the purpose of the prescribed burn at the wildlife refuge near Commerce City is to “reinvigorate the growth of native prairie vegetation, reduce accumulated vegetation, manage e orts for weed control and improve habitat to sustain wildlife.”

ey also serve to reduce the risk of wild re in local communities.

“Contrary to what many of us learned as kids, re is not nature’s enemy,” wrote Susan Morse in an article about managing re in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s website. “Pre-

scribed re – sometimes called a controlled burn – doesn’t just reduce wildlife risk to surrounding communities; it also helps meet refuge land management goals, such as restoring nesting habitat and controlling invasive weeds.”

Wild re is also controlled by thinning trees and brush and creating fuel breaks, which reduce intensity and help to slow a re’s spread. A re prescription isn’t as simple as a doctor’s visit; it actually requires several months of planning where specialists develop a re plan with natural resource experts before review by a refuge manager. For next week’s prescribed burning, interagency re crews from the U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service, local re departments and other federal agencies will participate.

“Safety is the number one priority, and every burn is carefully planned to ensure the safety of the surrounding community, the public and re ghters,” according to the release.

Prioritizing your health in a time where smoke will be in the area is important, and health impacts vary based on di erent factors such as what’s in the smoke or the length of time of exposure, as well as your health history and lifestyle factors, according to Colorado’s health department.

Amid budget crunch, Youth Advisory Council on chopping block

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

e Colorado legislature, as part of its e orts to close a budget hole of more than $1 billion, is planning to axe a nearly two-decade program that enlists teenagers from across the state to help draft and o er input on bills.

Shutting down the Colorado Youth Advisory Council would save about $50,000 a year. at’s a relatively paltry amount, but it’s meant to send a message that costs must be trimmed wherever possible. e cut foreshadows the big, and often painful, line-item reductions the legislature will have to make in the coming weeks.

Sidd Nareddi, who served on COYAC from 2022 to 2024 while he was in high school, said he was heartbroken to hear the program may be discontinued. Now a rst-year student at Brown University, Nareddi said being a member of COYAC was one of the most formative experiences of his high school years.

“It really was a personal development program for me,” he said. “It’s a very empowering process.”

e Colorado Youth Advisory Council was created in 2008 and is composed of 40 junior high and high school students representing each of the state’s 35 Senate districts, as well as the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribes. Teens serve two-year terms on the council. e panel is currently supposed to continue through at least 2028.

In recent years, the panel — known as COYAC — has drafted legislation to require school sta to address students by their chosen name, boost mental health resources in schools, reduce food waste in public schools and get young people involved in environmental justice.

“ at would be a huge mistake,” Sen. Faith Winter, a Broom eld Democrat and a legislative liaison to the council, said of ending the program. “We know that the bud-

A prescribed burn is planned for Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge near Commerce City from March 4 through March 18. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said smoke may be visible for several miles from the perimeter. FILE PHOTO

Residents make demands of Evans

Newly elected U.S. Rep. vows to hear constituent concerns, an aide says

About 50 protesters Friday demanded to talk to newly elected U.S. Representative Gabe Evans and ask him why he seemingly is standing idly by as newly elected President Donald Trump dismantles much needed federal services and protections.

“ ere’s been not a whisper, not a word” from Evans, said Westminster’s Ron Booth. “He’s been silent as we quickly descend into fascism.”

Booth and others gathered in a parking lot next to Evans’ o ce in Northglenn and called for him to come out and talk on Feb. 21. ey also chanted “Where is Gabe! Where is Gabe!”

Evans, a Republican, was elected by a slim margin in November over incumbent Democrat Yadira Caraveo, to represent the 8th Congressional District.

e 8th includes a wide swath of Adams County and a portion of west Weld County.

carrying demonstrators to the front of the building where Evans and his sta members work. Police met the protesters and told them they could not gather on private property. e group then went into the building’s lobby where they met face-toface with two sta members. e sta members were given a list of 16 constituent demands including blocking billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk from illegally “rampaging” through private government les. e group also asked: “Are you OK with him (Musk) decimating the VA’s workforce? Are you OK with the ring of National Park and National Forest workers?”

Sydney Carabelos – an Evans eld representative – took the list of the demands from Booth and said she would forward them to Evans. e congressman was enroute to Washington D.C. for several other meetings with constituents on Friday but was eager to hold a virtual town hall within the next few weeks.

you’re near a prescribed burn:

1. Check the air quality before going outdoors

Wood smoke can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, cause wheezing, coughing and difculty breathing. e smoke can also worsen symptoms caused by asthma and lung and heart diseases.

e health department offers some tips to consider if

If smoke is visible within 1-1.5 miles, the air quality index is likely very unhealthy; if it’s less than a mile, the air quality is hazardous. If the air quality is deemed bad, stay indoors, and close windows and doors in order to protect yourself and others, such as children and older adults, who

concerns and the congressman is eager to hear them,” said Carabelos, who stood with the protesters for photos and to hear more about their unease with the new administration.

Another group of protestors gathered in front of Evans’ Northglenn o ce on Monday Feb. 24, urging Evans to oppose the Republican budget resolution that they say “will risk access to health care for 73,000 constituents in the 8th District.

Evans, in a statement released on Monday, said he is looking forward to working with his colleagues in Congress to protect hard working families. “... is includes commonsense spending reductions that combats waste, fraud, and abuse, tax cuts for small businesses and working class families, and increase border security measures to deliver our neighborhoods from transnational criminal organizations and fentanyl.”

Evans spokeswoman Dela-

are considered at higher risk of being impacted by smoke.

2. Wear a mask

In the event there is heavy smoke in the area, the health department recommends using an N95 respirator outdoors. Other masks, such as cloth, surgical or paint masks, do not prevent breathing in smoke.

3. Reduce smoke in your vehicle Close windows and vents and

nie Bomar said in an email that plans call for a focus on waste, fraud, and abuse within Medicaid and not to cut bene ts. Medicaid cuts aren’t specically listed in the resolution, Bomar said.

“Also worth noting this resolution is not the nal budget nor is this policy,” Bomar said. “ is is just one step in the long process.”

Ellen Buckley, an organizer of the earlier protest on Friday, said the massive cuts in the National Forest Service will have huge implication for Colorado, especially as we draw closer to re season.

“I don’t think people understand the toll those cuts will have in this state,” Buckley said. “ is will deeply hurt our economy.”

She and others said Evans should make himself available to 8th District constituents through frequent town halls. Otherwise, people will assume Evans is in favor of the destruction of the federal government.

“Your silence is complicity,” Buckley said.

run your car’s air conditioner in “recirculate” mode will reduce smoke getting inside the car.

4. Find locations with ﬁltered air If needed, the health department recommends nding areas where air is ltered, such as malls, movie theaters or recreation centers.

For more information, contact Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge visitor services at 303-289-0232.

Brighton expands Colorado Front Range Trail access at Veteran Park

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Colorado Front Range Trail at Veteran Park will expand, with 400 feet of new trail along Brighton Street’s right-of-way. Construction began on Feb. 17.

“We see people currently using that area to access downtown Brighton and Veterans Park, especially as it is a key route to the Colorado Front Range Trail. e improvements will enhance pedestrian safety, making the area more accessible for everyone,” said Ryan Smith, Brighton Parks Planning, Development and Grant Manager.

e Front Range Trail is an ambitious plan, building an 870-milelong path from New Mexico, through Colorado and ending in Wyoming. More than 300 miles are completed, with some 500 miles still in planning stages or under construction.

e City of Brighton plans to extend the Colorado Front Range Trail to the roundabout in the western part of town, starting from Veterans Park. is extension will make it accessible for the community to hike, run, or bike to the green spaces at Veterans Park.

During the trail construction, a new curb and gutter will be installed along a section of Bridge Street. Construction to enhance stormwater infrastructure. According to o cials, the road shoulder along Bridge Street will be closed, and drivers should exercise caution and remain aware of periodic tra c lane changes during the construction.

According to o cials, the city advises motorists to slow down, stay alert, and obey posted signs when driving near the construction zone to ensure the safety of both workers and the public.

According to History Colorado, the Colorado Front Range Trail was used by Native American Indians for thousands of years. Spaniards traveled it in the 1600s and 1700s, and many U.S. exploratory expeditions utilized it in the 1800s. e Mountain Men referred to its path as the Trappers Trail. For additional information, please contact Ryan Smith, parks planning, development, and grant manager, at rfsmith@brightonco.gov.

Colorado Front Range Trail expansion connecting into the city of Brighton.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

Ron Booth and other protestors demand to talk to Rep. Gabe Evans Friday.

MONTE WHALEY

With Affordability an Increasing Problem, More Buyers Consider Condos, But Can You Get a Loan?

Assuming you have good credit and a sufficient income, getting a loan to buy a single family home is not that hard, but when it comes to buying a condominium, the loan may not be possible if the building does not meet some challenging Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac guidelines. Most loans are sold to one of those institutions, and they will not buy a condo loan from a lender if the following is true:

 The condo development hasn’t been completed

 Less than half of the units are owner-occupied (for investors)

The condo association you’re looking at may not have any of those problems, but if it has not completed the proper paperwork, it will still not make the list of “warrantable” condos.

money to buy a replacement home, that definitely doesn’t work.

Follow-up on Last Week’s Column

 An individual or company owns more than 10% of the units within the building (including the developer)

 More than 25% of units are delinquent on HOA fees

 If the homeowner’s association is still controlled by the developer

 Commercial space is 35% or more of the building’s total square footage

 There are pending lawsuits against the condo owner’s association

 The deductible for hail damage is greater than 5%

 If there’s central heating, the master policy doesn’t cover the boiler.

Just last Friday one of our broker associates, Kathy Jonke, closed for a condo buyer who had to terminate her first purchase contract because it was discovered just before closing that the hail deductible was 10%. On the condo which closed last Friday, the lender thought the master insurance policy did not cover the boiler, but our inhouse lender, Wendy Renee, got the right person on the phone and was able to verify that the boiler was covered, and the closing took place on time. Such is the life of a strong buyer’s agent and a strong loan officer!

I’m not saying that you can’t get a loan for an unwarrantable condo. It’s just that you can’t get a conventional loan which the lender plans to sell to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. That’s true of all the big banks and big lenders, but small banks and credit unions are often “portfolio lenders,” meaning that they keep their loans in-house instead of selling them. Another option (rarely used) is for the seller to “carry” the loan, which can work for some but not all sellers. If the seller needs the

Another option is to get the mortgage from FHA, which has a Single-Unit Approval (SUA) option whereby they evaluate the loan on a case-by-case basis. FHA loans, however, require an upfront and ongoing purchase mortgage insurance (PMI) premium. Kathy’s buyer was given that option on her first condo purchase where the hail deductible was 10%, but she chose to terminate the contract rather than assume that added expense.

In any condo purchase, the lender will ask the condo association to complete a questionnaire and base its approval on the response. For example, in addition to the criteria mentioned above, the lender will want to know the association’s budget and its reserves.

Loans on non-warrantable condos can also require a larger down payment and carry a higher interest rate to compensate for the added risk. Recent increases in master insurance policy deductibles alone has made a higher percentage of condos non-warrantable, and loans on unwarrantable condos are estimated to equal over 22% of the market now.

If you are considering writing an offer on a condo, make sure your agent and loan officer submit the condo questionnaire immediately and ask questions about warrantability before spending money on inspection and appraisal.

62% of Americans Think a 20% Down Payment Is Required, But It’s the #1 Myth

NerdWallet.com is a trusted resource for consumer information, and, according to its 2025 Home Buyer Report, 62% of Americans believe that a 20% down payment is required to purchase a home. That’s the number one myth that is holding back Americans from pursuing the American dream of home ownership.

In fact, there are many programs, especially for first-time home buyers, which require zero down payment. Here in Colorado, the Colorado Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) has a website www.WhyWaitBuyToday.com, which describes their programs for both first-time and repeat buyers with 4% down payment assistance (DPA) up to $25,000.

To qualify for DPA, you have to have a credit score of 620 or higher. The deferred DPA takes the form of a second loan with a 30-year term and a zero percent interest rate. It accrues no interest, has no monthly payments, but is due and payable upon sale, refinance or payoff of your first mortgage. Some DPA is provided as a gift and does not have to be repaid.

Since, according to NerdWallet’s report, 33% of non-homeowners say that not having enough money for a down payment is holding them back from buying a home at this time, “this misconception could be stopping them unnecessarily.”

FHA is famous for requiring only a 3.5% down payment, but conventional loans are

available with as little as 3% down payment. Veterans with a “certificate of eligibility” can get a loan with zero percent down payment for a primary residence.

USDA loans with zero percent down are also available for rural properties.

Larger down payments are always better, and can avoid the added expense of purchase mortgage insurance (PMI), but once your equity reaches a certain level, conventional mort-

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gages allow you to eliminate that expense.

FHA loans maintain that expense for the life of the loan, unless your down payment was 11% or higher, in which case you can eliminate that expense once you achieve a certain equity level based on an appraisal.

So, if this myth has been keeping you from pursuing home ownership, give us a call and we will help you achieve your American dream!

One of the articles, “Buyers Need and Deserve Professional Representation, But Here’s Why They Shouldn’t Have to Pay for It,” produced some feedback from readers. One said the percentages I quoted were wrong, and I’m embarrassed to admit that’s true. (Did I really go to MIT?) The numbers, however, were correct as was the logic of my argument, which is supported by the fact that virtually all closings taking place are ones in which the seller is still compensating the agent representing the buyer.

I confirmed that fact with one of the region’s biggest title companies. What that tells us is that sellers want one thing above all else — to sell their property. They have come to realize that they can try to avoid offering any compensation to the agent representing a buyer, but if they’re the only seller taking that stand, buyers will gravitate to other listings. Also, the standard contract to buy and sell real estate has a section in which it is stated what the seller will pay, so sellers are given the opportunity to accept that amount or call the buyer’s bluff and hope they come to terms. Closing data available to title companies suggests that sellers don’t win that argument often or at all.

One reader believes that if the buyer’s agent is paid by the seller, he’s not going to work to get the lowest price for his buyer. That would make sense, but in 22 years of being on both sides of transactions, I have never known a colleague or myself to do anything other than work in the best interests of a buyer he/she represents, not just in getting the lowest price initially, but when it comes to negotiating concessions or a price reduction based on inspection issues or a low appraisal. And when there’s a seller concession, many agents including ours, make sure our commissions are based on the net price.

$189,000

This nicely updated and well-maintained 574square-foot condo is in the Sable Cove subdivision southeast of Aurora’s Town Center. The address is 992 S. Dearborn Way, #7, east of I-225 and north of Mississippi Avenue. The seller, who bought it for a family member, updated everything in this ground level unit. It has luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout, a pantry with slide-out drawers, laundry hookups, and a wood-burning fireplace. There is lots of open lot parking for you and your guests. The HOA dues are only $255 per month and include water, sewer, maintenance, a community center, swimming pool and fitness center. There is a locked storage closet on the front porch, big enough for all your winter gear. Find more information, high-quality pictures and my narrated video walk-through at www.GRElistings.com, then call 303-525-1851 to arrange a private showing.

BY LONDON LYLE

Tax Day doesn’t have to be painful for contractors

SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY

Ahh… tax season. It’s everyone’s favorite time of year. If you’re an independent contractor like I am, the prospect of ling your taxes can seem daunting at rst, especially if you’re doing them alone.

My rst time ling taxes as a freelancer, I had a gnawing fear in the back of my mind that I might accidentally commit tax fraud. It sounds ridiculous, but it’s warranted; if you saw me try to solve any math equation above an eighth-grade level, you’d likely understand why I prefer to hire someone else to crunch the numbers. And luckily, getting assistance with your taxes doesn’t have to break the bank. It can even be free

For self-employed folks, tax season requires a level of organization that would make Marie Kondo proud. You should have received 1099-NEC forms from each client or customer who paid you more than $600 in 2024. ey either send them virtually as a PDF or mail to your residence as a physical copy. ese forms are for record-keeping purposes; the burden of ling them falls on the client, but it helps to have them all when preparing your taxes.

Additionally, all self-employed individuals are required to le a Form 1040-ES (individual income tax return) along with a Schedule C to document any business income and expenses.

Now here’s the fun part: you can write o most business-related expenses, including mileage, travel expenses, o ce equipment and the square footage of a home o ce. It turns out you don’t need

to feel guilty for purchasing those swanky new business cards after all.

“If you look at a Schedule C, which is the schedule that you would attach to your tax return as a small business owner, you can see the general categories of expenses that are eligible,” said Nathan Davis, vice president at Mile High United Way and overseer of their Tax Help Colorado Program.

Other deductible business expenses include advertising, insurance and certain client-related meal expenses (Not lunch breaks with your coworkers, but meals with potential clients…here is a list I used for my own tax write-o s, for reference.)

Some Commerce City residents have access to free tax preparation services every rst and third Saturday leading up to Tax Day (Tuesday, April 15) courtesy of Anythink Commerce City, Mile High United Way’s Tax Help Colorado, and Adams County Health Department. e sessions are o ered in English, Spanish and Arabic.

Now, it can be tricky knowing how to appropriately categorize yourself or your business when ling, particularly if you don’t really have a “business,” in the traditional sense. But most folks don’t need to rush to register an LLC before April 15. In fact, choosing to le as a sole proprietorship or an LLC often doesn’t make much of a di erence unless you’re running a brick-and-mortar business.

“Even if you have an LLC, you can still be a sole proprietorship,” Davis said. “If you’re the only member of that LLC, most people are still going to le a Schedule C, which means the business income is associated with their personal income tax

Vote

return.” ose considering whether to le as an LLC or sole proprietorship should seek guidance from a Certi ed Public Accountant or an attorney. It’s not necessary for everyone to work with a professional, however. Most online tax ling services like H&R Block are free to use, so if you’re experienced and comfortable with the process of ling taxes as an independent contractor, this might be your best bet to get them done without ever leaving the comfort of your own couch.

For the not-quite-as-tax-savvy among us who want more personalized support, these same websites do o er options to work one-on-one with a tax expert who will le taxes for you, but they’re often expensive and sometimes have hidden fees that don’t appear until the very end. It’s also important to keep in mind that you are responsible for any discrepancies in your taxes, even if you were not the one who led them.1054

A little preparation can make ﬁling state and federal income taxes for independent contractors much easier. PHOTO

CONTRACTORS

e IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program provides virtually the same services as paid tax preparers but at no cost–provided the ler’s individual income is below $67,000. Tax Help Colorado o ers 50 free tax prep sites across the state of Colorado as well.

Naturally, there are some limitations to what free tax programs can handle. Advanced preparation is key to getting the most out of free tax ling services.

“If someone has a net loss on the business, we can’t do that return. If they had more than $30,000 of business expenses, we can’t do that return,” Davis said. Additionally, if a business has inventory or cost of goods sold, it falls out of scope for free programs like VITA.

Self-employed people can also owe taxes at the end of the year. is is primarily due to the “self-employment tax”, which covers Social Security and Medicare. When someone is a W-2 employee, these taxes are withheld throughout the year and split between the employer and the employee, according to Davis.

“ is can be especially jarring the rst time someone les taxes while earning a signi cant portion of their income via self-employment,” he said. “If the entrepreneur owes more than $1,000 at the end of the year, they are also assessed penalties and interest for not making quarterly payments throughout the course of the year.”

To avoid this, independent contractors should make estimated payments via Form 1040-ES throughout the year.

If you weren’t aware of the self-employment tax and worry you made a mistake, it’s not the end of the world. It just might mean you owe

a ne to the IRS, which can be paid in installments. Rest assured, you didn’t accidentally commit tax fraud. And, of course, gathering and sorting through records takes time if they haven’t been tracked throughout the year, so keep that in mind moving forward.

For those who are comfortable ling on their own but need a bit of guidance, Davis recommends MyFreeTaxes.com, a program of United Way Worldwide.

“ ey o er some really helpful PDF guides for di erent types of entrepreneurs and business owners, and those are o ered in English and Spanish,” he said. e site includes guides speci cally designed for small business owners, gig economy workers, and home-based childcare providers.

e main bene t of paying out of pocket for a private tax professional is the ability to have virtually unlimited time with them. If businessrelated purchases, mileage, or other expenses haven’t been tracked throughout the year, private tax professionals can help – so long as you can a ord their hourly rate.

“Tax preparers are not bookkeepers,” Davis said. “If folks can come as prepared as possible, it will make things a lot easier and more e cient.”

If you haven’t been keeping track of everything perfectly, you’re not alone.

It may seem like a lot, but it just takes setting aside some time for a spring cleaning. For once, that pile of crumpled receipts from various gas stations that’s been sitting in your glovebox for a year might be good for something! Just take it one step at a time; measure your o ce space in square feet, go through old bank statements, and get your hands on those glovebox receipts to estimate the miles driven for work-related purposes. (Maybe clean out the candy wrappers while you’re there, too.)

For those who qualify for free tax help

BRIEFS

Reunion developer o ers survey

Oakwood Homes, the master developer of Reunion, has launched a community engagement and visioning process titled “What’s Next, Reunion?” to nd out what the community wants for the future of Reunion. ose who live, work or play in Reunion are encouraged to visit whatsnextreunion.com online to complete the community survey. Oakwood Homes will gather input and create actionable plans for Reunion that re ect the shared goals of residents, local partners and Commerce City. e survey is the rst step in a long-term plan to provide additional programming and cultural activities to improve quality of life for Reunion residents. e survey will close Friday, March 7. Go For Launch

Colorado Air & Space Port is hosting a Higher Orbits for students from 8th and 12th grades to expand their STEM skill sets learning with teamwork, communications, research design, and leadership.

Students would get to work with an astronaut, Captain Wendy Lawerence, and work on an experiment design project during the event, learning, growing, and developing skills to succeed throughout their lives. e student teams will present their project to a panel of judges who work in the Space and STEM elds. ey will choose a winner from each Go for Launch event. e winning experiment will be launched to board the International Space Station or a suborbital ight. Michelle Lucas is the founder and CEO of Higher Orbits.

For more information about the Higher Orbits event, visit www.higherorbits.org. To sponsor the event, go to sponsors@higherobits.org. To call for information at 281-4515343.

the O ce of Strategic Partnerships & Resilient Communities to serve the community more e ectively. e goal of SPARC is to enhance the way the county builds and sustains partnerships, both internally and with external organizations.

e team is led by Adminstrator Daniela Garcia, who played a key role in establishing SPARC for Adams County. She leads e orts to secure diverse funding, promote equitable resource distribution, and empower communities to foster resilience and prosperity.

e team will collaborate with partners to foster ongoing engagement with programming and organizations in the community, and remain a reliable place where anyone can turn when challenges arise and resources are needed.

through VITA, volunteers will le their tax returns on their behalf, though lers are still ultimately responsible for any errors or omissions. Commerce City locations for free tax preparation are almost always sta ed with Spanishspeaking volunteers, and in cases where no bilingual tax preparers are present, a language line is available. Tax assistance resources can be found at tax. colorado.gov, myfreetaxes.com/taxguides and myfreetaxes.com/es/guiasdeimpuestos for Spanish resources. Additionally, individuals can dial 211 on a landline phone for tax assistance information.

Learn more at sparc.adcogov.org.

2024 Healthy Farmers Markets Survey

e Adams County Health Department is hoping that anyone who attended one of the

BROOKE WARNER Executive Director brooke@ntln.org

LINDA SHAPLEY Director of Editorial & Audience lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SCOTT TAYLOR Metro North Editor staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

BELEN WARD Community Editor bward@coloradocommunitymedia.com

TERESA ALEXIS Marketing Consultant Classiﬁed Sales talexis@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Healthy Farmers Markets they hosted hosted in 2024 will o er feedback on how to improve these events for 2025.

e survey is available on the Health Department’s Website and at at bit.ly/4jBvrh5. ose who take the survey before Monday, April 21, will be entered to win a $50 gift card.

Snow Trooper helps get you through the storm

When the akes start falling, Commerce City Public Works hits the road to plow nearly 300 lane miles of streets in the city.

To help you prepare for a safe commute, the city’s online Snow Trooper map shows which roads have been plowed and how recently. Visit snowtrooper.c3gov.com to see the treatment map and priority level of streets along your route.

As a reminder, the city does not plow state roads, such as Highway 85, Interstates 270 and 76, and Brighton Boulevard. Learn more about the city’s snow response plan at c3gov. com/Snow.

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A legal newspaper of general circulation in Commerce City, Colorado, Commerce City Sentinel Express is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 143 S. 2nd Pl., Brighton CO 80601.

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Email linda@cotln.org if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.

The ﬁling deadline for federal and

Adams County Launches O ce of Strategic Partnerships & Resilient Communities

Adams County’s Executive Leadership Team is excited to announce the creation of

Police seek help in Mountain Sky car break-ins

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Fort Lupton Police have made one arrest and recovered some stolen items after an early morning shooting in the city’s Mountain Sky neighborhood and several car break-ins nearby Monday Feb. 24. O cers were called to the area at about 3 a.m. Feb. 24 following reports of a shooting that involved a white BMW X5 with no license plates. No one was reported injured, and the white BMW was was last seen westbound on 88th Avenue from Highway 2 in Commerce City.

According to police, more than 20 vehicles in the Mountain Sky, Coyote Creek and Appel farms neighborhoods were broken into and trespassed between midnight and 3 a.m. One vehicle was reported stolen, but has since been recovered. Two handguns were also stolen from cars, according to o cials.

Police announced they had located the car and arrested one individual Feb. 28, and were in them process of returning some of the recovered property. e case remains open, and under investigation, however. e Fort Lupton Police issued a statement thanking the community for providing surveillance videos and encourage anyone with information to reach out.

are urging anyone who’s car was broken into to call 720-652-4222 to make a report.

Police already have good video to aid the investigation, thanks to neighbors, but

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has surveillance video from the specied time, knows the suspects, has information about the vehicle depicted or possesses any additional information to contact Investigator Devich at 720-4666138.

Thornton Police investigate possible arson, two deaths

A 58-year-old woman, 55-year-old man found with gunshots

BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

ornton Police are investigating an apparent arson Wednesday night and deaths of the home’s two occupants.

Police said that just before 11:15 p.m. o cers responded to reports of a structure re in the 16300 block of Columbine Street. Upon arrival, o cers and re personnel found a 58-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man dead inside the

home with apparent gunshot wounds, according to a ornton Police news release.

Fire investigators determined the re was intentionally set, and the exact cause and circumstances remain under investigation. e re was contained to one home and the re scene was declared all clear by 11:59 a.m., police said.

Investigators believe there was no one else inside the home at the time of the incident and there is no ongoing threat to the community. e Adams Count Coroner’s O ce will determine the o cial cause and manner of death and release the identities of the deceased once next of kin is noti ed, the news release states.

Fort Lupton Police are seeking help identifying this person caught on video camera inside a truck early Feb. 24. FORT LUPTON POLICE

The suspect vehicle, a white BMW X5, was caught on camera Monday Feb. 24 in Fort Lupton. The car was last seen headed Westbound on 88th Avenue from Commerce City. FORT LUPTON POLICE

Finding family, writing a book because of DNA test

Genie Petrocco’s rediscovered roots inspired her to write a book

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Genie Petrocco’s new book, “Cheers to 80” had its roots in a PBS series on ancestry. It turns out, the show helped her nd some family she didn’t know, as well.

Petrocco said she was inspired by the PBS series “Finding Your Roots “ with Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.

“I have always been fascinated by it. While watching the show, I would observe people wondering whether they were Greek or Spanish,” Petrocco said.

She loved learning about people’s origins and where they came from so much, it inspired her to take a DNA test herself. e test revealed some new information.

“To my surprise, I took the DNA test and discovered a cousin who was related to me from my childhood in the farming town of Welby, Colorado,” Petrocco said. “I believed I was primarily Italian, but when the results came in, I discovered I was 40% Greek. I explored my ancestry on my dad’s side since I was already familiar with my mother’s ancestry. “

e DNA testing results, her family history, and her upbringing in a farming community inspired Petrocco to start to write a book in 2019. She completed it in 2024 and released it, titled “Cheers to 80”,

The book “Cheers to 80,” can be found on Amazon.com.

immigrants were involved in farming. e book also documents their shared ancestry and newfound friendship, re-

“He grew up in a small town called Campobasso before moving to Gildone. He arrived at Boston Harbor, learned about the mines in Colorado, and traveled to Colorado,” Petrocco said.

“I often wondered how he arrived in Colorado, perhaps by train. He came to the Denver area with his friend,” Petrocco said. “City Park in Denver was once a farm before it became a park, and my greatgrandfather farmed there, and then he heard about a small farming community in Welby.”

Petrocco’s great-grandfather Farinacci met Antonia Pastore in Denver and married in 1895 at Sacred Heart Church in Denver.

“My great-grandfather Farinacci and his wife traveled to Welby in 1902, where they purchased land, and I have the land deed I found in the Adams County Records. He bought it from two Italian men,” Petrocco said.

Petrocco’s third-generation grandmother was Angelina Acierno, her father was Farinacci; her mother was Virginia Acierno, who married her dad, Anthony Joseph Adducci, in 1940.

vealing her 40% Greek heritage and reconnecting with a distant cousin, Alice Gazetta Nichol, who became a signi cant

Petrocco’s family lineage began with her fourth-generation great-grandfather, Michelangelo Farinacci, who emigrated to America from Italy in the 1880s.

“I never got to know my father; he was very sick, an alcoholic, and abusive,” she said. “After my Mom and Dad’s divorce, we returned to live with my fourth greatgrandfather, Farinacci.

“He was getting old, so he leased the Welby land to Tony Perolia, who lived next door and died in 1960. I believe they sold the farm to the Gravel Company for $13,000,” Petrocco said.

COURTESY BY GENIE PETROCCO

Brighton tree sales aim to help local environment

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e City of Brighton is bringing back its annual 2025 Tree program to improve community forests within the city and open spaces, according to a news release on Feb. 13.

e City of Brighton partners with the Colorado Tree Coalition, a volunteer nonpro t 501(c)(3) organization that collaborates with entities such as the U.S. Forest Service and the Colorado State Forest Service to support community forestry throughout Colorado, aiming to preserve, renew, and enhance community forests. According to the Colorado Tree Coalition, trees enhance air quality, conserve water, and support wildlife. ey also mit-

DNA TEST

She graduated from Adams County High School in 1959 and married Dominic Petrocco in 1961. Dominic, a farmer from Brighton-Henderson, was well known to her.

“Our two families knew each other because his family also were farmers and came from the same region as my greatgrandpa Farinacci. We had two daughters, Angeli and Lisa. Angeli is an artist in Santa Fe who creates some pretty neat things. Lisa resides in Broom eld,” Petrocco said. He later sold the farm and moved the family to Fort Collins in 1996.

igate the impacts of sun, wind, and rain. In the summer, trees o er shade that keeps us cool and shields us from direct sunlight. e initial fall of rain, sleet, and hail is either absorbed or de ected by trees, protecting people, pets, and buildings. Additionally, trees intercept water, store some of it, and reduce storm runo and the risk of ooding. A windbreak can affect wind speed and direction. e temperature near trees is cooler than that further away- the more signi cant the tree, the greater the cooling e ect. Using trees in urban areas can help mitigate the heat island e ect caused by pavement and buildings, according to the Colorado Tree Coalition.

e program encourages community planting of diverse species within the City

Her Father’s side Petrocco said she had not known her Cousin Alice Gazetta Nichol when she learned about her, although they grew up near each other.

“After my parents divorced, I didn’t have much to do with my Dad’s side of the family,” Petrocco said. “So I didn’t know Alice but knew who she was as a kid. We took our sacraments at Assumption Church in Welby.

“You wouldn’t believe it. About two or three days later, I received a phone call from Alice. I told her about my DNA testing, and she mentioned that she had her test done as well, and it came back with the same results. We were closely related.”

Petrocco said that Alice and her husband attended Westminster High School together. She informed them that her

of Brighton. e city o ers 11 species of trees for purchase, chosen to suit Brighton’s water needs and soil conditions, according to o cials.

e program is only available for Brighton residents. Each tree costs $85, and a maximum of two trees is allowed per household. e trees are available on a rst-come, rst-served basis until sold out. ey will be available in mid-April, and customers who purchase a tree online will be contacted to arrange pickup or delivery.

To place an order, visit https://www. brightontreeprogram.com

If you have questions, contact Adam Rhodebeck, City of Brighton Forester, at ajrhodebeck@brightonco.gov or 303-6552048.

birthday was approaching, and she wanted to invite Genie and her husband, Dominic, to her 80th birthday party.

“We attended her 80th birthday party; from then on, I always met with her. Her husband was also ill at that time, and my husband wasn’t well either. So, whenever we could connect, either over the phone or in person, we did, and we grew very close,” Petrocco said.

Petrocco said that her Cousin Alice later became a Colorado State Representative, then served as a Colorado State Senator, and subsequently held the position of Adams County Commissioner for two terms.

Petrocco said she couldn’t follow suit. She said politics was not her cup of tea, but she became involved with the Scienti c and Cultural Facilities District, or SCFD.

“In 1988, when our legislatures passed a tax bill to be voted on, the Scienti c and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) supported arts and culture. I was the repre-

sentative from Adams County who visited various clubs to explain that one-tenth of one percent tax would go to the arts in counties such as Denver, Boulder, Adams, Weld, Arapahoe, and Je erson,” Petrocco said.

Petrocco, Jackie Conner from the CSU Extension O ce, and Adams County Commissioner Elaine Valente were founders of the Adams County Historical Society Museum.

It was Petrocco’s close relationship with her cousin Alice that inspired her to name her book “Cheers to 80.”

“Now, we are both in our 80s, “ Petrocco said. “ e book narrates the story of our lives and upbringing in the farming community.”

Petrocco’s book is on sale at the Adams County Historical Society and Museum until March 31, from Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. e book “Cheers to 80,” can be found on Amazon.com.

A Hackberry tree is one of the species the City of Brighton is selling. GOOGLE FREE STOCK IMAGE

CRUNCH

get is di cult and we are willing to work with COYAC next year for a very reduced budget outside of having an interim committee.”

Sarah Moss, who directs the program, made an impassioned plea to the Executive Committee of the Legislative Council, which is making the decision to disband the program, to keep the initiative alive.

“I love this program and love these students,” she said. “Being their nonpartisan sta er and teaching them the process and government 101 — and ‘Here’s how you make a phone call to a stranger who’s a grown-up’ — has been one of the greatest joys of my professional career. We would very much love for this program to continue in full.”

Moss suggested paring back the council to make it remote-only. at could cut out the legislature’s costs of getting council members to and from the Capitol and putting them up in hotels.

“We would really love to see some kind of opportunity for them to present (to lawmakers), even if it’s just a teleconference,” she said.

e Executive Committee of the Legislative Council appears resigned to shutting down the program. A bill ending COYAC will have to be drafted and debated before the full legislature before the council is shut down, but the executive committee on Friday preemptively slashed its funding.

Lawmakers plan to spend just $5,000 on the program next scal year, which begins July 1, to ensure students currently on the council can nish their work.

“As a lifelong educator, I believe in doing things for our youth and giving them these opportunities,” House Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, said this week during an executive committee meeting. “ is is tough.”

In an interview with e Colorado Sun, McCluskie said she hopes COYAC could be brought back after a year. But the legislature’s budget problems are only expected to get worse.

e legislative branch plans to cut its budget by 5%, or more than $4 million next year. Suspending as many as a dozen interim committees like the Colorado

Youth Advisory Council is part of that e ort. e executive committee is made up of the six top party leaders in the legislature, four Democrats and two Republicans. Both Republicans suggested it was time for the council to go away, regardless of cost.

“With all due respect to students, there are plenty of people who come here and take days to testify and make their voices heard that don’t get (their expenses covered),” House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, told the executive committee.

Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, told e Sun the council has become too progressive. Given that it e ectively has the power to introduce bills in the legislature, he feels that advantage is unfair.

“As a matter of policy, I’m not supportive of continuing with funding,” he said during the executive committee meeting.

Winter pointed out that COYAC was founded through legislation brought by a Republican, then-state Sen. Ellen Roberts of Durango, and that it has long been a bipartisan initiative. e panel that reviews COYAC’s work is named after the late House Minority Leader Hugh McKean, another Republican.

Winter defended the legislation the council has advanced in recent years as being representative of the Democraticlean of the state.

“ ere is one youth member per Senate district,” she said. “If you look at the makeup of the Senate, it makes sense that COYAC is composed similarly.”

Current and former members of the council said they plan to encourage lawmakers not to shut COYAC down.

“COYAC is one of the best things I’ve ever done,” said Livi Christiansen, who served on the council from 2020 to 2022 when she was a junior and senior at Pou-

dre High School in Fort Collins. “It absolutely changed my life. I wish that every kid got to do it.”

Christiansen, who at just 19 is in her rst year of law school in California, said the legislature could choose to slash funding for prison beds instead of shutting down COYAC.

“ ey can nd the money,” she said. “ ey could be making a di erent choice.”

e $50,000 appropriated annually to the council pays for an overnight retreat, annual visit to the Capitol, send-o dinner for high school seniors, committee meetings with legislators and for a professional facilitator to run the program. e Colorado legislature is expected to set the state budget in March. is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.

The Colorado state Capitol, pictured in 2023.

PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

CROWSSUPDRO ELZZ

1. LITERATURE: Who lives at 4 Privet Drive?

2. TELEVISION: Which 1980s sitcom featured the Keaton family?

3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the rst American-born president?

4. COMICS: What is Deadpool’s profession?

5. AD SLOGANS: Which makeup company’s slogan is “Maybe she’s born with it”?

6. HISTORY: Which battles marked the beginning of the American Revolution?

7. INVENTIONS: e 1904 World’s Fair introduced which u y confection?

8. MOVIES: In which year were the rst Oscars awarded?

9. MEASUREMENTS: What does 1 gallon of water weigh?

10. GEOGRAPHY: What are the colors of the Italian ag?

TrIVIa

Answers

1. Harry Potter and the Dursley family.

2. “Family Ties.”

3. Martin Van Buren, born after the Revolutionary War.

4. Mercenary.

5. Maybelline.

6. Battles of Lexington and Concord.

7. Cotton candy.

8. 1929.

9. 8.34 pounds.

10. Green, white and red.

Deadline: March

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Public Notices call Jean 303.566.4123

Legals

Metro Districts Budget Hearings

Public Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION FOR 2025 BUDGET

SOUTH ADAMS COUNTY WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that a proposed supplemental budget and appropriation to the 2025 Budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District. A copy of such proposed budget amendment has been filed in the office of the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District, 6595 East 70th Avenue, Commerce City, Colorado 80022, where the same is open for public inspection.

A public hearing will be held on the proposed supplemental budget and appropriation, and a resolution of approval will be considered at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District, to be held at 6595 East 70th Avenue, Commerce City, Colorado, on March 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Any interested elector of the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District may inspect the proposed budget amendment and file or register any objections thereto at any time prior to final adoption of the amendment to the budget. A property tax increase is not being considered as part of the proposed amendment.

SOUTH ADAMS COUNTY WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT

By: Vicki Ennis As: Secretary

Legal Notice No. CCX1590

First Publication: March 6, 2025

Last Publication: March 6, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Public Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE AMENDED 2024 BUDGET

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the NORTH RANGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 4 (the “District”), will hold a public hearing via teleconference March 12, 2025, at 1:00 P.M., to consider adoption of the District’s proposed amendment to the 2024 budget (the “Amended Budget”). The public hearing may be joined using the following teleconference information.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetupjoin/19%3ameeting_NjQ4ZDg5NjEtYjc 4OC00ZTJlLWI3OTItODc5OWNmMzI0 ZDBi%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22 Tid%22%3a%224aaa468e-93ba-4ee3ab9f-6a247aa3ade0%22%2c%22Oid%

22%3a%2278e91a46-bdcc-4fe5-980c8ff3dcc70755%22%7d

Meeting ID: 283 089 324 089 Passcode: Ni2sk9rG

Call In Number (audio only) (720) 547-5281

Conference ID: 160 198 393#

The proposed Amended Budget is available for inspection by the public at the offices of the District Accountant, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 E. Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, Colorado.

Any interested elector of the District may file any objections to the proposed Amended Budget at any time prior to the final adoption of the proposed Amended Budget by the Board.

The agenda for any meeting may be obtained at www.reunionco.com or by calling (303) 858-1800.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

NORTH RANGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 4, a quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Colorado

/s/ WHITE BEAR ANKELE TANAKA & WALDRON

Attorneys at Law

Legal Notice No. CCX1589

First Publication: March 6, 2025

Last Publication: March 6, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Bids and Settlements

Public Notice

WINDLER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY

Midtown North Streetlights

Sealed Bids will be received by Windler Public Improvement Authority, hereinafter referred to as OWNER, at the office of the Authority Engineer, Merrick & Company, 8051 E Maplewood Ave, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, until 11:00 AM local time on April 4, 2025, for:

Midtown North Streetlights

This Contract provides for the construction of the following: Furnish and install streetlights within Midtown North, which is located southeast of E-470 and E. 56th Avenue near Denali Blvd and E. 52nd Avenue which is comprised of approximately 13,000 LF of conduit, 77 streetlights, and 2 meter pedestals.

Copies of the Bidding Documents may be requested from the Windler Public Improvement Authority, at the email of the Authority Engineer, barney.fix@merrick.com, beginning March 6, 2025. NO PAYMENT RE -

QUIRED

Bidders must be licensed Contractors in the State of Colorado.

Bids will be received providing unit price for items; however, the price given will be on a maximum not-to-exceed amount, as described in the Bidding Documents.

The Work is expected to be commenced within sixty (60) days after the Date of Contract.

Bid Security in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total Bid Price must accompany each Bid in the form specified in the Instructions to Bidders.

The Successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Performance Bond, Labor and Material Payment Bond guaranteeing faithful performance and warranty bond for Three-years after Substantial Completion, and the payment of all bills and obligations arising from the performance of the Contract.

The OWNER reserves the right to award the contract by sections, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informalities and irregularities therein.

For further information, please contact Barney Fix at Merrick & Company at 303-751-0741.

Legal Notice No. CCX1593

First Publication: March 6, 2025

Last Publication: March 20, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications

Public Notice

INVITATION TO BID

Sealed Bids will be received by the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District acting by and through its South Adams County Water and Sanitation District Activity Enterprise (Owner), Attn: Dawn Fredette, at 6595 East 70th Avenue, Commerce City, Colorado 80022 until 10:00 a.m., local time, March 26, 2025, for the project entitled “2025 SACWSD Wastewater System Rehabilitation.” At said place and time, and promptly thereafter, all Bids that have been duly received will be publicly opened and read aloud.

The project generally consists of rehabilitating deteriorated 8-inch sanitary sewer mains with a cured in place pipe (CIPP) liner and appurtenances for the Owner. The project is comprised of a Base Bid and three alternates. The Base Bid consists of installing approximately 19,600 lineal feet of 8-inch CIPP, removing and replacing 6 sewer main cleanouts with new manholes, removing and replacing approximately 40 manhole ring and covers, completing 10 point repairs to the existing sewer main prior to CIPP lining, including 1 trenchless tophat service line repair, and rehabilitation of 55 existing sewer manholes with a spray applied

lining system. Alternate No. 1 work consists of installing approximately 2,270 lineal feet of 8-inch CIPP, removing and replacing 3 sewer main cleanouts with new manholes, removing and replacing approximately 10 manhole ring and covers, completing 1 point repair to the existing sewer main prior to CIPP lining, and rehabilitation of 6 existing sewer manholes with a spray applied lining system. Alternate No. 2 work consists of installing approximately 2,170 lineal feet of 8-inch CIPP, removing and replacing 2 sewer main cleanouts with new manholes, removing and replacing approximately 10 manhole ring and covers, and rehabilitation of 6 existing sewer manholes with a spray applied lining system. Alternate No. 3 consists of installing all ring and cover replacements in the Base Bid area with the Mr. Manhole process (or approved equal) instead of traditional excavation removal and replacement methods. It is the Owner’s desire to award a Contract for the Base Bid. If pricing and available budget allows, the Owner may choose to add any individual Alternate or combination of Alternates at their discretion. All Bids must be in accordance with the Contract Documents on file with the Owner, South Adams County Water and Sanitation District, 6595 East 70th Avenue, Commerce City, Colorado 80022; and at the office of Muller Engineering Company, Inc., 7245 West Alaska Drive, Suite 300, Lakewood, Colorado 80226.

Electronic files of the bidding documents for use in preparing Bids may be obtained from Muller Engineering Company. Bidding documents will be available on Friday March 7, 2025, at no charge. Please contact Christie Ritter, critter@mullereng. com, for questions and to obtain electronic copies of the Bidding documents. No printed copies will be provided unless a specific request is made for a hard copy of the plans.

Bids will be received on a unit price basis. Bid Security in the amount of 5 percent of the total Bid must accompany each Bid. It is anticipated that the Contract Agreement will be signed and the Notice to Proceed will be issued in late April 2025. Construction shall be completed and ready for final payment within one hundred eighty (180) calendar days.

The successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Construction Performance Bond and a Construction Payment Bond as security for the faithful performance and the payment of all bills and obligations arising from the performance of the Contract. The Bid and Bid Security will remain subject to acceptance for 78 calendar days after the Bid opening, or for such longer period of time that Bidder may agree to in writing upon request of Owner.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive informalities, and to reject non-conforming, non-responsive, or conditional Bids.

By: Vicki Ennis Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICES

Last Publication: March 20, 2025

South Adams County Water and Sanitation District acting by and through its South Adams County Water and Sanitation District Activity Enterprise

Legal Notice No. CCX1591

First Publication: March 6, 2025

Last Publication: March 6, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Public Notice

PAINTED PRAIRIE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY

60th Ave & Himalaya Road Phase 1 Streetlights

Sealed Bids will be received by Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority, hereinafter referred to as OWNER, at the office of the Authority Engineer, Merrick & Company, 8051 E Maplewood Ave, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, until 10:00 AM local time on April 4, 2025, for:

60th Ave & Himalaya Road Phase 1 Streetlights

This Contract provides for the construction of the following: Furnish and install streetlights along E. 60th Ave from N. Himalaya Road, East to Future N Ireland Way (western edge of Pond 816) and along N. Himalaya Road from E. 60th Ave, South to E 56th Ave which is comprised of approximately 2,200 LF of conduit, and 14 streetlights.

Copies of the Bidding Documents may be requested from the Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority, at the email of the Authority Engineer, barney.fix@merrick.com, beginning March 6, 2025. NO PAYMENT REQUIRED

Bidders must be licensed Contractors in the State of Colorado.

Bids will be received providing unit price for items; however, the price given will be on a maximum not-to-exceed amount, as described in the Bidding Documents.

The Work is expected to be commenced within sixty (60) days after the Date of Contract.

Bid Security in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total Bid Price must accompany each Bid in the form specified in the Instructions to Bidders.

The OWNER reserves the right to award the contract by sections, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informalities and irregularities therein.

For further information, please contact Barney Fix at Merrick & Company at 303-751-0741.

Legal Notice No. CCX1592

First Publication: March 6, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications

Public Notice

WINDLER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY

PA-25 – Roadways

Sealed Bids will be received by Windler Public Improvement Authority, hereinafter referred to as OWNER, at the office of the Authority Engineer, Merrick & Company, 8051 E. Maplewood Ave, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, until 11:00 AM local time on March 21, 2025 for:

PA-25 – Roadways

This Contract provides for the construction of the following: Approximately 1 mile of roadway improvements (curb and gutter, sidewalk, pavement, etc.) and approximately 0.8 miles of concrete alleys in a residential area. The project is located within PA-25, which is located southwest of E-470 and E. 48th Avenue near E. 45th Place and Tibet Road.

Copies of the Bidding Documents may be requested from the Windler Public Improvement Authority, at the email of the Authority Engineer, barney.fix@ merrick.com, beginning February 20, 2025. NO PAYMENT REQUIRED.

Bidders must be licensed Contractors in the State of Colorado.

Bids will be received providing unit price for items; however, the price given will be on a maximum not-to-exceed amount, as described in the Bidding Documents.

The Work is expected to be commenced within Sixty (60) days after the Date of Contract.

Bid Security in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total Bid Price must accompany each Bid in the form specified in the Instructions to Bidders.

The Successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Performance Bond, Labor and Material Payment Bond guaranteeing faithful performance and warranty bond for three-years after Substantial Completion, and the payment of all bills and obligations arising from the performance of the Contract.

The OWNER reserves the right to award the contract by sections, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informalities and irregularities therein.

For further information, please contact Barney Fix at Merrick & Company at 303-751-0741.

Legal Notice No. CCX1587

First Publication: February 20, 2025

Last Publication: March 6, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications

Public Notice

WINDLER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY

Midtown North – Utilities

Sealed Bids will be received by Windler

Public Improvement Authority, hereinafter referred to as OWNER, at the office of the Authority Engineer, Merrick & Company, 8051 E. Maplewood Ave, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, until 12:00 PM local time on March 21, 2025 for:

Midtown North – Utilities

This Contract provides for the construction of the following: Utility (water, sanitary, and storm) improvements in approximately 3 miles of future roadways and approximately 1.2 miles of future alleys in a residential area. These utility improvements are located within Midtown North, which is located southeast of E-470 and E. 56th Avenue near Denali Blvd and E. 52nd Avenue.

Bidders must be licensed Contractors in the State of Colorado.

Bids will be received providing unit price for items; however, the price given will be on a maximum not-to-exceed amount, as described in the Bidding Documents.

The Work is expected to be commenced within Sixty (60) days after the Date of Contract.

Bid Security in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total Bid Price must accompany each Bid in the form specified in the Instructions to Bidders.

The OWNER reserves the right to award the contract by sections, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informalities and irregularities therein.

For further information, please contact Barney Fix at Merrick & Company at 303-751-0741.

Legal Notice No. CCX1588

First Publication: February 20, 2025

Last Publication: March 6, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications

Public Notice

WINDLER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY

Connector Roads #2 – Roadways

This Contract provides for the construction of the following: Approximately 1 mile of roadway improvements including items such as curb and gutter, sidewalk, and pavement. The project is located east of Denali Boulevard and west of Harvest Road between E. 52nd Ave and E. 48th Ave.

Bidders must be licensed Contractors in the State of Colorado.

Bids will be received providing unit price for items; however, the price given will be on a maximum not-to-exceed amount, as described in the Bidding Documents.

The Work is expected to be commenced within Sixty (60) days after the Date of Contract.

Bid Security in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total Bid Price must accompany each Bid in the form specified in the Instructions to Bidders.

The OWNER reserves the right to award the contract by sections, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informalities and irregularities therein.

For further information, please contact Barney Fix at Merrick & Company at 303-751-0741.

Legal Notice No. CCX1586

First Publication: February 20, 2025 Last Publication: March 6, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications

Notice to Creditors

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Gail Patricia Wittenbrink a/k/a Gail P. Wittenbrink, Gail Wittenbrink, Gail Tamisiea, Gail Tamisiea Wittenbrink, Deceased Case Number: 2025 PR 38

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before June 20, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Chris Wittenbrink

Personal Representative 6222 Chimney Rock Trl Morrison, CO 80465

Legal Notice No. CCX1582

First Publication: February 20, 2025

Last Publication: March 6, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express ###