HAVE A BLAST
August 4, 2016 VOLUME 96 | ISSUE 29 | 75¢
Western Welcome Week returns to Littleton with plenty of activities for all ages. Check out the special pullout section on pages 15, 16, 17 and 18
EnglewoodHerald.net A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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Controversy puts focus on water-plant sludge City, employee disagree on danger of byproduct By David Gilbert Special to Colorado Community Media Englewood’s drinking water plant is at the heart of two starkly different stories. According to lead plant operator Ken Kloewer, improperly stored piles of radioactive sediment at the
plant are the source of his cancer. City officials, however, assert that the sediment piles, often referred to as sludge, have been properly handled and have never posed a danger to plant employees or neighbors of the Charles Allen Water Filtration Plant, adjacent to Belleview Park at Windermere Street and Layton Avenue. “For 25 years we had meetings about our radioactive sludge,” said Kloewer, 54, who
has worked at the plant for 30 years. “Everyone thought it was funny. The city doesn’t give a damn about us.” Englewood City Manager Eric Keck said he’s as invested as anyone in the safety of materials at the plant. “I live in that neighborhood,” Keck said. “I run in that area. I’m down at the dog park. I ride my bike on the Dry Creek Trail.” Sludge continues on Page 32
Ken Kloewer stands on a South Platte River bridge on the Big Dry Creek Trail and points to the City of Englewood’s pump station just downstream, the main source of the city’s drinking water. Photo by David Gilbert
BEAT THE HEAT South Suburban Parks and Recreation offers summer events for the whole family. PAGE 4
TO YOUR HEALTH Water infused with fruits and vegetables is a nutritious drink choice. PAGE 12
Christopher Shefte, 7, of Littleton, cools off at the TRYathlon at Cook Creek Pool on July 30. Photo by Rick Gustafson
Giving it the old try South Suburban event offered a chance to swim, bike and run By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media When the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District holds its annual Youth and Adult TRYathlons
each year, it places the emphasis on completion rather than competition. This year’s event at the Cook Creek Pool in Lone Tree on July 30 drew more than 150 participants and featured five age categories, allowing athletes of all levels to test their abilities in the three-event race. Sarah Nielson, athletic coordina-
tor for South Suburban, said there are so many competitive triathlons that the district has been offering the recreational TRYathlons to get people excited about trying one. “The TRYathlons are for people who want to try it for the first time and who might be intimidated by the open-water swim.” Nielson said. TRYathlon continues on Page 7
ON THE ROAD TO RIO Colorado man poised to be the only U.S. beach volleyball referee at this summer’s Olympic games. PAGE 22
Lunch and Learn: Cellfina: A permanent solution to cellulite
August 17th at 12:15 pm
303-945-2080 David Verebelyi, MD
See page 5 for more information on Cellfina®.
ENGLEWOOD HERALD (ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 176-680) OFFICE: 2550 S. Main St., Littleton, CO 80120 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Englewood, Colorado, the Englewood Herald is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 2550 S. Main St., Littleton, CO 80120. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT LITTLETON, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 5 p.m. | Classifieds: Tue. 8 a.m. | Obits: Tue. 11 a.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.