Fort Lupton’s most dangerous road will be improved
Left-hand turns banned at the intersection while long-term fixes are considered
The intersection at U.S. Highway 85 and Weld County Road 8 just south of Fort Lupton. The road will be closed to left hand turns to cut down on accidents while state, county and city o cials consider permanent changes to make it safe. BELEN WARD
BY BELEN WARD
BELEN@COTLIN.ORG
Rocenda Arenas had heard about how dangerous the intersection of U.S. 85 and Weld County Road 8 was, but it hit home in a tragic way in March. at’s when her 19-year-old son Leo Juanito Vicente died at the intersection.
Her son was one of two killed at the intersection this year, a country road leading into busy U.S. 85 tra c with just a stop sign to control tra c. A red cross, decorated with owers and his name, marks the spot where Vicente died.
So news that Fort Lupton and the Colorado Department of Transportation have started looking into improving it made her cry.
“I’m happy that they are nally going to do something about that road and to save someone’s child, parents, brothers, and sisters,” Arenas said.
Fort Lupton’s most dangerous intersection, at U.S. Highway 85 and County Road 8, is set to be closed while safety improvements are designed and put in place, according to city and state o cials. When it reopens, left-hand turns – both from the road onto U.S. 85 southbound
and from U.S. 85 onto County Road 8 –will be banned.
e Highway 85 Coalition held a meeting on June 12 with o cials from Weld and Adams Counties to discuss plans for improving the intersection.
“Safety is our primary concern. We’re grateful that our partnerships with Weld, Fort Lupton, and local emergency response are allowing us to move quickly to improve this dangerous intersection,” said Chad Hall, CDOT project manager.
Fort Lupton Mayor Zo Hubbard said it’s been at the top of her to-do list since she was rst elected.
“ is is one of the things that was on my list to accomplish when we rst started the Highway 85 Coalition,” Hubbard said.
“It’s been maybe 20 years. We created an access control plan, established environmental linkages, and conducted studies on Highway 85 and County Road 8 to x this and make the intersection safe.
“ ere were also people who opposed what we were planning to do. However, there comes a point when we must prioritize protecting lives. e Colorado Department of Transportation CDOT managed to secure the funds, which is truly a blessing.”
Scrutiny on left-hand turns
Mariah Northcott, CDOT project manager, stated, “We know about all the accidents we’re having on U.S. Highway 85 and County Road 8. ere’s a lot of concern, and the accidents are very severe.”
Left-hand turns, especially at that busy intersection, appear to be the main culprit, she said.
“ is data re ects the trend we’re observing at that intersection, with a total of 57 accidents recorded over the past 10 years,” Northcott said. “Out of those, 47% involve broadsides or T-bone collisions, and 28% are approach left turn accidents, indicating that 75% are related to turning. We’ve experienced six fatalities there, two of which have occurred so far this year in 2025, so it’s dangerous.”
Northcott said CDOT is looking to implement a two-step solution. eir normal project process would take about two years, so there is still a lot of work and analysis they need to conduct.
In the short term, they plan to ban lefthand turns at the intersection – both from the road onto U.S. 85 and from southbound 85 onto the road.
WESTMINSTER WINDOW
Colorado lawmakers stay vigilant
Lawmakers redact names after Minnesota assassination
BY DELILAH BRUMER COLORADO NEWSLINE
More than 40 Colorado elected ofcials as of Tuesday have requested the redaction of their addresses and other personal information from the state’s online campaign nance database. e Colorado secretary of state suspended the website on Saturday, due to safety concerns in the aftermath of shootings targeting two Minnesota Democratic lawmakers. Melissa Hortman, the Minnesota House Democratic leader, and her husband Mark Hortman were shot and killed this weekend by a man who came to their home posing as a police o cer, federal o cials said. Vance Boelter, 57, faces charges for the murders, as well as for the shootings of Minnesota Sen. John Homan and his wife Yvette Ho man, who are expected to recover.
Colorado lawmakers have condemned the shootings, and many are taking additional safety precautions. Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Democrat from Dillon, said in a statement that “what happened in Minnesota has shaken us to our very core.”
“Our democracy is based on the idea that we resolve our di erences through peaceful debate and in courts, elected bodies, state legislatures and the halls of Congress, not political violence,” she said.
Colorado Senate President James Coleman, a Denver Democrat, said he has “been in close and ongoing communication” with the Colorado State Patrol, and he has adjusted his driving patterns when going to work, for safety reasons.
“ is assassination and targeted attack in Minnesota was a tragedy and a disturbing escalation of political violence in our country,” Coleman said in an interview Tuesday. “It’s understandable that legislators are concerned for their safety and the safety of their families. I am for myself and my family.”
Spirits soar for Rocky Vista High School
Commerce City’s longawaited high school promises room to grow, Friday night lights and a new community identity
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SUZIE@COTLN.ORG
On a dusty plateau in Commerce City, with the Rocky Mountains silhouetted against the evening sun, district leaders, city o cials and future students gathered June 12 to celebrate the start of construction on Rocky Vista High School.
Cheerleaders rallied, the marching band played, and the unmistakable buzz of possibility lled the air. is was no ordinary groundbreaking, but a full-blown pep rally to launch a new era for Commerce City.
“ is is a long-awaited adventure to get Rocky Vista High School built,” said Superintendent Will Pierce, beaming as he stood near rows of heavy machinery. “And we’re just getting started.”
Beyond the fanfare, the groundbreaking marks a milestone for 27J Schools, where decades of growth and careful planning are nally converging. e 46acre site had sat vacant for 25 years — land that Pierce noted was “almost used for Prairie View” before the city’s size justi ed a second comprehensive high school.
School Board President Tom Green pointed to the land behind him and imagined a not-so-distant future.
“I just can’t wait till next fall (2027) when a Friday night football game is happening right out there,” he said, gesturing toward the construction site. “ is school won’t be shortchanged. It will have the same academic programs, extracurriculars and amenities as the rest of our high schools.”
e school will span 182,000 square
feet, with a capacity of 1,300 students and the ability to expand to 1,800. It will feature a gymnasium, cafeteria, performing arts spaces and a full athletic complex, including a stadium, track and eld, all designed for growth.
e district will integrate career and technical education programs and STEM pathways from the beginning, following the model used at Brighton, Prairie View and Riverdale Ridge.
Ben Dahlman, bond director for 27J Schools, said a future wing has already been accounted for in the building’s design.
“When you build a school here, you’re already thinking about modulars and where the next wing will go,” he said. “ at’s how fast we grow.”
Voters praised e $515 million bond measure passed by voters in 2021 is funding Rocky Vista and several other major projects, including new schools in ornton and Brighton, improvements to existing campuses and expanded transportation and CTE facilities.
Green and Pierce both praised voters for their forward-looking investment.
“Hopefully, as this building goes up, you’ll see your dollars are well spent,” Green said. “ is is your investment.”
Currently, more than 80% of students in Commerce City attend Prairie View High School, according to Green. Rocky Vista will not only relieve crowding there, but also o er local students a school to call their own, something district leaders say
will strengthen community pride. at pride was on full display at the pep rally, where families waved pom-poms and cheered as confetti rained down. Pierce said moments like these are what make his work meaningful.
“To be great communities, we have to do great things together,” he said. “We’re doing that today.”
While construction is just beginning, the district plans to hire a principal next school year and start forming the culture of Rocky Vista, with school colors, a mascot and sta to follow.
As for what excites him most, Pierce didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Just to have the school right here in your own neighborhood. at’s how school should be.”
Weld considers redrawing voting districts
County hosts three meetings to review new voting maps
BY BELEN WARD BELEN@COTLN.ORG
Weld County will o er residents three opportunities in July to review proposed changes to the county’s Commissioners’ District Map.
Meetings are scheduled for 10 a.m. July 9 and 5 p.m. on July 16 and 23.
All meetings have been scheduled for the Pawnee Conference Room in the Weld County Administration Building, 1150 O St. in Greeley.
Residents who cannot attend in person can do so virtually.
To register for the July 9 meeting, go to https://shorturl.at/Ivh0M online.
To register for the July 16 meeting, go to https://shorturl.at/fFXMC online.
To register for the July 23 meeting, go to https://shorturl.at/YUmTu on the intern.
Virtual meeting attendees can ask questions or provide comments through the online platform.
Shifting boundaries
Redistricting is the process of changing county commissioner district boundaries to ensure they comply with state law and the Weld County Home Rule Charter by making sure each district contains roughly the same population, based on
the 2020 census.
Based on the adjusted 2020 U.S. Census, Weld County has a population of 329,781 and the goal is to draw a map that contains roughly 109,927 residents in each of the county’s three Commissioner Districts.
According to the current map, Weld County’s District 1, which runs from Weld County Road 34 north, contains about 110,137 residents based on the census.
District 2, generally south of County Road 34 and west of U.S. 85, has the most residents with an estimated 113,424, according to the Census.
District 3, which includes most of southeastern Weld County, is the least populated, with an estimated 106,220 residents.
e Redistricting Advisory Committee has been meeting since the end of April to plan the redistricting map. Residents can submit their comments online regarding redistricting options and considerations until June 30 via an online form at https:// shorturl.at/wwJe1.
After June 30, the public can make comments at the public hearings.
e nal redistricting map will be approved af the public hearings, at the commissioner’s 9 a.m. meeting on July 30.
Learn more about this process by visiting the redistricting webpage at https:// www.weld.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Information-O ce/Redistricting.
District and city leaders fire confetti cannons and dig in their shovels during the June 12 groundbreaking pep rally for Rocky Vista High School in Commerce City. SUZIE GLASSMAN
Left to right: Weld County Board of Commissioners: Scott James, Pro Tem; Lynette Peppler District 3; Perry Buck, At Large; Jason Maxey, District 1; Kevin Ross, At Large. COURTESY
More Buyers Are Choosing ARMs — Here’s Why It Might Be a Smart Strategy
Adjustable Rate Mortgages (or ARMs) were commonly used by purchasers from 2004 to 2006. Roughly 35% of mortgages originated during those years were “adjustable.” After the 2008 housing/ fiscal crisis, caused in part by risky mortgage loan products including ARMs, the number of ARM transactions made in the U.S. plummeted. But now we are seeing a resurgence of them.
As in the past, Jaxzann Riggs, owner of The Mortgage Network, helped me with the current situation so I could share it with you.
What Exactly Is an ARM?
Until recently there was not much incentive for borrowers to consider an ARM because (unlike the ARMs offered 2004-2008) there was virtually no disparity between rates offered on ARMs, and those offered on a 30-year fixed rate loan. In the past 30 days that has changed. As of June 15th, Mortgage Daily News reported an average rate of 6.88% and 6.90% for a 30-year fixed rate loan versus 6.625% and 6.45% being offered on a 5-year Adjustable Rate Mortgage.
An ideal ARM borrower often:
Plans to live in the home for fewer than 5, 7 or 10 years;
Ultimately, the risks of an ARM are manageable, providing you understand and plan for them.
An ARM is a home loan with an interest rate that adjusts over time. Historically, you start with a lower, fixed interest rate for a set period — typically 5, 7, or 10 years — and then the rate adjusts at regular intervals based on market conditions.
For example, a 7/1 ARM locks in your rate for seven years, then adjusts annually. A 10/6 ARM is at a fixed rate for 10 years, then adjusts every six months. These loans are structured with caps to limit how much your rate (and payment) can increase at each adjustment or over the life of the loan.
Why More Buyers Are Taking a Second Look at ARMs
Many purchasers anticipate rate cuts ahead. By using an ARM now, they will enjoy a slightly lower rate during the initial fixed period. Some have the hope that, instead of increasing on the adjustment date, the rate will remain the same or possibly come down. Experts say that the current flatter yield curve supports that theory.
While ARMs aren’t one-size-fits-all, they make a lot of sense for certain buyers, especially those with short- to mid-term homeownership plans or who are financially stable enough to absorb a future rate increase if needed.
Has a stable income and good credit or anticipates increases in income that would allow them to keep up with increases, in case their bet on the direction of rates turns out to be wrong;
Has a financial safety net in case payments rise; and
Understands how interest rate adjustments work.
This isn’t about gambling on the market, it’s about strategic planning. That’s where an experienced mortgage loan officer becomes invaluable. They can help you compare options, understand caps and margins, and decide whether an ARM aligns with your financial goals.
ARMs today are far more borrowerfriendly than they were in decades past. Most no longer carry prepayment penalties, and most feature rate caps that protect against sharp increases. And if rates go down, you may even benefit from lower payments and, of course, borrowers always have the option to refinance at a fixed rate when the time is right.
The Bottom Line In a high-cost housing market like Denver’s, flexibility matters. An adjustable-rate mortgage could be a smart, strategic choice; especially when guided by the right mortgage professional. Whether you're buying your first home, upsizing for a growing family, or simply exploring ways to maximize your budget, it’s worth having a conversation with a trusted loan officer.
Jaxzann Riggs and her team at The Mortgage Network have helped thousands of Colorado homebuyers find the right loan for their life plans—whether that’s an ARM or something else entirely. To explore your options and see if an ARM could work for you, call Jaxzann on her cell, (303) 990-2992 or visit www.TheMortgageNetworkOnline.com
With Temperatures Rising, Homeowners Without Air Conditioning Are Asking What’s the Best Way to Add It
I have a listing coming up later this summer in the Beverly Heights section of Golden. It has hot water baseboard heating, which is wonderful, but that means there are no ducts to distribute air from an A/C compressor.
Homes with forced air heating systems have it easy. A “chiller” connected to an outdoor A/C compressor can be mounted above the firebox for a few thousand dollars. It uses the same ducts as the furnace, and the forced air unit becomes an “air handler” for delivering the cooled air.
I have previously promoted the idea of using a heat pump to drive that “chiller” unit. Not only does it provide needed cooling, but the heat pump can also provide efficient heating in the winter, leaving the gas furnace idle or used only when it’s colder than the heat pump can handle (below 0º F with today’s cold climate heat pumps).
But what if there are no ducts, as in my listing in Beverly Heights?
The answer depends partly on the style of the house. Is it one-story, two-story, or splitlevel? The one-story home is easiest to accommodate with a ductless solution. An A/C compressor can be mounted on the roof, with an air handler in the attic below it. From there, flexible round ducts (not rectangular metal ducts) can direct that air to ceiling vents in the living area and the separate bedrooms, with a return air vent somewhere in between, such as in the ceiling of a hallway.
Alternatively (my preference), a groundmounted heat pump compressor can be positioned on an unobtrusive side of the house, with two hoses going to each of the wallmounted “mini splits” in those same rooms. The hoses are hidden in square conduits, usually white, measuring 3 or 4 inches square, running around the house at ground level and
then up the exterior walls to where the inside mini-split units are located.
I was fortunate to have a flat roof on my former office building, and I was able to put the compressor on the roof and run the two homes to three different mini-splits entirely on the roof, eliminating those visible conduits.
The conduits don’t have to be run outside, and the mini-splits don’t have to be on an exterior wall. If you visit the Golden Diner at 11th & Jackson in downtown Golden, notice the mini-split on the wall between the kitchen and the serving area.
In a two-story or split-level home, a roofmount compressor with an air handler in the attic becomes less optimal. However, it can still work. Cold air pumped into the top level can settle downward, cooling lower levels. An evaporative cooler (aka “swam cooler”) can work even better, because you can control where the cold air goes by which windows
New Energy Colorado Honors Former Gov. Bill Ritter
At its annual Summer Solstice Party at the Retreat at Solterra, New Energy Colorado presented former Governor Bill Ritter with a “Lifetime Achievement Award,” citing him for “Leading Colorado Towards a Clean Energy Economy.” Left to right, NEC board member Nancy Kellogg and VP Rebecca Cantwell are shown making the presentation. Ritter gave a keynote speech thanking NEC for its advocacy over the years and emphasized the importance of groups like NEC remaining vocal, “especially in these times.” As governor, he embraced and presided over the evolution toward green energy, and he has advocated for it ever since leaving office in 2011.
The event, held annually on the longest day of the year, is NEC’s primary fundraiser, supporting its Metro Denver and Arkansas Valley Green Homes Tours. The Denver tour is held on the first Saturday in October.
you open. That’s because there is no “return air” with a swamp cooler. It pumps outside air into the house, and you have to provide ways for that air to escape after doing its job of cooling the interior.
If you’re new to Colorado and came here from a locale with high summer humidity (Brooklyn, in my case), you may not be familiar with evaporative cooling. It works in the same way that a rain shower works. As the rain falls, it evaporates, thereby cooling the outside air. In a swamp cooler, a pump circulates a reservoir of water through membranes on the sides of the unit. A squirrel fan draws outside air through those water-soaked membranes, cooling the air by 10 or more degrees and pumps that cooled air into the home. The lower the outdoor humidity and the faster the fan, the more cooling you get.
But that air has to escape and it will travel through your home based on where there’s an open window. Four inches is the prescribed size of windows openings, and you can secure your window so an intruder cannot open it further and perhaps install an alarm.
The downside of the swamp cooler is that it requires occasional service, and if the unit is on the roof, that can be difficult or dangerous. The water in the reservoir, which is replenished constantly by a 1/4-inch supply pipe from inside your home, becomes dirty over time because of the soot that is being removed from the outside air by the water-
soaked membranes through which the air is being pumped. At the end of each cooling season and a couple times during the season, that water needs to be drained, and the membranes rinsed clean or replaced and the reservoir cleaned. At the end of the season, the reservoir and the supply pipe need to be drained to avoid freezing.
A heat-pump system with up to five minsplit wall units can work fine on a 2-story or split-level home. The conduits from the compressor to the wall units just have to run further up the outside of the house. At left is a picture of such a compressor with four wall units, each with its own thermostat. That’s the best thing about such a system. You could have the mini-split in your bedroom set at 70 degrees overnight and the other wall units off or set higher. This is far more efficient than cooling your entire house when you go to bed, whatever system you are using.
Trump Can Replace Fed Chair Next Year — What That Could Mean for Real Estate On my blog, I have a link to an interesting article from Brad at “Briefcase: Real Estate News” about Trump’s pressure on Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell to drastically reduce interest rates or resign. Powell says he won’t resign, but his term is up in 2026, and Trump is sure to replace him with someone like Treasury Secretary Bessent who would do his bidding. See http://RealEstateToday.substack.com
A 5-BR Golden Home With a True Chef’s Kitchen
$1,495,000
Homes in this late ’90s subdivision backing to the foothills come on the market rarely and sell quickly. This one at 165 Washington Street is especially sweet, with the most awesome chef’s kitchen you’ve likely ever seen. Beautiful maple hardwood floors grace the main level, with newer carpeting upstairs and in the walk-out basement. The Table Mountain views from every level, but especially from the primary suite, will take your breath away. If you’re a soccer fan, the posters and awards in the main-floor study will leave you wishing for autographs! A narrated video walk-through with drone footage can be viewed online at www.GRElistings.com. Or call your agent or Jim Smith at 303-525-1851 to schedule a private showing.
A single heat pump can drive up to 5 mini-splits, each with its own wireless thermostat.
At Brighton camp, the magic is what kids learn
BY BELEN WARD BELEN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
When it comes right down to it, being a good person and being a good stage magician have much in common, according to omas Graham, the director of wonder at White Rabbit Magic Camp. It’s what he aims to do this summer, using prestidigitation and sleight-ofhand to teach Brighton area youth life skills about being con dent, creative and prepared – part of his list of seven magic characteristics.
con dent, humble, creative, authentic, and giving children, using magic tricks to illustrate these values,” Graham said. “Each trick is designed to instill a speci c characteristic, which can be applied to everyday life. It’s to teach them to be true magicians, which exempli es all of those characteristics, through magic.”
“ e curriculum focuses on developing respectful, prepared, enthusiastic,
Graham said that it is a life skills class disguised as a magic class. e goal is to help them become true magicians, embodying all those characteristics through magic.
“For example, when we teach them to be respectful, we teach them to look people in the eyes and use their names and say please and thank you as they’re performing their magic tricks,” he said. e Magic Camp o ers its own summer camps and after-school programs in collaboration with local schools.
“Discover Magic is the curriculum I use, which was created 10 years ago,” he said. “I started White Rabbit Magic Camp last year, and using that curriculum, an internationally recognized program used across the world.
“We then teach them to be prepared and to set up the magic trick. However, all these characteristics cross over into their daily lives and can also be applied to their everyday experiences.”
omas’ wife Jenny assists with the classes. Each camp is structured to give the kids a real stage experience, she said.
From Monday to ursday, they practice and perform small shows. en, on Friday afternoon, all the families gather for a special performance, where the kids can choose one of the tricks they’ve perfected throughout the week to showcase for everyone.
“ e kids have eight magic tricks to choose from, each with di erent levels of di culty and creativity,” she said. “Some of them are neat and will wow the crowd, while others resemble the little kid versions of, ‘Look how I folded my paper!’ It’s cool, and they each represent di erent levels of magic.”
e White Rabbit Magic Camp will be collaborating with Commerce City’s Bison Ridge Recreation Center on a shortened camp on Monday evenings, and Graham said he is also coordinating with the Brighton Recreation Center and the
Fort Lupton Recreation Center.
“We live in Fort Lupton, so we did a magic show for their summer camp on Friday, and we partner with libraries for their summer programs,” Jenny said.
Interested parents can register directly with the camp or through their nearby summer camps.
“You can register for the program through the schools that host it. If someone is interested in our program for their school, they can email us at White Rabbit Magic Camp,” she said.
Or, you might bump into omas in public, she said. He had a booth at Brighton’s Summerfest this year to promote his camps.
“He’s always at community events, spreading the word and showcasing his tricks and magic to involve people wherever he can,” she said. “He performs at birthday parties and barbecues, delivering a complete performance.”
e tricks Graham teaches depend upon his students’ age, he said. e programs start with kindergarten-age magicians and go up.
“ e curriculum extends until age 13 or 14, depending on the child’s personality, as some kids are really into it and very skilled,” Jenny said. “For example, with sleight of hand, he will teach them coin tricks and similar skills, which build con dence, stage presence, and the ability to maintain eye contact.”
e goal is to help the kids feel condent and to help them gain a sense of accomplishment, she said.
Some of the tricks don’t require a lot of talking, but are more visual, which helps build that set of skills, she said. Others come with stories, which helps them develop storytelling skills as they practice in front of a mirror.
“It gives the kid the option of how much they want to vocalize it. ey start o quieter and can perform this trick and say, ‘Pick a number.’ at’s all they have to say,” she said.
“Any version of a magician is entirely welcome. ey may continue to be a quiet magician, or they might be a stage performer with a storyteller.”
For more information about Magic Camp, visit: www.whiterabbitmagiccamp.com
Thomas Graham teaches kids how to do the “Genie in a Bottle” trick.
PHOTOS BY BELEN WARD
Thomas Graham helps kids learn a game designed to boost their creativity.
White Rabbit Magic Camp begins its summer season
IMPROVEMENTS
“We want to do something today to address the severe accidents occurring. However, we still need time. erefore, our interim solution is to convert County Road 8 into a right-in, right-out roadway,” Northcott said. “We will be closing the median, striping it, and channelizing it with signage. is will eliminate all leftturn movements and the County Road 8 car movement, which accounts for approximately 75% of the observed turns. is will improve safety in the area.”
Northcott said the state will also close several of the median crossings north and south of the intersection.
“We don’t want people making left turns, U-turns, or any illegal movements because they can’t turn left at County Road 8. We will keep County Road 8 half open, but it will be designated for emergency use and will be enforceable. is will help make things safer out there.”
Hall, the CDOT’s project manager, said he spoke with Fort Lupton Chief Ti any and some other o cials about controlling U-turns.
“It’s a dangerous intersection, and that’s the focus of our discussion concerning the access control plan,” Hall said. “We need to start taking steps to implement these plans, which would be wonderful. We currently have $4.7 million allocated for this project.”
Long-term fixes
Northcott said the state hopes to nd a long-term solution that can address the unique challenges they are encountering at this intersection.
“We are hoping to advertise for construction in the fall of 2027, but as we continue through our project process, we’ll be keeping everybody updated,” Northcott said.
Fort Lupton resident Steve Dreiling said both state and local tra c planners already know the best thing to do.
“I think that’s your answer, right there. What you’re doing right now – even better than a redesign – is shutting the damn thing down. And then you’ll avoid the accident altogether,” he said.
Hall said they could install a tra c signal at the intersection, but it has drawbacks. ere are many options.
“Anytime you put a tra c signal on a highway, you’re talking about high speeds and causing everybody to slow down, which adds con ict points around there,” Hall said. “Ideally, (you want) grade separation. Maybe it’s an interchange. It’s tight, but County Road 8 could go over the top.”
Hall said that whenever they make a change, it’s painful, but it will save a life.
“We will reach out to Google Maps and
Apple Maps to ensure that the road routes re ect County Road 8 closures. It is essential to make sure that the mapping software is up to date for this route,” Hall said.
Long time coming
Fort Lupton Fire Department Chief Phil Ti any said, “ is has been on our radar for quite some time. We’ve been in conversation with CDOT for a long period, and we really wanted to get that addressed.”
“Collaborating with everyone, CDOT was great, and we united to nd a solution. It will be a successful solution and will help ensure safety at that intersection,” he said. “I’m pleased about that. I don’t think there are any downsides; the communities understand that it also has a safety impact. I believe this was a very good, quick, and immediate solution to the problem.”
Brighton Mayor Greg Mills agreed.
“I’m glad to have safety improvements in any part of the corridor here. It does a ect people, whether you’re going or coming from Brighton,” Mills said. “ is improvement is vital for the safety of all workers and residents who travel along the entire corridor, whether they’re on Highway 85 or back on Road 27, which is also Brighton Main Street. We ensure that we’re promoting safety and making it a better place to get around.”
How safe is your home?
Nearly 50% of homes in Weld County have tested above the EPA action limit for radon. Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that can enter your home through dirt floors, crawl spaces, and cracks in the foundation, floors, and walls.
THE EPA AND SURGEON GENERAL strongly recommend that all homes be tested.
For more information or to receive a FREE test kit visit:
www.weld.gov/go/radon
The heavy tra c on U.S. Highway 85 makes turning from Weld County Road 8 dangerous.
The place where Fort Lupton’s Leo Juanito Vicente lost his life at the intersection on March 26, 2025 is no marked with a wooden cross. PHOTOS BY BELEN WARD
Chicken N Pickle opens new location in Thornton
Chicken N Pickle’s three opening in Thornton’s The Grove shopping center
BY MONTE WHALEY MONTE@COTLN.ORG
A national chain that specializes in showcasing America’s two favorite pastimes – eating chicken and playing pickleball – is opening its three-acre site in ornton on June 24.
Chicken N Pickle is an indoor/outdoor pickleball entertainment complex with locations across the country. Its newest venture is being unveiled in e Grove shopping center near I-25 and 144th Avenue. e facility marks the rst pickleball-dedicated venue in the ornton area.
Chicken N Pickle CEO Brad Clarke says that the enterprise is more than just a place to play pickleball and is an all-inone destination for food, fun and community connection.
e expansive complex blends professional-grade pickleball courts with a chef-driven restaurant, a lively sports bar and a variety of games and gathering spaces.
Whether guests can compete, connect or simply kick back, the ornton venue will deliver an experience designed to bring people together across seasons, ages and interests, Clarke said in a news release.
“We’re thrilled to bring Chicken N Pickle to ornton, a community that re ects our desire to o er a space where
families, friends and colleagues can create memories and connect through playful experiences,” said Clarke. “Colorado’s active, outdoorsy spirit and ornton’s strong sense of community make it the ideal place for our next venue. We believe in the power of shared celebrations, whether it’s over a delicious meal, a refreshing beverage or a spirited game, to foster human connection and support our neighbors.”
Spanning more than three acres and over 45,000 square feet, the complex features eight professional-grade pickleball courts, including six indoor and two covered outdoor courts, for casual games or competitive play, according to the news release.
e fast-casual, chef-driven restaurant specializes in wood- red rotisserie chicken with a focus on fresh, quality ingredients that are responsibly raised and ethically sourced, the news release states. Lawn games like cornhole, ping pong, Jenga and life-sized Battleship add to the playful energy, while rooftop seating with three unique event spaces (two indoors and one open-air) o ers courtside and mountain views. Additional reservable spaces like e Roost and e Boardwalk on the main dining oor, plus two bier gardens and a game yard, make the venue perfect for everything from relaxed evenings to private celebrations and team outings, the news release states.
e ornton location’s indoor court building features an open-air design, with garage doors throughout the space that open halfway to seamlessly connect the indoor and outdoor spaces. It will be the rst Chicken N Pickle to include
windows overlooking the indoor courts, bringing in dynamic new energy and ow to the space, the news release states. e venue o ers adaptive pickleball programming and inclusive spaces that welcome everyone, from seasoned players to rst-timers and families. e company states that Chicken N Pickle takes seriously its role in promoting inclusivity, health and awareness through active participation in adaptive pickleball, fostering wellness, social connection and advocacy for individuals with physical disabilities. All skill levels are encouraged to join, with on-site wheelchairs
available to ensure full accessibility for every guest. e grand opening celebration is scheduled for June 24, and continue throughout the week with themed events and giveaways designed to welcome the ornton community. See here for additional grand opening information.
Launched in North Kansas City, Missouri, in 2016, Chicken N Pickle has grown nationally, with locations in cities such as Wichita, Kan.; San Antonio, Texas; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Henderson, Nevada; Glendale, Arizona; Grand Prairie, Texas; and Grapevine, Texas.
Chicken N Pickle opens its venue in Thornton June 24. COURTESY
Members of the Korean rescue team helped with a fatality on I-76 June 13. COURTESY ADAMS COUNTY FIRE RESCUE
Korean rescue team helps with I-76 crash
Korean water rescue team came across the crash that killed one
BY MONTE WHALEY MONTE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
O cials with Adams County Fire Rescue are praising the help they received from several emergency crews in the area Friday night while dealing with a fatality on I-76.
Among the groups that came to help were nine members of the Korean National 119 Rescue team, who had been in Colorado participating in a nine-day swift water rescue training hosted by Golden Fire-Rescue.
e Korean team was returning to their hotel when they came upon the crash, located on the interstate between Federal Boulevard and Pecos, according
to Adams County Fire Rescue’s Facebook post.
A truck was traveling the wrong way on I-76 and crashed head-on into a sedan – the truck was traveling eastbound in the westbound lane, the re rescue’s post states, about 11 p.m.
e Korean team immediately secured the scene, called 911, and pulled the passenger out of the truck. Upon discovering he was in cardiac arrest, they immediately began CPR.
“Although the patent did not survive, we are incredibly grateful to these reghters for their swift response,” the Facebook post states.
e two drivers were transported “non-emergent” to the hospital, according to Adams County Fire Rescue.
Westminster Fire Department as well as the Colorado State Patrol and Adams County Sheri ’s O ce assisted at the scene, re rescue o cials said.
Fort Lupton teen enters national pageant
BY BELEN WARD BELEN@COTLN.ORG
Fort Lupton’s Elizabeth Holbrook, 12, earned 4th place runner-up in the PreTeen division as the Colorado representative to the National American Miss State Pageant in Arizona.
“ e thing I love most about National American Miss is the way I gained so much con dence. I also love the opportunities NAM o ers and the great community; everyone is so supportive and always wants the best for you,” Holbrook said. “I am so grateful for the friends I made. I am also so grateful to Melissa Rickman for the inspiration to get into pageants; it has helped me on this journey.”
Jessica, Elizabeth’s mom, said it was her second time competing in a National American Miss event, and she made a strong impression.
“Alongside the required competitions, she entered several optional categories, including Talent, Actress, Casual Wear Modeling, and Heart of Service. Her hard work paid o — Elizabeth nished as the 4th runner up in the Pre-Teen division for Colorado,” Jessica Holbrook said.
Jessica said one of Elizabeth’s most impressive accomplishments was being awarded rst place in the ‘Heart of Service’ competition.
“Over the last three years, Elizabeth has logged more than 244 hours of volunteer service, earning her top honors for her dedication to helping others,” Jessica said. Elizabeth also placed as rst runner-up in both the Talent and Best Resume categories and took second runner-up for Actress and Casual Wear Modeling.
Jessica mentioned that it took Eliza-
beth signi cant time and preparation to enter the pageant. Elizabeth raised funds for the trip through community support and a creative ‘Egg My Yard’ fundraiser, during which families could purchase pre- lled Easter eggs to be hidden in their yards the night before the holiday.
“Her campaign was successful and helped cover the costs associated with the competition,” Jessica said.
Elizabeth wasn’t alone on this journey. Jessica said she had strong support from her family, including her parents, grandma, aunt and uncle, who backed her throughout the weekend.
“ roughout two and a half days, Elizabeth wore six di erent out ts, had countless hair and makeup changes, and shared plenty of laughs, nerves, and joy with her fellow contestants,” Jessica said.
Jessica said that the pageant was a wonderful experience and created lasting memories for Elizabeth, including receiving trophies, forming friendships, and earning a Presidential Scholarship to Midland University in Nebraska.
“Outside of pageants, Elizabeth remains deeply involved in her community. She’s a committed member of the Fort Lupton Girl Scouts, currently working toward the Silver Award with her troop—one of the three highest honors a Girl Scout can earn. She also serves as the historian for Fort Lupton’s Tailtwisters 4-H club and enjoys the wide range of activities the organization o ers,” Jessica said.
Jessica said that earlier this year, Elizabeth even appeared live on CBS for an interview about her experience in the Girls in Broadcasting program, demonstrating that her con dence and leadership extend well beyond the stage.
Investigating the destruction of a sculpture
Police, private investigator part of a group looking into the failure of a giant Thornton sculpture
Also on the case is a licensed professional engineer and the sculpture’s fabricator.
BY MONTE WHALEY MONTE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e destruction of a 30-foot-tall sculpture in north ornton remains a mystery.
Called “RAE,” the sculpture was erected in 2024 at the East 136th median as part of the city’s public arts program. But the colorful piece was heavily damaged overnight in March 2024 and its pieces were strewn along the median, which is only a few yards from I-25.
City o cials said that it appeared at rst that the wind had taken the piece apart.
But this week, the city council was told that the cause of the sculpture’s “failure” during its warranty period is being investigated by ornton Police and a private investigator hired by the artist, Volkan Alkanoglu.
e city should have the results of the probe this month, which will determine which party’s insurance will reimburse the city for the cost of the sculpture, said Erica Schmitt, the city’s public arts coordinator. e funds would be used for future projects, Schmitt told the council. e remaining metal footings and cement pads for “RAE” will be removed as ornton plans to put in a new city sign and xeriscaping landscaping for the median, she said. e sculpture, she added, will not be reinstalled.
According to the sculpture designer’s description, the name is an acronym for Robotic Art Experience:
“Standing proudly in the heart of ornton, Colorado, the towering sculpture named R.A.E. – the Robotic Art Experience – mesmerizes onlookers with its dynamic form and futuristic allure,” the description reads. “Stretching an impressive 30 feet into the sky, this innovative sculpture symbolizes the city’s forward-thinking spirit and technological innovation.”
Flash of lightning tests mountain rescue crews
Crews pluck two from Torreys Peak in record-setting helicopter rescue
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CHRIS@COTLN.ORG
Extreme weather conditions at 14,000 feet put experienced high-altitude rescue teams to the test with one of the highest helicopter hoist rescues in Colorado history, taking two men from the top of Torreys Peak.
It was just before 5 p.m. June 12 when two hikers on Kelso Ridge, heading toward the summit of Torreys Peak in Clear Creek County, contacted the Alpine Rescue Team in Evergreen with concerns over the nal push to the top as serious weather moved in.
“ e call we initially got was for a party of two who were climbing Kelso Ridge. … ey called saying they were pretty close to the summit, they were at a place we refer to as the ‘White Rock.’ It’s kinda the last challenge before you get to the summit (Torrey’s)... part of it Involves going out on a pretty exposed knife edge,” Alpine Rescue Public Information O cer Jake Smith said.
Mission leaders familiar with the trail guided the pair up the mountain.
“ ey felt like they were o -course and asked if they should try and descend, Smith said.
“ e safest option for those guys was to continue to climb and take the ‘Summer’ trail down rather than going down the way they came up,” Smith said.
After about an hour, the two hikers reported they had made it to the summit and were ready to descend.
During the ongoing conversation with the hikers, a small team of Alpine Rescue volunteers had assembled at “ e Shack,” Alpine Rescue headquarters in Evergreen, just in case.
“We got word the two had made it to the summit, so we can all stand down and go back to our regular lives,” Smith said.
Lightning Strikes: In a heartbeat, it’s critical While on the phone with an Alpine
Two Flight for Life helicopters in the Denver area were both grounded due to
ose few words instantly set in motion an incredibly complex orchestra of local, state and federal rst responders and mountain rescue crews who have, for years, trained together for a missioncritical response scenario. is time it was real.
“Myself, and I think everybody else, our bodies just start dumping adrenaline,” Smith said. “We’re immediately thinking, ‘OK, what do we need to grab and more importantly, what are we going to do to get up there because we know they were on the summit when this happened… so we’ve got a huge operation ahead of us.’”
Within an hour, ve ground teams made up of at least 30 Alpine Rescue volunteers were organized and sent into the eld to perform an evacuation from the summit, while simultaneously a rescue helicopter and hoist were being sought.
Wasting no time, Clear Creek Fire Authority provided a tracked Utility Task Vehicle to take rescuers and equipment as close as it could to Torreys Peak. Two Alpine Rescue members and one Clear Creek EMS member were the rst to head up the mountain.
“We are constantly trying to look at how the situation is unfolding and thinking two to three steps ahead,” Smith said.
During the initial staging, a rescue-capable Blackhawk helicopter was identied at the High Altitude Army National Guard Aviation HATTSTraining Site in Eagle County Airport near Vail. e Guard accepted the mission and quickly gathered crew members and equipment for the rescue.
Two Rescue Techs from Vail Mountain Rescue Group were inserted on the summit around 11 p.m. and were able to hoist the critical patient, according to Alpine reports.
A small Alpine team continued to the summit to assist with the second patient. e second patient, along with a Rescue Tech and the Alpine members, were air-
lifted from the summit at midnight.
According to Alpine Rescue, the initial, unresponsive patient was own to a waiting Clear Creek County EMS ambulance and transported to a Denver-area hospital for critical care.
As of June 18, he was continuing to receive treatment for severe burns, according to Alpine.
e second hiker, who sustained minor injuries, was evacuated via a second helicopter ight after a two-wheel landing on the summit. He was transported to a local emergency department and released.
Agencies responding to the high-altitude rescue included the Alpine Rescue Team, Clear Creek County Sheri ’s O ce, Clear Creek EMS, Clear Creek Fire Authority, Colorado Army National Guard (High Altitude Aviation Training Site), Vail Mountain Rescue Group (Rescue Technicians), Flight For Life Colorado, Colorado SAR Association and the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.
“ is was a massive team e ort, and we’re incredibly grateful for the assistance from all,” Smith said.
e Alpine Rescue Team never charges for rescues but does rely on local donations to the all-volunteer organization.
Alpine Search and Rescue volunteers move up Torrey’s Mountain on foot in search of two injured hikers struck by lightning June 12.
Blackhawk rescue helicopter circles Torrey’s Mountain peak in search of two injured hikers June 12. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALPINE RESCUE
Lessons to remember in times of struggle
Irst met Wendy when I was 14 years old, entering Holy Family High School as a ninth grader. Wendy’s outgoing personality, seemingly endless ability to nd joy in every situation, and her “but we won’t know for sure if we don’t try it” attitude made her very popular in our small class of 90-plus students.
roughout our high school years, Wendy demonstrated her compassion for others in many ways. She was always there to help when someone needed it. For me and my family, when my father was laid up following surgery to remove an eye that was lled with cancer, Wendy stepped in and helped me deliver the Rocky Mountain Newspapers that Dad and I would deliver each morning. at help would be amazing in itself; however, Wendy helped in the aftermath of a blizzard. We would get up at 4:30 a.m., go to the drop-o spot for the papers, fold them, and then try to navigate down the side streets in North Denver that were covered with 20 inches of snow. After completing the task, we would get ready for school, go to school all day, and prepare to do it again. For three days, this sel ess teenager helped my family as we navigated an incredibly di cult time.
After graduation, we went our separate ways. I headed to Colorado College; Wendy went to Creighton University in Nebraska. We saw each other on rare occasions. I saw her just a few days after the birth of her rst child, and we would catch
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
We live in a world where “ask and ye shall receive” has been co-opted by Amazon, Uber Eats, and same-day shipping. e ancient call to persistence has been replaced with a prompt: “Buy now.” We can have food, clothing, furniture, and entertainment delivered faster than we used to be able to get a pizza. But in a world where instant grati cation rules the day, are we quietly losing the hunger and thirst that used to drive us? ink about it: for most of us, if we want something, within reason, we can get it within a few hours. Groceries? Same-day. A new book? On your Kindle in seconds. Need a workout plan? ousands of in uencers will stream one into your living room before your co ee brews.
And yet, when everything is easy, urgency tends to fade. Convenience creeps into our ambition. Where we once hungered for excellence, sweated, strained, and hustled, many now watch reels about working out more than they actually work out. We’ve replaced action with consumption, thirst with scrolling. e quieting of the hunter. At one time, most of us were hunters. We pursued dreams, chased goals, and took on challenges with the intensity of someone who knew there was no shortcut, no easy button. Today? We often settle for “good enough” because it’s more comfortable. We binge the podcast on success instead of mapping out a plan to pursue it ourselves.
is ease has dulled the edge that once drove us. It’s not that we don’t want more; we just don’t need to ght for it
up at reunions. However, aside from brief visits, we spoke to each other very little.
Each time I saw her, our conversation reinforced the idea that Wendy was still the person I knew in high school: energetic, enthusiastic, and caring. She became a triathlete, a teacher, and a mother to a gaggle of children. About thirteen years ago, she was running home after a workout, and her body failed her. She simply could not make it up the hill to her house. A few days later, on Halloween night, Wendy was sitting in a chair and fell out of it for no apparent reason.
e next day at the doctor’s o ce, the reason became very apparent. She had brain cancer and was given two weeks to two months to live. A short time ago, a group of us from the Holy Family Class of 1984 gathered with Wendy at a restaurant in North Denver.
Con ned to a wheelchair, limited in her motion, and knowing that travelling from Omaha to Denver is becoming more challenging for her, we were all excited together and talk with this miracle.
As the nine of us reminisced, laughing and talking about our experiences in school and sharing about our lives since
that time, I was utterly struck by the profound lessons I learned from this dear friend of 45 years in a short four-hour conversation.
e lessons learned that evening are great for all of us to consider, especially during times of struggle, and include:
• Just because someone has said it does not mean that it needs to be true.
— It is very clear that Wendy takes great pride in proving the experts wrong. 13 years is a lot longer than two months.
• We must not underestimate the incredible in uence that we have on other people.
— Wendy came back to Denver for the wedding of one of her nieces. Wendy is known in the family as the “favorite aunt,” not as the “aunt in the wheelchair” or the “aunt with brain cancer.” Wendy is the favorite because she is absolutely present in the moment, excited about life, and dedicated to the idea of making a di erence whenever she can.
• We have this moment, this opportunity, this chance to make a di erence. It is our responsibility to understand that and take advantage of it.
— Wendy has done that for 13 years. Our lives will be better if we live by that rule for even 13 minutes.
• Wisdom comes in increments. Wendy mentioned to us her seven Fs for surviving 13 years with brain cancer. ese seven things are pieces of wisdom she has gained as she has navigated her struggles.
Stay hungry, stay thirsty
anymore. And when the struggle disappears, so often does the spark.
ere is an urgency that fuels passion. ere’s a dangerous kind of complacency that hides behind comfort. It’s the kind that confuses manufactured urgency (“I need my package today”) with the deeper urgency that fuels our purpose and passion, the kind that gets us out of bed early and keeps us up late, chasing the best version of ourselves.
When we are truly hungry or thirsty, almost nothing can stand in our way. Real hunger doesn’t wait for conditions to be perfect. It pushes through excuses. Real thirst doesn’t stay on the couch; it gets up and moves toward something greater. is isn’t just about business or tness. It shows up in our relationships, too. Remember when you went the extra mile for someone you were falling in love with? When’s the last time you did that? Has it become easier to skip the date night, to say “we’re good” instead of doing the little things that used to light up your relationship?
Maybe there’s someone in your life who’s thirsty for your attention, your spouse, your child, your team at work, and you’ve stopped noticing. It’s not that you don’t care. It’s just that it’s easier not to act. And easier is the enemy of excellence.
When I coach sales leaders and teams,
ey are hers to share, but it is my sincere hope that she will begin to write about those insights, allowing others to learn from her experience.
I will never forget this simple and wonderful evening. It was inspiring for all of us who could be there. e crazy part of the night lay in the fact that the insights were simply the product of a willingness to share and a determination to listen.
It is my sincere hope that as you navigate your struggle, you will seek both the opportunity to share insights and the chance to learn from others.
When you do those two simple things, the results will be transformative.
I hope my words encourage you and that you will share them with those who need support. ank you to everyone who has shared their stories with me so far; I truly appreciate hearing about the valuable ideas you nd in these columns and how you use them to uplift those around you. You can reach me at jim.roome@gmail.com.
Jim Roome lives in Arvada with his wife, Beth. He spent 34 years in public education. Lessons learned from the one two punch of being diagnosed with MS shortly before his best friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer led him into a new pursuit as a freelance writer and speaker. He uses his life experiences and love of stories to inspire, educate and encourage local, national and international audiences. Contact him at jim.roome@gmail.com.
ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I often ask what separates the top 1% from the rest. e words that come up again and again are “hungry and thirsty.” Not the most experienced, not the best educated. Hungry, irsty, Driven. at kind of drive creates a comfortable lead between the top performer and their nearest competitor, and keeps it. ere is a deeper hunger still. And for many of us, there’s another hunger, the spiritual kind. A thirst that isn’t quenched by comfort, success, or material gain. “As the deer pants for the water, so my soul pants for You, my God.” at hunger and thirst for a deeper relationship with God is not about going through the motions; it’s about pursuit, passion, and presence.
Stay hungry. Stay thirsty. Not for the quick win or the same-day delivery. But for the things that truly matter, the goals that stretch you, the relationships that nourish you, and the faith that anchors you. In a world of ease, choose the pursuit. Choose the climb. Choose the passion that only hunger and thirst can bring.
Are you still hungry and thirsty, or has complacency and convenience overtaken your desires, goals, and dreams? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can choose commitment over convenience, it really will be a better-than-good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
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• Email your letter to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com. Do not send via postal mail. Put the words “letter to the editor” in the email subject line.
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• Letters should be exclusively submitted to Colorado Community Media and should not submitted to other outlets or previously posted on websites or social media. Submitted letters become the property of CCM and should not be republished elsewhere.
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Jim Roome
Evergreen Mountain Art Celebration returns
There are few better ways to spend a summer day in Colorado than in the mountains, and if you can pair this with some wonderful cultural activities, how can you go wrong?
at’s what makes the Evergreen Mountain Art Celebration such a great event, and it’s even bigger and better in its 8th year. e event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29 at the Evergreen North Shopping Complex, 3719 Evergreen Parkway. e juried ne art and ne craft show highlights 75 professional artists from Colorado and beyond. All of them use a range of mediums, including painting, jewelry, ceramics and more, to create works that honor mountain living and Western, Southwestern and rustic themes.
In addition to the art, visitors can enjoy live music. Colorado Roots Rock Unplugged, a duo that specializes in acoustic versions of classic rock, will be performing on Saturday and Link&Chain, a band of brothers performing reggae, will be on hand on Sunday. ere will also be a drawing for a $1,000 Art Festival Shopping Spree at noon on Sunday.
We interviewed Amber Calanni with Colorado Art Weekend about the event and what visitors should know.
Interview edited for brevity and clarity. What were you looking for in artists this year?
We want to feature art that ts into the “Mountain Modern” avor. “Mountain Modern” is a style that blends contemporary aesthetics with rustic, nature-
COMING ATTRACTIONS
inspired elements, but feels personal and connected to nature and elevated in presentation. If someone has never attended the Celebration, what should they know?
ey should know this festival is more than an art show, it’s a true celebration of Colorado mountain culture and “Mountain Modern” art. It’s free to attend, easy to access and full of authentic charm. Whether you’re an art lover or just looking to explore something new. Evergreen is a relaxed setting where you can enjoy art, meet the artists and connect with a creative community.
Why is it important to celebrate the arts at a time like this?
In a time when so much feels uncertain, the arts remind us of what grounds us; hope, beauty, self-expression and connection. Art gives us a chance to slow down, re ect and engage with something meaningful. is festival also gives families and individuals a reason to get outdoors, support artists and feel part of something positive and inspiring. What do you hope people come away with?
We want visitors to leave feeling uplifted, like they’ve spent their weekend immersed in something special. Whether it’s a new piece of art, a meaningful conversation with an artist, hearing a
great musical performance or simply the peaceful experience of walking the festival grounds, we want guests to take away memories that last well beyond the weekend.
For more information, visit www.EvergreenArtShow.com.
Learn About the Life of a Colorado Hat Maker e Littleton Museum, 6028 S. Gallup St., is looking at the history of a renowned hat maker in its new exhibit, Kate Ferretti: e Life of a Colorado Hat Maker. e exhibit opens on Friday, June 27, and focuses on Ferretti, a nationally recognized hat maker. She entered the workforce at 13 and went on to build a family business that spanned nearly ve decades. According to the provided information, “this exhibition explores sources from Ferretti’s family, as well as oral histories from the collections of the Littleton Museum and History Colorado, to help tell the full story of this fascinating local maker’s life.”
For more information, visit https:// visitlittleton.org/event/kate-ferretti-exhibit/.
Big Belmar Bash Brings Party to Lakewood e City of Lakewood is celebrating Independence Day a little early, but with no less pomp and circumstance, with its Big Belmar Bash from 5 to 10 p.m. on ursday, July 3, at Downtown Belmar, 7337 W. Alaska Drive.
e evening will feature something for all ages, including live music and
children’s activities. ere will also be a range of local vendors selling unique items and plenty of food and drink options.
Of course, the highlight of the night is a drone light show, which will begin at around 9:15 p.m. It will feature a eet “of 250 cutting-edge drones with stateof-the-art LED lights” illuminating the night and “MIX 100 will provide a curated soundtrack for the drone light show,” according to provided information.
More information is available at www. Lakewood.org/BBB.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Elvis Costello & The Imposters at Bellco Theatre
Elvis Costello is one of the greatest living songwriters we have and has been proving that repeatedly since his classic debut album was released in 1977. In the ensuing decades, he’s released several bulletproof records and worked with some absolutely amazing songwriters. In celebration of his stellar career, he’s bringing his band, e Imposters, and guitarist Charlie Sexton on the Radio Soul!: e Early Songs of Elvis Costello tour.
e tour is coming to Bellco eatre, 1100 Stout St., at 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 29. e music of Costello’s early career is some of his best, so this will be a performance not to be missed. Get tickets at www.axs.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.
Clarke Reader Colorado
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Fort Lupton Press (USPS 205880)
A legal newspaper of general circulation in Ft. Lupton, Colorado, Fort Lupton Press is published weekly on Thursday by The Colorado Trust for Local News, 143 S. 2nd Pl., Brighton CO 80601. .
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NEWS BRIEFS
Co ee with a cop
Fort Lupton Police set aside one morning each month to share a few cups of co ee with residents.
Co ee with a Cop is a chance for police to meet with community members and discuss many topics, including parking regulations. To accommodate more people, they have changed their meeting location to the MultiPurpose Room at the Fort Lupton Rec Center! e same time is on the rst Wednesday of each month at Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S Harrison Ave, Fort Lupton. e next scheduled event is from 8-9:30 a.m. on July 2.
Co ee with a Cop is an easy way to get to know the men and women who serve our community and tell them about the issues that matter most to you. Remember that you can always reach our police department at our non-emergency number, 720-652-4222.
Fort Lupton celebrates America’s Birthday Bash
Fort Lupton’s Independence Day celebration is set from 3-8 p.m July 4 at the Community Park at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave.
the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
Fort Lupton replacing water meters
e City of Fort Lupton has hired Northern Colorado Contractors to replace the water meters in town.
Over time, meters age and require replacement to ensure accurate measurement and e ciency of water use. e majority of the meters in the City are reaching their useful life, prompting this program. e replacement of the meters is entirely free of charge to residents.
According to the city, the current meters continue to work properly; however, some meters do not transmit the data from the meter to the system. e meter must then be read manually.
e festival is free to attend and features a country blues concert with Eric Golden and Delta Sonics. Food trucks will be on hand as will more than 50 booth vendors, o ering everthing from good to treats like Cotton Candy, ice cream, kettle cornand funnel cakes. All sales at the adult Beer Garden will bene t the Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Bank. ere will also be carnival rides, bounce houses, give-aways and a most patriotic competition, so dress to impress.
Citywide Yard Sales July 10 & 11
Fort Lupton invites everyone to participate in the annual Citywide Yard Sales July 11 and 12.
If you are interested in having a yard sale at your property and would like to be included on the City map of the event, please submit your information by June 26. Submit information for the yard sale here. https://forms. gle/QAbjuL5TvjkWG6xs5
A map of participating sales is located here: https://tinyurl.com/37tde y.
Saturday pancakes
Accounts with meters that can’t be manually read will be estimated. If the actual amount consumed is lower than the estimated amount previously billed, then the bill will be adjusted to re ect the higher usage. When the new meter is connected, it will re ect the correct usage moving forward.
Contractors will notify residents when they will replace meters in their vicinity. For houses with meters that are outside and accessible, the contractors will let residents know when they plan to replace the meter. For houses that have inaccessible meters that are inside, in a basement or a crawl space, residents should contact Public Works to schedule an appointment.
More information can be found herehttps://www.fortluptonco.gov/1240/WaterMeter-Replacement-Program.
e Fort Lupton Public Library hosts a simple pancake breakfast on the last Saturday of each month in the library’s community rooms. is month’s pancake breakfast runs from 9:30-10:30 a.m. June 28. e library is located at 370 S. Rollie Ave.
e event is combined with the library’s weekly reading program, so families can enjoy a good meal while listening to popular cult classic children’s stories that never get old. Breakfast starts at 9:30, and read-aloud starts at 10 a.m. every last Saturday of the month.
All ages are welcome.
Post o ce seeks new location in Hudson
Due to space constraints, the Postal Service must relocate retail services to a yet-to-bedetermined location within the zip code of 80642, which includes Hudson and the surrounding area.
e desired size of the new facility needs to be approximately 2,750 square feet with adequate parking.
e Cemetery Committee, Parks and Recreation Committee, Golf Committee, the Library Board, Public Safety Committee and the Senior Advisory Committee have openings. e openings consist of a two-year term running through the end of 2024. If you or anyone you know is interested in serving on a committee, please complete a committee application at https://www.fortluptonco.gov/966/IWant-To-Apply-for-a-Committee on the city’s website.
Help for vets
Quali ed Listeners, a veteran and family resource hub serving northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, has several power chairs, scooters, and electric wheelchairs available. e VA o ers urgent care services to eligible veterans at VA medical facilities or several in-network urgent care clinics that are closer to home.
Acts of Connection seeks to lessen loneliness Weld County and North Range Behavioral Health are working to target social isolation and build personal connections throughout the county with the Acts of Connection Initiative.
According to the group, four of ve adults younger than 24 and seniors older than 66 all reported feeling lonely at some point. e campaign encourages everyone to nd ways to connect with others, build relationships, and promote a stronger sense of wellbeing and a culture of connection for all. e group has sponsored a website at https://actsofconnectionweld.org/ to survey members of each group, o er some tips to help and take pledges to connect to the community and connect with other members of the community.
e relocation project will consist of procuring a suitable substitute location, as close as reasonably possible to the existing location. Retail Services will continue at the current location until necessary preparations are completed at the new location.
Instead of a public meeting, the Postal Service is inviting residents and property owners to send comments on the proposal to “United States Postal Service, Attn: Hudson, CO MPO Relocation, PO BOX 27497, Greensboro, NC 27498-1103.”
e Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on
To nd the closest facility to you, visit www. va.gov/ nd-locations or call 720-600-0860. Quali ed Listeners also needs volunteers to drive veterans to and from appointments, run errands for veterans who cannot get out, handyman services, help administer veteran and family resource guide inventory in local libraries, and veterans to be trained to become quali ed listeners.
Donation time
e Fort Lupton Food & Clothing Bank is asking for donations of canned fruits and nuts, varieties of dry pasta and pasta dinners, peanut butter and canned meat such as tuna (including the pouches).
Other potential donations could include chicken, Vienna sausages, spam and salmon. e bank also needs personal items, such as toiletries and baby needs.
Visit the e ort’s website at https://actsofconnectionweld.org/ for more information.
Brighton Art in the Park seeks local artists e City of Brighton will host its annual Art in the Park festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Carmichael Park, 650 Southern St. ose artists interested in showcasing and selling their artwork can visit www.brightonartinthepark.com for more information and to apply. e deadline for booth applications is Aug. 15. is one-day festival brings together talented artists, live performances, interactive activities, and a vibrant artist market.
For more information, contact Communications & Engagement Director Kristen Chernosky at 303-655-2146 or kchernosky@brightonco.gov.
Drop o donations at the food and clothing bank’s back door, 421 Denver Ave., on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Call 303857-1096.
Free short-term radon test kits
Weld County residents can receive a free radon test kit (one per household, while supplies last). Test kits can be requested online at www.drhomeair.com/weld, according to a statement.
Call the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment at (970) 400-2226 or visit: www.weldgov.com/go/radon.
Silver Sneakers
Silver Sneaker Yoga is available three times per week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 to 9:45 a.m. and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave.
Blessings in a Bag
Fort Lupton’s Backpack Program helps schoolchildren in need with a backpack of healthy food. It’s an all-volunteer program and needs volunteers. If interested in volunteering or donating, call 303-718-4440.
City committees need members
Fort Lupton is looking for several community-minded individuals to ll openings on several boards that advise the City Council and help run city programs.
Free short-term radon test kits
Weld County residents can receive a free radon test kit (one per household, while supplies last). Test kits can be requested online at www.drhomeair.com/weld, according to a statement.
Call the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment at (970) 400-2226 or visit: www.weldgov.com/go/radon.
Volunteers needed
Quali ed Listeners, a veteran and family resource hub serving northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, needs volunteers to drive veterans to and from appointments, run errands for veterans who cannot get out, provide handyman services, help administer veteran and family resource guide inventory in local libraries and veterans to be trained to become quali ed listeners.
Visit quali edlisteners.org/volunteerapp and ll out the form or call 720-600-0860.
Water aerobics
e city’s water aerobics class meets from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays and ursdays at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave. Call 303-857-4200.
Hyundai, Kia one out of every five stolen cars in state
State patrol shares tips for drivers
BY MONTE WHALEY MONTE@COTLN.ORG
All vehicle owners can bene t by being protective of their cars and trucks, but Hyundai and Kia models are especially vulnerable to theft in Colorado.
e Colorado State Patrol says that Hyundai and Kia represent nearly one out of every ve stolen cars in Colorado. Also, vehicles using a physical key for operation continue to be largely targeted by car thieves across the Denver Metro area, the CSP states in a news release.
e theft of Hyundais and Kias is also linked to organized crime in Colorado and is the focus of the Colorado Auto eft Prevention Authority — Metropolitan Auto eft Taskforce, the news release states.
“ ese stolen cars are then used to commit other crimes across the Front
Range,” the news release states. “From dangerous driving to business burglaries and beyond, preventing auto theft saves more than just a car: it makes our entire state safer.”
e CSP lists several precautions owners can take to keep their vehicles safe and o Colorado’s “Top Ten Most Stolen Cars” list. ose include locking your car and taking your keys with you. Never leave a running car unattended. ey also suggest parking in a garage or a secure parking lot when possible, or in an area under constant supervision.
Another tip is to keep your car clean. ieves hate clean cars and especially clean interiors. Anything left unsecured in a vehicle incentivizes a thief to target your car instead of a clean one.
Owners of a Hyundai or Kia should check with their local manufacturer service center to determine if their vehicle quali es for a security software update.
e State Patrol also suggests drivers of those cars or of any car on the top list should use a steering wheel lock, which is available from many local Police Depart-
ments. Drivers should also use technology like a GPS tag or enroll in programs like Denver Track or Metro Track. Use physical vehicle theft prevention
devices, such as parking boots, gear shift/ pedal locks, and others, to stop thieves and alarms and immobilizing devices from a trusted installer.
Thornton, Westminster lead state in seat belt citations
e ornton Police Department was one of the state’s leaders in giving out seat belt citations from May 12 to June 1, followed closely by the Westminster Police Department during those three weeks. ornton and Westminster were
among 60 law enforcement agencies along with the Colorado State Patrol that increased patrols and focused on issuing citations to unbuckled drivers over those 90 days. It was part of a state-wide e ort to emphasize Colorado’s new seat belt and car seat laws, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
According to preliminary data, 2,428
citations were written during the enforcement period across the state, which is part of the national Click It or Ticket campaign led by the National Highway Tra c Administration (NHTSA), according to a CDOT news release.
e Colorado agencies with the highest number of seat belt citations during the enforcement were ornton Police De-
partment (99 citations), Westminster Police Department (89 citations), Larimer County (259 citations) and Loveland (367 citations).
In addition, Colorado State Patrol issued 1,023 citations, the news release states.
Stolen cars, especially Hyundais and Kias, are often used to commit later crimes, according to the Colorado State Patrol. FILE PHOTO
CHSAA names 2025 All State Teams
BY JOHN RENFROW JOHN@COTLN.ORG
Colorado is home to some of the country’s best high school athletes. Players like Christian McCa rey, Dalton Knecht, Mallory Swanson and more have ascended to the highest levels of accomplishment in their sports. But before all that, they were All-State student athletes in the Centennial State.
Several from across the Colorado Trust for Local News coverage area — Fort Lupton, Northglenn, ornton, Brighton, Westminster, Golden, Clear Creek, Evergreen and Conifer — are peppered across the All-State team selections in all classes.
Keep in mind: several previous publications in our coverage were acquired by Times Media Group (for this list, we are including Lakewood and Arvada). For those schools no longer in our jurisdiction, look for more at CHSAANow.com.
e Colorado High School Activities Association has announced its All-State Teams, presented by CHSAANow.com and MaxPreps. e full list is below for spring sports in 2025.
Girls soccer 5A
- Evergreen, Addison WhiteEvergreen, Marissa Simpson - Golden, Ruby Lucken - Golden, Avery Freedman - Green Mountain, Kara Harris - Green Mountain, Rome Villani - Green Mountain.
Second Team: Kya Cooper - Green Mountain, Annabel Clayden - Golden.
Honorable Mentions: Kiya LeBlanc - Horizon, Reilly Sears - Horizon, Kuepper TrinkelHorizon, Mila Busken - Denver
Boys lacrosse 5A
First Team: Collin McLaughlin - Ralston Valley.
Second Team: Cooper Van Dyke - Ralston Valley.
Honorable Mentions: Colby Kurtz - Ralston Valley.
Boys lacrosse 4A
First Team:Will Wales - Evergreen, Eli Park - Evergreen, Brody Reece - Evergreen, Caleb Lessing - Evergreen, Ayden Lawson - Evergreen, Wyatt Holtmann - Golden.
First Team: Holly EngelkingRalston Valley
Second Team: Gigi GrieveArvada West
Honorable Mentions: Dresdyn Aleman - Northglenn, Isabella Martinez - Ralston Valley, Abriana Ruiz - Denver North, Brooklyn Velotta - Horizon, Grace White - Lakewood
Girls soccer 4A
Player of the Year: Gianna Weiner - Evergreen Coach of the Year: Peter JeansEvergreen
First Team: Piper CarlsonGreen Mountain, Taylin Gimbel - Evergreen, Nadia Leunig - Evergreen, Gianna Weiner - Evergreen.
Second Team: Alyssa Hamilton - Green Mountain, Nuala Hart - Evergreen, Lucia Spungin - Evergreen, Reese MartinezGolden, Amairany Vidana - Adams City.
Honorable Mentions: Sasha Calanni - Green Mountain,
Abby Hawkins, Riverdale Ridge, Kate Hertz - Golden, Dayanis Holguin-Loya - ornton, Caitlin Mazurek - Riverdale Ridge, Piper McSkimin - D’Evelyn.
Girls soccer 3A
Honorable Mentions: Nora Rice - Arvada, Danie LewisStargate School, Alysah Messenger - Stargate School, Leah Messenger - Stargate School.
Girls golf 5A
First Team: Raleigh Puzio -Brighton, Addison HinesRalston Valley
Second Team: Hayden Hawley - Horizon
Girls golf 4A
Coach of the Year: Wade Balliet - Riverdale Ridge
First Team: Brynn BallietRiverdale Ridge, Leah Johnson - Riverdale Ridge, Karina Panyavong - Riverdale Ridge.
Second Team: Olivia Dorland - Golden
Girls golf 3A
Coach of the Year: Heikke
Nielsen - Holy Family
First Team: Acadia CurtisHoly Family, Ste Heitz - Holy Family, Peyton Mraz - Holy Family, Riley Kinsella - Pomona.
Girls tennis 5A
Coach of the Year: Kim Greason - Ralston Valley
First Team: Sophia BaigRalston Valley, Emerson Bonner
- Ralston Valley, Julia Campbell - Ralston Valley, Anna Curran - Ralston Valley, Kate Decker - Ralston Valley, Kylie Engelsman - Ralston Valley, Mataya Farling - Ralston Valley, Olivia Hendrickson - Ralston Valley, Scarlett Lutz - Ralston Valley.
Second Team: Adia FarlingRalston Valley, Cassidy Gordon - Ralston Valley.
Girls tennis 3A
Second Team: Emma BoscoEvergreen
Girls track and field 5A
First Team: Eliana Angelino
- Lakewood, Addison BartlettRiverdale Ridge, Alora Tortorelli Cruz - Riverdale Ridge, Emma-
liegh Malcolm - Ralston Valley, Evelyn McClellan - Horizon, Abigail Trapp - Golden.
Second Team: Payton Meineke - Riverdale Ridge, Layla Petz - Arvada West
Honorable Mentions: Elsa Vessely - Golden
Girls track and field 4A
First Team: Ailish Ocasek
- Evergreen, Claire TannehillHoly Family.
Second Team: Abigail Chavez - Pomona, Anastasia KullmanStandley Lake.
Honorable Mentions: Gianna Cicora - Conifer.
Girls track and field 2A
First Team: Mehlea Ritschard - Golden View Classical Academy.
Girls lacrosse 4A
Player of the Year: Ryn Gardner - Evergreen.
First Team: Emma Crosbie - Evergeen, Ryn Gardner - Evergreen, Addison McEvers - Evergreen, Ashley Cortez - Evergreen, Alivia Hunsche
Second Team: Brakken McDougal - Golden, Gri n Gorsuch - Golden, Riley Kopser - Golden, Cameron Willians - Evergreen, Isaac Webre - Evergreen, Charlie Russell - Evergreen, Caden Willoughby - Prairie View.
Honorable Mentions: Cody Cain - Evergreen, Nolan Darlington - Denver North,
Boys track and field 5A
First Team: Ryan ElsenBrighton, Tanner KaufmanFrederick, Mason Lusche - Arvada West, Dutch Neuweiler - Ralston Valley, Francis Ojowa - Prairie View.
Second Team: Austin Blattner - Ralston Valley, Phoenix Tomsick - Ralston Valley, Grayson Mommens - Riverdale Ridge, Gage Pieper - Golden, Cameron Shull - Golden.
Honorable Mentions: Logan Nuce - Riverdale Ridge.
Boys track and field 4A
First Team: Monte Samaras - Holy Family, Colby StroupPomona, Jake Swanson - Green Mountain.
Riverdale Ridge girls golf poses for a photo after capturing the program’s first girls golf state title. The Ravens beat Durango by 13 shots to secure the team championship in late May. CHSAANOW.COM
Cyclist cruises by on coast-to-coast journey
Teddy Bloom rides for free speech, rights
BY ALEX K.W. SCHULTZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
In a time when the country is so divided and many feel the democratic way of life is being threatened in one way or another, 37-year-old Teddy Bloom is going for a bike ride.
But not just any bike ride. He’s dubbed it the Ride4Rights, a California-to-Washington, D.C., expedition to raise awareness of and support for four issues he says are vital to the American way of life: freedom of speech, justice, education and unity.
e Santa Fe, New Mexico, native started at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco on April 20 and arrived in Denver on June 7. He plans to reach his nal destination, the Washington Monument, on Aug. 14.
He will have covered roughly 3,000 miles on his Kona Libre gravel bike and made 100 or so stops by the time it’s all said and done.
is isn’t a left or right issue, the New Mexico Department of Transportation employee said. It’s simply for “people who like living in America and being in a democracy.”
“I do have more left supporters because they’re more against what the current administration is doing, but I do have a fair number of conservative supporters who like the conservative ideas of small government and states’ rights and whatnot,” Bloom said.
STATE TEAMS
Second Team: Finnegan Beck - Standley Lake, Liam Graham - Standley Lake, Ryan Lusk - Standley Lake, Micah Martinez - Standley Lake, Brady Lindoerfer - Holy Family, Anthony Quasney - Evergreen.
Honorable Mentions: Loghan CainPomona, Ben Swanson - Green Mountain, Bryce Weeks - Green Mountain, Benson White - Conifer.
Boys track and field 2A
Athlete of the Year: Bobby Kiesewetter - Golden View Classical Academy.
First Team: Bobby Kiesewetter - Golden View Classical Academy.
Boys volleyball 5A
First team: Brock Ho man - Riverdale Ridge, Kei Martin - Arvada West.
Boys volleyball 4A
Second Team: Tarin CavanaughD’Evelyn, Callum Taylor - Stargate School.
Honorable Mentions: Aavas Jha - Stargate School, Elijah Osborne - D’Evelyn.
Boys swimming and diving 4A
Diver of the Year: Carson Harrington - Evergreen.
First Team: Whitley Beamon - Golden, Evan Curran - Golden, Carson Harrington - Evergreen, Henry PalmquistEvergreen, Duncan Salmen - Evergreen.
Second Team: Logan Rains - Evergreen.
Honorable Mentions: Jack Beckman -
On freedom of speech and justice, Bloom said, “You need free speech to really be able to assess the needs of the people in the country, to know the problems around the country, or what people need for their jobs and work. at’s how lawmakers can make good decisions. Justice, everybody should have due process. at way it’s as fair as possible.”
Bloom said he picked education as one of his riding themes because he believes it’s important for people to understand why certain federal agencies exist and what exactly those workers do.
Lastly, speaking about unity, he said,
“It’s the idea that you shouldn’t be doing something just to screw over other people. When you’re trying to make a law or implement a process or something, it should be either because it’s to your bene t or the bene t of other people. In looking at the internet at least, people seem to have lost some interest in that.”
To amplify his work, Bloom created a website, posts regularly on several social media platforms and shares a daily vlog on YouTube.
When he enters a city or town, he also encourages others to ride along with him, if only for a few miles.
And while he’s run into some obstacles along the way — a tweaked hamstring early on, sloppy dirt roads, a hailstorm in Limon — he doesn’t plan on stopping until he reaches the marble obelisk in the nation’s capital.
“I wanted to do something a lot of people could get behind,” Bloom said. “ ese are very basic things for a democracy to function.”
Follow Bloom’s journey at ride4rights. com.
D’Evelyn, Zander De Jager - Evergreen, Ethan McLuskey - Evergreen.
Baseball 5A
First Team: Favi Gaeta - Prairie View, Cooper Vais - Arvada West.
Second Team: Tate Deal - Arvada West.
Honorable Mentions: Parker Aaron, Horizon, C, Sr. Grant Belcher, Ralston Valley, P/OF, Sr. Beau Friesen, Arvada West, Jr. Angel Gallegos, Denver North, INF/P, Sr. Winston Patterson, Ralston Valley, P/OF, So. Romani Perez, Prairie View, INF/RHP, Sr. Brayden Reiner, Arvada West, Jr. Jerry Stone, Prairie View, 1B/RHP, Sr. Tyler Swan, Riverdale Ridge, INF/P/OF, Sr. Giovanni Tarin, Prairie View, OF/RHP, Sr. Austin Waltemath, Brighton.
Baseball 4A
Player of the Year: Sawyer BrinkmanGolden.
Coach of the Year: Jackie McBroomGolden.
First Team: Sawyer Brinkman - Golden Luca Casali - Golden.
Second Team: Simon Lunsford - Green Mountain, Jaydon Stroup - Golden.
Honorable Mentions: Mauro Acosta - Adams City, Luke Adams - Conifer, Dustin Bennett - Holy Family, Chris Blanco - Standley Lake, James Mauro - Evergreen, Brody McBroom - Golden, Dylan Paulson - Golden, Christian Ramirez - Adams City, Brandon RoeConifer.
Baseball 3A
Honorable Mentions: Jesse CerettoFort Lupton, Cameron Henderson - Arvada.
Santa Fe cyclist Teddy Bloom poses for a photo with his bicycle. Bloom is biking across America to raise awareness of and support for four issues he says are vital to the American way of life: freedom of speech, justice, education and unity. COURTESY PHOTO
Librarians claim policy rollback opened door to censorship
Policy rollback and opaque decisions spur Je co librarians to seek clarity
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SUZIE@COTLN.ORG
On May 29, Ti any LoSasso stood before the Je erson County school board anked by fellow Digital Teacher Librarians from across the district. e Mandalay Middle School librarian delivered a carefully sourced, deeply personal plea: restore transparency and professional oversight to how Je co handles school library books.
“We implore you to make these changes as soon as possible,” LoSasso said, referencing the recent passage of Senate Bill 25-063, which requires Colorado school districts to adopt clear procedures for the acquisition, removal and review of library materials by Sept. 1.
LoSasso, who testi ed in favor of the bill before the Colorado Senate Education Committee in February earlier this year, said she now feels misled.
“I told lawmakers that Je co already had strong, protective policies in place,” she said. “But I didn’t know they had been removed. I felt betrayed.”
Je co once had such a policy, LoSasso explained. Known as IJL, it required the formation of trained review committees and o ered clear protection for DTLs and the materials they managed.
But in June 2023, during a period without a district-level library coordinator,
IJL was repealed and replaced with a more generic policy, IJ.
e new version contains just one sentence referencing library materials: “ e teacher librarian, along with district personnel, have shared authority for selecting and eliminating library materials.”
LoSasso and other librarians said they were never informed of the change, and only discovered it recently when their decisions were overruled without explanation.
“We didn’t know the change had been made. We didn’t know that we had lost so much,” LoSasso said.
Book removal raises questions e turning point came in January 2024, when they were asked to remove a popular manga series, Assassination Classroom. Manga is a style of Japanese comics and graphic novels.
A district book review committee, following Je co’s existing procedures, determined the series should only be available in high schools. But shortly after the committee’s decision, all librarians with the title in their collections received a district directive to remove it entirely, citing an undisclosed decision by a “district leadership team.”
“We were told it was not appropriate for any Je co school, which directly contradicted the committee’s recommendation,” LoSasso said. “ e rationale given referenced the district’s tragic history with Columbine, which made no sense to me given the book’s premise.”
LoSasso said the book is a science ction story in which a powerful alien becomes a junior high school teacher and challenges his students to assassinate him before he destroys the Earth.
Tara Degelmann, Je co’s Library Services Coordinator, in an email to the board, said the book was removed districtwide because it depicts students attacking and attempting to kill a teacher, which she described as fundamentally inappropriate for a school library collection, regardless of the book’s ctional and fantastical framing.
When LoSasso and others questioned the reversal, they received identical, copy-and-pasted responses. DTLs serving on the review committee were not consulted.
en, in October 2024, principals at multiple schools were reportedly directed by district administrators to remove additional books without following Jeffco’s published challenge process.
Emails posted as evidence online after LoSasso gave public comment showed they received an email from the Degelmann stating that they were to ‘spend the next day reviewing their library catalogs for books with controversial topics’ and that the provided list of agged key-
words, such as pornography, violence and cruelty, ‘should not be printed or LoSasso said the exercise ignored standard weeding criteria, such as condition, age and circulation data.
“It felt like censorship,” LoSasso said. In February, a group of secondary DTLs wrote to Superintendent Tracy Dorland, Deputy Superintendent Kym LeBlancEsparza and Chief Academic O cer Renee Nicothodes to raise concerns. ey received no reply. A later meeting arranged through the teachers’ union resulted in a promise of follow-up that never came, according to LoSasso.
In a message to the board, Nicothodes said that district leaders recognize the concerns raised by DTLs and emphasized that Je co remains committed to continually improving its library policies.
She encouraged collaboration and professional dialogue moving forward, but did not directly respond to speci c complaints about previous removals or communication gaps.
LoSasso added that no one from the district or board has contacted her since she spoke at the May 29 meeting.
“ at silence is disappointing. We are putting ourselves out there to help, and we’ve been met with silence.”
Board pledges review; district defends process
In response to LoSasso’s public comment, board members acknowledged the confusion at their next meeting and expressed a desire to involve DTLs in future policy revisions.
Board Member Erin Kenworthy said she had already reached out to some librarians and urged a collaborative approach.
“ ey are the experts and I think we need to value their professional input,” she said.
Board members Paula Reed and Mary Parker also voiced concern about how the policy change was handled and whether DTLs had been given adequate notice or opportunity to contribute.
Degelmann told the board that the district’s current policy acknowledges the importance of collaboration between teacher librarians and district personnel, but stated that she believes several aspects of LoSasso’s public comment were inaccurate or lacked context.
For example, she stated that the October 2024 email, which asked librarians to review catalog entries, was intended as a voluntary resource audit aligned with guidance from national organizations, not a directive to censor books.
Degelmann also emphasized that district leaders have not removed books arbitrarily and that formal review processes remain available to sta . She said district sta plan to work with the school board and review guidance from the Colorado Association of School Boards to ensure alignment with state law.
“We are con dent that Je co Public Schools has a strong process in place for the selection and review of library materials,” Degelmann said.
In the meantime, LoSasso said they are operating without clear guardrails and with fear that student access to books could be subject to behind-the-scenes decisions without due process.
“We are the experts on what is appropriate for our students and our communities,” LoSasso told the board. “Please let us do our jobs.”
Mandalay Middle School librarian Ti any LoSasso addresses the Je erson County Board of Education on May 29, 2025. JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Thu 6/26
Sunny Stride 5 K @ 6:30am / $35-$35 10600 Westminster Boulevard, West‐minster
Warm Hugs Boutique & Lunch @ 9:30am Fort Lupton Recreation & Parks Depart‐ment, 203 S Harrison, Fort Lupton. 303-8574200
INSPIRE Mamma Mia the Musical @ 12:30pm
Buchanan Park Recreation Center, Physical: 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Mailing: 1521 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen. 720-880-1000
Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers @ 1:10pm Coors Field, Denver
Pablo Cruise: Friday, The Buffalo Rose @ 7pm
Buffalo Rose, 1119 Washington Ave, Golden
Tyron Benoit Band: Conifer Show @ 7pm
Snowpack Underground, 11863 Springs Rd #290, Conifer
Phat Daddy @ 8:30pm Hoffbrau, 9110 Wadsworth Pkwy, Westminster
Sun 6/29
Talk to the Camera - Movie Magic/OnAir Broadcast - Full Day @ 9am Jun 30th - Jul 3rd
Miller House, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Ever‐green. 720-880-1000
Cheerleading Camp - BPRC @ 9:30am Jun 30th - Jul 3rd
Park Operations, 1521 Bergen Parkway, Ever‐green. 720-880-1000
Wed 7/02
Colorado Rockies vs. Houston Astros @ 6:40pm Coors Field, Denver
Phat Daddy @ 8:30pm Hoffbrau, 9110 Wadsworth Pkwy, Westminster
Sat 6/28
Yoga on the Rocks - The River 6/28 @ 7am Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison
Yoga with Baby Goats @ 8:30am
Wulf Recreation Center, Physical: 5300 South Olive Road, Mailing: 1521 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen. 720-880-1000
INSPIRE Zipline
@ 12:30pm
Neil Z at the Chart House @ 5pm Chart House, 25908 Genesee Trail Rd, Golden
Fri 6/27
Kind Hearted Strangers @ 7pm
Buchanan Park Recreation Center, Physical: 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Mailing: 1521 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen. 720-880-1000
Eric Golden @ 2pm
Prost Biergarten, 351 W 104th Ave Unit A, Northglenn
S. Carey + Courtney HartmanLiving Room Show @ 8pm
Sweet Bloom Coffee, 8850 Westmin‐ster Blvd, Westminster
Atomic Jones @ 1pm
Little Bear Live, 28075 CO-74, Ever‐green
ASHLEY COOKE - Colorado Paradise Concert Series by: Salt & Acres @ 3pm
Two Bears Tap and Grill, 33295 US-6, Idaho Springs
Wendy Clark Band at Odde's Lounge @ 8pm Odde's Music Grill, 9975 Wadsworth Pkwy, Westminster
Salt & Acres, Fort Lupton
Mon 6/30
Summer School Age Adventure Camp 6/30
@ 7:30am Jun 30th - Jul 2nd
Wulf Recreation Center, 5300 S Olive Road, Evergreen. 720-880-1000
Morning SUP Yoga @ 12am Jul 3rd - Aug 20th
Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road, Evergreen. 720-880-1000
Colorado Rockies vs. Houston Astros @ 1:10pm Coors Field, Denver
Thu 7/03 Calendar
LAWMAKERS
Colorado political candidates submit their campaign nance information, which is posted in the online database, known as TRACER, to comply with state election transparency laws. e website includes their home addresses, phone numbers and other personal information.
e secretary of state is allowing law-
CITATIONS
e 2,428 total citations given marked a 36% increase from the same Click It or Ticket enforcement period last year. Additionally, 206 drivers received a citation for having an improperly restrained child in their vehicle under the age of 18, a 178% increase from the 74 citations given in 2024, the news release states.
Colonel Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said in the news release that fatalities in Colorado
makers to redact personal information online that is not required to be public basedon a campaign nance rulethat protects “any person who believes their safety or the safety of an immediate family member may be in jeopardy.”
A spokesperson for the Colorado secretary of state’s o ce said there is not a speci c time anticipated for when TRACER will be online again, but it will be “back up soon.”
Colorado House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, a Colorado Springs Republican, said in a statement about the Minnesota
are down in nearly every tra c category compared to this time in 2020, including for unbuckled fatalities. Still, the state is aiming for zero tra c fatalities caused by drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts, Packard said.
Updates to Colorado’s child passenger safety law took e ect Jan. 1, 2025, raising the age requirement for seat belt use from under 16 years of age to under 18 years of age, according to the news release.
e updated law also now requires children to use a car seat or booster seat until their 9th birthday when riding in a passenger vehicle, and children under
shootings that “violence has no place in our politics. Not now. Not ever.” “ is is an unconscionable act of violence,” Pugliese said. “ ere is absolutely no justi cation for targeted attacks on elected o cials — or anyone — based on their political beliefs. Our nation was built on civil discourse and the peaceful exchange of ideas, not horri c acts of violence. We are keeping the families of Rep. Hortman and Senator Ho man in
tionwide. He emphasized that he serves both Democrats and Republicans, and said the safety of all state lawmakers, as well as Coloradans as a whole, is a top priority.
“I keep my head on a swivel,” Coleman said. “We always need to be aware of our surroundings and not get caught o guard, but we can’t live in fear. We focus on what we can control.” is story is from Colorado Newsline.
the age of 2 and below 40 pounds are required to sit in a rear-facing car seat.
Parents and caregivers are responsible for ensuring proper restraint and will be ticketed if they fail to do so, the CSP states. More information about these laws can be found on the Colorado Child Passenger Safety Law webpage.
creasing the risk of fatalities.
“globalpropane” to 22828 for
O cials say that as temperatures rise, more people travel in their vehicles, in-
“Historically, tra c fatalities rise during the summer months as weather improves, and the days get longer. at’s why it’s important to wear your seat belt during all car trips,” said CDOT’s O ce of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk in the news release . “Seat belts can protect your life during any type of crash.”
Thornton Police helped lead the state in issuing seat belt citations SHUTTERSTOCK
1. TELEVISION: “ e Simpsons” rst appeared as a short on which TV show?
2. GEOGRAPHY: What is the distance between mainland Russia (Siberia) and mainland United States (Alaska)?
3. GAMES: What is the highest score you can achieve in one frame of bowling?
4. MYTHOLOGY: What is the Roman god of the sea called?
5. SCIENCE: What are the only letters that don’t currently appear in the Periodic Table?
6. MOVIES: Which animated movie’s tagline is “Escape or die frying”?
7. LITERATURE: e Republic of Gilead appears in which 1980s novel?
8. FOOD & DRINK: Which spice is often praised for its anti-in ammatory properties?
9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: In which country did Cirque du Soleil originate?
TrIVIa
10. LANGUAGE: What is glossolalia?
Answers
1. “ e Tracey Ullman Show.”
2. About 55 miles.
3. 30.
4. Neptune.
5. J and Q.
6. “Chicken Run.”
7. “ e Handmaid’s Tale.”
8. Turmeric.
9. Canada.
10. e ability to speak in a previously unknown language, also known as speaking in tongues.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Public Notice
Town of Lochbuie, Colorado Ordinance No. 2025-706
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOCHBUIE, COLORADO AMENDING ARTICLE VII OF THE LOCHBUIE LAND USE REGULATIONS (CHAPTER 19 OF THE LOCHBUIE MUNICIPAL CODE) PERTAINING TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
rdinance o. 2025-706 was passed at the une 17 2025 meetin o the Town Board and will ta e e ect on uly 26 2025. The ull
t o the ordinance is available or public inspection and ac uisition in the Town ler s ce 70 eld ounty Road 7 ochbuie 8060 and on the Town s website at ochbuie.or
2475
BY: Taddeo
Section 18. The de nition o Housin a ordable contained in Section 11.0 o the D is hereby repealed.
Section 19. The ollowin de nitions contained in Section 11.0 o the D are hereby added and/or amended as follows:
Section 21. ll sections subsections and de nitions not e pressly amended or modi ed herein remain in ull orce and e ect.
Section 22. indin s. The ity ouncil nds that the D amendments set orth herein (i) urther the purpose o the D (ii) promote the public sa ety health and eneral wel are o the community o the ity o Bri hton (iii) support the development of accessory dwelling units (iv) aid the en orcement o re ulations concernin manu actured homes and (v) improve the e ectiveness and e ciency o administerin the D .
une 2025.
Mayor
s T H ity ler R D S T RM s M
METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS RE: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO 2024 BUDGET
June 27, 2025
T S H R B G that the Board o Directors (the Board ) o South Beebe Draw Metropolitan District (the District ) ounties o dams and eld State o olorado will hold a special meetin at 12 0 M on une 27 2025 (the Board Meetin ) or the purpose o conductin such business as may come be ore the Board. ursuant to 2-190 RS as amended this meetin will be conducted electronically telephonically or by other virtual means.
RTH R T S H R B G that a proposed amended bud et has been submitted to the District or the scal year o 202 . copy o the proposed amended bud et has been led in the o ce o li ton arson llen 8 90 rescent ar way Suite 00 Greenwood illa e 80111 where the same is open or public inspection. Durin the Board Meetin the Board will conduct a public hearin to consider ob ections o the District s electors prior to considering the adoption of such proposed amended bud et. ny interested elector within the District may inspect the proposed bud et amendment and le or register any objections at any time prior to the nal adoption o the 202 bud et amendment.
Directors and members o the public that wish to participate in the meeting may do so via telecon erence by dialin (720) 707-2699 and enterin on erence D 869 5177 081 or videoconference on https us06web.zoom.us 8695177081 . This meetin is open to the public.
B RD R TH B
e al otice
Bids and Settlements
Public Notice
NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT
T S H R B G that the Roc y Mountain Rail ar Metropolitan District o dams ounty olorado will ma e nal payment at the o ces o the District s ccountant liton arson llen 2001 16th Street Suite 1700 Denver 80202 on or a ter uly 7 2025 to H nterprises nc d b a H onstructors nc. 9100 . anorama Dr. Suite 00 n lewood 80112 in connection with payment or services rendered materials urnished and or all labor per ormed pursuant to Tas rder 2 - aterline nstallation dated March 7 2025 entered into between H onstructors nc. and Rail and ompany or the Roc y Mountain Rail ar ro ect all bein within or ad acent to the boundaries o the District and in dams ounty olorado. ny person co-partnership association o persons company or corporation that has urnished labor materials provisions or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or his subcontractor in or about the per ormance o the wor contracted to be done or that supplied rental machinery tools or e uipment to the e tent used in the prosecution o the wor whose claim there ore has not been paid by the contractor or the subcontractor may le a veri ed statement o the amount due and unpaid on account o such claim. Said veri ed statement must be led with the Roc y Mountain Rail ar Metropolitan District c o arrie Bartow District ccountant at the above address and at or be ore the time and date hereinabove shown. ailure on the part o any claimant to le such veri ed statement o claim prior to such nal settlement will release said Roc y Mountain Rail ar Metropolitan District its Board o Directors o cers a ents and employees o and rom any and all liability or such claim.
Sheri to oreclose the ud ment ien in the same manner as prescribed by statue or the sale o land on e ecution.
The principal and interest due and owin on the ud ment as o pril 15 2025 is as follows:
Principal: 127 6 9. 6 nterest (18 per annum) 20 days 27.97 8 950. 0 Total 1 6 589.86
This is to advise you that a Sheri s Sale proceedin has been commenced throu h the o ce o the undersi ned Sheri pursuant to above-re erenced documents. PLEASE BE ADVISED THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN ON THE FOLLOWING REAL PROPERTY, legally described as follows:
A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE S 1/2 OF THE NW 1/4 OF SECTION 5, TOWNSHIP 3 SOUTH, RANGE 67 WEST OF THE 6TH P.M., BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
COMMENCING AT A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID S 1/2 OF NW 1/4 OF SECTION 5, A DISTANCE OF 492 FEET 8 INCHES WEST AND 105 FEET NORTH OF THE SE CORNER OF SAID S 1/2 OF NW 1/4 OF SECTION 5; THENCE NORTH AND PARALLEL WITH THE EAST LINE OF SAID S 1/2 OF NW 1/4, A DISTANCE OF 65 FEET; THENCE WEST AND PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID S 1/2 OF NW 1/4 OF SECTION 5, A DISTANCE OF 120 FEET; THENCE SOUTH A DISTANCE OF 65 FEET; THENCE EAST 120 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, COUNTY OF ADAMS, STATE OF COLORADO, also known by street and number as 6813 LOCUST STREET, COMMERCE CITY, CO 80022
TH R R RT T B S D D D S R B D H R S T TH R RT TH T S RR T MB R D B TH DGM T.
NOTICE OF SALE
otice is hereby iven that will at 9 00 .M on u ust 7th
Westminster
Lessons learned from the Marshall Fire
fire o cials said they have learned from recent blazes
BY MONTE WHALEY MONTE@COTLN.ORG
City of Westminster re o cials say they have learned lessons from two deadly wild res and have improved their technology to notify residents of re emergencies.
e city has also stepped up training and bulked up the number of personnel to ght wildland res. But all these tools are still no guarantee they can keep everyone safe and hold o the type of blaze that decimated the area during the 2021 Marshall Fire in Boulder County, Westminster Deputy Fire Chief Eric Linnenburger told city councilors during a work session Monday night.
“We don’t have to be right up against the mountains to have a fast-approaching re,” Linnenburger said. “All year round is our re year.”
Westminster also has a top-rated water supply system that can be tapped in a re emergency, Deputy Fire Chief Bob Hose said. But that system also has its limits, he said.
“When you have 150 mph winds, “ said
Hose, “even the best water system in the world will be overwhelmed.”
Westminster’s wildland re teams have been deployed over the past 18 years across the country, to res in Colorado, California, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Florida, according to the city. Westminster crews were heavily involved in ghting the Marshal Fire, and the wildland team also deployed to the catastrophic Palisades Fire in California last year, the city said.
In both res, there were problems with emergency noti cation systems, evacuation procedures, interagency coordination and water supply, the Westminster re o cials told the council.
Location specific alerts
Especially in emergency noti cations, “there were quite a few gaps in the timeliness of the system,” Hose said.
To improve its local noti cation system, Westminster worked with the City and County of Broom eld to introduce Lookout Alert, used by both the police and the re departments to notify residents of emergencies and critical public safety information.
Residents can register their phone numbers to receive Lookout alerts so they can receive timely noti cations about situations like evacuation orders, public safety alerts, and other critical events, re o cials told city councilors.
Kenton H. Kuhlman, No. 9433 Kuhlman and Kuhlman, P.C. 8843 Swan River St. Littleton, CO 80125 elep o e Email: kk@kenkuhlmanlaw.com e al otice o. BSB 911 irst
Fire o cials said they also decided to shift to a “Know Your Zone” system that lets Westminster residents register for location-speci c alerts based on predesignated zones within the city. Westminster also relies on regional radio integration and mutual aid agreements when it brings re crews to an emergency, no matter their jurisdiction.
Wildlands team
Westminster now has a 21-member wildland re team that undergoes increased training, the re chiefs said.
Fire department and Parks, Recreation and Libraries personnel also collaborate on wild re prevention and mitigation strategies, including conducting seasonal cuts to build up bu ers and defensible space on city property. Crews also meet with homeowners to suggest good defensible space strategies, o cials said.
In all, councilors were pleased with the re department’s e orts to hold o wildres in and around the city.
“You are being proactive, I am sure you are a model for the rest of the state,” Mayor Nancy McNally said.
Westminster Fire o cials say they have learned from the Marshall Fire. FILE PHOTO
