Golden Transcript 0910

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September 10, 2020

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

GoldenTranscript.net

VOLUME 154 | ISSUE 40

Bandimere draws crowd to oppose health orders ‘Let’s take it back’ is motto of politically charged event BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO PALBANIBURGIO@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Face masks were rare and MAGA hats and red, white and blue were plentiful on Sept. 1 at Bandimere Speedway as a crowd descended on the race track to protest what organizers called “unconstitutional Public Health Orders and Executive Orders.” The event, promoted by the speedway as the “Stop the COVID Chaos” rally, put the track back into the spotlight it has occupied for much of the summer as it held a July 4 event in violation of Public Health Orders and later faced off against Jefferson County Public Health in court over health orders. The lead-up to the rally further intensified that battle as JCPH sent the Bandimere family an email warning them that any event at the race track must “follow all Public Health Order

Lawsuit seeks to stop Bandimere from violating health orders BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO PALBANIBURGIO@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Republican Rep. Patrick Neville of Castle Rock, the minority leader of the Colorado House, speaks at the “Stop the COVID Chaos” rally at Bandimere Speedway. PHOTO BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO Requirements.” Despite that warning the vast majority of attendees eschewed mask wearing and social distancing at the end of the event as

they gathered on the track for a massive group photo in protest of distancing requirements. SEE BANDIMERE, P4

Construction underway on Clear Creek Crossing Apartments, new hospital and, eventually, restaurants and entertainment BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO PALBANIBURGIO@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

After years of discussion and planning dating as far back as 2013, the Clear Creek Crossing project is starting to rise in Wheat Ridge. Located on vacant land just to the west of the intersection of I-70 and Highway 58 that was

Jefferson County files lawsuit against Bandimere over rally

long owned by Coors, current plans call for Clear Creek Crossing to be a mixed-use development that will consist of apartments, restaurants, stores, hotels and public spaces all anchored by a new SLC Lutheran Medical Center. Those driving by the site on I-70 can now see the construction of the first of the buildings that will contain a total of 300 apartments, said Evergreen Development Managing Principal Tyler Carlson. The first of those units should be ready to start being leased in early 2021 with construction on the rest of the buildings continuing for the rest of that year,

according to developers. “We’re making good progress from a timing standpoint,” said Carlson. “The dry weather is not good for wildfires but it’s great for contractors to keep their crews moving.” But that’s not all that’s happening at the site — Carlson said construction is also underway on a new Kum & Go gas station as crews also work to finish site grading and utilities work on other parts of the property. Work will also begin in the next two months on a new threestory headquarters for Foothills Credit Union. SEE CLEAR CREEK, P7

Jefferson County Public Health is taking Bandimere Speedway back to court after the speedway held a rally opposing COVID-19 public health orders that JCPH says violated those orders. The lawsuit, which was filed on Sept. 3 in Jeffco District Court, asks the court to issue an injunction that would stop Bandimere from hosting events in violation of public health orders. According to the complaint, the event violated multiple such orders, including one requiring that permission from the county be sought before an event is held with an total attendance of greater than 175 and another requiring that face masks be worn by people in public when it is not possible to maintain at least six feet of social distance from other people. The majority of the attendees at the Sept. 1 “Stop the COVID Chaos” rally did not wear masks while they crowded onto the track for a group photo at the conclusion of the rally. The complaint notes that JCPH sent a letter to the Bandimere family once it became aware of the event reminding it of the Public Health Orders and the need to seek approval of events with more than 175 attendees. The Bandimere family did not respond to that letter, according to the complaint. “Based on Bandimere’s lack of a written plan for pre-approval demonstrating compliance with PHO 20-28 (the order requiring face coverings at public events), and the flagrant disagreement with PHO 20-28 expressed at the rally, JCPH has a reasonable basis to believe Bandimere may host additional events that will violate PHO 20-28,” the complaint states. It goes on to state that if an injunction is not granted, Jefferson County could suffer substantial harm and irreparable injury as a result of possible spread of COVID-19 at future events at which the orders are not followed. In addition to the injunction, the complaint also is requesting that Bandimere pay the costs to JCPH of bringing the suit.

INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 8 | LIFE: PAGE 10 | SPORTS: PAGE 13

CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH PEOPLE IN NEED Building community through gifts, cash-free exchanges P10


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