Jeffco Transcript 0610

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June 10, 2021

JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

JeffcoTranscript.com

VOLUME 37 | ISSUE 46

Firefly Autism not just for children How the Lakewood resource is offering hope and help to adults on the spectrum BY BOB WOOLEY BWOOLEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A mountain goat peeks around the corner of the restroom building at the Mount Evans summit on the morning of June 4. Several photographers and visitors were excited to see alpine wildlife, as the highway to the summit has been closed to vehicle traffic since September 2019. PHOTOS BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

Mountain life is a highway Locals celebrate returning to Mount Evans highway BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Aurora’s Robin Brilz has visited Mount Evans hundreds of times — at least once or twice a year annually for more than 50 years. Until the pandemic and all its complications prevented her and thousands of others from seeing the summit last year. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway SEE EVANS, P18

Motorists line up at the entrance of the Mount Evans Scenic Byway near Echo Lake on the morning of June 4. When the gates opened at 8 a.m., there were about 40 vehicles already in line to enter.

Firefly Autism, a Lakewood-based organization that’s been helping those diagnosed with autism for more than 20 years, is seeing new programs and possibilities emerge as COVID finally starts to retreat. Jesse Ogas, Executive Director/ CEO of the nonprofit says Firefly had just moved into its newly purchased and renovated facility at 20th Avenue and Hoyt Street when COVID appeared on the horizon. They quickly transitioned to a virtual model, and since reopening to in-person services, have been successful at keeping the virus at bay. “Firefly continues to innovate and change the landscape of autism treatment across our communities in Colorado,” Ogas said. “But we’re also now recognized as leaders, nationally and internationally, for the work that we’re doing.” He says the new building allowed them to open a diagnostics clinic and begin offering sibling support programs. It also allowed them to create one of the most needed programs for older individuals with autism. SEE FIREFLY, P8

INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 19

SUNNY SKIES

How to protect your skin in the sun P14


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