$1.00
May 13, 2021
JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
JeffcoTranscript.com
VOLUME 37 | ISSUE 42
Columbine struggles to stay open due to rising COVID counts BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO PALBANIBURGIO@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
agreement, where Green Mountain made a deal with Big Sky Metropolitan District to help bring sewer waste from Big Sky’s system to Denver Water. The board of directors for Green Mountain approved the agreement, but later that same
With the finish line so clearly in sight, Jeffco Public Schools officials are arguing for schools to be able to finish the year, even if it means tolerating certain levels of COVID-19 spread. The last day of school for all students in Jeffco Public Schools is scheduled for May 27. That is the current situation in Jefferson County, where overall countywide COVID)-19 numbers are starting to look better following a recent surge in cases. Among younger demographics though, particularly in area high schools, outbreaks are continuing. As of May 5, COVID-19 case rates in Jeffco were highest among those 20-29 years old with those 10-19 years old now having the second highest rate of cases. The high rate of cases among school age children corresponds with what Jefferson County Public Health Executive Director Dawn Comstock called “a large and growing number of outbreaks in Jeffco schools” during a meeting held on May 5. Comstock said that situation has proven challenging for JCPH and the state to handle as Jeffco Public Schools and other districts have
SEE RULING, P13
SEE COLUMBINE, P6
Hannah Mauro poses with fellow pre-K teachers demanding union membership in Jeffco.
PHOTO BY BOB WOOLEY
Jeffco teachers rally for equity, new contract Union reps join forces to demand more inclusion, higher pay BY BOB WOOLEY BWOOLEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Cars honked, signs waved and a large banner was draped above
a westbound stretch of I-70 as a boisterous group of Jeffco teachers and support staff rallied outside of the Jeffco Public Schools’ Golden location May 6 to bring attention to a host of issues. “What’s Disgusting? Union Busting!” Those issues included fair pay for Jeffco educators, having the school board recognize the union for the unlicensed pre-K staff and asking
for district buy-in to Article 22, which is the Joint Commitment to Racial Educational Equity. Cory Bissell teaches music at Hackberry Hill Elementary. Through the loud chants of fellow attendees, he said he was there to support colleagues and demand fair pay for all educators in Jeffco. “That includes teachers, special SEE TEACHERS, P7
Green Mountain water district wins court ruling Ruling ends lawsuit with Big Sky and developers STAFF REPORT
The Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District has won a sum-
mary judgement dismissal of a lawsuit brought by a neighboring municipal district and area developers. Jefferson County District Court Judge Jason D. Carrithers issued his ruling on the case on May 6, to dismiss the case. The lawsuit was over a 2018
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 23
PUTTING PEN TO PLACES
Comic artist sketches local haunts P14