April 3, 2014 Jefferson County, Colorado | Volume 90, Issue 33 A publication of
lakewoodsentinel.com
Gun legislation lawsuit trial begins Judge’s ruling could impact recently-enacted laws in Colorado By Vic Vela vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com Colorado’s new gun laws are “burdensome” and “a symbolic gesture that does not improve public safety,” a lawyer said on the first day of testimony of a trial that takes on the legislation passed in 2013. But a state’s attorney said that the laws do nothing to take away guns from law-abiding
citizens and that the motivation behind the legislation is to curb mass shootings like the ones that occurred at Columbine High School and from inside an Aurora movie theater. “In response Report to these events, Colorado’s elected representatives made a policy decision to pass two pieces of legislation that appropriately balances the state’s public safety concerns with the respect of the Second Amendment rights of citizens,” Deputy Attorney General Matthew Grove said.
Capitol
The lawyers’ arguments opened a twoweek trial over a lawsuit filed against the state and Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper that alleges that two recently enacted gun laws violate gun owners’ Second Amendment right to bear arms. At question are laws that expand background checks on gun sales in Colorado and limit the number of rounds that an ammunition magazine can hold to 15. The lawsuit is being brought by gun rights groups and is being heard in a Denver U.S. District Court by Judge Marcia Kreiger. A successful effort by the plaintiffs could put the new laws — which were signed by Hickenlooper last year — in jeopardy. Debate on the bills last year caused
highly-charged partisan rancor at the Capitol between Democrats who backed the efforts and Republicans who uniformly voted against them. The bills also led to last year’s recall elections, where three Democratic lawmakers either lost or resigned their seats. The new background checks law expands a previous statute that requires gun shops to conduct a criminal history prior to the sale of any firearm. The updated law expands that to all sales and transfers, regardless of where or how they occur. Plaintiffs’ attorney Richard Westfall argued that the new background checks law is unreasonable and unenforceable. He Gun continues on Page 14
40 West Arts puts out call for Action Center mural Staff Report
Planet Fitness helps cancer survivor By Clarke Reader
creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com Receiving a cancer diagnosis can never be easy, but having it as a teenager must be unimaginable. That’s what Lucas, a 16-year-old D’Evelyn student, faced when he received word that he had osteosarcoma (bone cancer), June of 2013. “I was just silent — I didn’t say anything for a very long time,” he said. After nearly 20 rounds of chemotherapy and surgery in October, Lucas is on the road to recovery, and has a lot to celebrate, especially after March 27. Lakewood’s newest Planet Fitness, 98 Wadsworth Blvd., has been collecting enrollment fees from December through February, totaling $3,005. Then owners Jonny and Kristi Jost matched that sum and gave all $6,010 to Make-A-Wish Colorado to make Lucas’ wish come true. As a longtime video game lover, Lucas’ wish is to meet Gabe Newell, the co-founder and managing director of video game development and online distribution for Valve Corporation. Lucas will be going to see the Valve Headquarters in June to learn firsthand how video games are made, talk with programmers and share some of his own ideas. “This was a incredibly successful grand opening, and we couldn’t believe they raised as much as they did,” Patti Forsy, director of events for Make-A-Wish Colorado said. “We sent Lucas’ story to Jonny and Kristi and we’re so pleased with the result.”
Kristi credited both the gym’s staff and its members with their invaluable assistance in raisin the funds for Lucas. “We’ve been talking about this for months, and I almost can’t believe the day is finally here,” she said. “It’s been a great experience and we couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help.” Lucas’ mother Mary said the Josts and MakeA-Wish’s efforts to give her son a chance to have this life-changing experience has been phenomenal. “I was really really excited for this, and I was completely surprised they were able to do this,” Lucas said. “A lot of what got me through everything was the generosity of so many people.” Mary perhaps best summed up everyone’s feelings about Lucas getting his wish — “We are ecstatic. He deserves it.”
Lucas, a 16-year-old D’Evelyn student, on the left, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in June. Lakewood’s new Planet Fitness wanted to raise the funds to give him his wish, and raised $6,010. Lucas and his family received a check from Make a Wish and Planet Fitness on March 27. Photo by Clarke Reader
The 40 West Arts District has put out a call for the Action Center Mural Project, with a deadline of April 14. There is a $5,000 commission, plus a materials budget of up to $1,500 for the winning artist, selected from two to four finalists who will be paid $200 to submit and present concepts to the selection committee. The mural will be at the soon-to-berenovated Action Center Headquarters in Lakewood. This mural project is designed to create and implement an iconic “landmark” mural for the community and represent the mission of The Action Center and the people it serves. The artist’s name will be commemorated on the work. This is a three step call for artists process: a call for interested artists to submit an overview of their qualifications for this mural; the committee will select two to four finalists who will be compensated $200 each to submit and present their mural concepts to the selection committee; and the committee will select the winning concept and engage the artist for $5,000 (plus $1,500 materials budget) to finalize the concept and paint and seal the mural on the Action Center wall. The artist will also have access to a group of volunteers from 40 West Arts who will support him or her in implementing the mural project. The artist must be available to lead the project through completion beginning in mid-July with completion on or before Sept. 15. Details and specifications for the 16 feet wide by 25 feet high stucco-finished wall will be provided to the finalists who are selected to develop concepts. Only one artist (or artist team) will be selected for the mural project. Interested artists will need to submit the following: A brief letter of interest that includes: 1) an explanation of the artist’s interest in this project; 2) a brief overview of any experience, expertise or qualifications Mural continues on Page 14
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