August 21, 2014 VOLU M E 9 1 | I S SUE 1
LakewoodSentinel.com A publication of
J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Statewide crisis line up and running Mental-health tool aims to head off tragedies Staff Report
Kaye and Frank Peterson have been participating in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb for 60 years, and were inducted into the hall of fame in July. They are the first inductees since 2000. Photos by Clarke Reader
Pinnacle of racing Petersons celebrate a lifetime on the road
Colorado’s first-ever statewide mental-health crisis hotline went live on Aug. 12, an effort that state leaders hope will save lives. The 24/7 Colorado Crisis and Support Line was born from legislation aimed at curbing mental health-related tragedies, including suicide. Colorado continues to have one of the highest suicide rates in the nation. “We do not want to lose one more person to the tragedy of suicide, gun violence, substance abuse or mental illness,” Gov. John Hickenlooper said through an emailed statement. The hotline is part of a legislative package that recently became law and made improvements to services that are provided by the Department of Human Services. The changes include more walk-in and mobile crisis services as well as a state-run public information campaign that raises awareness of mental-health issues and services. Crisis continues on Page 17
By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com There’s every reason to believe Frank and Kaye Peterson have motor oil flowing through their veins. One of their first dates was at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in 1955, and since then they haven’t missed a race. Their children have participated, and their second family is made up of people who love the thrill of racing as much as they do. On July 26, the pair became the first inductees into the race’s hall of fame since 2000, becoming the eighth and ninth members of a pretty exclusive club. “We’ve been involved in racing and building cars our whole life,” said Frank, at the family’s business, Lakewood Manufacturing Co. “I was in tears when I heard that we were getting in.” At their business and home — which is just across the highway from Bandimere Speedway — Frank and Kaye have set up a personal museum, celebrating a lifetime of racing. The Pikes Peak Hill Climb — which is the second oldest motor sports race in the country, having first been raced in 1916 - is a 12.42 mile course with 156 turns that begins at 9,390 feet and finishes at the 14,115-foot summit. This past year’s race was the couple’s 60th race, and both can fully describe the major changes that have happened in their time. Kaye recalls when the road was all gravel, instead of pavements, which made for better fishtails and bigger dust clouds when hitting the turns and Frank — who completed his first Peak Hill Climb at 21— can talk all about the cars and how their inner workings have changed over the past six decades. “Since 1990 we’ve been officials at the race and it’s been a lot of fun because it’s become a world wide race,” Kaye said. “We go around to inspect the cars before
Staying safe: Annual fair brings experts, tips to public By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com
One of the two Oldsmobile Tornados that the Petersons both built and raced on the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. The Tornado is a part of the Peterson’s personal museum. the race and sometimes we have to use gestures to communicate because we can’t understand the language.” In their garage museum, they have two different Oldsmobile Tornados that the family used to ride to the Climb for several years. Throughout their time as competitors they fielded entries in three different divisions and Frank won the Stock Car Championship in 1970. There are a lot of memories on the road and behind the wheel for the Peterson’s, and when it comes down to it, that’s been the best thing they’ve taken away from all the miles that stretch out behind them. Kaye jokingly says that though their anniversary is on June 15, they always celebrate it closer to the race that has keep them inspired and entertained for so many years. “There’s been a lot of firsts with our cars,” Frank said. “And a lot of friends we’ve made.”
The Petersons’ Oldsmobile Tornado, which the pair have lovingly kept in top shape. The car has been featured in several racing magazines and publications.
Fairs and festivals are plentiful this time of year, but not many of them are based on providing safety resources to the people who visit them. That is until this weekend when the sixth annual Safety Fair by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office will bring together many of its numerous community partners on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jeffco Fairgrounds. “This is really the most high profile, evident way of demonstrating the kind of ongoing collaboration that we have … with many partners in the community, all of which is designed to educate the public, warn the public about possible dangers in the community and, hopefully, prevent crime before it happens,” said Jefferson County District Attorney Pete Weir. “This is something for everyone from the earliest of our youngsters to some of our valued senior citizens.” It’s one of the county’s anticipated events, drawing in 4,000 people who take Fair continues on Page 17