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January 3, 2019
RESOLUTIONS Experts offer solutions to help people stick to their goals
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ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
TRAGEDIES AND TRIUMPHS A look back at the stories that shaped 2018 Pages 3-5
Littleton fire transition wraps up South Metro takes over with new year, handoff going well, officials say BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
If all goes according to plan, Littleton residents won’t realize their fire protection service has changed at all. That was the message from local officials as Littleton prepared to hand over firefighting duties to South Metro Fire Rescue at the beginning of 2019. “It’s going to be pretty seamless,” said Littleton Mayor Debbie Brinkman. “Most of the firefighters will be staying in the same firehouses. You’ll get the same response on Jan. 1 that you did on Dec. 31.” Voters in November approved a measure that would include the City of Littleton within the boundaries of South Metro Fire Rescue, a large consolidated district that already provides firefighting service to much of the south Denver-area suburbs. Littleton’s two longtime fire partners, the Littleton Fire Protection District and the Highlands Ranch Metro District, are also joining South Metro. The dissolution spells the end of Littleton Fire Rescue, which dates to 1890. Homeowners previously covered by Littleton Fire Rescue will see a tax increase as a result of the move, though residents of Littleton proper won’t see a change until 2020. SEE FIRE, P7
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DID YOU KNOW INSIDE
Colorado’s population grew by 79,662 residents from 2017 to 2018, eighth most in the nation. Source: U.S Census Bureau
VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 12 | CALENDAR: PAGE 16 | SPORTS: PAGE 18
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VOLUME 130 | ISSUE 25