June 2, 2016 VOLUM E 127 | IS S U E 45 | 75¢
CHURCH CHUCKLES Congregation uses comedy to raise money for pair of causes on PAGE 12.
A publication of
A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
LittletonIndependent.net
Group sues over C-470 expansion Area residents file federal lawsuit against CDOT, alleging that noise data is flawed By Kyle Harding kharding@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Eighth-grader Quinn Yates judiciously pours water into the Mackintosh greenhouse’s hydroponic system. Seventh- and eighth-grade teacher Alison Weems explains that a hydroponic system can “grow things in water without a soil medium.” Photos by Mark Bautista
Grant sparks environmental crusade Mackintosh Academy students bring ‘green’ focus to campus By Mark Bautista Special to Colorado Community Media A burgeoning interest in environmental awareness among Mackintosh Academy’s 95 students started with 97 solar panels for the roofs of three of the school’s buildings — a $95,000 project paid for by a student-written grant. Since then, “we’ve been growing things in the greenhouse, terracing, glass Solar continues on Page 5
Now in their final year at Mackintosh Academy, students Nicholas Booth, Sydney Gelman, Skyler Bernard and Delia Guilbert pose proudly in front of the solar panels, their energy initiative. Their grant, written in 2013, gave them $95,000 and the opportunity to provide energy and save money for Mackintosh Academy for years to come.
A plaque is planned for Alfred Packer Colorado cannibal’s grave will be group’s destination
A group of Highlands Ranch residents has filed a lawsuit to stop the planned expansion of C-470 between I-25 and Kipling Avenue, claiming the Federal Highway Administration and the Colorado Department of Transportation used flawed traffic noise data in the approval process. Highlands Ranch Neighborhood Coalition filed the suit in federal court against CDOT on May 12, also naming CDOT Executive Director Shailen Bhat and FHWA Colorado Division Administrator Joh Cater. Coalition president Carter Sales said CDOT did not do long-term noise sampling to validate its computer noise models during the public comment period last year, only conducting short-term sampling instead. “In their own written guidelines, shortterm and long-term are required,” Sales said. The lawsuit alleges that two long-term samples were collected after the public comment period ended, violating the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 by failing to allow public comment on the new data. “They tried to do a quick fix,” Sales said. The lawsuit challenges the FWHA’s Finding of No Significant Impact for the project as well. It asks the court to stop work on the project until the issues are addressed. “We’re saying that CDOT and FWHA have not taken our challenge to heart and we want a judge to decide,” Sales said. Bhatt, Cater and CDOT were served with summons on May 13. As of May 25, C-470 continues on Page 5
GOING GREEN
By Kyle Harding kharding@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Members of E Clampus Vitus will travel to Littleton Cemetery next month to place a plaque at Alfred Packer’s grave. Photo by Kyle Harding
On June 25, members of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus will travel from throughout the state to pay tribute to a legend of Colorado who is buried in Littleton Cemetery. Colorado’s chapter of E Clampus Vitus, a fraternal organization dedicated to study of the American West, is named for Alfred G. Packer, a prospector and Civil War veteran who was imprisoned for Packer continues on Page 5
Heritage Eagles compete in the state golf tournament. Page 18
LITTLETON INDEPENDENT (ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 315-780) OFFICE: 2550 S. Main St., Littleton, CO 80120 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Littleton, Colorado, the Littleton Independent is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 2550 S. Main St., Littleton, CO 80120. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT LITTLETON, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 5 p.m. | Classifieds: Tue. 8 a.m. | Obits: Tue. 11 a.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.