November 12, 2015 VOLUM E 127 | IS S U E 1 6 | 75¢
A salute to those who serve: Area veterans tell the stories of their military service in a special four-page package. See Pages 17-20. 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
Council passes smoking restrictions Bar, eatery operators fear effect of new ordinance
By Jennifer Smith jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com Littleton City Council just said no to nicotine on Nov. 3, narrowly passing restrictions on smoking downtown. “I just don’t see a place for smokers on Main Street,” said council member Debbie Brinkman before joining Mayor Phil Cernanec and council members Bill Hopping and Bruce Stahlman in voting for the ordinance. Starting Jan. 1 of next year, smokers will basically be restricted to public alleys as
well as rooftop and rear patios and private parking lots where the property owners allow it. It includes virtually all things smokable, in addition to electronic cigarettes and pipes, plus chewing tobacco. The ban governs only the area bounded by Rio Grande Street, Santa Fe Drive, Alamo Avenue and Powers Avenue. Private residences and automobiles are excluded, as are private businesses not open to the public with no more than three employees. Several operators of downtown’s bars and restaurants have expressed dismay about the ban, calling it discriminatory. “Passing this bill would be devastating Smoking continues on Page 7
Patrons of Ned Kelly’s Irish Pub won’t lose their smoking patio, but they won’t be allowed to smoke on the streets in downtown Littleton after Jan. 1, 2016. File photo
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WHAT’S INSIDE
Votes are in: Read the results of Littleton’s election. See Page 3
Town history: Littleton museum shares collection of items celebrating 125 years. See Page 4
Arapahoe wide receiver Connor Williams uses a stiff arm to fend off a Bear Creek defender during the Class 5A state playoff game Nov. 6. The Warriors, who moved to 10-0 on the season, used a balanced attack to win the game 31-14 and advance to the next round of the playoffs and face Ralston Valley. Photo by Tom Munds
Store owner living the sweet life Lola of Lola’s Sugar Rush goes from confections to philanthropy
By Jennifer Smith jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com Lola Salazar is turning her attention away from selling sweet treats and toward supporting sweet dreams. “This was something I dreamed of my whole life, to open a candy shop,” she said. “Now I want to go back and say to other little girls, ‘I was you one day. You can dream and work hard, and things will happen.’”
For the last seven years, kids of all ages smiled when they walked into Salazar’s Main Street store, Lola’s Sugar Rush. For 50-somethings, it can be the candy cigarettes and Chuckles; for 40-somethings, it’s Pop Rocks and Bottle Caps; and millennials, of course, crave all things gummy. But now they’ll all have to find a new way to get their fix, because Lola’s is closing on Dec. 31. “I opened the store at a time when I wanted my two kids to learn not to give up on anything,” Salazar said. “It worked. Now Lola continues on Page 7
Lola Salazar is closing her Main Street candy store at the end of December, but it’s for a good cause. Courtesy photo
Gift of giving: Families learn about the joy of volunteering together. See Page 14
Football: Schools compete in state playoff action. See Page 24
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.