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July 8, 2021
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
LittletonIndependent.net
VOLUME 132 | ISSUE 50
FOCUS ON FUN
Lyla Mayers, 4, keeps a careful grip on a sparkler July 3 at the celebration of America’s independence held in Cornerstone and PHOTO BY DAVID GILBERT Belleview parks along the border of Littleton and Englewood. See more photos on Page 6.
Advocates want city to address affordability Coalition calls for policy changes to ensure affordable housing BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A growing coalition is calling on residents to advocate for affordable housing in Littleton, with religious and civic leaders calling the problem a human rights issue. With just weeks to go before the public comment period closes on an overhaul of Littleton’s land use codes, the time is ripe for residents to tell city council they want more equitable zoning policies, Mayor Pro Tem Scott Melin told a community meeting on June 28. Melin was joined by Kathryn Roy, who heads Love INC., a Christian nonprofit that offers a variety of services to the needy, as well as Stephen Newhall, the assistant pastor of Littleton Christian Church, and Emily Dykes, who heads a nascent group called Vibrant Littleton that is advocating for affordable housing policies. Housing affordability has come to bear on Littleton in a variety of ways, Melin said. The proportion of young families in Littleton is declining, according to a 2020 housing study, a factor that Littleton Public Schools has cited in the decision to SEE HOUSING, P10
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 18
SPOKES FOR FOLKS
Rounding up some great Front Range trails for cyclists P14