March 31, 2016
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VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 33
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LakewoodSentinel.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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Fossils unearthed by highway construction Mesozoic creatures added to long list of area finds
Nicole Peavey, paleontologist for the Colorado Department of Transportation, looks at the fossils discovered by Linking Lookout excavation crews March 17. Linking Lookout is a construction project taking place near U.S. 6 and 19th Street in Golden. Photo courtesy of the City of Golden
By Christy Steadman csteadman@colorado communitymedia.com Commuters on U.S. 6 stuck in construction traffic can sometimes feel like they are fossilizing, but it turns out they’re driving past the real thing. On March 17, excavating crews on the Linking Lookout project, which is taking place near U.S. 6 and 19th Street in Golden, discovered baculite fossils, estimated to be about 70 million years old. Two
pieces were found, which are about 4 or 5 inches long. Baculites swam with the mosasaur — a giant sea lizard — and a fish called the Xiphactinus during a time when Colorado was covered in saltwater. Finding baculite fossils is an interesting discovery, said Nicole Peavey, paleontologist for the Colorado Department of Transportation, but not unexpected because they’re quite common in this area. “It’s always cool when the crews find fossils,” she said. This discovery is “like finding a really cool seashell.” The find was not significant enough to stop the construction
project. However, “we’ll definitely be keeping an eye out going forward,” Peavey said. The Golden area is known for fossil finds, said Karlyn Tilley, the city’s communications manager. “In fact, our golf course is named Fossil Trace, in part, because fossils were found there as they were creating the golf course,” Tilley said. The discoveries are “just one more thing that makes our city an incredible place.” The baculite was a cephalopod, meaning it was a squid-like creature, and it lived late in the Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic Era. Fossils continues on Page 16
CRAFT BREWS ON WEST COLFAX WestFax is open, and serving up the beer. Read about the new addition to the neighborhood on PAGE 17.
Lakewood resident Jessica Edgar is niece to Arizona rancher LaVoy Finicum, who was killed during protests in Oregon. Edgar is committed to spreading his story and the importance of protecting liberty. Photo by Clarke Reader
Standing by LaVoy Finicum Lakewood resident continues work of rancher uncle By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com Lakewood resident Jessica Edgar — committed to carrying on the legacy of her uncle, LaVoy Finicum — has started a national Stand By Me for Liberty campaign in his honor.
Finicum, 54, was an Arizona rancher and one of the leaders of the Jan. 2 protesters who occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon, to protest the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the arrest of ranchers Dwight Hammond and his son, Steven Hammond. About 26 people participated in the occupation, which came to a close on Feb. 11. The Hammonds were convicted of arson on federal
land and were sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. Finicum died on Jan. 26 after shots were fired when police and FBI agents stopped seven protesters in two vehicles on Highway 395 as they headed to a public meeting. Finicum was driving a white truck that kept moving after police gave commands to stop. When he came to a roadbloack Edgar continues on Page 11
Spring snowstorm slows down city Staff Report The blizzard on March 23 brought more than 14 inches of snow to the Lakewood area, and caused a virtual shut down of the city by the early afternoon. The city offices closed at noon, as did all Lakewood’s recreation center and
the Wilbur Rogers Center. Bear Creek Lake Park also closed at noon, and the Shamrock Full Moon Hike was cancelled as well. The cultural center closed two hours later at 2 p.m. Local businesses were also shuttered for the day due to the weather. The Colo-
rado Mills Mall closed at 1 p.m. and restaurants White Fence Farm, Jose O’Shea’s and Chad’s all closed around midday. Jefferson County schools were on spring break, but Red Rocks Community College and the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design students received a snow day.
Making a difference in the lives of children Jeffco/Gilpin CASA celebrates 15 years as new volunteer training begins By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) come from all different backgrounds, both in profession and personal experiences. There is no specific profile of the perfect CASA, said Leah Varnell, executive director for CASA Jeffco/Gilpin. “The only thing,” she said, “is CASAs have to be committed to children’s safety and making sure they grow up in a safe and loving permanent home.” CASA Jeffco/Gilpin celebrated its 15year anniversary in March. And although the organization has helped more than 2,500 children since 2001, only 30 to 40 percent of children in the court system received advocates. CASA continues on Page 5