September 24, 2015
local professionals guide
VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 6
inside
Festival Guide Inside 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
A publication of
Slash program cuts fire risk Jeffco’s mobile program open through Oct. 25 By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Lakewood Arts Council members Barb Tobiska and Laurie Bartee share a laugh at an open house in celebration of the council’s “Charlie and the Girls” exhibition on Sept. 9. Photo by Clarke Reader
Arts council holds show in new home
“I’ve known about the LAC for years, but it was at such an obscure location before,” said Laurie Bartee. “Moving more toward the artistic center is great — it’s nice to see more and more people moving to this end of town.” By Clarke Reader Tobiska founded the LAC in 1979 with the help of creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com Charles Stanton, who reserved two acres of his property for a city cultural center, along with $10,000 to he Lakewood Arts Council has always been support the project. She said the group is still finding driven by its members. its footing on Colfax, but is eager to see the new opporThe dedicated coalition of local artists tunities the change in locale will bring. helped to keep the doors open, “One of the best things about a gallery and is helping the LAC find its like this is it encourages people to try footing at its new location at 6731 W. Colthings they normally wouldn’t,” said Ann fax Ave. in the Lamar Station Plaza. Quinn, a member of the LAC. “I’ll be here “It’s been so much fun here, and this and see something someone else has whole area is blossoming, it really is,” said done, and think to myself, ‘Why can’t I do LAC president J Bisant. “We’re still workthat?’” ing on advertising and outreach. And we For many, the council provides a still want to work with local schools and refuge and inspiration, and those are the bring the community together.” features members most want to see grow Artists gathered this month to celebrate and expand. the council’s latest show, “Charlie and the “I hadn’t done art for 20 years before Girls.” The show features six examples of LAC president J Bisant finding the LAC,” said Bryan Willis. “I works by LAC members Charlie Casper, know people really appreciate having Katy Haas, Gail Firmin, Ann Quinn, Barb arts opportunities where they are, and I Tobiska and Lynnette Kupferer. The celbelieve we can do something for the community here.” ebration wasn’t just for the show, but for all the work For more information, call 303-980-0625 or visit that has gone into making a new home out of their new www.lakewoodartscouncil.org location.
Colfax location is change for group dating back to 1979
T
‘It’s been so much fun here, and this whole area is blossoming, it really is.’
Federal Center Station Neighborhood studied Council gives initial OK to significant new development By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com Lakewood city council took the first step toward creating a whole new neighborhood during the Sept. 21 study session. By a consensus, not unanimity, council gave the go-ahead for staff to begin working up resolutions and ordinances to facilitate the creation of the Federal Center Station Neighborhood. “This is the most significant land-use decision that most of you will make as a council. The most significant since Belmar,” said City Manager Kathy Hodgson. The proposed neighborhood would be established in the 59 acres directly north of the Federal Center station —
‘This is the most significant land-use decision that most of you will make as a council. The most significant since Belmar.’ City Manager Kathy Hodgson
currently empty land leading that goes all the way to West 6th Avenue. The land is currently owned by the federal government as part of its inventory, but will transfer the land to Lakewood in return for the construction of a new lab facility at the Federal Center. Jay Hutchison, director of public works, said the plan came out of a community desire to see a high-quality, compact neighborhood. It would be mostly office and residential, sustain-
able, and transit oriented. He compared the project to Belmar, and in design and completion, it might look a little something like the Lowry neighborhood in Denver. The project also resembles the work done to get St. Anthony Hospital established in Lakewood, via land transfers. According to Tim Horne, regional
Station continues on Page 19
Imagine covering the football field at Mile High Stadium with 10 to 12 feet of debris. That’s how successful Jefferson County’s 2015 Slash Collection Program has been. “And we’re not even done collecting this year,” said Bret Roller of Rolling R Ranch Co., which oversees the program for the county. The major reason to To learn more about the clear slash slash program, or find out — tree which dates it will be at debris such each location, visit www. as limbs, jeffco.us/slash. bark and pine needles Additional questions can — from be directed to Mark Danner, Jefferson County’s properties facilities and construction is to reduce management director, fire danger at 303-271-5008 or Bret around Roller of Rolling R Ranch homes, Co. at 303-589-4698. Roller said. “Every little bit helps to mitigate fire losses,” said Mark Danner, Jefferson County’s facilities and construction management director. The slash program, which began the last week in May, will wrap up Oct. 24-25. Unlike years past when only three collection dates were offered, Jefferson County residents have been able to drop off slash almost every weekend since it started in locations that moved throughout the county. Public response has been great, Roller said. “People are so thankful and excited. The big thing is that it’s so close to people’s homes. It allows them to get more done.” Residents also like the flexibility on when they can get the work done, Danner said, because they know a collection site will be nearby on any given weekend. Additionally, he said, people can drop off slash quickly and efficiently because more frequent collection sites eliminates long lines. Removing this type of flammable material gives firefighters a better chance of saving a home in case of fire, Roller said. Pine needles and bark must be bagged, as loose loads will not be accepted. Tree limbs should be less than 8 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter. Items not accepted are commercial refuse, construction materials, household trash, tree stumps, metal, rocks and grass clippings. The slash is chipped on site, then hauled to compost yards for further re-use. “None of it is going to the landfills,” Danner said. This year hasn’t seen much fire threat, Roller said, but that can always change quickly. So the 2015 program was designed to be the most efficient for residents being proactive, he said. “The public deserves a huge amount of credit,” Roller said. “They’re out there working hard.”
FOR MORE INFO ON SLASH