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Week of January 20, 2022
JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | SPORTS: PAGE 16
VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 31
Arvada rallies support for Marshall Fire victims Community raises thousands of dollars BY JENNIFER LEDUC SPECIAL TO THE ARVADA PRESS
If the Marshall Fire spread panic as it burned, it spread hope as it smoldered. As the fire licked the outlying limits of west Arvada and incinerated neighborhoods in ill-fated nearby zipcodes, hearts gasped, and the community rallied on a dime. Arvada councilor Lauren Simpson recalled the evening the fire was so close that pre-evacuatoin orders were issued as the skyline glowed red. “There was just sick feeling in the pit of my stomach,” she said. Simpson and fellow councilor Lisa Smith texted back and forth. By the time the pre-evacuation orders were lifted for Candelas and Laden Rock that night, the duo was devising ways to help. On the morning of Dec. 31, SEE SUPPORT, P2
Resolute Brewery beer tender Jonny Eves behind two gift card collection boxes used to raise funds for victims of the Marshall and PHOTO BY JENNIFER LEDUC Middle Fork Fires.
Arvada King Soopers Union workers join picket line, share perspectives BY JENNIFER LEDUC SPECIAL TO THE ARVADA PRESS
On the second day of King Soopers grocery store workers striking against their employer, the parking lot at the 58th and Independence location was more empty than usual for an afternoon, the gas pumps were off, and about a dozen of the store’s employees waved to cars from the sidewalk, wearing picket signs and protesting after contract negotiations between the Krogerowned company and UFCW Local 7 union representatives failed earlier in the month. Some vehicles driving by honked in solidarity. One passenger in a pick-up truck shouted, “Get back to work!” An employee, who asked to remain anonymous, said after getting hours cut across departments, stalled or mediocre pay increases, and starting pay insufficient for hiring new employees at a living wage, she and her co-workers wanted to be “respected, protected and paid.” Employed with King Soopers for more than 11 years, she man-
ages her department but is paid hourly, and often works 50 hours a week due to scheduling gaps from unfilled positions. “I joked that I was going to give my kids of picture of myself for Christmas because I was working so much they forgot what I looked like.” she said. With four children between ages two and 10, the Arvada resident said she barely makes ends meet, even with overtime. “I make too much for food stamps but not enough for living,” she said. Inside the store, the isles were quiet. The self checkout scanners were closed. There were two cashiers but no customers in line, and no security guards evident. The handful of shoppers had the place to themselves, and most were seniors. A dad shopping with his young son said he crossed the picket line because he simply needed groceries for his family. Another man picking out produce, who declined to give his name, said he needed dog food and had SEE WORKERS, P3
An hourly worker striking on day two of the King Soopers strike, at the 58th and PHOTO BY JENNIFER LEDUC Independence location in Arvada.