MISSION ARVADA

because they initiated us working with them… They basically came to us and wanted to start working together to have us move out of Olde Town,” Cowling said. “They want to help us do that… So, I guess, like help us find a property — there’s a lot of T’s that need to be crossed, and I’s that need to be dotted, obviously, very major, long process.” At the helm of the city’s delegation, Cowling says, is Gillis, who Cowling said has offered to help Mission Arvada with a real estate search, supplying an architect to help gauge building feasibility, and the potential to expand the ministry, which currently has a capacity of 75 individuals per day. maintain our separate identities. We have a close relationship beyond music and have been through a lot together over the years.”

Gillis said that discussions are still in the preliminary stages and explained that no official agreements have been reached as of yet.

“Part of this is establishing our relationship with them,” Gillis said. “We’ve had a lot of that, we’ve had a lot of conversations You start slow on things like this and have the right conversations. We’re so committed to determining sustainable, well-coordinated, approaches to the needs of unhoused individuals in our community and partner with community organizations that provide services.

At the end of the day, the decision is up to The Rising’s congregation, which will have the final say on the ministry’s decision to move. The church would follow the ministry out of Olde Town; The Rising has occupied the corner of 57th and Webster for over 30 years.

Nevertheless, moving out of Olde Town could be a workable solution for both sides, Cowling said, as long as the new location is accessible by public transportation. Another condition, she added, was that if Mission Arvada moves, the City of Arvada must promise to sign off on any grants the ministry might apply for.

Miller — an Arvada resident — said the collab began with ‘Wearing Only Flowers,’ but soon blossomed into a longstanding friendship.

“In the fall of ‘95, they said, ‘Well come sing on this song,’” Miller said. “A cab pulled o to my house, dropped o one CD, and left. I had a day and a half to learn this song… In 1996, I went out on tour (with Big Head Todd and the Monsters) for a month. ey said, ‘Just come and see if you like it.’ And I did that till 2001, and I had a ball.” tion like anything is a change; that would be a little awkward at first,” Cowling said. “But I think… clients will know, we’ll make a concerted effort for them to know where we are.”

Miller and Big Head Todd will be inducted at the Monster’s sold-out Red Rocks show on June 10.

Cowling said that her team has met with city staff members about 4-5 times, which Gillis confirmed. She characterized recent meetings with city team members in more favorable terms than those which took place months ago.

“We really would not have been (considering moving) if they hadn’t approached us,” Cowling said. “But we were trying to look at the pros and cons. ...Again, not my decision, it’s our church congregation’s decision. It also gives me some encouragement that the city is meeting with us on a regular basis.”

Gillis said the potential partnership is spurred by the city’s evolving understanding of the homelessness issue, and said she hopes both sides can let go of what has been, up until this point, a rocky relationship.

Ground-level ozone is invisible and the Front Range’s biggest air quality issue. Created from pollutants like car exhaust, ozone is a leading cause of respiratory problems.

Improving our air quality takes all of us, and there are many ways to help. We encourage you to #JustSkipTwo car trips a week, mow your lawn after 5 p.m., don’t idle your car, telework a few days each week, and take the bus, bike, or walk.

Sign up for air quality alerts and learn more about the simple steps you can do to help.

SimpleStepsBetterAir.org

“I think as long as there was public transportation to our site, and it was in a fairly visible location, and it was very close to the G line specifically it would be a transi-

“We know that The Rising is a player and we went to be their partner,” Gillis said. “Some of this is just timing, too. We’re learning, and we’re working with our regional partners. There’s not a playbook. We’re really committed to the collaboration and it will really require that all of us step forward, move forward and let go of the past.”