History Colorado begins planning for Colorado’s 150 birthday

BY LILLIAN FUGLEI LFUGLEI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

For many people, birthday parties have birthday cake, balloons and lots of presents. But what does a birthday party look like when it’s for a state? That’s exactly what History Colorado is trying to find out.

History Colorado is currently home to the America 250-Colorado 150 commission, which will develop and plan programs for the official observance of both the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the 150th anniversary of Colorado’s statehood. Both of these occur in 2026.

On June 14, at the Standley Lake Library, the commission hosted a community engagement session to get feedback on what Arvada would like to do to celebrate these “birthdays.” Within the crowd of over 20 were representatives of the city, city council, Arvada Historical Society and Arvada Sunrise Rotary. State Senator Rachel Zenzinger also was in attendance. Zenzinger was a prime sponsor of SB22-011, the legislation that established the commission.

The session began with a brief presentation from Katie Roach, History Colorado’s program director. Roach said that the goal of the session was to “hear from community members and begin conversations about what you want to see for these celebrations.”

Roach explained that the themes for planning are to celebrate, educate, preserve and experience. Celebrate and experience are, according to Roach, an important distinction, because there are parts of Colorado’s history that need to be remembered, but not celebrat- ed. Zenzinger emphasized the efforts of the commission to create a diverse and inclusive celebration, including having commission members to specifically represent the Black, Latino and Indigenous communities.

Roach then opened up the floor for those attending to share their thoughts, asking, “What can the commission do to support you?”

Several attendants remembered the official observations of America 200-Colorado 100 from 1976 and asked that the current planning be inspired by those celebrations. Many attendants also emphasized the need for youth outreach, to make sure that young people were included in as much of the celebration as possible.

Mark McGoff, who helped plan the Arvada community engagement session, thought it would be important to have a record of what celebrations people had attended. McGoff proposed a passport for the events, so people could get different stamps depending on where they went.

Several people expressed their desire to make sure the observances don’t focus on just one part of history. Sharon Davis, a candidate for the Arvada city council at large seat, said she hoped “we don’t miss out on the opportunity to educate. This is our past, it’s not all gold mining. There are darker things.”

This community engagement session was only the second held by History Colorado. Roach said there will be many more as plans progress.

Suspect in stabbing homicide taken into custody by Arvada Police Department

BY LILLIAN FUGLEI LFUGLEI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A suspect in a June 12 Arvada stabbing homicide has been taken into custody by the Arvada Police Department.

At approximately 10:06 p.m. on June 12, APD responded to reports of a person being stabbed in the area of 64th Avenue and Quail Street, according to a department press release.

A male victim was located and transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. e victim was identi ed as Jackson Fitts, 20. Arvada Police Department identied the alleged suspect as Bennett Polhamus-Cousland, 18. e victim and suspect were known to each other, according to the press release.

An overnight investigation was conducted, through which Arvada Police discovered that Fitts met Polhamus-Cousland at the location to buy marijuana and a physical altercation ensued.

Fitts reportedly attempted to steal the marijuana from PolhamusCousland. Polhamus-Cousland then stabbed him, causing minor injuries. Polhamus-Cousland left the area, then returned with another knife. He came back to the area of 64th Ave and Quail Street and confronted Fitts. Another physical altercation ensued and Polhamus-Cousland fatally stabbed Fitts.

APD arrested Polhamus-Cousland on allegations of rst-degree murder, pending ling with the Je erson County District Attorney’s O ce.

BY LILLIAN FUGLEI LFUGLEI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Beer lovers rejoice! Arvada’s craft beer and barbecue festival is back. is year’s Arvada on Tap will be June 24 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Ralston Park Addition. Planned by the Arvada Festival Commission, the fest will feature live music and unlimited beer sampling.

For any grill masters, there will also be an amateur barbecue competition. Prizes will be awarded for rst and second place in each category.

e fest also will feature community vendors, food trucks and even a homebrew demo. Many Colorado breweries will be at the fest, including New Terrain Brewing Company, Green Mountain Beer Company, Seedstock Brewery and more.

Arvada on Tap will raise funds for Arvada-Je erson Kiwanis Club, Arvada Sunrise Rotary and Arvada Vitality Alliance. Members from all three service organizations partnered with the Arvada Festival Commission to plan this year’s fest.

Tickets to the fest are available on the Arvada Festival Commission’s website.