Transcript Golden
May 2, 2013
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourgoldennews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 147, Issue 22
Open carry ban eyed Jeffco may prohibit openly carried firearms in some buildings By Glenn Wallace
gwallace@ourcoloradonews.com
Hundreds of folks stood in line at the W Rail Line ribbon cutting on April 26 for a chance to ride the line for free. Photos by Glenn Wallace
W Rail Line opens New light rail service connects Jeffco with LoDo By Glenn Wallace and Clarke Reader
gwallace@ourcoloradonews.com creader@ourcoloradonews.com RTD and the western side of the Denver metro area got a W last week — the W Rail line to connect the Jefferson County Government Center to Union Station officially opened. Hundreds of people attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Jeffco Government Center in Golden to see the lightrail train plow through a ribbon and hear dignitaries including Gov. John Hickenlooper during the opening on April 26. Hickenlooper said the expansion of RTD’s light-rail system was an important investment in the state’s future. He then signed two transportation-related bills. The first, Senate bill 13-048, allows for more mass transit, bicycling and walking improvements to be completed with the state’s vehicle gas tax money. “The bill gives local governments more flexibility on how they use those funds,” Hickenlooper said. Other speakers praised RTD for delivering the W Rail Line
on budget and eight months ahead of schedule. City of Lakewood Mayor Bob Murphy said the line opens up new possibilities where to live, work and play. The last speaker of the program was RTD General Manager Phil Washington, who stressed that the W Rail Line was just the latest in a series of RTD rail expansions on the way, including service to Denver International Airport. “We are building a system that will be here for the next 100 years,” Washington said. Dignitaries were invited to hop on the W Rail Line for the first train trip of the day after the ceremony. Then the gates were opened to allow free rides for the general public to experience the new service. Near the front of the line to ride the line were Roger and Bernadette Seick of Golden. “We’ve been watching the construction all this time, and now we finally get to see its completion,” Bernadette Seick said. “It’s a very convenient way to get downtown and see the things we want to, and save the parking rage,” Roger Seick said. The couple expressed surprise at the turnout being so strong. “Hopefully that’s an indication of future use,” Bernadette Seick added.º
POSTAL ADDRESS
Gov. John Hickenlooper spoke at the opening ceremony for the RTD W Rail Line on April 26 at the Jefferson County Administration and Court Building, which doubles as the westernmost station of the new Light Rail line.
Two recent incidents involving openly carried firearms in Jefferson County facilities led county officials to suggest the practice be limited. At the April 23 staff briefing, the Jefferson County commissioners heard from Sheriff Ted Mink, and Assistant County Attorney Writer Mott, requesting that the commissioners adopt an emergency ordinance to allow certain county buildings to prohibit the open carrying of a gun. Due to the discussion, the proposed ordinance will be placed on a future commissioners meeting for discussion and possible approval. “It’s constitutionally recognized, not illegal, but it is alarming,” Mink said. Human Services Executive Director Lynn Johnson said that some individuals come into Human Services offices concerning emotionally charged issues. “What I found in this most recent incident, our deputies hands were somewhat tied,” Johnson said. In that case, the individual was asked to leave the firearm in his vehicle, and refused, becoming confrontational with security. Mink said the sheriff’s department would initially look to enact the ban for three departments that experience “more volatile situations” — those include Human Services, the District Attorney’s office, and his own. County Clerk and Recorder Pam Anderson said she is interested in having a ban apply to her department areas as well. Library Division Executive Director Pam Nissler said a recent threat evaluation by the Sheriff’s Department found the county’s libraries to be “soft targets” for violence, and she too favors a ban there as well. Anyone with a concealed-carry permit would still be allowed to bring a concealed firearm into buildings covered by the ban. Law enforcement would also be excluded from its provisions. Secured facilities, such as the county courthouse, would continue to ban all firearms. “Someone coming in, intent on doing harm, a sign isn’t going to stop them,” District 3 County Commissioner Donald Rosier said. District 2 Commissioner Casey Tighe said he is more concerned about open carrying of a firearm being used for intimidation of county staff. “The visual idea of a gun being carried into any public place would be disturbing to me. If I saw somebody walk in here with a gun, I would push the panic button,” District 1 Commissioner Faye Griffin said during the meeting.
GOLDEN TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 0746-6382)
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