Deputy’s best friend

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

roughout the spring, Deputy Zachary Oliver felt like something — or rather, someone — was missing from his work and home life.

On Feb. 13, he lost his K-9 partner Gra t, who was killed in the line of duty while trying to apprehend a suspect.

Oliver missed his partner and friend in the long weeks that followed, describing how going to work at the Je erson County Sheri ’s Ofce wasn’t the same without Gra t.

But, thanks to tremendous community support, Oliver now has a new partner in K-9 Ragnar.

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

After a two-year journey with lots of ups and downs, Golden Hills residents now own their mobile home park.

On July 11, the Golden Hills Mobile Home Park co-op and its partners closed on an $8.5 million deal to buy the property from California-based operator Harmony

Communities, which has owned it since late 2021.

Golden Hills is now the rst resident-owned community, or ROC, among Je erson County’s mobile home parks.

“We will have control of our own destinies,” 20-year resident Art Erwin said.

Joyce Tanner, co-op president, emphasized how this wouldn’t have been possible without her fellow residents and co-op board members, and their nonpro t and government partners.

“ ere were times when I didn’t know if we’d ever get to this day,” she continued, “and here it is.” e City of Golden, in partnership with Je co, contributed $2 million of its American Rescue Plan Act funds toward the purchase. City Manager Scott Vargo explained how it’s a forgivable loan, and the city will only receive accrued interest or repayment if the property goes into default or is sold.

While Je co couldn’t contribute directly because of nancial complications, it de-obligated the city from paying $1 million for a separate project, Vargo explained. at allowed Golden to contribute $2 million in ARPA funds instead of the initial $1 million it committed in Jan. 2022.

“It was a creative e ort by both e Je co Sheri ’s O ce purchased two new K-9s, Ragnar and Rico, earlier this summer and introduced them during a special July 11 media event on the Federal Center campus. e K-9s, who have been training with their deputy partners for six weeks, will be in training for 10 more weeks. Once done, they’ll be certied for narcotics detection, tracking individuals and apprehending suspects.

K-9 Rico is working with Deputy Ryan Wagner, a new handler for Jeffco. Wagner has been with JCSO for four years, including six months as a decoy for the K-9 unit.

Deputy Jim Valbert, the K-9 unit’s

SEE BEST FRIEND, P6 us, as an ROC, residents will have greater long-term housing security, Dillon and Gregg described.

(governments) … to support a ordable housing within the community,” he continued.

Additionally, Tanner said local nonpro ts Golden United and istle — both champions for a ordable housing — were crucial in helping Golden Hills become resident-owned.

According to Tim Townsend, istle’s ROC program director, lending partner ROC USA Capital assembled the loan package, including the remaining $6.5 million. Golden Hills must pay back the full amount, which includes a $1.1 million construction loan with 2.5% interest.

Residents and co-op board members Valerie Dillon and Will Gregg see it as a worthy investment in their community’s future.

Both are rst-time homeowners at Golden Hills, and they pay rent on their respective lots. Despite the name, their homes aren’t mobile. So, if lot rents go too high, people will be priced out of homes they own.

Because 90% of Golden Hills household incomes are at or below 80% of area median income,

Mayor Laura Weinberg stressed how important it is to preserve “naturally occurring a ordable housing.”

As community members have