Decarbonizing gets a new chapter

Colorado is starting another chapter in what could be a future history book, “How We Decarbonized our Economy.” is new chapter is about tamping down emissions associated with buildings. is plot line will be more complicated. Instead of dealing with a dozen or so coal plants, we have hundreds of thousands of buildings in Colorado, maybe more. Most burn natural gas and propane to heat space and water. ose clean heat plans, required by a 2021 law, will tell state agencies how they intend to reduce emissions from the heat they sell to customers. e targets are 4% by 2025 and 22% by 2030.

In that book, electricity will be the easy part, at least the storyline through 80% to 90% reduction in emissions. at chapter is incomplete. We may not gure out 100% emissions-free electricity on a broad scale for a couple more decades.

I would start this chapter on Aug. 1. Appropriately, that’s Colorado Day. It’s also the day that Xcel Energy and Colorado Springs Utilities will deliver the nation’s very rst clean-heat plans to state regulators.

Wishing I had a sex scandal to weave into this chapter or at least something lurid, maybe a conspiracy or two. ink Jack Nicholson and Faye

Dunaway in “Chinatown.” e environmental groups see great promise in electri cation, particularly the use of air-source heat pumps. Heat pumps milk the heat out of even very cold air (or, in summer, coolness from hot air). Good enough for prime time? I know of people in Avon, Fraser, and Gunnison who say heat-pumps deliver even on the coldest winter days.

Arguments between utilities and environmental advocates remain polite. Both sides recognize the need for new technologies. e disagreements lie in how best to invest resources that will pay o over time.

Xcel says that heat pumps have a role—but cautions that cold temperatures and higher elevations impair their performance by about 10% as compared to testing in coastal areas. ey will need backup gas heat or electric resistance heating. After two winters of testing at the National Research Energy Laboratory in Golden, the testing of heat pumps will move to construction trailers set up in Leadville, Colorado’s Two-Mile City.

Xcel also frets about adding too much demand, too quickly, to the electrical grid.

Another, perhaps sharper argument has to do with other fuels that would allow Xcel to use its existing gas pipelines. Xcel and other gas utilities have put out a request for renewable natural gas, such as could be harvested from dairies. Xcel also plans to create hydrogen from renewable resources, blending it with natural gas. It plans a demonstration project using existing infrastructure in Adams

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County, northeast of Denver.

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Je Lyng, Xcel Energy’s vice president for energy and sustainability policy, talks about the need for a “spectrum of di erent approaches.” It is far too early, Lyng told me, to take any possible technology o the table.

In a 53-page analysis, Western Resource Advocates sees a greater role for weatherization and other measures to reduce demand for gas. It sees renewable gas, in particular, but also hydrogen, as more costly and slowing the broad market transformation that is necessary.

“I think there’s a real tension that came out between di erent visions of a low-carbon future when it comes to the gas system,” Meera Fickling, an economist with WRA, told me.

We already have a huge ecosystem of energy, a huge investment in natural gas. Just think of all the natural gas lines buried under our streets. No wonder this transition will be di cult.

“It’s more di cult because everything you do in the gas sector now has a spillover e ect in the electric sector,” says Je Ackermann, the former chair of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. “Each of these sectors move in less than smooth, elegant steps. We don’t want people to fall o one and onto the other and get lost in the transition. ere has to be su cient energy of whatever type.”

Getting back to the book chapter. Colorado has nibbled around the edges of how to end emissions

SEE BEST, P13 from ings, into foreplay transition understand regard

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POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110 we await the outcome of the Georgia case on Trump’s attempt to in uence the outcome of the 2020 election as well as the Jan. 6 insurrection. To date, neither of these cases has concluded whether to indict Mr. Trump. It’s going to be an exciting 15 months!!

New Denver Mayor Johnston vows 1,000 homeless to be housed by end of 2023 at is assuming he is going 100% with tiny homes, which I would doubt. To build a new apartment complex takes years from start to nish. Converting a hotel or ofce building to say studio apartments certainly takes more than ve months. Even assuming the city already owns the buildings, it would be a Herculean e ort to get the plans drawn up, gain approval from the city, award a construction contract and get the work done in time for a certi cate of occupancy by Dec. 31 (which falls on a Sunday).

So, who is taking bets that Denver Mayor Michael Johnston will succeed in his commitment to house 1,000 homeless individuals by the end of this year? at is less than ve months. Unless he has some tricks up his sleeve, I don’t see how he can accomplish this task.

While his goal is needed and worthy of support, it needs a more thoughtful review. He has stated that plan reviews and construction approvals will be expedited.

First, you can’t build that many tiny homes that quickly even though there are probably su cient city-owned sites to locate them on. Plus, what about installing water and sewer lines or would they use portable toilets and truck in water?

Purchasing an existing set of apart-

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BESTfrom buildings. With these proceedings, Colorado is moving headlong into this very di cult challenge. e foreplay is done. It’s action time. Xcel talks about a decades-long transition and stresses the need to understand “realistic limitations in regard to both technologies and cir- ment buildings is not a quick turnaround either. What about the existing tenants? Are they to be tossed out which negates the goal of housing 1,000 homeless people. Finally, would it be a “tent city” approach with 1,000 tents pitched on several sites? at might be the case. Such an approach would be less than permanent housing in my opinion. It will be interesting to see how the new mayor does on his rst major commitment. He is gambling with his reputation.

Bennett left his mark in our hearts and minds

One of my favorite crooners from yesteryear has always been Tony Bennett. He was a class act and seemed so humble to his adorning fans. With his passing at age 96, we have lost another of the “classic” jazz singer greats.

Ever since learning of his death, I have had that wonderful tune “I left my heart in San Francisco” stuck in my mind. You know what I am talking about? It hit a crescendo when CBS broadcast a repeat of Bennett’s 95th birthday party TV special with Lady Gaga. What fond memories.

I hope you too have fond memories of your favorite singers regardless of your age. Music is so important in our lives.

Cities signing up for state a ordable housing funds

Voters approved ballot Proposition 123 last November to peel o onetenth of one percent (0.1%) of state General Fund income tax revenues to be earmarked for ways to provide more a ordable housing. Revenue projections show an estimated $270$300 million annually will be available to jump start such projects.

As a part of the process, municipalities are required to sign up to a 3% per year increase in their current a ordable housing count to be accomplished over a three year period cumstances.”

Keep in mind, 25 years ago, it had little faith in wind and even less in solar.

Do you see a role for Jack Nicholson in hearings and so forth during the next year? I don’t. Even so, it promise to be a most interesting story.

Allen Best publishes Big Pivots, which keeps track of the energy and water transitions in Colorado. Find him at BigPivots.com.

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, a 9% increase. e deadline for the initial o ering is Nov. 1 of this year. So, that means the required number of NEW a ordable units will vary from community to community.

Looking at four north area city governments - Federal Heights, Northglenn, ornton and Westminster - we will see di erent responses. In Westminster’s case, their current a ordable housing count is 3,016 according to the state’s Department of Local A airs. e 9% produces a requirement of 270 additional a ordable units to be available by Dec. 31, 2026. According to sta , this number can be met with two development proposals in the quue, both of which are in the Uplands overall development.

Maiker Housing Partners (formerly Adams County Housing Authority) has submitted a pre-application to construct 80 units east of Federal Boulevard south of 88th Avenue. In addition, St. Charles Town Company is pursuing 247 units also east of Federal Boulevard. Together they total 327 units which exceed the requirement. City Council gave sta the green light to sign up for the Proposition 123 funding.

Other AdCO cities position on proposition 123 funding

In polling the other three cities in the area, I found that only ornton may participate in the program. eir city council has not yet addressed the opportunity to participate. In the case of both Northglenn and Federal Heights, discussions on the a ordable housing funding are forthcoming. However, sta cited reasons where they doubted if city council would sign up regarding either municipality.

Bill Christopher is a former Westminster city manager and RTD board member. His opinions are not necessarily those of Colorado Community Media. You can contact him at bcjayhawk68@gmail.com.

Albert Benjamin Davis, 84, of Northglenn, CO, passed away on June 22, 2023. He was born on May 17, 1939, in Denver, CO, to the late George Arnold Davis and Francis E Lane. Albert was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Albert dedicated over 30 years of his life to working as a conductor at Burlington Northern Railroad. His commitment and hard work provided for his family and left a lasting impact on his colleagues and the community.

Outside of his career, Albert had a passion for gardening and spending time with his beloved dog. He found solace in tending to his plants and enjoying long walks with his furry companion.

Albert’s memory will be cherished by his surviving family members, including his wife, Donna L Davis, his sons Kenneth A Davis (Debbie Davis), Michael K Davis

MCDUFFEE

(Marcia Bridwell), his daughter Daneen Sue DeMarrias (Lionel DeMarrias), his son Rodney L Davis (Tresha Davis), as well as his nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, George Arnold Davis, his mother, Francis E Lane, and his brothers Russell Lane and Joseph Lane.

A ceremony to celebrate Albert’s life will be held on August 19, 2023, at EB Rains Jr. Memorial Park in Northglenn, CO. e service will take place at the TumbleweedSagebrush Pavilion from 11:00am to 3:00pm.

In lieu of owers, the family kindly requests that contributions be made to the Mile High Humane Society in Northglenn, CO, in memory of Albert Davis.

Albert’s gentle and loving nature will forever be remembered by all those whose lives he touched. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Larry

July 22, 1940 - June 21, 2023

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

ADenver-based nonpro t music education organization is helping local rising stars showcase and enhance their musical talents, record music and learn podcasting for free.

Youth on Record, founded by local musician community organizer Flobots in 2008 works with people aged 14 to 24.

“Flotbots’ mission was to bring music to young people to improve academic success and youth outreach, and it grew into what is now known as Youth on Record,” said Haley Witt, a guitar musician and singer-songwriter who manages Youth on Record.

Youth on Record recently rocked at its ninth annual block party in support of youth in music with over 20 live music performances, teen activities and vendors at its o ce location near downtown Denver.

“We have a state-of-the-art recording studio soundboard and all sorts of instruments,” Witt said. “So young people can drop into our programs and learn about mixing, mastering songs and learn about songwriting and instrumentation.”

After school programs e Youth on Record runs afterschool, out-of-school and in-school programming with Denver Public Schools and Aurora Public Schools middle and high schools.

“We partner with the schools to teach four-credit classes, and we hire local professional artists to teach those classes,” Witt said. “Our Youth on Record teaching artists come to the schools, and the young people are able to learn from them. It’s one way that you nd our Youth on Record programs through the schools.” ere also is an open mic every rst Friday, and it is open to the public, where the youth perform and gain experience in combination with all the First Fridays and art walks across the city, speci cally in collaboration with the Santa Fe Art Walk.

Youth on Record also has afterschool programs at the Youth on Record media studio space called the open lab on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and is available to young people from 14 to 24 years old.

“It’s self-guided so that they can explore their interests. ey come into the space with a passion for music, making songwriting production, and we teach them the skill set they need to accomplish the projects they’re passionate about,” Witt said.

Witt said Youth on Record also o er an internship and fellowship program and a fellowship program, both of which are paid programs by donors.

“Youth on Record is a nonpro t organization so donors fund our program,” Witt said.

Witt said Youth on Record has had a lot of talented program graduates.

Baily Elora from Hudson/ Keenesburg Colorado, featured in the Fort Lupton Press, went through the program and signed on with Sony Music Subsidiary e Orchard.

“We are proud of all of our program graduates and all of the various directions that they’re headed, it’s really important to us to connect with young people with economic opportunities, “ Witt said.

Witt said Youth on Records is a pillar of academic success, economic opportunity and community activation.

“Our economic opportunity pillar, it’s really important to us to connect young people to community careers and job opportunities,” Witt said.

Witt said they have young people who play gigs in the community and support booking those gigs and paid opportunities for young people to perform.

Youth on Record also places young people into community internships and fellowships.

“Our fellows will have the opportunity to have community internships with local partners as well. It’s important to us to connect young people to jobs in the industry and to connect them to opportunities in creative elds and show them that it’s possible,” Witt said.

“ at’s a program run by our fellows and learn how to put together a music festival, run it, secure porta potties and design posters for the festival and how it ties in economic opportunity. e block party is a youth-led program,” Witt said.

Learning about podcasting

David Ladon, Youth on Record audio arts innovation manager, teaches youth how to do podcast interviews. Ladon has been teaching podcasting for nine years and has worked with Youth on Record for three in a half years.

“We have a podcast show that comes out monthly called ‘Generation Collaboration’ that we produce in collaboration with Colorado young leaders,” Ladon said, adding that they just nished season one and that the podcast airs on KGNU.