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October 16, 2014 VOLU M E 6 9 | I S S UE 49 | 5 0 ¢
WestminsterWindow.com
A D A M S C O U N T Y A N D J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
SPECIAL SECTION
INSIDE
A publication of
Standley Lake glittering gold
Another look at the changing leaves of Standley Lake.
For a closer fall colors destination, Standley Lake Regional Park in Westminster is the perfect option. The park on the western edge of Westminster offers a great view of the changing colors as well as wide variety of wildlife viewing. Shoreline fishing is also offered at the park during daylight hours. Photos by Ashley Reimers
For a closer fall colors destination, Standley Lake Regional Park in Westminster is the perfect option. The park on the western edge of Westminster offers a great view of the changing colors as well as wide variety of wildlife viewing. Shoreline fishing is also offered at the park during daylight hours.
Wedding bells possible after 35 years POSTAL ADDRESS
Thornton couple rejoices after attorney general clears way for gay marriage By Tammy Kranz
tkranz@colorado communitymedia.com
WESTMINSTER WINDOW
(ISSN 1072-1576) (USPS 455-250) OFFICE: 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Adams County, Colorado, the Westminster Window is published weekly on Thursday by MetroNorth Newspapers, 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210, Westminster, CO 80031. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT WESTMINSTER, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 5 p.m. G ET SOCIAL WITH US
P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
After hearing the news on the drive into her Westminster office Oct. 6, Rebecca Brinkman raced to her desk to hurriedly type an email. “Will you still marry me?” She had asked the question before to the love of her life over the course of their 35 years together, but harbored little hope a wedding could ever happen. “I never thought we would see marriage in our lifetime,” said the smiling 63-year-old Thornton resident, looking at her fiancée two days later. But because of a legal domino effect started by the U.S. Supreme
Rebecca Brinkman and Margaret Burd stand outside their Thornton home Oct. 8. The women were the first to file a lawsuit in the state challenging the ban on same gender marriages. Photo by Tammy Kranz Court last week, Brinkman and Margaret Burd, along with other gay couples in Colorado, can now legally marry. Brinkman and Burd were the first to file a lawsuit in
the state challenging the ban on same-gender marriages. Brinkman and Burd met in 1976 when they were teachers in Kansas City, Mo. — Brinkman
taught health and physical education and Burd taught math. “In 1979 we declared we were a couple and committed to each other,” Brinkman said. They bought each other rings, but did not tell the jeweler the significance. “It was so closeted back then,” Burd, 62, said. Meanwhile, the women continued with their education. Brinkman earned a master’s of science degree in education in 1979 and graduated from Cleveland College of Chiropractic in 1986. Burg received her master’s degree in computer science. In 1985, the couple moved to Broomfield after Burg landed a job with AT&T Bell Lab. Brinkman opened Sheridan Park Chiropractic Center in 1986. They relocated in 1991 to Thornton. These days, Brinkman is partially retired, having sold her practice, and Burd is the CEO and Wedding continues on Page 7
Jeffco students rally to gauge recall support By Crystal Anderson
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com In support of change, more than 150 students, parents and community members gathered Oct. 11 at Clement Park, 7306 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton. The rally was organized by a group of more than 40 student leaders behind the “Jeffco Students for Change”, “Jeffco Stand Up” and “Jeffco Student Network for Change” Facebook pages to gauge public opinion and inform attendees of the recent actions taken by the board. “What we’re looking for is our next step,” said Thomas Sizemore, a junior at Lakewood
High School. “The rally is a way to get everyone to hear the same message.” A mix of speeches and music, the event’s message sought change, and called upon community members to stand up in support of a change, and if interested, to stand behind a possible recall of the conservative majority on the Jefferson County Board of Education, Julie Williams, John Newkirk and Ken Witt. “I know a recall takes a lot of work and a lot of money, but I’m confident it can happen,” said Chalen Gordon-McGlone, a senior at Evergreen High School in his speech. “We have to work together.” While a recall effort has not been mobilized as of now, students asked community members to sign up if interested in learning more,
to gauge whether there was support for the action. “We are still very apprehensive about a recall,” Sizemore said. “It’s definitely a huge step, and it’s something we don’t want to go into easily.” While the rally had a smaller than expected turnout, support for change and for the students was seen from a variety of sources, including merchandise selling, and stops from a few political candidates, Andy Kerr, Jane Goff and Mary Parker, who had signs and tables placed to one side of the rally. “I was very interested in the students and Jeffco continues on Page 5