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October 30, 2014 VOLU M E 6 9 | I S S UE 51 | 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 A publication of
Butterfly Pavilion earns accreditation By Ashley Reimers
areimers@colorado communitymedia.com Since 1995, the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster has dazzled youngsters with the beauty of invertebrates. Whether it’s a glimpse of a Scarlet Mormon butterfly fluttering through the indoor conservatory or a visit with the famous Rosie the tarantula, people who explore the pavilion get to experience the world of animals without backbones. “Our ultimate goal is to foster a connection — be it an inspiring stroll through our rainforest or an exhilarating outreach program for children or adults,” said Patrick Tennyson, president and CEO of the Butterfly Pavilion. “Our desire is to create an experience that generates reflection, passion, or interest that folks talk about for weeks and weeks.” The Butterfly Pavilion, at 6252 W. 104th Ave., was the first standalone nonprofit invertebrate zoo in the nation. And now the facility is the second accredited invertebrate zoo from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science and recreation.
Two butterflies take a rest in the indoor conservatory at the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster.
POSTAL ADDRESS
To be accredited, the pavilion underwent a thorough review that focused on animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education and safety. The pavilion was also recently recognized by the Westminster city council on their recent accreditation. Tennyson said he looks to the accreditation as a new opportunity to increase the capabilities to engage and serve the residents in the region. “As the leader of the Butterfly Pavilion, I am so proud of this achievement,” he said. “We are the second invertebrate zoo and first standalone butterfly house in the world to achieve this accomplishment. Going into our 20th year of operation, becoming accredited by AZA speaks volumes to the rigorous professional standard at which Butterfly Pavilion now conducts its business operations.” The Butterfly Pavilion offers a variety of educational opportunities and events to the public. For adults, classes touch on topics ranging from the role of insects across cultures to an in-depth, be-
By Tammy Kranz (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 SO CIAL WITH US
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A boy holds Rosie the tarantula as John Tyler, a zoo interpreter, supervises during a visit to the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster. hind-the-scenes look at how and where butterflies come from. For children, the pavilion offers summer camps, educational classes and a new monthly program called Second Saturday Science, which is designed around a theme that provides an in-depth, hands-
on, interactive view of the plants and animals at the pavilion. Tennyson said the pavilion is an opportunity for people young and old to learn about the need for conservation by protecting the world’s natural habitats for generations to come. “It is a very rewarding time to be a part of Butterfly Pavilion. We strive to make our visitor’s experience a
unique, engaging and memorable one,” he said. “As a community resource, people will grow to count on Butterfly Pavilion to provide insight and experiences that will help them to make informed decision as it pertains to our environment.” For more information on the Butterfly Pavilion, visit www.butterflies.org.
Salary increases, road projects proposed County staff works on finalizing next year’s budget
WESTMINSTER WINDOW
Sarah Garrett, a Lepidopterist at the Butterfly Pavilion, holds up a board covered in live chrysalises. Photos by Ashley Reimers
tkranz@colorado communitymedia.com The Adams County proposed 2015 budget includes a modest salary increase for certified, sworn officers and money carved out for several road projects and additional staff. The overall revenue for 2015 is a projected $394,487,847 while the expenditures are projected to be $408,435,377. That leaves a difference of $13,947,530, which County Manager Todd Leopold said will be covered mostly by the fund balance for one-time capital projects. “We aren’t using fund balance to pay for ongoing expenses,” he said. There is $31,500,740 slated in the proposed budget for nonrecurring capital and operations and maintenance projects. Some of those projects include carpet replacement at the District Attorney’s Office, various IT work, installing emergency power to the elevators and replacing the recording system at the detention center and replacing security screening equipment at the courthouse. Leopold went over budget highlights with the board of county
commissioners during their Oct. 14 regular meeting. The proposed budget calls for the addition of eight full-time employees for a total budget cost of $622,070. Those new positions include the newly created District 4 and District 5 Board of County Commissioners, for an annual salary of $115,407 apiece. The other positions include a deputy district attorney with an annual salary of $84,482, a victim’s advocate, $58,000; a talent development specialist in the Human Resources Department $80,485; an animal care technician, $47,138; and a community support case service aide, $54,928, and social caseworker, $66,223, in the adult protection administration department. Leopold said that excluding the two commissioners and deputy district attorney, the salaries for the remaining positions were absorbed by either reductions in expenses or increases in revenues for those particular departments. The budget also eliminated 4.5 positions through attrition for a budget reduction of $359,000. Those positions include a communications specialist ($69,857), assistant county administrator in the county manager’s department ($152,153); two grounds maintenance workers ($18,829 each), a victim’s advocate assistance ($33,130) and a fleet technician master ($66,209).
The Adams County Board of County Commissioners will approve the 2015 budget in December. One of the items being proposed for funding is design work on the build out of the Adams County Justice Center. Photo by Tammy Kranz The net difference from the additional and eliminated positions is $263,063. The budget also proposes a 3 percent merit plan for employees and market adjustments for certified, sworn officers and public safety personnel (4 percent), labor personnel (2 percent) and professional and technical personnel (1 percent). Another expenditure factored into the 2015 budget is a 7 percent increase for natural gas and electricity costs for all the county facilities. “It’s important to say that al-
though we’re seeing that increase, we’ve also done things in the last year or two to offset those increases like the solar farm and going to this electric vehicle,” said Board Chair Charles “Chaz” Tedesco. The board earlier in the meeting approved supplemental appropriations to the 2014 budget, which included $30,000 to purchase an electric vehicle. Denver-based SunShare is constructing a Community Solar Garden near 46th Avenue and Omboden Road and the county Projects continues on Page 15