January 1, 2021
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DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ParkerChronicle.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 16 | SPORTS: PAGE 17
VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 7
Program renews indoor dining Mayor Jeff Toborg is sworn into office Dec. 14. He begins a four-year term as mayor ending in 2024.
COURTESY PHOTO
‘Parker is open for business’ New mayor makes promise to stand up to state
Mayor Jeff Toborg took his seat at the head of the Parker Town Council dais moments after taking his oath of office Dec. 14 feeling blessed, he said. “I can’t believe I’m sitting here,” Toborg said, “and I’m just honored beyond belief.” Toborg took his oath as mayor of Parker during a special meeting Dec. 14, in front of a small audience at Parker Town Hall made up of family, town staff and a handful of invited guests. Councilmembers John Diak, Laura Hefta and Todd Hendreks were also sworn in Dec. 14, beginning each of their four-year terms ending in 2024. Diak begins his third term on council. Hefta
member Renee Williams, who resigned her post in September. An interim replacement voted in during the April 20 special election would be eligible to serve beginning mid-May and will serve through the remainder of the term, both of which end in 2022. Toborg took a moment to thank his wife, Melissa, for her support through the campaign. “Our wives go through an immense amount during a campaign, and I want to thank you for being the rock for our family,” Toborg said. SEE MAYOR, P18
SEE PROGRAM, P15
Jeff Toborg, new mayor of Parker and Hendreks are both beginning their first terms. The three join Councilmember Cheryl Poage on Parker Town Council. Toborg, a former councilmember, vacated his seat in order to be sworn in as mayor, leaving a second seat on council open indefinitely. The town council has until Jan. 13 to unanimously agree on an appointee to fill the spot. If the four councilmembers cannot agree on an appointment, the seat will be added to the April 20 special election ballot. The April 20 special election was originally scheduled to fill the vacancy left by former Council-
NEW YEAR, NEW BURGER In-N-Out’s south metro location is expected to open in early 2021 P4
BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Some restaurants in Douglas County were permitted to immediately open for indoor dining after the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment gave official approval for the county to begin a business certification program Dec. 23. The program, first piloted in Mesa County, allows approved counties and municipalities to certify businesses that meet a list of advanced COVID-19 protection measures beyond what is required. These Douglas County businesses, which can open under reduced-capacity restrictions, are called “Certified COVID Best Practices Business” once certified and have a certificate deeming them so inside their store. Because the county was able to pre-certify businesses, 33 businesses were able to immediately open under these reduced restrictions. That included 18 restaurants, 14 gyms and one indoor event venue. More than 100 other businesses were in the process of being certified as of Dec. 23, according to a news release from
‘I can’t believe I’m sitting here, and I’m just honored beyond belief.’
BY NICK PUCKETT NPUCKETT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Only restaurants that are certified can offer inside sit-down service
TAKING A SECOND LOOK
Images to remember from the past year
PAGES 6 AND 7