Window 6-13-13
June 13, 2013
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourwestminsternews.com
Adams County and Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 68, Issue 34
Jazz Festival hosts inspired headliner By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ourcoloradonews.com Jazz and Art Festival attendees were in for a treat when headliner Nelson Rangell hit the stage Saturday night at the Hidden Lake High School athletic field in Westminster. The experienced musician shared his passion for jazz music with a large crowd of young and old, swaying to the tunes of Rangell’s saxophone and flute. “I love jazz music and I think it’s great to have such amazing artists at a local festival,” said Westminster resident Laurie Cooper. “I really enjoyed Nelson’s performance. He’s pretty talented.” Rangell grew up in a musical family and at the young age of 15 he started his own musical journey. Since then he’s dedicated his life to sharing his love for music with the world. Over the years he’s been busy touring the country. He has released 15 albums. To him, jazz music is a unique style and interactive form of music. Rangell said it’s music that is improvised, with not one performance ever truly mirroring another one. When he’s on stage, he says he strives to make a connection with the audience, one where his music enriches his listeners. “When jazz is at its best, something sort of heightens everybody involved,” he said. “It entertains. It sure lets you know you’re alive. I feel very alive when I perform, that’s for sure.” Rangell considers himself one of the lucky people, someone who found something he loves to do and has been able to make career out it. He realizes not everyone in the world has this opportunity so he’s taken full advantage of this gift. “It’s not a given in life that everybody will find what they are meant to do in life that gives them pleasure. For me, I was lucky enough to end up being one of those peo-
Nelson Rangell and his quartet perform during the second annual Jazz and Art Festival on Saturday in Westminster. The festival featured a day of jazz music from a variety of musicians as well as many art vendors and food trucks. Photo by Ashley Reimers ple,” he said. “Music is one of my life’s biggest blessings.” Rangell’s friendship with Eric Trujillo, organizer of the Jazz Festival in Westminster, brought the Littleton resident to this year’s festival. He said after knowing Trujillo
for many years, it was nice to participate in something his friend was organizing. Rangell’s also impressed with the fact that a local festival was actually free to the public. “I think it’s really important for a community to have the opportunity to come
out and enjoy themselves and take in a creative day,” he said. “It’s really cool it was free, and I hope people realized how cool that really was.” For more information on Rangell, visit www.nelsonrangell.com.
Gun law affects domestic abusers
And they’re off
Restrictions received no GOP support in Legislature By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com
Runners take off after the start of the 10K race during the Blazing Bullets Trail Run on Saturday at Christopher Fields in Westminster. Both the 10K and the 5K races raised money for the Westminster Pubic Safety Recognition Foundation. Photo by Ashley Reimers POSTAL ADDRESS
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Domestic violence offenders will find it more difficult to own or transfer guns under a bill that was signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper on June 5. Senate Bill 197 places greater gun restrictions on people who either are convicted in cases involving domestic violence, or those who have been Capitol served with a courtissued protection Report order. Prior to the bill being signed, Colorado law had already prohibited domestic violence offenders from having guns. The new law puts in place a system by which state courts ensure that offenders relinquish their weapons. Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, a bill sponsor, said an incident from about 20 years ago motivated her to carry the bill. A former teacher, Hudak said that a student of hers was shot to death by an ex-boyfriend, who had a restraining order against him. “I’ve wanted this to happen for a very long time,” Hudak said. “I think a lot of women and children will be safer because of this.” Under the new law, persons who have received court-imposed protection orders must relinquish any firearms and ammunition in their possession for the duration of the court order. The same rules will apply to persons convicted of domestic violence cases. They can then either sell or transfer their weapons to a licensed gun
Gov. John Hickenlooper speaks to reporters on June 5, following the signing of several pieces of legislation. Photo by Vic Vela dealer or to someone who has successfully completed a gun background check. The weapon may also be given to a law enforcement agency for storage. Before transferring a gun back to the offender, a firearms dealer or local law enforcement agency will be required to request a background check from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, to ensure that the person can lawfully possess the weapon. The bill was part of a package of Democrat-sponsored gun-control bills that passed the Legislature and have been signed into law by Hickenlooper this year. Republican lawmakers unanimously opposed the bill. Hudak’s sponsorship of the legislation, along with her votes on other gun bills, led to a recall petition effort being waged against her. That effort recently was suspended by recall organizers.