August 27, 2015 VOLUM E 70 | IS S UE 42 | 50 ¢
A DA M S C OU N T Y & J E F F E R S ON COU N T Y, COLOR A D O
A publication of
WestminsterWindow.com
Amputee wakesurfing clinic has strong start Veteran from Golden among those taking part at Standley Lake By Corrie Sahling csahling@coloradocommunitymedia.com Country music blared through speakers as a small boat glided over the water to the middle of Standley Lake — the sun was strong, the water was a comfortable temperature, and Army veteran and double above-knee amputee Travis Strong of Golden was gearing up to try wakesurfing for the first time. On Aug. 22, the region’s first-ever amputee wakesurfing clinc was held at Standley Lake, thanks to a collaboration between three companies — Tommy’s, a water sports products provider, Freedom Innovations, a company focused on creating lower-limb prosthetic solutions, and Hanger Clinic, which provides orthotic and prosthetic solutions in care clinics. There were about 20 participants of all ages, a great turnout for the first year, according to organizers of the event. Before anyone even got on a boat, the participants spent time with experts like a local physical therapist and adaptive sports instructors — they stood on a wooden board on the ground and learned the proper positions to stand in to be the most successful. After learning what to do, the participants were given a tether to tie to their prosthetic limb(s) so they wouldn’t be lost if they fell off, and the
boats started taking trips to the middle of the lake. Strong was on the second boat to go out — he was excited but skeptical. “I’ve never done any water sports before, just winter sports like mono skiing,” Strong said. “So we’ll see how this goes.” While on his second deployment to Iraq in 2006, Strong’s Stryker was hit by an explosive in Baghdad. The explosive ripped through Strong’s vehicle and his legs. He fought for his life at a field hospital and then spent months in hospitals and in extensive rehabillitation, and he also recieved custom-designed prosthetic legs. Strong’s prosthetics didn’t look like most others around the event — he was wearing what Hanger employees called “stumpies.” They are shorter, do not have a bend like a knee does, and there are round rubber and metal discs at the end instead of prothetic feet, all of which is part of a design to make it easier for Strong to walk. Strong doesn’t let his past affect the way he lives. He has competed in multiple Tough Mudder events and is going to participate in this year’s race as well. “Just because this happens,” Strong said, gesturing at his legs, “doesn’t mean your life is over.” He said he’s the kind of person that doesn’t want to give in — which provides motivation for things like trying wakesurfing. After cruising out on the lake for a few
Before having Travis Strong, a double abovethe-knee amputee, try out wakesurfing for the first time, he was instructed both in and out of the water on how to position his prosthetics on the board. Photo by Corrie Sahling
Amputee continues on Page 3
Westminster OKs yard bees, chickens City residents can begin keeping critters in November POSTAL ADDRESS
WESTMINSTER WINDOW
(ISSN 1072-1576) (USPS 455-250) OFFICE: 8753 Yates Dr., Ste. 200 Westminster, CO 80031 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Adams County and Jefferson County, Colorado, the Westminster Window is published weekly on Thursday by MetroNorth Newspapers, 8753 Yates Dr., Ste. 200, Westminster, CO 80031. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT WESTMINSTER, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 Ridgeline Blvd., Ste. 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legals: Fri. 11 a.m. Classifieds: Mon. 5 p.m.
PL E ASE RECYCLE
By Corrie Sahling csahling@coloradocommunitymedia.com Feathers will start ruffling in Westminster this fall; residents of the city will soon be legally allowed to keep backyard chickens and bees. The ordinance that will allow keeping chicken and bees was passed with a 5-2 vote on Aug. 10 at a city council meeting, and will go into effect on Nov. 8, 90 days after the meeting. To keep chickens and bees, those interested will need Colorado Bee Keepers to live in a Association: coloradobeesingle-famkeepers.org ily detached The Colorado Poultry Ashome, the sociation: www.freewebs. home’s HOA com/coloradopoultryascovenant sociation must allow it, and the keeper must apply for a permit and pay a one-time fee (the amount is to be decided). There was always a large interest in the community to allow backyard chickens and bees, according to David German, associate planner for the city of Westminster. “After a steady appearance of the topic at city council meetings, councilmembers decided it was time to explore it,” German said. Delicia Beaty has been an advocate for the passing of the backyard chickens and bees ordinance in Westminster. She will be keeping bees when the ordinance goes into effect, and hopes to keep chickens in the future. “I think that (bee and chicken keeping) is good for our community, sustainability, the earth and our livelihood,” Beaty said. Cara Smith, president of the Colorado Poultry Association, agrees that chicken keeping is good for communities. “I like the passing of the chicken movement because it often is city kids’ only chance to take care of farm animals and learn about
FOR MORE INFORMATION
What to know about regulations Regulations for bees • For most Westminster homes (depending on acreage), up to four beehives will be allowed
Regulations for chickens • For most Westminster homes (depending on acreage), six hens (female chickens) will be allowed
• Fresh water supply must be maintained near the hives
• Only female chickens (hens) are allowed, mostly due to noise levels
• Must provide a properly designed beehive in the rear yard of property
• Fresh water supply must be maintained near coop
• Secure design with safe environment • Adequate protection from weather conditions • Does not exceed nine square feet of floor area and may not be taller than six feet (excluding the roof )
• Feed must be stored in a re-sealable, airtight and vermin-proof container • Must be kept in a predator-proof coop in the rear yard • Does not exceed 120 square feet of floor space and not more than 6 feet tall
• Must be set back from property lines by a minimum of 10 feet
• Must provide a minimum of six square feet of floor space per chicken
• A flyaway barrier must be maintained in front of the hive entrance
• Must be secure and fully enclosed, and provide adequate protection against weather conditions
• Anything removed from the hive (i.e. honeycomb, unused hive components, beekeeping equipment) must be kept in a bee-proof location • Aggressive bee colonies must be requeened with a bee bred for gentleness and non-swarming characteristics
where their food comes from,” Smith wrote in an email. While the ordinance will offer a new experience for the keepers and their families, residents of the city need to make sure they are educated, according to both the Colorado Bee Keepers Association and the Colorado Poultry Association. With bee keeping, education for non-keepers is essential due to the fear many people have, according to Beth Conrey, president of
• Must be set back from property lines by a minimum of 10 feet • Must be cleaned regularly • Chickens cannot be slaughtered outside; ideally they would be taken to a professional
the Colorado Bee Keepers Association. “The best thing is to educate the public. We have people who are scared of getting stung, but bees typically do not cause the majority of stings — wasps do,” Conrey said. “Bees are a tremendous ecological benefit; we should enjoy them. “ According to Smith, everyone needs to be Yard continues on Page 3