September 17, 2015 VOLUM E 70 | IS S UE 45 | 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
WHAT’S INSIDE
Residents protest proposed wells Synergy, county work to address safety, environmental concerns By Corrie Sahling csahling@coloradocommunitymedia.com For years, the view outside Jerry Nelson’s daughter’s bedroom window was an open grassy field. This time next year, Nelson might be gazing at 20 new oil and gas wells about the length of two football fields away. Nelson’s home sits in the middle of Thornton’s Wadley Farm subdivision, a rural enclave of dirt roads and large lots just southeast of I-25 and E-470. The Nelson family moved into the home for the extra space — they have 15 adopted and biological children, many of whom now have children of their own and who come to the house for a weekly
My name: Mom and local businesswoman, Sally Ourada. See Page 2
Hanging at the park: A view of outdoor activities on a September afternoon. See Page 4
WestminsterWindow.com
‘This is my nightmare.’ Resident Jerry Nelson said of the proposed wells across from his home “grandkid night.” “This,” Nelson said of the wells, “is my nightmare.” Synergy Resource Corp., a domestic oil and natural gas exploration and production company, found the Wadley Farms location to be potentially viable for an additional 20 gas and oil wells for multiple reasons, including the fact the field already has four producing Synergy wells, one of which has been there
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS Road Maintenance: The roads are dirt and have no sidewalks. The amount of traffic that 20 wells will demand will be hard on the roads and unsafe for foot traffic. Getting in and out of the neighborhood: With the amount of traffic, residents are worried it will impact their daily travel. Environmental: Residents are worried about what they will be exposed to with oil and gas so close. Safety: Explosions happen at oil and gas wells and residents worry about the nearness of the site to homes.
Drilling continues on Page 16
Thornton Harvest Fest ripe with fall festivities Saturday’s Thornton Harvest Fest had something for every member of the family — the kayak pool was a favorite among little ones. Children waited in a long line for their turn to try their hand at paddling, by themselves, around a small pool. The cool water was also a favorite for passersby for a quick splash on their backs. See additional photos on Page 3.
Life: Church groups get out of the pews and into the parks. See Page 11
POSTAL ADDRESS
PHOTOS BY CORRIE SAHLING
A girl plays it cool in her canoe at the harvest fest. The paddle pool was a big hit with those looking to beat the heat. As part of the Cultural Expedition area, shows were put on all day long. They varied from a Polka Band to Cultural dances.
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.
The free petting zoo drew a crowd, each person was given a dixie cup of food to give to the animals.
Thornton Police search for armed suspect Search Monday morning led to several school’s being put on lockout By Corrie Sahling csahling@coloradocommunitymedia.com
PL E ASE RECYCLE
Thornton Police were involved in a search for armed suspects on Monday that led to three schools being put on lockout as a precautionary safety measure. The lockdown on the schools — F.M. Day Elementary (Adams 50), Valley View K-8 (Mapleton) and Scott Carpenter Middle (Adams 50) — was lifted by that afternoon.
According to Thornton police, around 6:30 a.m. officers were dispatched to a report of a robbery and car jacking involving a shotgun. The victim alleged that one of two acquaintances in her vehicle threatened her with a gun and she proceeded to get out of the car as the two suspects took off with her 1995 orange Ford Bronco. Police quickly found the vehicle and pursued it as the suspects — a man and a woman — entered southbound I-25, but lost sight of it around U.S. 36 and Broadway. The vehicle was eventually recovered near 68th Avenue and Pecos Street, but Adams County Sheriff’s Office received reports of one suspect fleeing the vehicle while armed.
The suspects were still at large as of Tuesday, and are considered to be armed and dangerous. Thornton Police are continuing their investigation, including trying to identity the suspects and their relationship with the victim. Police said both suspects are in their 20s and described them as follows: Suspect 1: Dark-skinned male, 5-foot 8-inches, 160 pounds, black hair, last seen wearing dark pants, white shirt with blue sleeves, black shoes, armed with a shotgun. Suspect 2: White female, brown shoulderlength hair, tight blue pants, light-colored tank top, white flip-flops, carrying a black or tan purse and tan jacket.