Volume 14 • Edition 9
May 5, 2021
Delivering 6,000 copies to rural Adams, Morgan, and Weld Counties
“Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light” George Washington “If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed” Thomas Jefferson
Remembering Mom on Mother’s Day
by CLAIRE BIDWELL SMITH, The Sunday Paper For a woman who has lost her mother, Mother’s Day is often a painful reminder of that loss. Whether we lose our mothers to death, abandonment, or other circumstances, there are many of us out here who often feel unable to participate in the celebrations surrounding this holiday. The commercials, card displays, and gift-giving prompts can bring a lot of emotions to the surface. I lost my mother when I was eighteen. She died of cancer when I was a freshman in college, and I still remember the first Mother’s Day without her. I recall the shock of how painful it felt to watch my friends celebrate their mothers, and I felt isolated, lonely and unsure of how to get through the day. It’s now been more than twenty years since that first Mother’s Day without her, and even though I am now a mother myself, I still feel that old tug of sadness when this time of year rolls around. CLAIRE BIDWELL SMITH Over the years, I have approached the day in different ways. I have learned that just because my mother isn’t here it doesn’t mean I can’t honor her. Some years I post a photo of her on social media, writing the same kind of sentiments about her that my friends with living mothers express about theirs. Some years I try to ignore the day altogether. And some years I buy a card or a bouquet of flowers for her, setting them up amidst the ones I receive from my own children. Almost every year I cry, and I know that’s okay, too. This year, in the age of COVID-19, whether you have experienced loss or not, you are inevitably feeling the tendrils of grief. We are grieving people who are dying all around the world. We are grieving the lives we were living just a couple of months ago, we are grieving jobs and we are grieving our children missing their classmates and graduations. And all of this grief can sometime bring older losses to the surface. That we are experiencing this collective grief is not necessarily a bad thing. This is a unique time in our history to come together and support each other. What I know about loss is that it can pare you down to your essence. It can make you remember what is important in life. Grief reminds us that our time here is finite and that what really matters is living meaningfully, and taking care of the people we love. Whether your mother is still here or not, take a moment this Mother’s Day to reflect on what it means to feel loved and nurtured, and perhaps think about how we can better do this for both ourselves and the world at large. Above all, if you are missing your mom this Mother’s Day know that you are not alone. Our culture often sends the message that when we lose someone we love we need to move on and find a way to let go of them, but after a decade of working as a grief counselor I know that the real answer to finding peace within our losses is to find ways to remain connected to the people we love. There are many alternative ways to celebrate a day like Mother’s Day, many ways to celebrate mothers who are not here, and many ways to honor what it means to have a mom in this world. Celebrate even if she’s not here. Write her a card anyway. Make a meal she would have enjoyed. Talk about her to friends and family, or post a remembrance of her on social media. Take the day off. If this is a hard year for you, skip it! Draw the curtains and watch Netflix all day. Remember that this is an arbitrary date and that you do not have to participate, or you can pick your own day to honor your mother. Ask your friends and family to support you. Explain how and why this is a difficult day for you and ask for those close to you to send a little extra love your way. Find a community of others who understand. There are many bereavement groups out there who understand that days like this are hard. Look up Motherless Daughters or Modern Loss. Honor other people who have mothered you. You can miss your own mom and also feel a deep appreciation for people who have stepped in in her place. Take time to celebrate them and express your gratitude. Honor your own sense of mothering and nurturing. Use this day as one to pay homage to all the ways you’ve taken care of yourself, even without your mother. And if you need to up your game in that department, use today as a day to make that commitment. Mothers are iconic and we will never stop longing for, and believing in them. No matter your relationship or circumstances, remember that motherhood comes in many forms and that there aren’t always going to be cards at the drugstore that fit your story. This essay was featured in the May 10th edition of The Sunday Paper. The Sunday Paper inspires hearts and minds to rise above the noise. To get The Sunday Paper delivered to your inbox each Sunday morning for free, click here to subscribe. Claire Bidwell Smith, LCPC, is a therapist specializing in grief and best-selling author. Her latest book is “Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief.”
Compromise Will Bring Conclusion to Federal Lawsuit on Chimney Hollow Reservoir
The Northern Water Municipal Subdistrict has voted to approve a settlement of a federal lawsuit over Chimney Hollow Reservoir. In a meeting April 21, 2021, the Municipal Subdistrict Board voted 10-1 to authorize its participation in the settlement. The settlement means construction of Chimney Hollow Reservoir will begin this summer and the Colorado River Connectivity Channel in Grand County next year. In return, the Municipal Subdistrict will contribute $15 million to a foundation to pay for projects that enhance the Colorado River and its many watersheds in Grand County. “This settlement shows there is an alternative to costly litigation that can provide benefits both to the environment in Grand Chimney Hollow Reservoir will be located just west of Carter Lake County and the Coloin southern Larimer County, and will store 90,000 acre-feet of rado River, as well as water when built. acknowledging the need for water storage,” said Northern Water General Manager Brad Wind. The compromise will bring to a close a lawsuit in federal court filed by Save the Colorado, Save the Poudre, WildEarth Guardians, Living Rivers, Waterkeeper Alliance and the Sierra Club in October 2017. The suit challenged the permit issued by the Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers for the construction of Chimney Hollow Reservoir. On Dec. 19, 2020, the federal court ruled against the environmental organizations. The ruling was then appealed in February, and as part of the appeals process, both sides were required to engage in court-ordered mediation, which resulted in this settlement. The Windy Gap Firming Project has committed to many environmental improvements in Grand County already, including the creation of a new channel to connect the Colorado River above and below Windy Gap Reservoir. Also, commitments have been made to improve wastewater treatment in Grand County communities and robust monitoring of water quality in the watershed. Adequate native water supplies coupled with improved Front Range soil moisture from March snowstorms prompted the Northern Water Board of Directors to increase its 2021 quota allocation for the Colorado-Big Thompson Project from 50 to 70 percent. The Board unanimously approved the allocation at its meeting Thursday, April 8, 2021, with several Board members participating remotely because of the ongoing pandemic. The Board also requested Northern Water staff update Directors in May and June to determine whether an additional allocation would be advisable during the peak demand season. Cont. on Page 3, See Chimney Hollow Reservoir
WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE:
Page 2: Way of the World Page 4: A Dozen Colorado Superintendents Call for End to School Quarantines Page 5: CDOT Launches New Motorcycle Safety Campaign Page 6: SE Weld Chamber of Commerce April Meeting Page 7: History of Mother’s Day Page 8: Maggie Baldwin Named New State Veterinarian Page 9: Women of Weld Host Rep. Hugh McKean Page 10: Record Lumber Prices are Adding $35,000 to Sale Price of New Home Page 11: Concerns Over Teens & High Potency Marijuana Page 12: 2021 Rodeo Season Continues Page 16: City of Brighton Feature The Wall that Heals
Page 2
– Way of the World –
Lost Creek Guide
by Bob Grand The Senator from West Virginia, Joe Manchin, has burst the bubble about the District of Columbia becoming a state. Saying that it should take an amendment to the United States Constitution and that the people of America should decide. A person standing up for what he believes is the right thing to do, rather than what is politically correct. Would it be too much to expect our United States Senators from Colorado, Mr. Bennett and Mr. Hickenlooper do the same. The people of Colorado did not vote for Chuck Schumer or Nancy Pelosi, but they might as well have. I was at a breakfast meeting not too long a go when a conversation developed about what you could do to get people more involved in government participation. A person, who I respect, commented that there just not enough time to get involved. I pointed out that if you do not get involved you basically give free license for the politicians, lobbyists, and the bureaucracy to do what they feel is the best for you even though what they do often supports the status quo and invariably supports their own safe environment while we, as business, people have to fight the battle every day to survive. Ronald Reagan said that “ we should believe in America and encourage everyone to do the same”. In accepting the nomination in 1980 for President he said” I ask that you trust that the American spirit which knows no ethnic, religious, social, political, regional or economic boundaries, that spirit burned with zeal in the hearts of immigrants from every corner of the world who came here in search of freedom”. America is not perfect, there is always much to be done, but many of us, a number that is growing, are getting tired of hearing people continuing downgrade our country and our fundamental beliefs. Americas is a land of opportunity. People should strive to take advantage of that as untold millions have. What we are watching is the creation of a super nanny state. The percentage of GDP attributed to the federal government is over 25%, almost double the historical average. This is not supported by value but by paper money. A debt our children’s grandchildren’s grandchild will be responsible for. What kind of people do this? We have seen an unholy alliance between the academic world, the government bureaucracy, high tech, and intellectually bankrupt politicians who support maintaining and growing a self-supporting environment that has little to do with the protection of the fundamental rights of the American citizen as defined by our constitution. We allow this by not taking them to task. So, when you are asked to participate think about it. People say if you want something accomplished give it to a busy person. Oil is being talked to going to $80 per barrel by summer. Look at everything else. Prices are going up across the board. I jut wonder how many of our elected politicians’ actual shop for the basics of life. A report recently came out that college enrollment is down between five and seven percent, even at the local community colleges. One has to wonder; will college administrations have the courage to address the infrastructure within their organizations to adjust to the enrollment challenges that are evolving? COVID 19 has had an impact on the structure and attitude of learning, will schools adjust, or continue with maintaining the status quo? Speaking of infrastructure, when I was growing up when you talked about infrastructure you immediately thought of concrete and asphalt as it related to road and bridge improvements. Today is addresses a much broader definitional area, including many of the social issues. I believe we have a lot of improvement we need to work on, but should this be generated out of Washington DC or should it be generated at the state level. At the state level there is a whole lot better contact at what the needs are within a community. Washington thinktanks, be they either government bureaucracy , academic pundits, or political activists, are theoretical machines that have as their learning bases in many cases theoretical development with little if any responsibility or accountability for their actions. Better said perhaps is, who is responsible for getting results? Washington is better known for pontificating as opposed to accountability. In 2020 in San Francisco twice as many people died from accidental drug overdoses (719) as COVID 19 (255) . COVID 19 was/is a problem but we face many problems. Politically the government had to address the problem but at what cost? Common sense is an important piece of the puzzle in addressing the many complex issues we face as a nation. Is it too much to expect it from Washington? A growing complaint from small business owners is that they cannot get enough employees. The effort to provide income protection for the unemployed has made it too attractive for people to stay home and collect government money rather than work. What is wrong with the system? Well intentioned actions sometimes have unintended consequences. A cartoon in the Washington Examiner in March was of note. Two old cowboys are sitting on a porch, in rocking chairs, and one says to the other” So, we can send a Rover 300 million miles to Mars, but we can’t send electricity down the street” “Two hundred years ago there were less than a billion people on Earth. Today there are 7.8 billion and our population is still growing. According to the United Nations, unless we take action there is likely to be 30% more of us by 2050 and 11 billion by 2100” from populationmatters.org Make you think? As usual your thoughts and comments are always appreciated: publisher@lostcreekguide. com
The Lost Creek Guide, Llc Bob Grand - Publisher 303-732-4080 publisher@lostcreekguide.com Our deadline is 7 working days before publication
lcgnews.com
105 Woodward - PO Box 581 Keenesburg, CO 80643
Letters to the Editor are encouraged. Letters may be edited for length, libelous, or inappropriate content. All letter submissions should include name, address, & phone number for verification purposes. Letters are published at the editor or publisher’s discretion. Opinions expressed in letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Lost Creek Guide or staff.
Delivering on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month and sent to all Postal Boxes. Our hours are Tuesday, Weds, & Thursday 10am to 3pm. Call or email us for advertising rates.
May 5, 2021
LETTER TO EDITOR Follow the “science”?
Dave Kisker, Ph.D. How many times have you heard this phrase over the last few years? Whether the topic is the effectiveness of lockdowns and mask wearing during a pandemic, the actual fatality rate from COVID disease, or whether there is a pandemic at all, this demand is made. Similar demands are made in response to numerous other topics: from the causes and impacts of climate change to an assertion that firearm ownership in the U.S. is itself a public health crisis, we have been routinely told that “science” has the answer and that we should unquestioningly queue up and “follow it”. But, does this make sense? What, exactly, IS this “science” thing to which we are supposed to kowtow while the political class uses it to justify their agendas? Based on the pronouncements of media personalities, government employees and politicians, this mysterious, all powerful entity known as “science” has the answer, if we were to simply comply in lockstep with their demand. However, this is not the whole story. In fact, as a trained and practicing scientist for over 30 years, I find the very phrase “follow the science” to be an insulting misunderstanding of what “science” even is, confirming the science ignorance and likely political agenda of anyone who utters such malarkey. Science cannot “lead” us anywhere!! The practice of “science” is simply the collection of information about a particular topic of interest, usually following a process referred to as the “scientific method”. Done competently, this may enable an understanding of the underlying mechanism of the investigated phenomena. This methodology can also enable others to reproduce the results which gives confidence that the observations are valid. However, the result of this process is NOT imbued with any sort of all-powerful ability to discern right and wrong. The results are simply information. Period. End of story. How that information is used (or misused) falls entirely outside the purview of science, being driven instead by one or more of several other interests including economic, political and potentially even legal or moral. When those value judgements enter the picture, it is no longer science. However, it’s sadly the case that this distinction seems impossible for the politicians or media to discern and as a result, we are bombarded with the inane demand that we should “follow the science” as if it were some sort of omnipotent Pied Piper. But, whenever this phrase is used, you can be certain that someone, likely not a scientist, is trying to promote their own agenda, using the Pied Piper of science as the justification. In fact, this knowledge-base known as “science” is seldom static and real scientists and those who understand enough of it are glad and delighted this is so. That is exactly why skepticism is ALWAYS a characteristic of a good scientist. He/she is always asking if there might be anything that had been overlooked or ignored. It’s not “science denial”, as some would assert. But rather, it’s part of the process of collecting and evaluating the information. Furthermore, the arc of humankind has been determined by the amount of skepticism allowed to exist, flourish and fuel progress. Progress slows when science inquiry is retarded and when honest skeptics are accused of being “deniers”. So, when you hear someone demand that you (or “we” as a nation) simply “follow the science”, you should instead increase your skepticism and ask yourself what are they really trying to accomplish with their demand, as it has nothing to do with SCIENCE.
May 5, 2021
Page 3
Lost Creek Guide
Compromise Will Bring Conclusion to Federal Lawsuit on Chimney Hollow Reservoir
Cont. from Page 1 Emily Carbone, Water Resources Specialist at Northern Water, outlined snowpack and forecasted streamflows, and the Board also heard about the available native water supplies in regional reservoirs. In addition, Directors heard a presentation about the potential water resources impacts caused by the 2020 East Troublesome Fire. Public input was also considered. The Board has been setting C-BT quota since 1957 and 70 percent is the most common quota Water runs through the Hansen Supply Canal. Northern Water Increases C-BT Quota to 70 percent declared. It was also the quota set for the 2019 water delivery season, while the 2020 quota was set at 80 percent. The quota reflects the amount of water to be delivered through the C-BT Project each water year.
Kiewit Chosen as NISP Construction Manager and General Contractor
Taken By Bruce Sparrow, Keenebsurg
After a rigorous selection process, the Northern Water Board has chosen multinational construction company Kiewit Corp. to serve as the construction manager/general contractor for the Northern Integrated Supply Project. Kiewit Corp. is no stranger to major infrastructure projects in the region. After the 2013 Front Range flood, the company took on the task to rebuild U.S. Highway 34 in the Big Thompson Canyon to a higher standard of resilience. The company has also successfully built dams in California and across the country. The construction manager/general contractor model for project development is becoming common in the industry, but it marks Northern Water’s first use of it for a large project. Having a construction manager on board during design and planning phases can help to streamline the building process and identify problems that might have resulted in costly change orders under traditional design-build contracts. NISP anticipates receiving a federal Record of Decision in the second quarter of 2021, with design of the project features such as Glade and Galeton reservoirs continuing through 2022. Learn more at the NISP website.
Western Meadow Lark:
BASIC DESCRIPTION The buoyant, flutelike melody of the Western Meadowlark ringing out across a field can brighten anyone’s day. Meadowlarks are often more easily heard than seen, unless you spot a male singing from a fence post. This colorful member of the blackbird family flashes a vibrant yellow breast crossed by a distinctive, black, V-shaped band. Look and listen for these stout ground feeders in grasslands, meadows, pastures, and along marsh edges throughout the West and Midwest, where flocks strut and feed on seeds and insects. Range map provided by Birds of the WorldExplore MapS FIND THIS BIRD Look for the abundant Western Meadowlark foraging in open grasslands, meadows and fields of low-growing vegetation, or along marshes and road edges with sparse cover. In winter you may see them in mixed flocks with other blackbirds and starlings. During the breeding season, males sing from the tops of fence posts and shrubs, or perch on fences and powerlines. OTHER NAMES Pradero occidental (Spanish) Sturnelle de l’Ouest (French) Backyard Tips Western Meadowlarks may come to backyards if food is offered. Although not seen regularly at feeders, they occasionally visit feeding stations in open habitats. Find out more about what this bird likes to eat and what feeder is best by using the Project FeederWatch Common Feeder Birds bird list. COOL FACTS The nest of the Western Meadowlark usually is partially covered by a grass roof. It may be completely open, however, or it may have a complete roof and an entrance tunnel several feet long. Although the Western Meadowlark looks nearly identical to the Eastern Meadowlark, the two species hybridize only very rarely. Mixed pairs usually occur only at the edge of the range where few mates are available. Captive breeding experiments found that hybrid meadowlarks were fertile, but produced few eggs that hatched. The explorer Meriwether Lewis was the first to point out the subtle differences between the birds that would eventually be known as the Eastern and Western Meadowlarks, noting in June 1805 that the tail and bill shapes as well as the song of the Western Meadowlark differed from what was then known as the “oldfield lark” in the Eastern United States. John James Audubon gave the Western Meadowlark its scientific name, Sturnella (starling-like) neglecta, claiming that most explorers and settlers who ventured west of the Mississippi after Lewis and Clark had overlooked this common bird. In 1914, California grain growers initiated one of the earliest studies of the Western Meadowlark’s diet to determine whether the bird could be designated a pest species. Although they do eat grain, Western Meadowlarks also help limit numbers of crop-damaging insects. Like other members of the blackbird, or icterid, family, meadowlarks use a feeding behavior called “gaping,” which relies on the unusually strong muscles that open their bill. They insert their bill into the soil, bark or other substrate, then force it open to create a hole. This gives meadowlarks access to insects and other food items that most birds can’t reach. The Western Meadowlark is the state bird of six states: Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming. Only the Northern Cardinal is a more popular civic symbol, edging out the meadowlark by one state. The oldest recorded Western Meadowlark was at least 6 years, 6 months old when it was found in Colorado. A male Western Meadowlark usually has two mates at the same time. The females do all the incubating and brooding, and most of the feeding of the young.
Keene Craft Mercantile
A Special Place Where Talented People Bring Their Home-made Crafts to Sell We are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am until 5 pm 65 Main Street, Keenesburg, Colorado 303-910-0640
Page 4
Lost Creek Guide
May 5, 2021
The American Families Plan Honors America’s Family Farms
A Dozen Colorado Superintendents Call for End to School Quarantines
WASHINGTON, April 28, 2021 — The American Families Plan includes critical tax reform to ensure that the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes in order to finance essential investments in workers and families, including childcare, nutrition, higher education and more. One of those reforms is a change in the way capital gains are treated in our tax system so that, for people making over $1 million, the tax system no longer favors income from wealth over income from work. The plan won’t raise taxes on anyone making less than $400,000 a year. Part of this plan to make sure the wealthy pay their fair share is a proposal to close the “stepped-up basis” loophole for wealthy estates so that enormous fortunes do not completely escape taxation. Under the proposal, unrealized capital gains (those that have never been previously taxed) are taxed at death above $2 million in gains per couple. But this won’t affect family farms that stay in the family. • Under this proposal, estimates indicate more than 98% of farm estates will not owe any tax at transfer, provided the farm stays in the family. The tax the remaining less than 2% would owe, would be on their non-farm assets. The President recognizes the importance of agriculture and family farms to the American economy and way of life. He also recognizes the risks and economic challenges unique to agriculture, family farms and ranching operations across America. The Biden Administration is committed to American agriculture, family farms, ranches and the rural way of life. The American Families Plan protects family farms and ranches in two key ways: • No capital gains taxes at death for family farms. This plan includes a special protection for family-owned farms and businesses. It defers any tax liability on family farms as long as the farm remains family-owned and operated. No tax is due if the farm stays in the family. No one should have to sell a family farm they inherit to pay taxes and the President’s tax reform guarantees that. • $2 million exclusion from increased capital gains for all married couples. This plan also excludes the first $2 million of gains per couple ($2.5 million if the farm also includes the family home) from capital gains tax and heirs continue to get step up in basis on those first $2 million in gains. If an heir decides to sell the family farm, the first $2 million in gains is tax free. How the President’s Capital Gains Reforms Affect Family Farms: • A married couple with $900,000 of farm gains and $200,000 of non-farm gains passes the farm onto their children. No capital gains taxes are owed, even if they sell the farm because the $1.1 million in gains are below the $2 million per-couple exemption. • A married couple with $3.0 million of farm gains and $250,000 of non-farm housing gains passes the farm onto their children. No taxes due as long as the children keep the family farm. The President’s capital gains reforms are a key part of building a tax code that rewards work, and not wealth. The American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan are once-ina-generation investments in our nation’s future. The American Jobs Plan will create millions of good jobs, rebuild our country’s physical infrastructure and workforce, and spark innovation and manufacturing here at home. The American Families Plan invests $1.8 trillion in our children and our families—helping families cover the basic expenses that so many struggle with now, lowering health insurance premiums, cutting child poverty, and producing a larger, more productive, and healthier workforce in the years ahead. Together, these plans reinvest in the future of American families, American workers, and the American economy. To learn more about the American Families Plan, visit the White House. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
By Melanie Asmar The superintendents of 12 Denver metro school districts are asking state health officials to end mandatory quarantines for students who are exposed to COVID-19 at school. “The protective health benefits for these students from quarantines have been small — and the costs to their development and academic progress have been great,” says a letter sent to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Monday. The letter was signed by the superintendents of Jeffco Public Schools, AuSaying existing health precautions are enough to prevent the rora Public Schools, spread of COVID, some Colorado superintendents want to end the Douglas County use of quarantines. AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post School District, Cherry Creek School District, Westminster Public Schools, Mapleton School District, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, 27J Schools in Brighton, Englewood Schools, Littleton Public Schools, Elizabeth School District, and Platte Canyon School District. Denver Public Schools and several smaller metro area districts did not sign the letter. The state public health department said on Wednesday that it had received the letter and was reviewing it. But the Tri-County Health Department, which oversees public health in three metro-area counties, said in a statement to Chalkbeat that what the superintendents are proposing “is a reasonable approach that deserves strong consideration.” COVID-19 cases are trending upward in Colorado, with the biggest upticks occurring among middle and high school-aged children, State Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy said at a press conference Tuesday. COVID outbreaks at schools are also on the rise, she said. Herlihy did not speculate why cases are rising among teens. The superCOVID-19 cases among Colorado teenagers are trending upintendents also sent ward. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment the letter to Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who said Tuesday he believes social activities are a more likely cause for the teen uptick than exposure at school, though he did not provide evidence. Polis has been an advocate for in-person learning throughout the pandemic and previously loosened quarantine guidance when school officials said it was too onerous. In response to questions Tuesday about whether he would move schools to remote learning due to rising cases, Polis said he doesn’t expect to change school safety guidance. “We just have a few more weeks of school this year,” he said. “They’ll finish out the year with the kinds of precautions they’ve had in place to avoid major outbreaks.” In their letter, the superintendents said rates of COVID transmission in schools are low. As evidence, they cited data from 13 school districts that tracked the number of students in quarantine each week as well as the number of quarantined students who tested positive. The data shows 59 quarantined students across the 13 districts tested positive for coronavirus since January. That’s less than 0.2% of quarantined students, the superintendents argued. The total number of students in quarantine in the 13 districts varied week to week, with the highest number being more than 3,000 quarantined students per week. Not all people who quarantine get tested for COVID. And not all of the superintendents from the 13 districts that participated in the data tracking signed the letter. The superintendents who signed the letter urged state officials to follow the lead of other states that have jettisoned quarantine if students were wearing masks when the exposure occurred. They argued that continued mask wearing, home isolation for students or staff who test positive for COVID, and directives for people with symptoms to stay home as well would be enough to maintain low levels of COVID transmission within schools. “If similar standards are quickly adopted here, we can give tens of thousands of students the opportunity to finish the school year with consistency, predictability, and focus that they’ll otherwise lose out on as they get on and off the quarantine carousel,” they said. Dr. John Douglas, the executive director of the Tri-County Health Department, which oversees school districts in Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas counties, said in a statement that while it’s difficult to document the source of new COVID-19 infections, his department finds the low transmission rates in schools to be “reassuring.” “Although we are concerned about rising rates of infection in school-aged children across the metro area and the state over the past few weeks, we feel that the superintendents have raised an important issue,” Douglas said. Colorado quarantine guidance calls for students who were in close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 to quarantine at home. Close contact means a student was within 6 feet of a sick person for 15 minutes or more, even while wearing masks. State guidance says most people can exit quarantine after 10 days. People who test negative for COVID-19 five days after their exposure can exit quarantine after seven days. Chalkbeat Colorado bureau chief Erica Meltzer and reporter Yesenia Robles contributed to this story.
The American Families Plan encourages family farms to stay in the family and does not tax farm and asset transfer to family members upon death
Auto, Home, Farm & Commercial
Agents Mark Kinnear Devon Kitchell 303-732-9700 20 S. Main Keenesburg, CO
May 5, 2021
Page 5
Lost Creek Guide
CDOT Launches New Campaign to Coincide with Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month 2020 was Colorado’s deadliest year on record for motorcyclists
STATEWIDE – On the heels of the deadliest year on record for motorcyclists, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is launching a new campaign aimed at keeping motorcyclists safe. May is also Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, which coincides with the beginning of the riding season in the state. Last year, there were 137 motorcyclists killed on Colorado roadways, more than any year on record, and a 33 percent increase from 2019 when there were 103 motorcyclists killed. Although motorcycles are only 3 percent of the registered vehicles in the state, they made up 22 percent of the traffic fatalities in 2020. “The research and data show helmet use as the most important factor in the survivability of a motorcycle crash,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “Head injuries are common in these crashes. So, whether you are riding around town or cross country, we encourage riders to always wear a helmet.” New data shows that 52 percent of motorcycle riders killed in 2019 were not wearing helmets. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 83 motorcyclists› lives could have been saved in Colorado between 2015-2017 if all riders had worn helmets. Instead, there were 334 motorcyclists were killed during that period, most not wearing helmets. «Motorcycle ownership requires great responsibility from riders with skill and gear as key ingredients,» stated Matthew C. Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. «Whether this is your first season or your fifteenth, you will enjoy the ride more as a safer, more confident rider. Don›t be content with just passing the training required for the issuance of your license, add to your knowledge and skills for advanced mastery of your motorcycle.» The Colorado State Patrol can help riders develop new skills through the Motorcycle Operator Safety Training (MOST). For more information, visit www.comost.com. In May, CDOT will launch the new Aftermath campaign to underscore the importance of wearing a helmet. The campaign will dispel misconceptions about wearing a helmet, such as they are too restrictive, by showing the devastating consequences of not wearing one. The campaign will run across the state on billboards and on social media. Some of the images used in the campaign are here. CDOT also reminds drivers of cars and trucks to use caution around motorcycles. This includes carefully checking blind spots and using extra caution at intersections since motorcycles can be hard to see. In addition, it is advised that drivers never follow motorcycles too closely since a motorcyclist can stop more quickly than a car. In addition to wearing helmets, riders should do the following to stay safe on Colorado roads: Get a license endorsement. Getting a motorcycle license endorsement keeps the motorcyclist in compliance with state law and verifies the motorcyclist has the basic skills to operate a motorcycle on a roadway. Wear proper gear. Proper gear includes a helmet, boots that cover the ankles, riding pants and jacket, gloves and eye protection. Receive professional training. All motorcyclists should receive professional training. Long time riders are encouraged go to training classes for a refresher every few years. Follow all traffic laws. All motorcyclists are required to follow the rules of the road. In Colorado, lane splitting is illegal. Ride sober. Even one drink can decrease reaction times, coordination, vision, judgement and concentration, all of which are crucial when operating a motorcycle. About CDOT CDOT’s Whole System-Whole Safety program has one simple mission — to get everyone home safely. Our approximately 3,000 employees work tirelessly to reduce the rate and severity of crashes and improve the safety of all modes of transportation. The department manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway, more than 3,000 bridges and 35 mountain passes. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also operates Bustang, the state-owned interregional express bus service. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.
Weld County Notice of Valuation to be Mailed FIrst Week of May
WELD COUNTY, CO — Weld County residents are encouraged to check their mailboxes as the Assessor’s Office will be mailing Notice of Valuation (NOV) postcards to owners of real property at the beginning of next month. Property values are reflective as of June 30, 2020, and the notice captures a two-year change in value from June 30, 2018, as required by state law. The value of residential property was determined by market sales data from January 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020. Factors that influence value include the sale price of comparable properties in the area, the square footage of property and any additions made to the property within the last two years. According to Weld County Assessor Brenda Dones, residential property value throughout the county continues to increase due in large part to limited inventory and an increased interest in living in northern Colorado. Commercial values also saw large increases from January 2019 through March 2020. But when the pandemic hit, the commercial market stalled. “Commercial values are primarily based on sale prices and lease rates — we do not value the business operations. So, we evaluated whether attempts to contain COVID-19 restricted the use of properties and if those restrictions impacted real estate values,” Dones explained. “Overall, most commercial property owners will see an increase from the prior cycle, but some increases have been tempered by a change in activity in the market.” Property owners are encouraged to review their NOV carefully. Residential homeowners can type in their address on the Weld County Property Portal to review their property characteristics. They can also click the sales search tool to compare their value to the sale price of comparable homes in the area. Remember, only market sales from January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 were used for valuation and not every property characteristic will affect the value. Property owners can also obtain a digital version of their NOV by typing their address into the property portal, selecting property report then selecting NOV. Property owners who do not agree with their assessed value may protest it through the Assessor’s Office. State law states the last day to protest is June 1, but due to a county closure on that date*, the Assessor’s Office has extended the date to June 2. Protests must be made, electronically filed or postmarked by midnight on June 2, 2021. Protests can be made by: • Calling (970) 400-3650 or (720) 652-4255 to make an appointment to speak with an appraiser over the phone. • Emailing appeals@weldgov.com. • Filing an online appeal. • Mailing or faxing an appeal to the Assessor’s Office. Instructions will be on the NOV as well as on the Assessor’s webpage. “Values in the NOV become property tax next year after local governments set their mill levies,” Dones explained. “That’s why those with concerns about their value should let us know so we can review them and get it right.” Leading with responsive, innovative and cost-effective services. Weld County – Proud to be Debt Free since 2007! Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube *Twelve holidays are decided by the board each year in December. Some of these days rotate, and this year June 1 extends observance of Memorial Day.
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
$15.50
$1.65 per gallon will call or route
$3,950.00 $2,950.00
Page 6
Lost Creek Guide
Southeast Weld Chamber of Commerce April Meeting held at Ben’s Pizzeria in Hudson
Chamber President Perry Bell facilitated the April “ Start Your Day With Us” at Ben’s Pizzeria in Hudson. He announced that the new Vice President of the group was Bob Grand. Dates for the Corn Hole Tournaments to be June 10th, July 8th, August 12th and September 9th. More information to follow, although invitations to other Chambers had been sent out for the events in August and September. The annual banquet will be at the Wild Animal Sanctuary on October 2nd. The resource3 directory is in print and will be available in a few weeks. A Grand Opening was held at the Market Street Mart. On May 11th, the United Power EV Fast Charger in Keenesburg at the Market Street Mart will be held from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. The South Weld 9 Health Fair will have Covid 19 clinics at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Friday’s. For appointments please call 303-698-4455 or email: covidcoordinator@9healthfair.org There as a good discussion among attendees on how to promote the Chamber to the Community. Thoughts included working with the local school district to promote community participation in events as well as community informational meetings on different subjects. Next meeting on May 26th, 2021 at 9:00 am at Ben’s Pizzeria. Thank you all for attending
May 5, 2021
Hoyt Cemetery Memorial Day Service
Monday, May 31, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Refreshments to follow at the Hoyt Community Center
May 9, 2021
Your Trusted Heart Care Experts in Brighton
HEART & VASCULAR CONDITIONS WE TREAT:
SCL Health Heart & Vascular Institute in Brighton is a team of experienced and highly qualified cardiologists and vascular specialists providing you with the highest level of care, from heart attack prevention and surgical care, to specialized rehabilitation, all to keep your heart healthy and strong. We combine the strength of leading cardiovascular specialists with some of the area’s best heart hospitals, including Platte Valley Medical Center, as well as regional centers of excellence such as Saint Joseph Hospital and National Jewish Health in Denver.
• • • • • • •
We accept most major insurance plans, and offer online scheduling for your convenience.
For more information visit SCLHealth.org/heart or call 303-659-7000 to make an appointment with a cardiologist
Arrhythmia and heart rhythm disorders Atrial fibrillation (Afib) Heart attack and coronary artery disease Heart failure Congenital heart defects Heart valve disease Vascular and arterial disease
Pictured Left to Right: Mark Chou, DO, Christopher Cannon, MD, Laura Mason Ferguson, PA-C, Kirstin Hesterberg, DO, Donald Rabor, MD, Mitchell Jamison, PA-C
May 5, 2021 from History.com
Page 7
Lost Creek Guide
History of Mother’s Day
a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day Around the World
Jarvis Decries Commercialized Mother’s Day
History of Mother’s Day
Anna Jarvis had originally conceived of Mother’s Day as a day of personal celebration between mothers and families. Her version of the day involved wearing a white carnation as a badge and visiting one’s mother or attending church services. But once Mother’s Day became a national holiday, it was not long before florists, card companies and other merchants capitalized on its popularity. While Jarvis had initially worked with the floral industry to help raise Mother’s Day’s profile, by 1920 she had become disgusted with how the holiday had been commercialized. She outwardly denounced the transformation and urged people to stop buying Mother’s Day flowers, cards and candies. Jarvis eventually resorted to an open campaign against Mother’s Day profiteers, speaking out against confectioners, florists and even charities. She also launched countless lawsuits against groups that had used the name “Mother’s Day,” eventually spending most of her personal wealth in legal fees. By the time of her death in 1948 Jarvis had disowned the holiday altogether, and even actively lobbied the government to see it removed from the American calendar.
Ann Reeves Jarvis and Julia Ward Howe
While versions of Mother’s Day are celebrated worldwide, traditions vary depending on the country. In Thailand, for example, Mother’s Day is always celebrated in August on the birthday of the current queen, Sirikit. Another alternate observance of Mother’s Day can be found in Ethiopia, where families gather each fall to sing songs and eat a large feast as part of Antrosht, a multi-day celebration honoring motherhood. In the United States, Mother’s Day continues to be celebrated by presenting mothers and other women with gifts and flowers, and it has become one of the biggest holidays for consumer spending. Families also celebrate by giving mothers a day off from activities like cooking or other household chores. At times, Mother’s Day has also been a date for launching political or feminist causes. In 1968 Coretta Scott King, wife of Martin Luther King, Jr., used Mother’s Day to host a march in support of underprivileged women and children. In the 1970s women’s groups also used the holiday as a time to highlight the need for equal rights and access to childcare.
Mother’s Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. In the United States, Mother’s Day 2021 will occur on Sunday, May 9. The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Jarvis would later denounce the holiday’s commercialization and spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar. While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day traditionally involves presenting moms with flowers, cards and other gifts. Celebrations of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele, but the clearest modern precedent for Mother’s Day is the early Christian festival known as “Mothering Sunday.” Once a major tradition in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, this celebration fell on the fourth Sunday in Lent and was originally seen as a time when the faithful would return to their “mother church”—the main church in the vicinity of their home—for a special service. Over time the Mothering Sunday tradition shifted into a more secular holiday, and children would present their mothers with flowers and other tokens of appreciation. This custom eventually faded in popularity before merging with the American Mother’s Day in the 1930s and 1940s. Did you know? More phone calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year. These holiday chats with Mom often cause phone traffic to spike by as much as 37 percent. The origins of Mother’s Day as celebrated in the United States date back to the 19th century. In the years before the Civil War, Ann Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia helped start “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” to teach local women how to properly care for their children. These clubs later became a unifying force in a region of the country still divided over the Civil War. In 1868 Jarvis organized “Mothers’ Friendship Day,” at which mothers gathered with former Union and Confederate soldiers to promote reconciliation. Another precursor to Mother’s Day came from the abolitionist and suffragette Julia Ward Howe. In 1870 Howe wrote the “Mother’s Day Proclamation,” a call to action that asked mothers to unite in promoting world peace. In 1873 Howe campaigned for a “Mother’s Peace Day” to be celebrated every June 2. Other early Mother’s Day pioneers include Juliet Calhoun Blakely, a temperance activist who inspired a local Mother’s Day in Albion, Michigan, in the 1870s. The duo of Mary Towles Sasseen and Frank Hering, meanwhile, both worked to organize a Mothers’ Day in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some have even called Hering “the father of Mothers’ Day.” Anna Jarvis Turns Mother’s Day Into a National Holiday The official Mother’s Day holiday arose in the 1900s as a result of the efforts of Anna Jarvis, daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis. Following her mother’s 1905 death, Anna Jarvis conceived of Mother’s Day as a way of honoring the sacrifices mothers made for their children. After gaining financial backing from a Philadelphia department store owner named John Wanamaker, in May 1908 she organized the first official Mother’s Day celebration at a Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia. That same day also saw thousands of people attend a Mother’s Day event at one of Wanamaker’s retail stores in Philadelphia. Following the success of her first Mother’s Day, Jarvis—who remained unmarried and childless her whole life—resolved to see her holiday added to the national calendar. Arguing that American holidays were biased toward male achievements, she started a massive letter writing campaign to newspapers and prominent politicians urging the adoption of a special day honoring motherhood. By 1912 many states, towns and churches had adopted Mother’s Day as an annual holiday, and Jarvis had established the Mother’s Day International Association to help promote her cause. Her persistence paid off in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed
Mother’s Day Around the World
Saturday, May 8 * 9 am - 2 pm
Page 8
Weldon Valley News
Lost Creek Guide
The Miles I like to see it lap the Miles— And lick the Valley up— And stop to feed itself at Tanks And then—prodigious step Around a Pile of Mountains— Ans supercilious peer In shanties—by the sides of roads And then a Quarry pare. To tit its sides And crawl between Complaining all the while In horrid—hooting stanza— Then chase itself down Hill— And neigh like Boanerges— Then—prompter than a Star Stop—prompter than a Star Stop—docile and omnipotent At its own stable doorEmily Dickinson
I seem as if Mother Nature is a hasn’t given is April shower, we are still having March winds. We need more sunshine and moisture. Church chat: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Weldona has mass each Sunday at 7:00 a.m. Pastor Reverend Erik Vigil and Parochial Vicar Reverend Francis Saleth share the services. Confession will celebrated before mass. The Weldon Valley Presbyterian in Goodrich has Christian education and worship each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Sunday, May 2 is WVS senior recognize Sunday. Cody Covelli will be honor during the worship service and a reception. Congrulation to “Cody”.Contact information for Pastor Denise Shannon is 720-271-6733 or pastordeniseshannon @ gmail. School scoop: The volleyball team has many game on the schedule. Support the team, they having a fun season. 4-H News: 4-H member working on their projects. The County Fair is in August. What’s cookin’ : Cheese Popcorn- 1/3 cup grated sharp cheese, ¼ cup butter, Salted popped corn. Add cheese to butter ad pour over freshly popped corn. Toss lightly and serve. First facts: 1904- President Theodore Roosevelt was nominated for a second term of the office at the Republican national convention in Chicago. Weldon Valley History: WV Church-When the church was organized there were 25 charter members. In 1904 funds were secured for the erection of a manse at Weldona at the cost of about $700.00. Calendar of Events: Students and staff are working toward the end of the school year. Thought for the day: “Accept what is, let go of what was and have faith in what will be?”
-Obituaries-
May 5, 2021
THOMAS (TOM) JOHN MULHOLLAND Thomas (Tom) John Mulholland passed away peacefully at his home on December 3, 2020 after a long battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and Dementia. Tom was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 27, 1950 to Chuck and Bernice Mulholland. He has three brothers, Chuck, who lives in the Denver area, Jim and John who both live in the Chicago area. He was preceded in death by his parents. Tom moved out to Denver in the early 1970’s after a vacation out here. Tom worked various jobs before he settled with bricklaying. He went into business with a partner and they owned Kingdom Masonry for 30+ years. Tom married Nancy in 1996 in a “surprise” wedding for Nancy, in the mountains along with their horseback riding friends. Tom loved hunting, playing sports (softball and volleyball) cowboy polo, and roping. Tom drove a school bus for Weld County RE-3J for 5 years. He loved his bus kids along with any kids he could fine. Always giving them money to play the arcade games or music. He would bring kids home so they could ride and learn about horses, drive the tractor help doing things around the place (chores). Tom had a very kind heart he would give the shirt off his back if someone needed it or a little cash just to help them out. Tom is survived by his wife Nancy and step-son Matthew. Tom’s memorial will be on May 22, 2021 at the Keenesburg Fairgrounds at 11:00 am.
Maggie Baldwin Named New State Veterinarian
Broomfield, Colo. - The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Maggie Baldwin has been named state veterinarian. In the role, Dr. Baldwin will manage CDA’s Animal Health division through planning, directing and executing all programs, policies and cooperative agreements with other governmental agencies. Implementation of secure food supply plans and emergency response plans, enhanced animal disease traceability, education, and robust stakeholder engagement are among Dr. Baldwin’s priorities for the position. She is also making history as the first-ever female state veterinarian in Colorado. “Time and again, Maggie has proved her mettle in crisis management, animal disease complexities, and excellence in service to the veterinary profession,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg. “Coloradoans will benefit from the skill and dedication that Maggie brings to the people and animals of our state.” Dr. Baldwin joined the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division in January 2017, focusing on emergency response, incident management, and public outreach. She has served as Epidemiology Traceability Veterinarian and most recently as the Colorado Assistant State Veterinarian, a role that focused on emergency management and disease response activities, overall management of division activities, and supporting the mission of the Animal Health Division. “Maggie has been a valued and steadily increasing asset to CDA’s Animal Health Division and to our agriculture producers since she began in her initial role with us developing emergency response plans,” said Keith Roehr, retiring state veterinarian. “She has earned the much-deserved respect from veterinarians, emergency responders, livestock producers, and more. I am so pleased that Colorado animal regulatory medicine will be in such capable hands.” “Among the breadth of her animal disease work statewide, Dr. Baldwin has worked closely with Colorado’s pork producers to exercise scenarios should a disease outbreak occur in Colorado and surrounding states,” said Brett Rutledge, Colorado Ag Commissioner and Colorado Pork Producers Council board member. “Maggie will be a seamless transition into this critical state role for Colorado agriculture.” In her previous roles at CDA, Dr. Baldwin has worked closely on a variety of complex animal disease responses, including a tuberculosis trace in beef cattle, an Equine Infectious Anemia trace investigation, the largest vesicular stomatitis outbreak in state history, and most recently, the introduction of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2, a new foreign animal disease in rabbits. “I grew up with a love for the country and my community, and a passion for animals and agriculture which has been, and continues to be, a driving force in my career,” said Dr. Baldwin. “I am honored to lead our animal health division in this new role and continue to support a strong agricultural community in Colorado.” In addition to animal disease control, Dr. Baldwin has assumed a key emergency management role for CDA and the state in last year, having been closely involved with all hazards incidents, including many significant wildfires and the state COVID-19 response. She was named 2020 Veterinarian of the Year by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association in recognition of her tireless effort, unparalleled enthusiasm, and outstanding service to the veterinary profession and the entire state of Colorado throughout a difficult year in her role as the Assistant State Veterinarian. Dr. Baldwin earned her DVM from the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine in St. Paul. She began her career in public service as a Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian with USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service and Veterinary Medical Officer with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Dr. Baldwin grew up in a small town in rural west central Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota, Morris before entering veterinary school. She is an avid reader and member of a local book club, and loves spending time with her husband and two sons on their small hobby farm near Johnstown, Colorado. The Colorado Department of Agriculture exists to support the state’s agriculture industry and serve the people of Colorado through regulation, advocacy and education. Our mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado agriculture, promote a safe and high-quality food supply, protect consumers, and foster responsible stewardship of the environment and natural resources.
May 5, 2021
Lost Creek Guide
United Power Holds Second Consecutive Virtual Annual Meeting on April 14
New Directors Seated in South and Mountain Districts
Brighton, Colo. – United Power hosted its second consecutive virtual Annual Meeting on April 14 as lingering pandemic concerns prevented the cooperative from safely gathering with its members. Members who were interested in attending the meeting could either listen via phone, an alternative option introduced a year ago, or watch the livestream online. Record participation at the 2021 Annual Meeting demonstrated how effective the virtual format could be in allowing the cooperative to share and celebrate United Power’s accomplishments over the past year with its members. More than 560 members attended the meeting via phone or livestream. The meeting included a recap of the cooperative’s 2020 accomplishments, a financial report and the certification of the Director Election. Voting in this year’s Director Election was conducted via mail-in ballot only and 5,787 total ballots were cast by members. United Power’s Election and Credentials Committee Chair, Dale McCall reported the certified results of the 2021 Director Election. After all votes were tabulated, the cooperative has new board representatives in the South and Mountain Districts, while incumbents Tim Erickson and Brian McCormick retained their seats. Brad Case received 2,996 votes to claim the seat in the South District, while Ken Kreutzer received 2,600 votes. Stephen Whiteside, who ran unopposed, received 5,139 votes to win the seat in the Mountain District. Erickson, East District, received 3,148 votes to retain his seat on the board, while Steve Douglas received 2,484 votes. In the West District, McCormick retained his seat after receiving 3,059 votes. Vicki Hutchinson received 2,487 votes. Ursula J. Morgan and Bryant Robbins presented the cooperative’s Chairman and CEO Report and summarized the accomplishments and challenges that 2020 presented to United Power. Between prioritizing the health and safety of both members and employees, a historic wildfire season and ongoing conversations about competitive rates, last year was one of the most challenging, and most successful, years in United Power’s 82-year history. In a proactive response to the pandemic, cooperative leadership temporarily suspended disconnects and established a financial assistance fund for members affected by COVID-19. The Co-op Cares Fund, created by allocating $300,000 in unclaimed capital credits, helped more than 1,700 members struggling to pay their electric bills. While the cooperative quickly shifted its focus to providing relief for members during the difficult period, internal departments were also adapting to the changing circumstances to provide the same level of service. “What didn’t change was our commitment to providing the best possible service,” said Bryant Robbins, United Power’s acting chief executive officer throughout the pandemic. “We were still able to answer the phones, set up new service, help members with questions about their accounts and process payments. We safely restored power during outages, we kept building new lines and substations, and continued planned maintenance on the electric system.” As though navigating the pandemic was not already challenging enough, this past summer also saw the worst wildfire season in Colorado history. While fires burned parts of rural electric systems north and west of United Power’s service territory, the cooperative was fortunate it was not affected. The co-op monitored the situation closely and was already in the midst of implementing a multiyear comprehensive wildfire mitigation plan. “One thing that 2020 brought to light was the real threat of wildfires,” Robbins said. “United Power has had a fire mitigation plan in place for several years, and in 2020 we continued to look for ways to strengthen that plan.” United Power had to adapt and respond quickly to new and evolving circumstances throughout the past year and did so by prioritizing its members. It rose to meet expectations and did so while also making meaningful headway in its long battle with Tri-State to provide more competitive rates. “Your board believes the members of United Power deserve cleaner, more affordable power,” said Morgan, chairman of the cooperative’s Board of Directors. “We are already a leader in innovative renewable energy projects. Each of those projects were driven by what is financially and environmentally best for our members. Being able to consider other sources of power is just another step to build on our commitment to you, our members.” United Power’s treasurer, Keith Alquist II from the South District, presented the cooperative’s financials and reported that despite the challenges in 2020, the cooperative continues to be in good financial condition. The auditors specifically complimented the United Power financial services team for their professionalism, completeness and accuracy in preparing the financial statements on a monthly basis. Before adjourning for the evening, Morgan introduced United Power’s new president and chief executive officer, Mark Gabriel, who officially assumed his role on March 15, 2021. “We are entering one of the most exciting times in the electric utility industry with a rare alignment of technological, societal and political momentum,” Gabriel said. “The electrification of everything will be the norm for the next decade and I believe the cooperative business model is the best suited to support the needs of members in our communities.” Retiring board members, Susan Petrocco and Rick Newman, were also honored during the meeting for their many years of service to United Power members. United Power board and staff concluded the meeting with a member forum offering members an opportunity to ask questions live over the phone or submit questions and comments online. The cooperative plans to follow up personally to any members who submitted questions that were not addressed during the time allowed. The videos and information presented at the 2021 Annual Meeting, including the cooperative’s 2020 Annual Report, are available at www.unitedpower.com. United Power a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to more than 97,000 meters at homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The 900 square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson and Keenesburg. At the end of 2020, the cooperative reached more than 97,000 meters representing more than 300,000 members. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Page 9
Women of Weld Host Representative Hugh McKean, Leader of the Republican Minority at the Double Tree in Platteville
Women of Weld hosted a breakfast meeting at the Doubletree Restaurant in Platteville. Key speaker was Hugh McKean, Republican leader of the Colorado House of Representatives. State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer was also in attendance. Both provided insight into how it was working in a minority environment and the challenges it represented. The effort needs to be to obtain a balance of power so that the citizens of Colorado have a better balance in determining state policies.
COVID Vaccine Clinic Opens at New Weld County Clerk & Recorder Building
Weld County, CO – The Weld County Health Department with support from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is opening a COVID vaccination clinic at the new Weld County Clerk & Recorder building (1250 H Street, Greeley, 80631). This new clinic will open Monday, April 26, and conduct inoculations from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM, Monday thru Friday. The new Clerk & Recorder building is located about ½ mile southeast of the old location. “We encourage everyone to register and come get the vaccine,” said Mark Lawley, Executive Director of the Weld County Health Department. “The vaccines are effective, safe, and available at no-cost.” Health officials stress the COVID vaccines are now widely available to anyone who is ages 16 and over. For Weld County residents who do not have internet access, the Health Department is providing a telephone option at (970) 400-2121. This service is provided during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM). For general questions about COVID-19, including vaccine registration and locations, visit: www.weldhealth.org
CASH BACK FROM YOUR CO-OP PROOF THAT YOUR MEMBERSHIP PAYS
CAPITAL CREDITS ARE COMING SOON Cooperative members share in the ownership, construction, maintenance and prosperity of their electric utility, and that investment is referred to as capital credits. Capital credits represent our members’ ownership in United Power and are one of the most unique and rewarding benefits of being a member of an electric cooperative. For more information and frequently asked questions about capital credits visit www.unitedpower.com/capital-credits.
HOW MUCH IS YOUR REFUND? Refund amounts are based on length of membership and amount of power used during the period retired. The longer you are a members, the larger your refund becomes.
Page 10
Lost Creek Guide
May 5, 2021
Record lumber prices are adding $35,000 to the sale price of a new home, further crunching Colorado’s housing market
A number of factors have forced lumber prices up, but many of them were around before the pandemic began. Tamara Chuang, Colorado Sun With housing demand pushing lumber prices to more than double what 2x4s cost a year ago, workers at the Allweather Wood manufacturing plant in Loveland are treating lumber as fast as possible. But they’ve run into issues aggravated by the coronavirus pandemic. Not all employees returned to work after a brief closure last year. Staffing is down nearly 20% compared with pre-pandemic levels of 44 people. The company has several entry-level positions open, which start at $18 an hour, provide training and include a $1,000 signing bonus. “We’re running at full capacity, but Shaye Bruyere moves treated lumber at Allweather Wood in Loveland on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Allweather needs more skilled workers we are short labor and is offering training to help entry-level workers graduate to better and that’s putting jobs. (Valerie Mosley/Special to the Colorado Sun) a lot of pressure on our crews,” said J Gonzales, director of sales and distribution for Allweather Wood/Humboldt Redwood. “It’s kind of a cyclical thing, but since the pandemic, it seems to have gotten worse. It’s almost the norm now where we’re always looking for workers that want to get into the construction business.” The labor shortage, an issue before the pandemic, is among a number of contributing factors to the 200% and higher spike in lumber prices, industry watchers say. After a pause caused by the first COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, the construction industry was deemed essential, got back to work and faced an unexpected surge in demand for new houses and home renovations. The inability to provide enough lumber has increased the average price of a new single family home by more than $35,000, the National Association of Homebuilders said Wednesday. Back in April 2020, builders paid $16,927 for the lumber and manufactured lumber products used to build a single-family home. Now that cost is $48,136. Add in Shaye Bruyere moves treated lumber at Allweather Wood in Loveinterest and fees land on Wednesday. Allweather needs more skilled workers and is and NAHB calcuoffering training to help entry-level employees graduate to better lates that the lumjobs. (Valerie Mosley, Special to The Colorado Sun) ber price hike has added $35,872 to the cost of building a house in the past year. In a recent NAHB survey, 47% of singlefamily builders surveyed said they were including price escalation clauses in their sales contracts. “Rising prices are due to strong housing construction related demand (new single-family and remodeling), as well as factors that have limited the amount of sawmill production that has taken place, which include labor issues and broader supply-chain issues,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz in an email. “Costs are rising for almost all materials used in residential construction for similar reasons, although lumber is one of the more notable items.” Uncontrolled and existing issues collide Just as with most industries, restarting after COVID hit wasn’t easy. Sawmills had temporarily shut down, including Humboldt Redwood Sawmill, a sister company of Allweather Wood. The supply chain stuttered. Not all the workers felt safe returning to their jobs that were deemed essential. The lumber industry lost a few valuable weeks, said Sam Patti, vice president of California sales for Allweather Wood, which is headquartered in Washington state. “You don’t get that back,” said Patti, who is from Pueblo. “It’s like the airlines. A plane takes off and lands, you don’t get to sell that seat again. You’ve lost all this production and you’re trying to catch up, but you can’t because everything stopped getting harvested, stopped getting hauled. Mills didn’t take in raw material.” According to industry trade publication Random Lengths, lumber prices have increased 240% from a year ago. As of Friday, the overall average price of lumber was $1,188 per thousand board feet, compared with $349 a year ago. This is the price the mills pay. The price is usually much higher by the time it ends up with homebuilders or in a shopper’s cart at Home Depot, said Shawn Church, editor of Random Lengths. “The lockdowns hit and we had a five-week period of prices plunging just because everybody backed off,” Church said. That didn’t last. People stuck at home began renovation projects or, spurred by lowinterest rates, jumped into the housing market. Demand for single-family homes continues to push home prices higher. In Colorado, the median sales price in March jumped as much as 10.3% on the Eastern Plains and 23.3% on the Western Slope from a year ago. Building permits for new single-family homes were at 1.76 million in March, up 30.2%
from a year ago, according to the U.S. Census data. “This just ignited this huge demand for single-family housing. And we’re right back up there,” Church said. “Those are the levels we were at when we went into the Great Recession for the housing crisis.” As previously planned, new mills did open in the past year, mostly in the South, where production increased about 7% compared with 2019. The South is also expecting three to four more mills to come online in the next two years, according to Random Lengths. But that’s not happening in other key lumber producing regions, such as the Pacific Northwest, which was flat, and WestAllweather Wood in Loveland currently has about eight or ern Canada, down 4% as nine job openings and is offering training to help entry-level workers graduate to better jobs. (Valerie Mosley, Special to The pine-beetle devastation Colorado Sun) whittled away logs. “In 2020, the southern pine region was able to increase production by about 7% and this offset the decline in Western Canada (and) flattened production levels in the Pacific Northwest to give it about a 2% overall increase,” Church said. “But that 2% increase is just inadequate, really, to meet this level of demand.” Not just lumber Denver-based Tuff Shed had one of its best years ever last year as homeowners stayed home and ordered sheds for a backyard office, gym or just a good ol’ shed. Sales were up 30.8% “and this is not a new company,” said Phil Worth, vice president of marketing for the company, which turns 40 this year. But as lumber prices and other materials ratcheted up, the company initiated low single digit price increases twice in the past six months — something it typically does only once every two years. It also did away with discounts. It’s not just rising lumber prices, though. Other items like sheet goods used in siding and floor and roof decking are up 400% in the past 16 months. Prices for steel, used in Tuff Shed’s hardware, is up 160% since August, Worth said. A Tuff Shed pre-fab employee measures lumber at production facility in Richmond, Virginia. (Provided by Tuff Shed) “We probably have around 300 different (items) and in any given year, there’s going to be upwards pricing pressure or scarcity on a few of those,” he said. “What’s unique about this last year is that something like 90% … were getting upward pressure from pricing.” He laid out the demand “triple whammy:” Mills closed for several weeks, consumer demand increased exponentially, and the record-setting fire and hurricane seasons on the West Coast and Gulf created demand for new construction, not to mention one of the most destructive wildfires in Oregon’s history. “Not a lot of people talk about this, but while those fires were burning, they were not operating at capacity or at all out there,” he said. “It’s really been eye opening how many factors have been at play in the last year.” Prices expected to come down again Tuff Shed’s 2021 sales so far are well above expectations set at the start of the year. It had budgeted for 24% revenue growth in March, but sales grew 75%, making it “our highest single revenue month in our 40-year history,” Worth said. March 2020 sales were not great, he said, because of the shutdowns. He suspects the price of materials will come down again. Because they always do. “We haven’t really seen that yet, but it’s likely that we’re going to see some relief at some point,” he said. “I don’t think it’s sustainable to have prices this high.” Even companies like Home Depot, which had a record year in 2020, don’t want to be too optimistic about this year. The home-improvement retailer declined to offer a forecast for investors at its last earnings call in February. “As we look ahead to fiscal 2021, while we are not able to predict how consumer spending will evolve, if the demand environment during the back half of fiscal 2020 were to persist through fiscal 2021, it would imply flat to slightly positive comparable sales growth and operating margin of at least 14%,” Richard McPhail, executive vice president and CFO, said in a statement at the time. Industry watcher Church, at Random Lengths, also suspects homeowners will be less enthralled to tackle backyard projects or invest in additional improvements in their homes this year. He’s been covering the lumber industry for 30 years and “these runs do have an end and there is a correction.” Of course, he doesn’t know exactly when that will be. But he is forecasting a decline in lumber demand for home improvement this year. “Once you build a fence or build a deck or renovate your home, you’re done,” Church said. “There’s not much more need to do it again for another 20 years.” The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers Colorado people, places and issues. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com
Support Local Agriculture
May 5, 2021
Lost Creek Guide
Page 11
Concerns Over Teens And High Potency Marijuana Have No Easy Answers At Statehouse By Bente Birkeland, Colorado Public Radio The Arvada mother said by the time she called the police to escort her 16 year-old-son to the emergency room against his will, he’d already kicked 20 holes in the walls of their home. “There was nothing we could do. Like, it was completely game over,” said Cynthia. Cynthia said her son had always had a temper, but he had begun to frequently go from zero to 60 over the tiniest things. One of the lowest points was when he threw a rock at her, narrowly missing her head. That’s when she called 911. “All those who saw him come in (to the ER) thought that it was either meth or heroin or some sort of high dosHart Van Denburg/CPR NewsThe Rollup Dispensary on Washage of opioid,” she said. ington Street in Denver on Friday, April 9, 2021. The retailer But what doctors sells lotions, creams, and transdermal patches in CBD, CBN, THC found in her son’s sysform, as well as edibles, concentrates and flowers, tem was THC, the psyand manufactures shatter, wax and Co2 hash. choactive component of marijuana. He had been taking it in highly concentrated doses, up to 95 percent purity. From that point, Cynthia said their lives were “complete hell” as they waited for a spot to open in a rehab program. “It was all about confiscating dab pens, cartridges, wax canisters, concentrate canisters from him,” Cynthia said. She asked CPR to not use her last name in this story and declined to make her son available for an interview; she said she wants to protect his privacy and keep his recovery on track. These stronger forms of marijuana are extracted from the plant and consumed in a number of different forms, and they have become more popular and widespread since legalization. THC levels in products based on concentrate can be up to nine times higher than in marijuana flower, which typically has a range of about 10 to 30 percent THC. “These high-potency products haven’t really been addressed from a public health perspective,” said Dr. Sam Wang, a professor of pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Colorado. He helped author a state health department study on high potency marijuana which analyzed existing research and available data. Wang said recent Hart Van Denburg/CPR NewsHouse Speaker Alec Garnett on health surveys show Wednesday, Jan. 13, as the Colorado General Assembly opened that there aren’t more its 2021 session. young people using marijuana, but those who do, use it more frequently and are increasingly using methods — like dabbing and vape pens — associated with higher concentration products. Findings like that are leading to concern by Wang and others about the potential for lasting psychological damage to young users; although studies have not established a causal link between marijuana use and psychological impacts. “There’s moderate evidence that individuals who use marijuana with THC concentrations of greater 10 percent are more likely than non-users to be diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, including specifically schizophrenia,” said Wang. “THC toxification can also lead to acute psychotic symptoms and that’s worse at higher THC doses.” Agreement on the problem, but not on the solution Colorado already limits the amount of THC in marijuana edibles and some advocates would like to see that policy extended to all products. Dawn Reinfeld is the co-founder of Blue Rising Together, a group that’s been pushing for lawmakers to introduce a bill this session to cap THC at 15 percent. “As we look nationally to legalize marijuana, we feel like we have to tell the truth in Colorado about what has worked and what is not working.” There were short-lived discussions around the start of the legislative session about a THC cap. But such a hard limit doesn’t appear to be on the table this year, after the industry and others raised concerns about the lack of scientific data about what an appropriate upper limit might be. “I think using arbitrary numbers is difficult,” said Wang. “But at the same time, time is of essence. So I don›t think anyone wants to wait 10, 20 years to do long-term research to figure out what the right number is.” Another hurdle for crafting policy changes is that there’s little tracking of things like how often THC-consumption leads to hospitalization or other health conditions, making it harder to agree on the scope of the problem. According to figures from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, from January 2017 to June, 2020, Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety, the state’s poison control center, recorded 32 calls about exposure to concentrates in teens aged 13 to 20. Colorado isn’t alone in considering limits on marijuana potency. Four states have recently introduced bills to cap THC, but so far none gained traction. Currently Vermont is the only state with a limit in place. Washington state Rep. Lauren Davis, a Democrat, has unsuccessfully introduced a 10 percent THC cap twice in the last two years. But she said she did make some headway this session, getting her colleagues to include a half million dollars in the state budget to fund more research into high potency marijuana and come up with policy solutions.
“How do you thread the needle here?” Davis said. “Now that Pandora›s box has been opened, what do you do?” In Colorado, Democratic Speaker of the House Alec Garnett is working behind the scenes to craft regulatory changes that lawmakers might be willing to act on now. He estimates his central Denver district has more dispensaries than coffee shops. Garnett said Colorado needs to first recognize that teenagers are getting more access to high potency products than ever before. “Within five years, if we don’t do something about it, it’s going to be an issue that every single American knows about similar to the opioid epidemic.” He said a good first step would be to increase taxes on the Hart Van Denburg/CPR NewsJawaun McFly weighs out product most potent products, at the counter of the Rollup Dispensary on Washington Street in Denver on Friday, April 9, 2021. The retailer sells lotions, creams, providing money for research to better unand transdermal patches in CBD, CBN, THC form, as well as edibles, concentrates and flowers, and manufactures shatter, wax derstand the health and Co2 hash. impacts. In Colorado, recreational buyers have to be at least 21 years old. But Garnett is most worried about 18- to 21-year-olds with medical marijuana cards — who may be buying and reselling to younger teens. Garnett also wants to see a limit on how much product they can purchase. He hopes to set up a statewide tracking system to determine when people reach the daily legal limit for purchases. Some stores have internal tracking systems, but those are easy to avoid by buying from different dispensaries. “People shouldn’t be able to go and buy 40 grams a day of the highest potency products on the marketplace, because there’s no logical reason that you would actually need that,” he said. ‘I want people coming in who are of age’ Representatives of the marijuana industry say there’s broad agreement that they don’t want underage kids getting their products. But they argue that a cap would limit options for legitimate adult consumers without solving the problem of youth use. Peter Marcus is with Terrapin, a marijuana company based in Boulder with six dispensaries in Colorado. He said the industry is simply responding to market desires and what consumers are asking for. “These products, they didn’t come out of nowhere. These products were in demand. And for responsible adults, they should be able to make the decisions for themselves on which products they want to use,” he said. Marcus said a low THC cap for flower and concentrates would put the vast majority of Colorado’s marijuana industry out of business. “They don’t understand that it is literally impossible for us currently, nor would we want to, genetically modify our plants to reach some arbitrary number that the legislature pulls out of thin air.” Sherard Rogers owns the RollUp dispensary in Denver. He’s a father of three and splits his time between Florida and Colorado. He said the industry and his own business are shifting more to concentrates because they are popular with customers and their purity makes them beneficial for certain health conditions. “They’re a cleaner product. They don’t have the smell that a typical cannabis product would have. It’s cheaper, more dialed in,” he said. Rogers points out that marijuana is already heavily regulated in Colorado, with protections in place to try to keep it out of the hands of children. The state requires ID checks and video surveillance. “This is going to sound terrible... but aren’t parents supposed to have the best interest of their children and be the gatekeepers for their children?” Rogers said. “It’s not like we’re selling a cannabis product out the back door. I want people coming in who are of age and are using it for the right purposes.” Some in the marijuana industry said they would support the proposals Garnett is talking about, like expanded tracking, more funding for research, and even higher taxes on some products. Rogers, though, warns that raising taxes would especially hurt small business owners like himself, who already struggle to keep afloat. “You don’t have any tax deductible expenses on the store side because it is not federally legalized. If they want to have us go out of business, then continue to increase the taxes.” The state already levies an extra 15 percent sales tax on recreational marijuana, on top of the normal sales tax, and many local governments also charge additional sales tax. Any tax increase for concentrated products would need to be referred to the ballot and approved by voters this fall. The governor’s influence The industry has one very strong ally at the state capitol: Democratic Governor Jared Polis. He has been a staunch advocate for marijuana legalization since his days in Congress and is not expected to sign any legislation if the industry isn’t on board. “I take seriously the voter mandate; which is, ‘regulate marijuana like alcohol’,” Polis told CPR earlier this month. And that, he said, means Colorado should do more to prevent youth from gaining access to both substances. “It’s a real problem, it needs to be solved.” For Arvada mother Cynthia, whose son ended up in the hospital and then rehab, the right course isn’t clear. She voted to legalize marijuana, but never expected it to end up like this for her family. Her son recently started attending a recovery high school. She said when she picks him up they can smell marijuana in the air outside, and on their drive home, they pass at least ten dispensaries. “As a parent, it’s really difficult to know what I would like to see changed,” she said. “What I can tell you is I’m not so sure we should have a dispensary on every street corner in Colorado.” Yet with only six weeks left in the legislative session, those who feel an urgency around the situation may have to wait even longer for significant official action. Editor’s Note: This story was updated to reflect a source’s retroactive request for partial anonymity to more fully protect the identity of her son.
Page 12
Lost Creek Guide
2021 Rodeo Season Continues
By Madison Richmann Rodeo is a way of life for many in Colorado from young kids to pro rodeo contestants. The COVID - 19 pandemic put a slow on rodeo, as it did many other sports and events. Contestants from all over the country travel to Colorado as part of their rodeo circuit. Although the coronavirus has slowed the rodeo’s, there are still many events happening. Colorado State HighSchool Rodeo Association (CSHSRA) https://www.cshsra.org/
May 5, 2021
Alamosa, Colorado - August 27th and 28th The PRCA is scheduling events still for this year, and some now schedule could be postponed or cancelled with changing rules on the pandemic. Rockin K Family Rodeo https://www.rockinkfamilyrodeo.com/ All Events are held at the Keenesburg, Colorado Fairgrounds. May 29th and 30th June 26th and 27th July 17th and 18th July 31, August 1st wards Banquet - September 25th Rockin K Family rodeo, is run by the Geiger family, they are working hard to make sure that the family rodeos are very safe. Everyone of all ages can compete and have fun at this summer series. Family friendly, fun, and great people at the Rockin K Family Rodeos. Colorado Junior Rodeo (CJRA) https://www.coloradojrrodeo.com/ Gill, Colorado - April 17th and 18th Sterling, Colorado - May 22nd and 23rd Burlington, Colorado - June 5th and 6th Yuma, Colorado - June 12th and 13th Rocky Ford, Colorado - July 2nd and 3rd Elbert, Colorado - July 16th and 17th CJRA Finals in Lamar, Colorado - July 29th - August 1st The CJRA rodeos are up and going, and are running fairly normally. Contestants must be from ages 5-18 to compete. Although the COVID - 19 pandemic has slowed or stopped many rodeos, the organizations in Colorado are doing all they can do to keep the sport going for the contestants.
Eaton Rodeo - April 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Lamar Rodeo - April 23rd, 24th, and 25th Trap Shoot in Penrose - May 1st Grand Junction Rodeo - May 8th and 9th Greeley Rodeo - May 14th, 15th, and 16th Cutting and Cowhorse State Finals in Latigo - May 21st and 22nd Colorado State Finals - May 27th through the 31st National Junior High Finals in De Moine, Iowa. - June 20th through the 26th National High School Finals in Lincoln, Nebraska - July 18th through the 24th The top four in each event in both junior high and high school division will move onto the national event. The Colorado State Highschool Rodeo Association is taking all precautions to make sure that the contestants get the chance to rodeo this year despite the pandemic. The rodeo season is on full swing and will continue. President Monty Lammers, and the rest of the adult and student board members have worked very hard this year to guarantee the rodeo season will be as normal as possible. The CSHSRA is a rodeo association for junior highschool and highschool students from 6th grade to 12th. Eligibility is required just as any other highschool sport. Colorado Pro Rodeo Association (CPRA) https://www.coloradoprorodeo.com/ Cortez Colorado Rodeo - May 1st and 2nd Cripple Creek Colorado Rodeo - June 12th and 13th Buena Vista, Colorado Rodeo- June 12th and 13th Kiowa, Colorado - June 25th and 26th Walden, Colorado - June 26th and 27th Meeker, Colorado - July 2nd and 3rd Brush, Colorado - July 2nd through the 4th Fraser, Colorado - July 3rd Craig, Colorado - July 3rd and 4th Collbran, Colorado - July 3rd and 4th Deer Trail, Colorado - July 9th and 10th Fraser, Colorado - July 10th Fairplay, Colorado - July 16th and 17th Fraser, Colorado - July 17th Poncha Springs, Colorado - July 23rd and 24th Fraser, Colorado - July 24th Montrose, Colorado - July 31st Fraser, Colorado - July 31st Harley Ann Baas from Hudson, Wendy Hoefer from Fort Lupton, ColoFraser, Colorado - August 7th Colorado competes in all of the rado is a contestant at the CPRA rodeos, Keenesburg, Colorado - August 13th and 14th youth organizations in the area. and WPRA rodeos. When asked how the She is a freshman in highschool this pandemic has affected her rodeo season she Fraser, Colorado - August 14th year and is very glad that despite said, “Definitely has slowed it down and Rocky Ford, Colorado - August 20th and 21st the world pandemic, she can conmade me have to travel more.” Eads, Colorado - September 10th and 11th tinue with her love of rodeo. CPRA State Finals in Montrose, Colorado - October 1st through the 3rd Although there are many CPRA rodeos scheduled, due to restrictions and guidelines, the rodeos could still be cancelled or postponed to a later time. The CPRA is hopeful they will have a more filled and normal rodeo season than the 2020 season. CPRA is a rodeo association of open rodeos. Any age can enter and compete as long as their membership card is bought. National Little Britches (NLBRA) https://www.nlbra.com/ Las Animas, Colorado - May 1st and 2nd Grand Junction, Colorado - May 14th and 15th Burlington, Colorado - May 29th and 30th Kim, Colorado - June 4th and 5th Las Animas, Colorado - June 11th and 12th National Little Britches Finals in Gutherie, Oklahoma - July 3rd through the 11th For contestants to qualify for the national event they must place in the top 7 in their event, 5 times at the various rodeos throughout the season. The National Little Britches Rodeo Association is expecting a very normal season for 2021 and taking all precautions. Kids 5-19 can compete at the National Rylan Richmann, from Keenesburg, Colorado is a contestant of the NLBRA, Little Britches Rodeos in their specific division. Rockin K, and a future contestant of other organizations too. He says, “I am tired Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Women’s Professionof covid restrictions but am thankful that the rodeos have been continuing and I can see my friends.” al Rodeo Association (WPRA) https://www.wpra.com/index.php For more information on any of the rodeo associations visit their website listed above. https://www.prorodeo.com/ Elizabeth, Colorado - June 4th - Thank you to all of the rodeo associations who are doing their best to create a safe and normal rodeo atmosphere for all of the contestants. 6th Cortez, Colorado - June 10th,11th, and 12th Grover, Colorado - June 19th and 20th Rifle, Colorado - July 28th and 29th Craig, Colorado - August 5th Sterling, Colorado - August 5th and 6th
May 5, 2021
Page 13
Lost Creek Guide
Colorado got $119 million in early childhood funding from the second federal stimulus bill. Here’s where it’s going.
By Ann Schimke, Chalkbeat In the coming months, Colorado officials will send a new stream of federal money to the state’s child care providers and others working in early childhood. Those dollars — $119 million — come from a $10 billion early childhood allocation in the second federal stimulus package passed by Congress in December. Colorado early childhood leaders unveiled their plans for the money during an online town hall meeting April 8. In addition to helping the battered child care industry recover from the pandemic, they said the money is intended to help the state prepare for the launch of universal 4-year-old preschool in the fall of 2023. Four of the seven spending The state unveiled its plan for $119 million in early childhood strategies discussed, including stimulus funding on April. 8. FatCamera /Getty Images direct grants for child care providers, continue efforts that were begun with funds from the first federal coronavirus stimulus package. Three others, including innovation grants that focus on fixing difficult industry problems and efforts to mint thousands of new early childhood teachers, are new. Overall, state officials estimated that at least 60% percent of the $119 million will go directly to child care providers across the state. The rest will go toward regional early childhood councils, community colleges, prospective early childhood teachers, and early childhood mental health consultants, among others. “We’re really grateful to the federal government for stepping up … and especially carving out significant funding for early childhood,” said Scott Groginsky, an adviser to Gov. Jared Polis on early childhood issues. “There’s a lot of funding that we have to spend in a relatively short period of time,” he said. The money, which must be spent by September 2023, won’t be the last infusion of early childhood stimulus money for Colorado. A third federal package passed in March — the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan — includes $530 million for early childhood efforts that the state hasn’t yet allocated. Groginsky said the state plans to gather feedback from people in the field before parceling out that funding. The breakdown below details the state’s plans for spending the $119 million in early childhood stimulus funding. Child care subsidy rate increases — $36.4 million over two years This money will go to providers that care for children whose families qualify for government subsidies through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program. The funding will boost subsidy rates by 5%, plus give an additional boost to providers who care for infants and toddlers, and providers in counties where the cost of providing care is higher. Part of the $36 million will also pay providers for days when children are absent. About 44% of Colorado’s child care providers participate in the subsidy program. Sustainability grants for workforce support — $35 million over one year This round of sustainability grants will provide funding so child care providers can give employees hazard pay, cover benefits, or maintain employees’ hours. This money will be available to providers regardless of whether they participate in the child care subsidy program The state has not yet decided the maximum grant size, but providers who care for infants and toddlers or operate in child care deserts will be eligible for extra money. Last fall, the state used $9 million in federal coronavirus relief money to provide two waves of small sustainability grants to providers. Thousands of providers got grants of $1,000 to $3,750 during that time. Over the winter, the state used $35 million allocated during a special legislative session to award more than 4,000 relief grants to providers, with some getting as much as $34,000. CIRCLE grants — $16.8 million over one year This new grant program will be available to child care providers, community nonprofits, early childhood councils, and other groups. The grants, set to go out starting in September, are intended for projects that aim to solve early childhood problems that have worsened during the pandemic, such as child care affordability, the lack of infant and toddler care, or barriers to child care access for children with special needs. The state has not yet determined the size of these grants. Workforce expansion — $12 million over two years This pot of money is intended to bring 2,700 new certified child care and preschool educators into the field. It will provide free community college courses to prospective child care workers and free online classes for educators interested in becoming child care directors. It can also be used for scholarships, loan forgiveness, and bonuses. In part, the impetus for this spending is the 2023 launch of free universal preschool for Colorado 4-year-olds, which state officials expect will require at least 600 new teachers. Early childhood councils — $8 million over two years This money will be split among Colorado’s 34 councils, which support providers in different regions of the state. The funding is meant to support licensed home-based child care providers, increase the supply of infant and toddler care, and help providers serve children with special needs. The money will also help councils to collect real-time data about the availability of child care locally. Reducing parent copayments — $7 million over two years Starting July 1, this funding will reduce the parent fee charged to families participating in the state child care subsidy program. The parent fee will be limited to a maximum of 10% of a family’s gross income. A portion of this money will also fund a communication effort to ensure families eligible for subsidies know about the program. Early childhood mental health consultants — $4 million over two years This money will pay for the addition of mental health consultants who will work with child care providers and families to help children with challenging behavior or other issues related to mental health. The state already funds 49 early childhood mental health consultants across the state, but 15 of those are only temporarily funded with money from the first federal stimulus package. This latest infusion will allow the state to fund those 15 temporary positions for longer plus add three additional consultants.
Togetherness is at Root to Honoring Older Americans in Our Lives
With warmer weather on the horizon, there is no better month than May to celebrate Older Americans Month in ways that build community and reduce isolation and loneliness. The 2021 theme is “Communities of Strength,” encouraging older adults to reinforce their strengths, create by engaging in activities that promote learning, health, and personal enrichment and connect with others. One of the greatest strengths is in the talents older adults can use to better their community. One way is through volunteering, which offers ways to get involved and make a difference through services, resources and special initiatives for youth, those experiencing homelessness, health and other community causes. Family and friends can add to this experience by joining in on a project, supporting efforts and volunteering with an older family member or friend. The Administration for Community Living puts together a list of different activities to help communities stay safely connected with each other during Older Americans Month. This year, the list includes: Intergenerational Pen Pals Distanced outdoor event Decorate a public garden or community walking path Design a mosaic art project or mural NextFifty Initiative has funded programs with Grand Family Coalition (www.grandfamilycoalition.org), a nonprofit that provides programs and social activities that encourage an inner community of “grand” families. Through social events, support groups and opportunities, Grand Family Coalition helps provide support and understanding of grand families in need. Grand Family Coalition has a variety of programs to support grand families including emotional support and mental health programs. Their mission is to bring families together and connect with other families in similar situations. Intergenerational pen pals is a unique way to share stories and reduce feelings of isolation. Young adults may face significant struggles for the first time in their lives, and it can be beneficial for them to hear wisdom and encouragement from older adults. The varying perspectives bring about understanding and can bridge the generations. Another intergenerational activity can be videotaping conversations that include memories, insights and recounts of historical moments. As the CDC begins to ease COVID-19 restrictions and more people get vaccinated, outdoor gatherings can be the perfect way to catch up with the older adults in your life. One idea includes a spontaneous picnic or walk to share time, exercise and enjoy a local park, open space or trail. Organizing a game night, movie screening or musical event are just three examples of the ways to bring generations together. Painting rocks with designs and inspiring messages and placing them around the neighborhood during walks is a good way to remind people of what a community can accomplish together. Designing a mosaic art project such as a bird feeder or wind chime is another artistic way to get the community involved and have input from all generations. Another way to support and celebrate with older populations is to provide help with household chores, errands and yard work. A Little Help (www.alittlehelp.org) utilizes the Village Model to operate intergenerationally, and in the community to provide a helping hand to members who are older adults. Having older adults in proximity adds conversation and interaction while the workload is lightened. To learn more about NextFifty Initiative and their grants available to improve the lives of the older adult population, visit, https://www.next50initiative.org.
Park Hill Dental 100 S. Main Keenesburg www.ParkHillDental.com
Take ACTION For Your Tooth and Gum Health. Dr. Thomas Croghan has been serving Southeast Weld county with pride since 2005. We are a full-service general dental office where your dental needs are addressed in a welcoming, professional setting.
We look forward to meeting you and caring for your oral health!
Page 14
Painting Rock Plant Tags
Lost Creek Guide
from Burpee Seed Introduction Here’s a fun way to label your vegetable garden rows so there is no mistaking what seeds you planted! You can also paint the rocks to represent your favorite vegetables, just for fun, even if you are not growing the crop. What you need: • Various smooth stones of various sizes and shapes, the smoother the better. Think of what crop each could be as you select them. Acrylic paints in the colors you will need for the plants you want to represent. Make sure the paints are the type that can withstand outdoor conditions. • Paintbrushes, water, palette or jar lids to mix colors, and paper towels for working with the paints. • Sharpie to draw fine lines Instructions: Choose a stone and think of what vegetable or fruit or flower that you want to make it most resembles to you. A triangular shape could be a strawberry, a round shape could be a tomato or pumpkin, a long narrow shape could be a carrot, cucumber, or pepper. Paint the stone in the color of the crop you are marking. You may need more than one coat to get the shade you want, or you may need to mix colors. Wait for the paint to dry (about an hour). Add features in second colors after the paint has dried: whites for eyes and mouths, maybe green or yellow stripes for cucumbers or pumpkins, dots for strawberry seeds, green leaves on the top of fruit. After all the features have been added and the paint is dry, fine tune with a sharpie. Draw outlines of the eyes, add eyebrows and mouths, smiles (or frowns!), teeth, outline any leaves you have painted on top. Sign your work of art on the back! Mark your rows, or place anywhere in the garden you choose.
May 5, 2021
9 Things You Need to Know About Biden’s “Infrastructure” Spending Plan
COMMENTARY BY David Ditch, Research Associate, David is a budget and transportation associate in the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget at The Heritage Foundation. The plan relies on the word “infrastructure” to seem moderate and uncontroversial. Yet, less than 5% would go toward traditional road infrastructure projects. In addition to cutting in on local governments, the plan would also trample over areas that are (or ought to be) led by the private sector. Biden’s latest spending proposal demonstrates that he has an unshakable faith in the federal government to manage the economy and tinker with how Americans live. Fast on the heels of signing a bloated $1.9 trillion spending package, President Joe Biden has introduced yet another gigantic An Amtrak train pulls into the station in Portland on Thursday, October 8, 2020.Brianna Soukup / Portland Press spending plan. While the administration’s messaging Herald / Getty Images focuses on broadly popular themes such as “jobs” and “infrastructure,” the details of the plan show that it would be a destructive power grab for Washington. Here are just some of the problems with the new spending proposal: 1. Dishonest advertising: Less than 5% of spending goes to roads and bridges. Get exclusive insider information from Heritage experts delivered straight to your inbox each week. The plan relies on the word “infrastructure” to seem moderate and uncontroversial. Yet, of the $2.25 trillion in total spending, between $90 billion and $100 billion (or less than 5%) would go toward traditional road infrastructure projects. This is revealing, since roads and bridges are what most people think about when they hear “infrastructure.” Such a bait-and-switch promotional tactic is recycled from the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 package, which contained less than 10% health spending. Instead, that package was more concerned with bailouts for left-leaning groups such as labor unions and big state governments. The infrastructure spending in this plan has more in common with the controversial Green New Deal than the traditional highway bills that pass with strong bipartisan majorities. 2. $2.75 trillion tax hike would stunt post-pandemic economic recovery. The Biden plan would dramatically increase taxes on businesses, primarily by boosting the corporate income tax from 21% to 28%. This would be the biggest tax hike since Lyndon Johnson. When combined with current state-level business taxes, America would immediately be at a competitive disadvantage in the global economy with the highest tax rates on job creators among our major global competitors. Amazingly, even despite the massive tax increases, it would take 15 years of higher taxes to pay for just eight years of spending under the plan. Imposing this burden when the economy is in the process of recovering from the COVID-19 recession would be wildly counterproductive. Private sector investment is the main factor behind economic growth, and the tax hike would discourage investment from businesses large and small alike. In addition, the benefits of lower corporate tax rates mostly go to workers in the form of higher compensation. This was proven yet again with the success of the 2017 tax reform, which reduced corporate taxes and was followed by strong wage gains. Cont.on Page 16, See Biden’s Infrastructure Spending Plan
May 5, 2021
Page 15
Lost Creek Guide
SERVICE DIRECTORY Computer Support Repair, Service & Sales Reliable, Local, Professional
Roggen Telephone Company
303-849-5260
Thomas J Croghan DDS Family Dental Practice
Appointments: 303-377-8662 Appointments Available in Keenesburg and Denver
New Patients Welcome
Assistance for Roggen, Keenesburg, Prospect Valley, & Hudson Call to Request Assistance
303-732-4319
Self Storage
1401 County Road 153 Strasburg, CO 80136
Phone: (303) 622-4142
Managers: Garold & Geraldine Middlemist
Family Medical Care for All Ages
Keene Clinic
190 So. Main St., Keenesburg
303-732-4268
DOHERTY’S PLUMBING AND DRAIN Plumbing, Drain Cleaning, Water Heater Replacement Video sewer inspection Sewer & drain locating
COMPLETE HVAC SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE
303-859-9126
First Baptist Church, Keenesburg, Food Pantry
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry
Open Mon. - Fri. 8am - 5pm
Open every third Saturday 9 am to 12 pm 100 North Market Street, Keenesburg For emergency needs, please contact 720-480-6428 or email us at: http:// www.fbca.church
Donations are welcome to help us defeat hunger in our community
SERVICES Dave Haney Painting & Dry Wall Interior - Exterior Cabinets, Fence Staining Located in Platteville 720-217-2089 McCarthy Trucking Recycled asphalt, concrete Great for driveways & parking areas. Also sand & gravel. Reasonable Prices Call Kevin for free quote 303-901-5034 Longarm Quilter Edge to Edge Computer Automated Quilting Online Store aquiltersfriend.com Cheri Dobratz 303-532-9035
Creixer Farming Services Offering various custom farming services • Ground tillage/seedbed preparation • Planting with satellite technology • Wheat Harvesting Decades of experience. We do good work and we stand by it.
Please, call Craig at 970–467–1284
HELP WANTED
Local Colorado Information On Line Go to: www.ourtowncolorado.com
Being an independent insurance agency, we have relationships with dozens of insurance companies, allowing us to ind you coverage tailored to you and your company’s speciiic needs. Services: Auto, Home, Business, Workers Comp, Life, Farm, Disability, Annuities, Wills, Renters, Dwelling Fires, Condos
WIGGINS SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS NEEDED 4 hrs/day, $16.60 per hour + full benefits Signing Bonus Apply at www.wiggins50.k12.co.us 970-483-7762 X4206 EOE Out of work? Need additional income? Established 30 year company, not a scam Candy 970-768-0837 ctannehill412@gmail.com
Page 16
Lost Creek Guide
City of Brighton to Feature The Wall That Heals in September 2021
**UPDATE: The deadline for submissions for the “In Memory” display has been extended to July 31, 2021. For family members of Vietnam Veterans who’d like to submit an application for the ceremony in Washington D.C., the deadline is March 29, 2021.**
Spreading the healing legacy and the impact of the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica Wall, The Wall That Heals, and Mobile Education Center will be coming to Brighton Sept. 2 - 5, 2021. The Wall will be located at Carmichael Park, just behind City Hall (500 S. 4th Avenue), and will be open 24 hours a day and free to the public. The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces in the Vietnam War and bears the names of the 58,279 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. “I first learned of the program three years ago through a friend I served with at the V.A. Hospital,” Council Member Tim Watts said. “From that point, I knew I wanted Brighton to be able to see this replica of an important piece of history and sacrifice, right here in our community. I then reached out to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund while I was in Washington D.C. this past March to see how we could apply to be a part of the schedule. I am beyond thrilled that Brighton was chosen to be one of the stops for The Wall That Heals.” “The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is pleased to bring The Wall That Heals mobile exhibit to Brighton, Colorado to allow local veterans and their family members a chance to experience The Wall. We will work carefully with the host to provide a safe opportunity for the community to experience the healing and educational aspects of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of VVMF. “Hosting The Wall That Heals provides an opportunity to honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War and educate visitors on the continuing impact of the Vietnam War on America.” In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers will be required to wear masks. Visitors will be encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing to safeguard the staff, volunteers and other visitors. “Nothing is more important to VVMF than the health and well-being of our Vietnam veterans and their families. We will work closely with the host to make certain that all health and safety protocols are met in order to provide the best visitor experience while keeping the safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors at top of mind,” said Knotts. The Wall That Heals is transported from community to community in a 53-foot trailer. When parked, the trailer opens with exhibits built into its sides, allowing it to serve as a mobile Education Center telling the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the divisive era in American history. The three-quarter scale Wall replica is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors will experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of the design of The Wall in D.C. Visitors are able to do name rubbings of individual service member’s names on The Wall. The mobile Education Center exhibit includes: digital photo displays of “Hometown Heroes” - service members whose names are on The Wall that list their home of record within the area of a visit; digital photo displays of Vietnam veterans from the local area honored through VVMF’s In Memory program which honors veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later died as a result of their service; video displays that teach about the history and impact of The Wall; educational exhibits told through items representative of those left at The Wall in D.C.; a replica of the In Memory plaque; a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the Vietnam War. The exhibits tell the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the era surrounding the conflict, and are designed to put American experiences in Vietnam in a historical and cultural context. The 2021 national The Wall That Heals tour is generously sponsored by USAA. Through a partnership with the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), the trucking industry, and Blue Beacon, the exhibit is able to travel across the country. Since its debut in 1996, the exhibit has been on display in nearly 700 U.S. communities in addition to an April 1999 tour of the Four Provinces of Ireland and a visit to Canada in 2005. The Wall That Heals is a program of VVMF, the nonprofit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1982. The Wall That Heals is the only traveling exhibit affiliated with The Wall in Washington, D.C. and includes the largest Wall replica that travels the country. Two VVMF staff members lead volunteers on site, educate visitors and students, and ensure the reflective atmosphere of The Wall. More information can be found at: www.thewallthatheals.org. About VVMF: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is the nonprofit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) in Washington, D.C. in 1982. VVMF continues to lead the way in paying tribute to our nation’s Vietnam veterans and their families. VVMF’s mission is to honor and preserve the legacy of service in America and educate all generations about the impact of the Vietnam War and era through programs, ceremonies and education materials. To learn more about VVMF, visit www.vvmf.org or call 202-393-0090.
May 5, 2021
9 Things You Need to Know About Biden’s “Infrastructure” Spending Plan Cont. from Page 14 Republicans aren’t the only ones who oppose this. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va., voiced opposition to a 28% tax rate on Monday. While his preference is for a mix of business and individual tax hikes, he recognizes that a 28% federal business tax would be too much for the economy to bear. 3. Big spending won’t deliver promised job creation. While the Biden administration is claiming that the plan would create millions of jobs, infrastructure spending has a poor track record of increasing employment. Federally funded projects are slowed by red tape and often serve to divert skilled workers from private sector construction work. When coupled with a tax increase on businesses to pay for additional spending, the net effect would be destroying jobs rather than creating them. In addition, the economy is in the process of reopening in most of the country and unemployment is falling rapidly, meaning there is no rationale for “stimulus” projects. Finally, not all spending is equally valuable, and there would be little return on investment from provisions that are based more on politics rather than practicality, or from simple maintenance of existing infrastructure assets. 4. Federal takeover of local responsibilities. Much of the infrastructure spending in the Biden plan would go toward purely local projects. This includes $100 billion for school construction, $100 billion for water lines, $20 billion for pedestrian safety, and more. Each of these issues might be legitimate public concerns in some local communities. However, this does not justify federal intervention, and that intervention comes with many costs. First, it places more power and control in Washington despite long-standing federal dysfunction. This is unhealthy for our democracy, making federal elections even more bitter and winner-takes-all than they currently are. Second, it subsidizes local governments that may have shirked their core duties at the expense of areas that are governed responsibly. This would also incentivize local governments to slack on infrastructure and wait for future federal bailouts. Third, the plan would mean these local projects are subject to reams of cost-increasing federal regulations. Fourth, it would crowd out private sector solutions for these needs. This federal takeover would benefit federal politicians and bureaucrats at the expense of the public good. 5. Undercuts businesses by micromanaging economic development. In addition to cutting in on local governments, the plan would also trample over areas that are (or ought to be) led by the private sector. By spending hundreds of billions on normally private initiatives like research and development, broadband access, the electrical grid, and housing development, the plan would socialize these activities on a massive scale. Further, slow progress in many of these areas is more the result of burdensome regulations that stifle private investment rather than a lack of taxpayer-funded handouts. The Biden administration consistently views bigger government as the solution to problems, a mindset that often blinds it to non-spending alternatives. 6. $700 billion in corporate welfare and tax credits. While the stated top-line goal of the spending plan is “jobs,” an alternate way of describing it would be “some jobs are more equal than others.” The broad corporate tax hike would necessarily shrink the private sector relative to what it would otherwise be. In a classic “take with one hand, give with the other” maneuver, the spending plan would shower hundreds of billions of dollars on favored sectors, including “green” energy, politically selected manufacturing, and thinly disguised slush funds. Rather than learning from Obama administration failures like the Solyndra scandal, the Biden administration seems determined to repeat the same mistakes on a larger scale. 7. Over $400 billion in welfare and health spending. While there is an active debate regarding what infrastructure is appropriate for the federal government to fund, no reasonable definition of infrastructure includes expanding Medicaid benefits for long-term care or starting new social benefit programs. At a cost of $400 billion, the proposed Medicaid expansion is more than large enough to deserve separate evaluation rather than getting hidden behind construction projects. The same goes for provisions relating to child care, veterans’ hospitals, and public housing. Congress has an unhealthy habit of producing legislation that is too large for anyone to read and fully understand prior to votes. Biden, who spent decades in the Senate, should know better than to encourage this tendency by requesting such a wide-ranging and unfocused spending package. 8. Wasteful $165 billion handout for transit and Amtrak. The plan would spend nearly 50% more on trains and buses than on roads. This is despite the fact that transit agencies received far more money from COVID-19 legislation than they lost during the pandemic, despite transit and Amtrak already being heavily subsidized, despite telework changing the way we commute and travel, and despite transit and Amtrak being dwarfed by roads when it comes to what Americans use every day. More importantly, the latest attempt to coax people onto Amtrak and mass transit ignores fundamental facts about geography and density. America has one especially dense metro area (New York City) and one region where city-to-city rail is financially sustainable (the Boston to Washington Acela line). No amount of taxpayer dollars will make trains and subways practical nationwide the way they sometimes are in denser parts of the world. Amtrak’s plan to expand service focuses on areas with low demand, which will require heavy annual subsidies to operate. Meanwhile, current subsidies have already led to jaw-dropping compensation for urban transit workers, who are a political constituency for the left. Increasing the subsidies would increase the already excessive payouts. 9. $174 billion in subsidies for electric vehicles. Last but not least, the request for enormous subsidies for electric vehicle purchases and charging stations represents yet another way the plan plays favorites. Electric vehicle ownership is concentrated among the wealthy. Increasing the use of electric cars would have a negligible effect on total carbon emissions or cause a measurable change to global climate. The bottom line: Central planning and federal micromanaging doesn’t work. Biden’s latest spending proposal demonstrates that he has an unshakable faith in the federal government to manage the economy and tinker with how Americans live their lives. This is exactly the wrong direction for a nation as large and as diverse as ours. Congress should take a hard pass on the plan. This piece originally appeared in The Daily Signal.