RESIDENT / OCCUPANT PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID LYONS, CO PERMIT No 2053
Redstone Review stands behind the United States Constitution VOLUME 27, NUMBER 4
LYONS, COLOR ADO
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JUNE 19 / JULY 16, 2026
The new wildlife-themed mural, created by artists Katie Candee and Malena Hirschfeld with contributions from every Lyons Elementary School class, was unveiled in the school gymnasium at the end of the school year. Read the full story on page eight.
B •R •I •E •F •S The 3rd Quarter Art Show
LYONS – The all new, Tandem Art Show, Imaginations: Connective Tissue, features artwork by Patricia Appelfeller and Cathy Rivers. Their art will be displayed at the Lyons Regional Library through October 14. Patricia Appelfeller and Cathy Rivers have been friends for many years; both love working with paper, paint, and mixed media. They will have a few collaborative pieces (with a nature theme), as well as individual works. Continue Briefs on Page 6
issuu.com/sdcmc Like us on Facebook I •N •D •E •X LYONS 2 MAYOR’S CORNER 3 OPTIONS 4 CONTRAST 5 LOOKING UP 6 INSIGHT 7 SET EXAMPLES 8 EXPLORE NEW IDEAS 9 WHAT’S COOKIN’ 10 VOICES ARE HEARD 11 COMMON CAUSE 12
A busy night at the Lyons Town Board meeting: parades, grants, and a property dispute By Kay Sparks Redstone Review LYONS – Two workshops preceded the June 15 Lyons Board of Trustees meeting: the Stantec Area-Wide Plan for the town hall area and Wildfire Mitigation Strategies. Mayor Mark Browning read a proclamation declaring June 15 as Lyons Lions Day in recognition of the Lyons Lions Club’s 80 years of service and its significant contributions to the community. Sargeant Sharon McKim reported that no graffiti incidents have been recorded in Lyons for several months. Town Administrator Victoria Simonsen reported that staff is assisting with planning events to recognize Colorado’s 150th anniversary and the United States’ 250th anniversary. Staff is proposing a community-focused “Wheels of Lyons Parade” on Saturday, August 1, 2026 (Colorado Day), centered at Bohn Park. Community members will be invited to participate on bicycles, golf carts, strollers, scooters, and other wheeled vehicles. Participants will be encouraged to wear red, blue, and yellow, the colors of the Colorado flag. Current plans include a 10:00 a.m. parade followed by lemonade and popsicles. In response to a request from the Lyons Creative District (LCD) for town representation on its board, trustees directed that Community Relations Director Kim Mitchell serve in an ex officio role. The Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment (CDPHE) issued a No Further Action determination for groundwater monitoring related to the Apple Valley tanker release that occurred after an accident along U.S. Highway 36 and Apple Valley Road in April 2021. The board approved staff’s application for a Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Power Ahead Colorado grant. The no-match grant would provide up to $100,000 in technical assistance for businesses and homeowners pursuing energy-efficiency improvements such as heat pumps, electrification projects, and building envelope upgrades. Discussion of the Stantec area-wide plan and procedures for citizen agenda requests was continued to the July 6 meeting. Discussion of wildfire mitigation strategies was continued to the July 20 meeting. On second reading, the board unanimously approved Ordinance 1220 amending the town’s minor subdivision provisions. The board unanimously advanced the following ordinances to second reading: • Ordinance 1221, revising board and commission appointment procedures within Article 8, as amended. • Ordinance 1222, amending Chapter 6 regarding short-term rentals, scheduled for June 29. • Ordinance 1223, adding an exception to the International Building Code related to grading permits, scheduled for June 29. After Resolution 2026–35, awarding a construction agreement for pavement treatment
projects, was removed from the Consent Agenda, the remaining items were unanimously approved. Following discussion regarding whether the project should be funded through the capital or operations budget, Resolution 2026-35 passed on a 6-1 vote. The board unanimously approved Resolution 2026-37 opposing Boulder County’s proposed Alternating Trail Use Pilot Project. The resolution was requested by the Economic Vitality Commission. Mayor Browning reappointed Chris Meline to the Utilities and Engineering Board, Bill VanLeeuwen and Connie Eyster to the Board of Adjustments, and Barney Dreistadt to the Planning and Community Development Commission. New appointments will be made at the June 29 special meeting. Following executive session, the board reconvened to consider Ordinance 1219, which would have approved a quitclaim deed from the Town of Lyons to Ken and Lonna Cinnamon for a portion of 0 Stickney Street. After public comment, the board unanimously rejected the ordinance, citing the potential for further negotiations or mediation that could result in a mutually agreeable outcome. The board also unanimously rejected Resolution 2026–27, which would have approved a settlement agreement with Ken and Lonna Cinnamon along the public right-of-way at 0 Stickney Street and a utility access easement. Kay Sparks lives in Lyons, and she is the chair of the Housing and Human Services Commission.