Government

Urban Renewal Authority races toward future, purchases Mile High Greyhound Park for redevelopment

Property will redefine commerce city for years to come

COMMERCE CITY, COLO. – The Commerce City Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today announced the purchase of the former Mile High Greyhound Park, a 65-acre site in the heart of Commerce City.

Clarence Puller

Last Friday afternoon, July 29th, after regular business hours, a City of Brighton employee reported she was the victim of a robbery at City Hall. The employee, Bernadette Haigh, reported cash and processed checks belonging to the City of Brighton, intended for bank deposit were taken.

The investigation by City of Brighton detectives determined the report was a hoax and Haigh took the deposits herself and gave them to an accomplice. At this time Brighton Police are searching for the accomplice, 48-year-old Clarence Puller (dob, March 3, 1964). Puller is on parole for drug related charges and currently has active warrants for his arrest. Anyone with information regarding Puller’s whereabouts is asked to call Detective Sergeant Frank Acosta at 303-655-2343 or 911.

Bernadette Haigh

Forty-one-year old Haigh, a city Utilities Department employee for seven years, is currently in the Adams County Detention Facility pending charges of Felony Theft, False Reporting and Conspiracy.

The City of Brighton is currently auditing receipts from the past week to insure all payments made to the city were properly credited to customers and residents.

If customers or residents have questions about a recent payment to the city they may call 303-655-2000.

Commerce City welcomes new Economic Development Specialist

JULIE JACOBY WILL FOCUS ON EXPANDING RETAIL WITHIN THE CITY

COMMERCE CITY – Julie Jacoby has joined Commerce City as an economic development specialist. In this role, she will be focusing on expanding and supporting retail development within the city.

Nomination petitions available on Aug. 2; Candidate info session is Aug. 6

COMMERCE CITY – Want to help build a Quality Community for a Lifetime? Consider running for one of Commerce City’s five elected positions this November. Commerce City voters will elect a Mayor, a council member for Ward II and Ward IV, as well as two individuals to represent the city at-large during the city’s coordinated election Nov. 1.

The Emergency Homeowners Loan Program, part of a $1 billion HUD-funded program, is designed to assist existing homeowners who have experienced a 15% or more decrease in household income from 2009 to current and are at least 90 days delinquent in mortgage payments. This program provides homeowners who meet the criteria the opportunity to remain in their homes in the event they are at risk of foreclosure.

The Brighton City Council last night approved rate increases for water and sewer services as recommended by city staff. The new rates, which go into effect with utility bills issued after Aug. 1, include an increase to both fixed rates and user rates for water and sewer as well as the addition of a storm drainage fee.

The Adams County Board of Commissioners recently awarded a contract to McKinstry, a Colorado Governor’s Energy Office pre-qualified Energy Services Company, to complete nearly $2.37 million in energy saving upgrades at the Adams County Detention Center. The upgrades will save the county over $208,000 annually in utility costs and reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by 2,156 metric tons/year.

Commerce City is seeking volunteers interested in serving on the Quality Community Initiative Stakeholder Committee. This group will be charged with looking at the list of suggested long-term improvement and new construction projects in the city as well as available funding and developing a recommendation for how the city should proceed.

A Team of 6 with one mission... ED!

Annually, the city of Commerce City sends a team to the ICSC RECon to provide the opportunity to meet with retailers, retail developers and brokers from across the country. The purpose is to promote retail opportunities throughout the city. This year a team of six city representatives attended the 2011 ICSC RECon in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 21-25. Click here for convention highlights...

Commerce City and Brighton Report Positive Sales Tax Revenue...

A Colorado Municipal League mid-year survey of municipalities reveals both Commerce City and Brighton had positive numbers to report. For the first four months of 2011 compared with the same period of 2010, Brighton listed a 7.41 percent increase in sales tax revenue while Commerce City reported a 27.5 percent increase. Both cities viewed the local economy as improving.

CITIES AND TOWNS REPORT AN INCREASE OF 6.5% IN SALES TAX REVENUES

A Colorado Municipal League mid-year survey of municipalities reveals 62 percent rate their economic picture as improving. The amount of improvement ranges from slight to strong but the local economies have turned a corner. 30 percent rated their economy as flat, while eight percent said the economic picture was getting worse.

Service Proposes to Expand Hunting Opportunitieson National Wildlife Refuges in Eight States

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a proposal to open Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota to deer and turkey hunting for the first time, while expanding hunting activities at nine other refuges in eight states. If approved, the proposal would provide additional public hunting opportunities in fulfillment of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997.

Join Commerce City councilman Jim Benson of Ward II for informal monthly meetings

COMMERCE CITY – Join Ward II Councilman Jim Benson at his monthly ward meeting on July 12, 2011 at Stellato’s Grocery and Deli. These evening meetings are a regular opportunity for Ward II constituents to interact with their councilman, ask questions and get updates on city activities.

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

The city of Brighton will test the outdoor warning sirens at approximately 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6. The sirens will sound for approximately five minutes.

Current work impacts Highway 85 traffic

COMMERCE CITY – Efforts to widen 104th Avenue to the east and west of Highway 85 are under way and local and state officials convened at the intersection this morning to recognize the final phase of 104th Avenue improvements. Current work is focused near the Highway 85 intersection while subsequent work to start later this year or early next year will focus on the section of roadway just east of the intersection.

Commissioner Erik Hansen

Adams County Commissioner Erik Hansen was awarded a Gates Foundation Fellowship to attend Harvard University’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program. This program is designed to strengthen public officials’ abilities to exercise effective leadership in rapidly changing political and social environments. The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and the Gates Family Foundation have partnered since 1980, each year sending up to five individuals to participate in the program.

James Hayes

Begins duties with commerce city on July 11

COMMERCE CITY – City Manager Jerry Flannery announced the selection of James A. Hayes as the city’s new director of community development. In this role, Hayes will manage a $3.5 million budget and 40 employees within four divisions: building safety, planning, code enforcement and affordable housing.

Commerce City will receive $312,000 from Adams County Open Space; $261,668 city match to make greatly needed improvements to Fairfax Park. The funds will be used to make improvements to Fairfax Park irrigation system and a new maintenance building.

Commerce City Council Vote Count Breakdown of Tony Johnson's Vacant At-Large Seat

The vacant council seat in Commerce City was created when former at-large councilman Tony Johnson resigned for personal reasons. The city asked the public for candidates to replace Johnson and 21 citizens applied. Out of the 21 who applied, 16 citizens went through the interview process which involved a set of council agreed questions. The council was then asked by secret ballot to to make their first, second and third selections. The results of that council vote count were as follows:

COMMERCE CITY – The city council of Commerce City sworn in Paolo Diaz to fill the vacant at-large seat on the council. Diaz’s appointment puts the council back at nine members. The vacant seat was created when former at-large councilman Tony Johnson resigned for personal reasons.

Commerce City At-Large finalist include...

The finalist for the Commerce City At-Large vacancy council seat are Joe Sandoval, Paolo Diaz, and Dr. Kristine Sumner...

Attorney General announces settlement with Office Depot to resolve allegations of overbilling government, nonprofit entities

Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today that his office has reached an agreement with Office Depot to offer a refund to roughly 115 Colorado governmental agencies and nonprofits in connection with the sale of office supplies between January 2006 and March 2009.

At Commerce City Council's request, interviews to fill the City Council vacancy created by the resignation of Tony Johnson have been scheduled for June 6th. Candidates to fill this unexpired term are to have submitted a letter of interest by 5:00 p.m. on June 3rd to be eligible for an interview. Council has agreed to conduct 10 minute interviews with each eligible candidate. Letters of interest from interested persons are not being included in the City Council packet. A list of those who have submitted a letter of interest, and who will be interviewed, will be available on June 6th.

Join Commerce City Councilman Jim Benson of Ward II for informal monthly meetings

COMMERCE CITY, COLO. – Join Ward II Councilman Jim Benson at his monthly ward meeting on June 14, 2011 at Stellato’s Grocery and Deli. These meetings are a regular opportunity for Ward II constituents to interact with their councilman, ask questions and get updates on city activities.

three entries receive “best of” trophies for celebrating theme

COMMERCE CITY, COLO. – More than 10,000 people lined the streets of Commerce City to remember the sacrifice of Colorado’s military veterans during the 47th annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday. A family of four generations served as grand marshals while Frank Nakagawa, one of the parade founders, was honored in a special ceremony prior to the event by the Commerce City Historical Society.

Three months ago, we promised the citizens of Adams County reform. Our seven-point plan is our promise that real change is coming.

Making good on a promise made three months ago, the Adams County Board of Commissioners today adopted a seven-point reform plan. The plan restructures how the county does business and puts new ethics reforms in place.

The Adams County commissioners plan to introduce a seven-point package of reforms at their regular meeting this morning. The meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at the Adams County Government Center, 4430 S. Adams County Parkway in Brighton.

Dijoun Quinn

Commerce City Council requested a proclamation honoring 18-year old Dijoun Quinn, who was a victim of a senseless act of violence while walking to the convenience store March 27, 2011. The proclamation also encourages community members to come forward with any information that can help the Commerce City Police Department solve this case and bring closure to the family. Read the proclamation Click here...

Letters of Intent Sought for Commerce City Council Vacancy

Tony Johnson

Letters should be submitted by 5 p.m. June 3...

COMMERCE CITY – Last night’s resignation of Commerce City Councilman Tony Johnson creates an At-Large vacancy on city council. In an emotional statement, Councilman Johnson thanked the community and his family for allowing him to serve the last eight years. The resignation is a result of the councilman’s recent move to a retirement community outside of the city limits.

Denver – The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is holding a series of public meetings to answer questions and solicit public comments concerning the proposed service changes for August 2011. Staff members will be on hand to explain the proposed changes and to answer questions. Feedback from the hearings will be summarized and reported to the RTD Board of Directors at the regularly scheduled monthly June Board meeting, when final approval will be requested. Service changes are made three times per year to improve the overall quality and efficiency of the RTD system.

Quality of Life, satisfaction with city on rise

COMMERCE CITY – Mark Twain said, “The public is the only critic whose opinion is worth anything at all.” Tonight, Commerce City released the results of its 2011 Citizens Survey, which provides quantitative data on resident perceptions and opinions on a number of aspects related to quality of life, community character, city services, and communication preferences. Overall, 55 percent of those who responded rated their quality of life within Commerce City as good or very good.

As part of implementing the Commerce City Economic Development Strategic Plan, Economic Development is soliciting interest from Commerce City residents and businesses to serve on the Commerce City Economic Development Citizen Advisory Committee (ED-CAC) and the Commerce City Economic Development Business Advisory Committee (ED-BAC).

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) and the North Metro Corridor Team are proud to announce the completion of the North Metro Corridor Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) signed the Record of Decision (ROD Click Here) on April 22, 2011 marking the end of more than four years of in-depth project development, evaluation, refinement and extensive community outreach by RTD, which began in September 2006.

RTD TO EVALUATE POSSIBLE VOTE IN 2012

Denver, April 26, 2011 – The RTD Board of Directors decided at a Special Board Meeting tonight not to ask residents of the eight-county district for a FasTracks sales tax increase in 2011. Over the past several months, RTD has evaluated and reviewed significant information, including economic indicators and input from regional stakeholders and the general public. Before tonight’s decision, the Board received a presentation of additional research from two outside economic experts and RTD staff before the staff provided its recommendation to move ahead with the current FasTracks Financial Plan, which assumes a 2012 sales tax increase of .4 percent to complete FasTracks by 2020.

Initial 2011 citizen survey results cite optimism, opportunities

COMMERCE CITY – With 55 percent of residents rating their quality of life in Commerce City as good or very good, Mayor Paul Natale noted the state of the city is strong during his fourth and final State of the City address. More than 120 community leaders, business owners, non-profits, government partners and employees attended this morning’s annual event held at the Commerce City Civic Center.

Mayor to speak about where Commerce City has been, and where it’s headed.

Once a year, it’s nice to reflect about the past 12 months and prognosticate about the coming year. What have been the successes? The failures? What needs to be done? And what can be done better?

OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE INVESTMENT ALONG FRONT RANGE

COMMERCE CITY – Twelve representatives from metro area municipalities - including Commerce City - are making the case directly to Chinese mayors and economic officials for a Front Range U.S.-China Cooperation Zone. Officials are in Seattle this week for the National League of Cities Leadership Academy on Local Economic Competitiveness in a Global Era, which provides local governments’ direct access to more than 90 Chinese officials interested in U.S. business opportunities.

PUBLIC INVITED TO PROVIDE INPUT INTO THE PLANNING PROCESS

COMMERCE CITY – Commerce City residents are invited to attend an open house that will help create a city bicycle and pedestrian master plan. Residents will be asked for their feedback on destinations they would like to walk or bike to as well as their current experiences (both positive and negative) biking and walking throughout the city.

In celebration of Arbor Day and the city of Brighton’s 25th year being designated as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation, the city will host several events.

My friends, thank you for the support you've given me recently when questions about me were raised in the press. I truly appreciate it. Every citizen has a right to inquire into my actions and those of all elected officials. And, in turn, every elected official has a duty to explain his or her actions when called upon. You are entitled to answers to the honest questions the press recently raised about me.

more than 400 children and families affected

COMMERCE CITY – Think the potential federal government shutdown doesn’t have a local impact? Tell that to more than 400 children and their families who planned to attend Commerce City’s fourth annual Fishing Frenzy Saturday morning at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.

INTERESTED Residents should contact the city clerk’s office

COMMERCE CITY – Commerce City is seeking three individuals to serve as alternate board members on the Liquor Licensing Authority. Interested residents must live in the city, be at least 21 years of age and have no financial interest in the operation of a liquor-licensed establishment.

The South Adams Water District created a mobile demonstration model of your separate irrigation system - from the curb to your irrigation clock. This demo model is on wheels, district employees will be taking it to various locations throughout the District beginning April 7th. This first Clinic will be held at the Reunion Recreation Center located at 17910 East Parkside Drive North (demo will be in the parking area in front of the Center) from 4:00-6:00pm. District personnel will show you every feature and function of your system.

DENVER CITY COUNCIL MOURNS LOSS OF COUNCILWOMAN CARLA MADISON

Denver City Council lost one of their most vibrant members as District 8 Councilwoman Carla Madison lost her battle with cancer late Tuesday. Madison was elected in June 2007 and known for her bold style and outlook on life. She was passionate about neighborhoods and strengthening the community spirit of her East-Denver district. An ardent environmentalist, Carla was often seen riding around town on her cruiser bike or jetting to Council meetings on her orange scooter, sporting a colorful hat and a warm smile.

The Adams County Board of Commissioners plans to address the rapid growth projected for the county through a series of policy changes and shared visioning with stakeholders countywide. From 2000-2010, Adams County had the second highest growth rate in the Denver metropolitan area and was the 10th fastest growing county out of 64 counties in the state of Colorado.

Come see your State House of Representatives up close

Visit the Colorado House of Representatives in a unique, personal, and casual atmosphere. Visit with your local lawmakers in their offices, sit inside the House Chambers and get a complete behind the scenes look at your state government at work.

National Distracted Driver Awareness Month

There are 4,000 to 8,000 distracted driving crashes in the United States every day!

In an effort to support National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) are teaming up to raise awareness about the issue of distracted driving. For the last two years distracted driving has been the leading cause of injury crashes investigated by the Colorado State Patrol. In 2009, distracted drivers killed nearly 5,500 people across the nation.