Headlines — February 24, 2022

Headlines Feb. 24, 2022

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Delays And Closures For COVID Testing Sites

The Arctic blast moving through Colorado continues to affect COVID testing site operations.

Health officials announced that state-managed and community testing sites will be on a delayed start or closed today, as has been the case for much of this week. 

Second Westminster Explosion Injures Residents

Westminster firefighters responded Wednesday to a report of an explosion at a town home complex. The resulting fire at the Stratus Town Homes near West 80th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard left three people with minor injuries. Police believe they have accounted for all human occupants. They reported five missing pets.

Just the day before, less than two miles away on the 7700 block of Knox Court, a separate explosion leveled a housed and killed one person. Firefighters say they do not know of any connections between the two explosions.

The Adams County coroner will release the deceased’s identity after notifying the family.

Boulder Plans Climate Tax Ballot Measure

The City of Boulder is planning a new climate tax for November’s ballot election. According to the Boulder Reporting Lab, the ballot measure would combine two existing taxes.

The current tax programs add surcharges to utility bills. Both taxes collect about $3.9 million a year for climate programs. The new ballot proposal would create a single Climate Tax on city utility bills.

If passed, Boulder hopes to use the tax to spend more on resilience and adaptation to climate change. This includes planting shady trees in the city, burying weather-threatened power lines and making water systems resistant to flooding.

Denver Judge Tosses Suit To Halt Construction On Unused Golf Course

Denver Judge Ross Buchanan of the 2nd District Court in Colorado dismissed a lawsuit against a plan to develop the dormant Park Hill golf course into a commercial and residential area. Save Open Space Denver sued Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and former Democratic lawmaker Penfield Tate.

According to The Denver Post, the ruling comes after Save Open Space Denver helped to pass Ordinance 301 in last November’s election. The measure said that any redevelopment plans for the dormant 150-acre property could not proceed without voter approval in a citywide election.

The lawsuit argued that because the land is subject to a city-owned conservation easement, city staff could not legally plan for future redevelopment.

In his ruling signed on Feb. 10, Judge Buchanan found the plaintiffs lacked standing to sue, in part because the city and Westside Investment Partners — the developer that bought the property in 2019 — did not request to lift the conservation easement.  

Debris Removal Program To Include Foundation Cleanup

Officials from Boulder County, Louisville and Superior announced Wednesday that fire-damaged foundations will now qualify for the Debris Removal Program. Foundation removal accounts for about 10 to 20 percent of overall cleanup costs. 

FEMA has not yet approved Colorado lawmakers’ requests to cover foundation removal in disaster funding. However, residents who opt-in for the debris removal program will automatically qualify to have both debris and foundations cleared. 

Boulder County will work with the state and the residents’ insurance companies to pay for cleanup efforts. Property owners taking part in the program will not accrue additional charges.

Former Douglas County School Superintendent Hired By Jeffco

JeffCo Public Schools have hired the former Douglas County School superintendent Corey Wise to serve out the rest of the year as one JeffCo’s team of community superintendents. 

A conservative majority of Douglas County’s school board voted to fire Wise, who had worked in Douglas County schools for over 20 years, earlier this month during a controversial public meeting. Four newly elected board school board members said Wise did not support their goals of creating district-wide change.