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WEEK OF JULY 20, 2023
VOLUME 120 | ISSUE 29
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Health officials warn of West Nile virus
Sales tax for police gets reviewed Council to vote on putting 15 cents on $100 tax increase on ballot BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of those who are infected don’t feel sick, but about one in five people develop a fever and other symptoms. About one in 150 people become seriously ill and may die, according to the CDC. Thirty-six cases have been reported to the CDC so far this year, none of them yet in Colorado. However, based on past trends, health officials in the state believe cases will appear soon. Last year, Colorado reported 206 total cases and 20 deaths in 2022. Of those, Adams County had 23 cases and 5 deaths, said Adams County Environmental Health Division
Councilors signaled their support for letting voters decide on a 0.15% sales tax increase for the police department November. Police Chief Matt Domenico and Finance Director Catrina Asher offered councilors some updated details on the proposed ballot issue at their July 11 study session meeting. City Manager Michael Martinez said councilors should expect to see the formal approval at an upcoming regular meeting. “This isn’t so much a discussion like we’ve had before,” Martinez said. “This is more of a ‘Speak now or forever hold your peace’ kind of thing. We’ve been talking about this and we’ve heard the presentations. This is an opportunity to answer any last questions before we bring it to you in a business meeting to vote on.” If voters agree, the city would create a new tax 0.15% sales tax meant to generate about $2.25 million that would be dedicated to public safety for hiring new officers and support staff to respond to the growing needs of Brighton. If voters approve
SEE WEST NILE, P5
SEE TAX UPDATE, P3
Mosquitoes are coming out this summer as more people are experiencing bites.
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in various parts of the county. Adams County cautions gram From there, they identify mosquitoes that could carry the virus and that cass of the virus likely run tests on them. Ferah Jaura, manager of the program, said that monitoring mosin weeks ahead quitoes in this way is the county’s BY TEDDY JACOBSEN TJACOBSEN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Weeks of heavy rainfall followed by a string of hot days, has health officials in Adams County warning residents to be aware of mosquitoes. The weather has created perfect conditions for mosquitoes, some with the ability to transmit the potentially deadly West Nile virus. The Adams County Health Department runs a mosquito trapping pro-
primary tool for warning the public about health risks. So far, Jaura said the county has not tracked any mosquitoes carrying the virus. However, the virus has been found in mosquitoes in Arapahoe, Boulder, Delta, Larimer and Weld counties, according to recent tests in each county. West Nile is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States, according to
VOICES: PAGE 8 | OBITUARIES: PAGE 9 | LIFE: PAGE 10 | CLASSIFIEDS: PAGE 20 THEBRIGHTONSTANDARDBLADE.COM • A PUBLICATION OF COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
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