Serving the community since 1903
WEEK OF DECEMBER 5, 2024
VOLUME 121 | ISSUE 49
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Twenty years of Operation Freebird
Thousands line up at annual giveaway hosted by Adams County Sheriff, Food Bank of the Rockies
Twenty projects in Adams County awarded upgrades BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The Adams County Board of Commissioners awarded 21 projects over $12 million in open space grants, according to a news release on November 19. The funding came from the voter-approved Open Space Sales Tax for the fall of 2024. It includes revenues from the first half of the 2024 Adams County Open Space Sales Tax, passed by Adams County voters in 1999 and in perpetuity in 2020, according to officials. The Open Space Sales Tax was on the ballot for residents to vote on to add an Open Space Advisory Board. The board recommends funding open space projects to the Adams County Board of Commissioners. The grants are awarded from 68% of the tax proceeds twice a year. The grant cities and towns that received grants for the fall 2024 grant cycle are as follows for project improvement according to officials: Brighton Bromley-Hishinuma Farm Site: $16,000
The plan is to revitalize the historic BromleyHishinuma Farm by upgrading and beautifying the site to expand for community events. The city plans to partner with 27J School District 27J to purchase 30 trees from a local nursery. In addition, Brighton High School has an annual senior tree-planting day, so the funding will upgrade an irrigation retrofit system for watering and garden hand tools for tree planting. City staff will teach students how to plant trees. Brantner Gulch at Riverdale Regional Park: $2.8 million
Volunteer Gary Ambrose of Thornton shows what’s in the box of food donated to people at the 2024 Operation Freebird — cans of vegPHOTO BY SCOTT TAYLOR etables, pureed pumpkin and packets of seasoning. BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Pat Perez of north Denver was the first person in a line that ended in the Mountain States Toyota parking lot, but wound down 70th Avenue and around Broadway by the time Adams County’s Operation Freebird opened at 10 a.m. Nov. 23. But to get that spot, he had to get there at 5:30 a.m. It was totally worth it, Perez said.
“This is a wonderful thing that they do,” Perez said. “It’s a beautiful thing and a lot of people really need it. You can tell because there are so many here.” It was the 20th year for the annual Thanksgiving giveaway hosted by the Adams County Sheriff ’s Department and the Food Bank of the Rockies. Thousands came to get a certificate for a free turkey, fresh vegetables and cans of food — all the things a family would
need to make a Thanksgiving meal. No profits or income are generated by this event. The sheriff ’s office, the Adams County Sheriff ’s Foundation and more than 40 local non-profit agencies and other community partners also help provide a range of services to the needy in the North Metropolitan area. Those attending could receive free health screenings, dental screenings, vaccinations, mental
VOICES: PAGE 8 | CULTURE: PAGE 10 | BRIEFS: PAGE 12
health services, and information from various other Adams County programs for employment assistance, childcare programs, and more. County services also include help for job seekers, and housing support among other things. Food Bank of the Rockies representative Joanna Wise said group had enough food to provide Thanksgiving meals to 1,000 households. Last year, they provided meals for 800 families.
In partnership with the Mile High Flood District, Adams County will construct Brantner Gutch to mitigate flooding and erosion issues due to its capacity within Riverdale Regional Park and improve stormwater quality. The newly built gulch will prevent flooding from destroying property and the safety of people in the area. It will also improve stormwater quality. The county plans to create more natural spaces to beautify the park. This grant application seeks funding to construct the Brantner Gulch section within Riverdale Regional Park. City of Thornton Grange Hall Creek Trail: $2.5 million
To enhance flood resilience, the Grange Hall Creek Trail will be extended with new underpasses, trail crossings, and waterway upgrades. The trail connects underserved neighborhoods, so outdoor recreation upgrades are essential for its community, according to officials. SEE UPGRADES, P4
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