Week of September 1, 2022
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An edition of the Littleton Independent A publication of
VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 41
City moves forward with adding lodging tax ballot question Percentage to be decided BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Centennial residents will likely see a question on the November ballot to add a city lodging tax, though it is unclear what the proposed tax percentage will be.
On Aug. 15, the Centennial City Council voted 8-1 to approve an intergovernmental agreement with Arapahoe County for participation in the Nov. 8 coordinated election. Councilmember Don Sheehan was the lone vote against the measure. “Your approval of this IGA [intergovernmental agreement] does effectively commit the city to participating in the election,” said
Assistant City Manager Eric Eddy. Although the city committed to participating in the election, the specific language for the ballot question has not been approved. The council is expected to discuss the issue further on Sept. 6. If the council does not approve the measure, the city would be liable for some costs, according to the staff report.
What to do with the ‘oldest working thing’ in Denver? Group looks to protect ditch BY ROBERT TANN RTANN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The City of Denver has seen many incarnations, each carrying over into its next. From mining town to bustling urban center of the high plains, the metropolitan area has transformed in its roughly 160 years as a city, with an expanding web of suburban communities creating a mosaic of character. But as the breakneck pace of growth continues to manifest in new businesses, towering buildings and expanding tourism, the instrument responsible for Denver’s present day-successes goes largely unnoticed. The City Ditch, an irrigation waterway that begins in what is now present-day Chatfield Reservoir, is by some historians’ accounts the “oldest working thing” in the modern metro area. Originally running 26 miles towards the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek tributary, near what is now Capital Hill, the ditch weaves throughout several
The estimated cost for the city to participate in the coordinated election is about $136,492, according to the staff report. “It is money paid to Arapahoe County for our participation in the election, whether or not the ballot question passes,” Eddy said, explaining the estimated cost is SEE BALLOT, P10
Rep. Crow discusses Inflation Reduction Act, other issues Hosts special town hall BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
An open section of the 160-year-old City Ditch in Littleton. A plan from the City of Englewood would see sections of the ditch in both Littleton and Englewood covered.
SEE DITCH, P8
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
PHOTO BY ROBERT TANN
The recently passed climate change, tax and health care bill, gun reform, national security and the need for respect in politics were among the topics discussed during an Aug. 22 town hall with Rep. Jason Crow, a Democrat in Colorado’s 6th Congressional District. Crow spoke to about 165 people at Koelbel Library in Centennial. It provided an opportunity for him to hear resident feedback before he heads back to Washington D.C. for the final legislative push, he said. “I love these very much. I get as much out of these as I hope you’re gonna get out of it today,” Crow said. “But I’m really excited for this one in particular because this has been a slog of a Congress, SEE ISSUES, P4
SECOND HAND LOVE
Finding prizes at unique thrift shops P14