An edition of the Littleton Independent
WEEK OF JUNE 13, 2024
VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 28
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Group applauds law amending end-of-life medical aid BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
sheriff ’s office, public health and affordable housing. Specifically, the potential cuts could include up to $12 million less for the sheriff ’s office, impacting
Gov. Jared Polis has signed a bill that aims to make Colorado’s End-of-Life Options Act accessible to more people with terminal illnesses. Senate Bill 24-068 waives mandatory minimum waiting periods for patients likely to die within 48 hours of requesting medical aid to end their lives. Gina Gentry, campaign manager for Compassion and Choices, an advocacy group for the cause, called the passage of the bill a “huge success.” “The reduction of time between the first and second oral requests from 15 days to seven days is crucial for dying people who don’t have the time to wait to access the compassionate endof-life care option they are entitled to,” Gentry said. The bill amends the End-of-Life Options Act, passed in 2016. The act allows terminally ill individuals in
SEE BUDGET, P5
SEE LEGISLATURE, P24
Arapahoe County Commissioner Carrie Warren-Gully of District 1 delivers an opening welcome at the State of the County on June 6. PHOTO BY ISABEL GUZMAN
Arapahoe County sounds budget cuts alarm the various services the dents’ input on reducing or elimiA tax hike could help avert ebrated county government provides to nating some services. Budgets On the other hand, lead- across the country could be afcuts to essential services residents. ers said some of those services are fected, including public works, the BY ISABEL GUZMAN SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Arapahoe County’s annual State of the County address had two elements. On one hand, leaders cel-
imperiled. The reason: a budget shortfall, worsened, in part, by the drying-up American Rescue Plan Act funds that were issued amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Arapahoe County is seeking resi-
VOICES: 14 | LIFE: 16 | CALENDAR: 19
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