VOLUME 36 | ISSUE 13
WEEK OF MARCH 28, 2024
Latino voice rise at Advocacy Day
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Commerce City approves controversial rezoning Outdoor storage planned for former pig farm
Policy Agenda, the group meets for two days to identify concerns and political priorities and, on the third day, brings them to state representatives, said Aura Bolanos Perea, strategic director of the Organization for Opportunity and Reproductive Justice for Latinas of Colorado. “This Latino Advocacy Day has been happening for 18 years. It’s crucial to be here, in the heart of Colorado, in Denver, at the Capitol, to advocate for the interests of our community and give it a voice,”
Two weeks after a resident spoke with passion against a proposal to rezone the site of a former pig farm to an industrial district, the Commerce City Council on March 18 allowed the rezoning to move forward. The council voted 5-3, with councilmember Oscar Madera absent. Voting in favor were Mayor Pro Tem Susan Noble and councilmembers Rocky Teter, Sean Ford, Craig Kim and Charles Dukes. Voting against the measure were Mayor Steve Douglas and councilmembers Kristi Douglas and Renèe Chacon. At the initial March 4 meeting, representatives from Greenwood Village-based civil engineering firm Galloway & Company Inc., which owns the land, gave a video presentation and worked to answer numerous questions from council about the proposal about outdoor storage and potential tenants on the site. One Commerce City resident, Jacqueline Valdez, spoke in opposition, citing fears of increased truck traffic and other effects for residents living nearby. During the March 18 review, councilmembers were each given an updated packet to look through. “At the prior hearing you heard our presentation, you saw our video, you took some testimony, and you asked several questions;
SEE VOICES, P8
SEE REZONING, P4
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BUSINESS
BY LONDON LYLE SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
House Majority Leader Monica Duran raises her hand as participants chant “Si se puede (Yes we can)” on the steps of the CapiROSSANA LONGO BETTER tol on Monday following the march that culminated the Latino/a Advocacy Day.
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LOCAL
Calls for environmental justice, tenant protections, healthcare at statehouse
BY ROSSANA LONGO BETTER ROSSANA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM 3 5 8 11
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With chants of “The people united will never be defeated!” hundreds marched toward the Colorado Capitol to commemorate Latino/a Advocacy Day, demand-
ing legislation that addresses environmental justice, tenant protections, access to healthcare and better education for their children. For Alex Sánchez, one of the organizers and president of Voices of the Mountains and Voices United Action Fund, it was an opportunity to fight for the rights of Latinos. “It’s important that we advocate for our rights and tell our legislators what we need to succeed in this country and this state,” he said. The annual event has been taking place since 2007 and over the years has involved over 5,000 participants. Armed with the Latino
BRIEFS: PAGE 2 | OBITUARIES: PAGE 4 | CLASSIFIEDS: PAGE 12 | LEGAL: PAGE 14
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GRASSROOTS TO THE PODIUM
City Councilor Susan Noble recounts her journey P5