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Week of January 5, 2023
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 127 | ISSUE 47
Study eyes rejection of church Elizabeth-based seminarian looks for research participants BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
worry about traffic. It’s already gotten overwhelming on Highway 86 around the Walmart,” said Barbara Tuffs, a resident of the Elizabeth area, in a phone interview from Dec. 26. “As much as I don’t like seeing the change, I can’t stop it. Elbert County needs to step up and fix the traffic.” In 2021, a transportation master plan was prepared for Elbert
Christianity is the predominant religion in Elbert County, with churches scattered across the area welcoming local residents each week. For many believers, church is seen as a safe space for praise and community. However, some who once felt welcome in the church no longer do. Elizabeth-based doctoral researcher Alena Lamirato is working to gain a better understanding as to why people leave the church as well as their current general feelings about the church. She also wants to know whether or not a person’s previous experience led them to feel negatively toward the church. Currently, Lamirato is a student at the United Lutheran Seminary working toward her Doctor of Ministry. For her research project, Lamirato is seeking interview participants. She is looking for anyone who has grown up in a Christian church and has left for any reason with no plan to ever return. For the purpose of this research, “church” is defined as any Christian community of two or more people who gather to engage in Bible study, to pray, or to take part in any other Jesus-based activity. Those who currently attend a house church or regular Bible study do not fit the parameters of the research. Lamirato’s goal is to collect the information of 100 individuals. Study participants will answer
SEE PROPOSAL, P4
SEE RESEARCH, P6
The site of the future Delbert Road extension in the area of the Independence subdivision.
PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON
Road plan is tied to growth Understanding master proposal for Elbert County BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Over the course of the past few years, Elbert County has seen steady commercial and residential growth. For the Town of Elizabeth and the western part of the county,
that growth will continue for the foreseeable future, bringing in new businesses and many more residents. Elbert County is currently in a transition from a rural, agricultural community to increasingly becoming a Denver metro suburb. One of the biggest concerns about this transition and the incoming development is the increasing traffic and wear and tear on the roads. “I’ve lived here for 20 years and I
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 7 | VOICES: PAGE 8 | LIFE: PAGE 10
CITY TO THE SLOPES Initiative aims to help city kids make tracks
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