FORT LUPTON PRESS S E RV I N G T H E C O M M U N I T Y S I N C E 19 0 6
VOLUME 32
75cI
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 24, 2022
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 , 2020
VOLUME 117
THE SEASON FOR SHARING
ISSUE 47
Fort Lupton retirement contributions to increase
ISSUE 48
BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A fox ventures through the snow on Conifer’s Shadow Mountain.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBBIE FORD
Early-season snow off to good start in high country Too soon to get excited, but snowpack is 140% of average
Fort Lupton City Council approved an increase in contributions to the city’s 401a money purchase retirement plan during a Nov. 15 regular meeting. Councilors voted 5-1 to increase employer and employee contributions to 4.5 percent in 2023. Council already approved an increase to 10.2 percent for employees and employers on the sworn police officer retirement savings plan. Councilwoman Valerie Blackston cast the lone “no” vote Nov. 15. She preferred an increase in money from the city but not the workers. In a Nov. 8 town hall meeting, she cited the new employee contribution and the potential impact of a pending cost-ofliving adjustment for city workers. The cost to the city is almost $38,000 next year. Staff notes said the actual figure depends on headcounts and payroll. “The employees will pay an identical cost,” the notes said. “However, it will be a pre-tax contribution, so the net effect will be less because it reduces an employee’s taxable income.”
so far this year, Lukas said. The of the median from 1991 to 2020, season-ending snowpack across and 142% in the Colorado River those 12 years, however, runs the headwaters area specifically, acHiring and keeping police officers cording to SNOTEL data compiled gamut, from a handful of average years to a very good 1995 and a Council also approved staff referby the Natural Resources Conserral bonuses for sworn police officer vation Service. The averages were dismal 2012. Nevertheless, it’s better to have candidates. Staff notes said improvslightly higher elsewhere on the snow on the ground than not, he ing the bonus … will lead to more Western Slope. BY CHRIS OUTCALT said. referrals. Fort Lupton officers are Still, there’s a long way to go. THE COLORADO SUN “Every little bit helps. Just working 12-hour shifts instead of Typically, on Nov. 9, Colorado is like a field goal early in the first four, 10-hour days. about 8% of the way to achievSnowpack on the Western Slope quarter,” he wrote. “But it needs “It’s a common practice to let eming statewide median snowpack, is off to a good start, but experts to be followed up with a lot more ployees recruit,” Fort Lupton Police caution it’s difficult to draw many Lukas said. Right now, the state scoring.” Chief John Fryar told councilors. is about 12% of the way there, he meaningful conclusions from Given the challenges facing the “The bonus program is structured snow-covered, high-country peaks said. But, Lukas cautioned that Colorado River, water managers to pay the incentive upon hiring and there’s very little correlation bethis early in the season. across the region will be watching the end of the performance review tween mountain precipitation in “It’s kind of like leading a footthe snowpack especially closely period, generally one year.” October and early November and ball game by a field goal halfway Every year before Thanksgiving, First United Methodist Church in Fort Lupton and the Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Bank provide community this year. More than 40 million “I’d prefer to see half paid in six the final totals across an entire through the first quarter,” Jeff members with food boxes. This will be the program’s 10th consecutive year. Above, Joe Hubert, left China Garcia and Sue Hubert Change 4 Change, people rely on the snow that accusnow season. Lukas, an independent climate months,” saidwith Councilwoman Valerie about a third the past 35 2. mulates high up in the mountains researcher, wrote in an email. Blackston. another organization that helps with theInfood drive. Seeofmore on Page years, early-season snow totals As of early November, the looked something like they do statewide snowpack was 140% SEE SNOW, P6 SEE COUNCIL, P2
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