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 120
75cI
ISSUE 6
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 9, 2023
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 , 2020
VOLUME 117
THE SEASON FOR SHARING
Our in-depth look at the housing crisis
Council gets explanation of how to make incentives work
ISSUE 48
BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Gov. Polis stresses more housing is key to Colorado’s economic health
Incentives to attract businesses to Fort Lupton are not the same as tax breaks. That’s according to Michelle Magelssen, the economic development manager for the city. She made her comments during a Fort Lupton City Council town hall on Jan. 31. Fort Lupton is in the Weld Enterprise Zone, which means businesses that come to town are eligible for tax breaks. The amounts range from 1.5 percent for commercial vehicle investments to $500 for establishing a new business. Magelssen emphasized that businesses eligible for incentives have to show some sort of impact on the community, such as an employment base or other contributions to the area. “It’s not considered a subsidy,” she told councilors. “The intent is for them to stay or open a business here.” Magelssen offered a couple of examples. One is a business that needs an extra 30 square feet of space but is in touch with another county or city. “That would be worthwhile to consider,” she said. “Its application process is going to analyze the economics, plus any incentives paired with other programs that are available.” “It’s a case-by-case basis,” said councilman Carlos Barron. “What if there is a daycare business? It’s not going to generate much revenue,” Magelssen said. “But it’s definitely a need. That would be worthwhile to look at.”
time and money spent on long go to landlords. Young families commutes, more air pollution, can’t find starter homes they can and greater economic and workafford. Retirees don’t see any If lawmakers don’t act to make force challenges,” Polis said. attractive options for moving housing more affordable now, Polis added that rising housing and downsizing, meaning their “we will soon face a spiraling prices are “putting the dream of homes stay off the market, helppoint of no return.” homeownership out of range for ing keep prices high. That’s what Gov. Jared Polis said more and more Coloradans.” “Just look west,” Polis said in his in January, during his annual The governor’s assessment address. “In California, decades Rec center bond update State of the State Address. He squares with the findings of Colo- of poor planning has led to interCity Administrator Chris Cross told noted myriad problems linked to rado Community Media in our ruptions of drinking water and the council the sale date for bonds rising housing costs. four-week series exploring what electricity for entire towns and to help expand the recreation center People, he said, “are being many experts say is a housing cities, average home prices over Every year out before Thanksgiving, First United Fort Lupton the Fort Lupton Food Bankbe provide could sold ascommunity early as March 22. forced of their neighborhoods crisisMethodist — one thatChurch affects in practi$1and million in major cities andand 16- Clothing members with food boxes. This will be the program’s 10th consecutive year. Above, Joe Hubert, left China Garcia and Sue Hubert with Change 4 Change, Voters approved a $10 million debt with no hope of ever living close cally everyone in the Denver area. lane freeways” with “bumper-toincrease to the city (total repayment to where they work.” workers arePage seeing another organization that helps with theLower-income food drive. See more on 2. “That means more traffic, lost larger chunks of their paychecks SEE STRESSES, P7 BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
SEE COUNCIL, P3
CONTACT AT 303-659-2522 Contact us atUS 303-566-4100 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
LOCAL LOCAL OBITUARIES OPINION VOICES CALENDAR SPORTS CLASSIFIEDS
LEGAL PUZZLE
FOLLOW FORT LUPTON LUPTON PRESS PRESS on ONFacebook FACEBOOK Follow THE the FORT
LOCAL LOCAL
SPORTS COVID-19
2 • Pizzeria owner helps • Fort Lupton seniors 2 5 set Guinness •A fundraiser •In-door dining and record to com-settle college plans 6 4 bat• domestic abuse large gatherings prohibPage 2 • Page 15 13 6 • Page 3 ited by new restrictions 21
13 14
• Page 9
WWW.FTLUPTONPRESS.COM WWW.FTLUPTONPRESS.COM