Serving the community since 1906
WEEK OF JANUARY 23, 2025
VOLUME 118 | ISSUE 4
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CAROUSEL COMES TO LIFE
Polis lays out vision for Colorado Governor calls for independence from D.C. in state of the state speech BY SARA WILSON COLORADO NEWSLINE
Clara rides a real horse at the merry-go-round at the National Western Stock Show Complex. See more coverage on page 4. PHOTO BY BELEN WARD
Sworn in for 2025 Adams County celebrates its past as new commission formed BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
County officials celebrated a new path for Adams County, saying the county has moved from a checkered past to a bright future. “It has been an honor to serve this community for 17 years, a journey marked by growth challenges and most importantly, the unwavering spirit of collaboration,” County Commissioner Eva Henry said during her farewell
address Jan. 14 during the county’s 2025 inaugural ceremony. “While I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished, I’m even prouder of what we’ve achieved together as a united community.” Adams County celebrated the swearing-in of eight 17th Judicial District judges, District Attorney Brian Mason and three County Commissioners, all winners in November’s election. New Commissioners included former Thornton City Councilor Kathy Henson and former Northglenn City Councilor Julie Duran Mullica. They joined Commissioner Lynn Baca, who was re-elected to a new term. Adams County Commissioners past and present pose for a photo with SEE SWORN IN, P2
Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Attorney General Phil Weiser Jan. 14 during the Adams County Inaugural ceremony.
WESTMINSTER VOICES: PAGE 8 | CULTURE: PAGE 10 | BRIEFS: PAGE 16
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis delivered his annual State of the State address to the General Assembly on Thursday to lay out his 2025 policy priorities around housing, safety and government spending. The 55-minute speech came a week and a half before Inauguration Day, when Republican President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. “Our values and our way of life are not dependent on who is in the White House or Congress. I refuse to allow the disagreement, division and disorder in Washington, D.C., deter us in Colorado,” Polis, a Democrat with two more years in office, said. “Members of the Legislature, we can and will do better.” Polis referred to the “Free State of Colorado” throughout the speech as he vowed to “protect and expand our freedoms, tempered by the knowledge that freedom demands personal responsibility and accountability,” and he celebrated Democratic wins from last November in the state. “In the Free State of Colorado, we understand what government is — and is not — here to do. Government is not here to dictate who you love, who you marry or if, when and how you choose to start a family,” he said. Colorado voters approved ballot measures toenshrine abortion accessin the state Constitution andremove language, which was inoperative, that bans same-sex marriagefrom the document. There was bipartisan applause over some lines in his speech, such as a shoutout to recent property tax rate cuts, a call to hold livestock thieves accountable, and an announcement of firefighting resources sent to help Southern California battle the wildfires that began this week. SEE VISION, P5
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