$1.00
Week of December 22, 2022
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
LittletonIndependent.net
VOLUME 134 | ISSUE 22
Inflation, high demand challenge local food bank High Line Canal
Conservancy receives grant for invasive species removal
Community support needed BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
When S.T. became a single mother in March 2022, she found herself in a place of need. Thanks to an Englewood-based nonprofit organization called Integrated Family Community Services (IFCS), she was able to find assistance to help her pay one month of rent and feed her 5-year-old son as she worked to get back on her feet. But as the country’s economic condition worsens, IFCS is facing potential limitations in the services it provides. With a higher demand than ever, the effects of inflation and the discontinuation of grants that supported their work during the pandemic, IFCS is turning to the community for support. “We’re all about really stepping out in faith, in trust, and hoping that the community kind of backfills or stands in the gap with us,” Director of Development Todd McPherson said.
Group aims to enhance education, stewardship BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Centennial Airport, located at 7565 S. Peoria St., is a general aviation airport. According to the FAA, it is one of the 25 busiest airports in the U.S. and averages 1,000 takeoffs and landings per day. Some residents have been demanding action be taken at the airport to address safety concerns
At some sections of the High Line Canal corridor, which spans 71 miles across 11 jurisdictions in Colorado, an enemy has taken root. Russian olive is an invasive species that spreads aggressively and deprives native species of important resources like water, according to Julia Clover Clark, natural resources manager at the High Line Canal Conservancy. “We don’t want the canal to become a vector for Russian olive to spread throughout open spaces,” she said. With a recent $41,100 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado, the High Line Canal Conservancy will continue efforts to rid the canal of the invasive species. Working with the Mile High Youth Corps, they will spend four weeks eliminating Russian olive along the corridor in Greenwood Village and Cherry Hills Village. “It’s just such an exciting opportunity because not only (does) it allow us to get out there and do this important work of mitigating Russian olive along the corridor, but it really aligns with our values to be able to have a partnership with (the youth corps),” Clark said.
SEE AIRPORT, P5
SEE HIGH LINE, P13
Challenges
The organization offers financial assistance, school supplies, holiday grocery boxes and recreation center vouchers for families and individuals in need. But of all its services, IFCS is SEE FOOD BANK, P6
Volunteer Brooke Cowan said she started working with IFCS because it’s important to her that people are not hungry. PHOTO BY TARA MAGAÑA
Colorado lawmakers address Centennial Airport concerns FAA pushed to attend meetings BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
U.S. Rep. Jason Crow and U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper have asked the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration (FAA) to address concerns pertaining to Centennial Airport. On Dec. 14, the three lawmakers signed a letter to FAA’s Acting Administrator Billy Nolen, requesting the administration engage with the community more and in a “good faith discussion on revisiting changes made by the FAA to the air traffic pattern,” the letter states.
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17
FORCED TO FLEE
Asylum-seeker charts a path in the Denver suburbs P14