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Week of February 9, 2023
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
LittletonIndependent.net
VOLUME 134 | ISSUE 29
Our in-depth look at the housing crisis
Finalists named for superintendent Public meetings planned BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Governor stresses more housing is key to Colorado’s economic health BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
If lawmakers don’t act to make housing more affordable now, “we will soon face a spiraling point of no return.” That’s what Gov. Jared Polis said in January, during his annual State of the State Address. He noted myriad problems linked to rising housing costs. People, he said, “are being forced out of their neighborhoods with no hope of ever living close to where they work.” “That means more traffic, lost
time and money spent on long commutes, more air pollution, and greater economic and workforce challenges,” Polis said. Polis added that rising housing prices are “putting the dream of homeownership out of range for more and more Coloradans.” The governor’s assessment squares with the findings of Colorado Community Media in our four-week series exploring what many experts say is a housing crisis — one that affects practically everyone in the Denver area. Lower-income workers are seeing larger chunks of their paychecks
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 13 | VOICES: PAGE 14 | SPORTS: PAGE 26
go to landlords. Young families can’t find starter homes they can afford. Retirees don’t see any attractive options for moving and downsizing, meaning their homes stay off the market, helping keep prices high. “Just look west,” Polis said in his address. “In California, decades of poor planning has led to interruptions of drinking water and electricity for entire towns and cities, average home prices over $1 million in major cities and 16lane freeways” with “bumper-toSEE STRESSES, P16
Two finalists competing for the role of Littleton Public Schools superintendent will visit the district and host public receptions to get to know the community next week. After several stages of a robust application and interview process, the Board of Education chose finalists at its Jan. 26 meeting. Melissa Cooper and Todd Lambert are the last candidates hoping for the role. A third finalist, Douglas VanderJagt, withdrew from the selection process for personal reasons on Feb. 1. “One of the most important things the school board does is hire and evaluate and supervise the superintendent,” Board President Robert Reichardt said. “This is the first time we’ve hired a superintendent in eight years and I’m just thrilled with how well the process has gone” Over 20 applicants originally applied for the role, he said. “Thank you to everyone who applied to work for this district,” Reichardt said. “It is an honor to know that that many people are interested and willing to work in this district and work for our kids and I am very grateful for that.” Melissa Cooper
Melissa Cooper is currently the assistant superintendent of learning services for the Littleton School District. She said she was inspired to apply for the superintendent role because she loves the district and is committed to its great work and continuous improvement. SEE FINALISTS, P2
STARTING WITH NATURE Museum exhibit eyes influence of natural world
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