FREE SAMPLE
Week of February 23, 2023
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
SouthPlatteIndependent.net
VOLUME 78 | ISSUE 14
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 28
Lawmakers look to stiffen penalty for auto theft Sheriffs support it, others do not BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Imagine walking out of your home or work or the store, and your car isn’t where you left it. Panicked, you
call the police to report a theft. That’s the scenario thousands of Coloradans have likely endured in recent years as motor vehicle thefts have become a notoriously common crime in the state. State lawmakers want to change that, putting forth a bill with support from Republicans and Democrats that would tighten the penalty for auto theft. Local law enforcement
leaders, too, are on board. “Stolen vehicles in the state of Colorado is the nexus for many crimes in our communities,” said Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly. “Many people who are intent on committing crimes, be it burglaries, robberies, homicide, or breaking into other vehicles to get valuables from those vehicles or sell those vehicles on the black market
Council discusses Geneva Village rehabilitation Residents to be affected BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
SEE AUTO THEFTS, P10
Redistricting process begins in Littleton Changes based on Census data
City councilmembers are considering several options for what to do with Geneva Village, an age-restricted affordable housing complex near downtown Littleton, after years of uncertainty. During a Feb. 14 study session, city staff presented two main options for the property: rehabilitate it and preserve existing housing or redevelop it to be new affordable housing.
BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Littleton is beginning a redistricting process for its four city council districts, as is customary every 10 years after U.S. Census data is released. Along with jurisdictions across the country, the city is beginning the process later than normal due to a delay in Census data because of COVID.
How did we get here?
Conversations about the future of Geneva Village started in 2019 when notices taped to tenant’s doors informed them the city would stop filling vacancies in the complex “pending further decisions.” Public works director Keith Reester said the complex’s 28 units and common area are not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act or building codes, noting that most mechanical systems and electrical systems have passed their lifespan since the complex was built in 1964. A city assessment also identified asbestos and lead paint in several vacant units, according to previous reporting by Colorado Community Media.
or to fuel a drug habit, they often do that in a stolen vehicle.” Colorado’s number of attempted and completed auto thefts stayed relatively consistent from 2008 to 2014 but started rising in the next few years. After flattening again, the number boomed amid the coronavirus pandemic, more than doubling
city’s decisions will affect them. Rents at Geneva Village range from $300 for a studio apartment to $450 for a twobedroom, according to the city. Many tenants said they would not be able to afford living elsewhere if their current complex is no longer an option. As the city considered potential SEE COUNCIL, P2
SEE REDISTRICTING, P15
FILE PHOTO BY ROBERT TANN
Some residents, however, are not concerned with the state of their homes. Robyn Bernstein, 70, has lived in the complex for six years. “The apartments are beautiful,” she said. “I mean, they work good. I don’t need a dishwasher… I haven’t had a problem for six years.” Over the years, residents have expressed concern about how the
Goals and factors
One goal of the process is to create districts with similar populations, City Clerk Colleen Norton said. “When we look at the total population of Littleton based on the Census and we divide that by four, the average number is 11,413,” she said. “So that is kind of the target, as close to that, for each district.” The election commission will work with the city clerk’s office and
Geneva Village is an age-restricted housing complex in the heart of Littleton.
LOCAL NEWS MATTERS! PRSRT - STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID LITTLETON, CO PERMIT #70 EDDM POSTAL PATRON
Subscribe to get the information that matters in your community! SEE INSIDE ►PAGE 3