WEEK OF JUNE 12, 2025
VOLUME 36| ISSUE 23
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A new ride service for Brighton coming in fall Contest to name rider service begins June 8 BY BELEN WARD BELEN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
them? Our core demographic is women 45 and older, with most having Masters or PHD’s and (who) are wealthy. Is that the kind of crowd that threatens to kill other women?” Craig said. Craig said via email that Fletcher has not acknowledged the two women refused to communicate with the sanctuary for nearly seven months. “Everyone seems to skip over this important fact. Had they been willing to keep the lines of communication open we would not be in this posi-
The City of Brighton this fall is introducing an on-demand transit service and is asking the residents to participate in naming the service, according to news release on May 14. “This program is part of our broader effort to support sustainable transportation and a more connected Brighton,” Public Works Director Greg Labrie said. “By giving people more ways to get around, we’re helping reduce vehicle traffic, protect the environment, and ensure everyone—regardless of age or ability—has access to reliable transportation.” The new service would be affordable and convenient for making quick calls to pick you up to get around town, downtown, or to the RTD bus stop. “This service will function very much like Uber or Lyft in terms of convenience and flexibility—you’ll be able to request a ride through an app or by phone, and a vehicle will pick you up and take you to your destination within the city,” said Labrie. “However, unlike Uber or Lyft, this micro-transit system is subsidized by the City and RTD, which significantly reduces the cost for riders. The maximum fare for any ride within the city will be range between $2 to $3.” The on-demand ride is set to launch this fall, enabling reservations for pickup and drop-off with approximately 30 minutes advance notice. It’s a city pilot program that is ecofriendly and helps people get around without using their personal cars, aiming to increase mobility, accessibility, and reduce environmental impact. The on-demand ride feature offers rides in Brighton and potentially the surrounding areas, with a user-friendly booking app available in both English and Spanish. By reducing car usage and emotional stress, it helps keep the Brighton environment clean and greener. Additionally, the on-demand transit system takes care of the first part of your trip by providing a connection to the RTD
SEE SANCTUARY, P4
SEE RTD, P19
COURTESY
• Page 9
• Vestas to lay off 200 employees
The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg is a refuge for a variety of wildlife.
BUSINESS
Housing proposal at odds with Wild Animal Sanctuary •27J Schools moves online-only Dec. 1
Sanctuary supporters downplay threats of violence by fans • Page 3
BY MONTE WHALEY MONTE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
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An attorney representing two landowners in Weld County is accusing the supporters of an iconic wildlife sanctuary of issuing death threats against the two women for resurrecting plans to put a housing development on 40 acres of land adjacent to the facility. Jeremy Brett Daz Fletcher also says that recent comments made by Pat Craig – executive
director of Wild Animal Sanctuary near Keenesburg – via social media posts criticizing the development could be libelous and are interfering with an earlier contract between the sanctuary and landowners. The death threats have also been fielded by real estate agents handling the sale of the eight home sites, said Fletcher in his letter to Craig. “As we have expressed in our earlier statement,” Fletcher states in the letter, “we were
LIFE: 12 | CALENDAR: 15 | PUZZLES: 16
saddened and disheartened that you chose to proceed in the manner you have. That statement remains true.” Craig rejected the claims about death threats from backers of the sanctuary and an offer from the development group to sell the acreages to the sanctuary for $4 million. There is no proof anyone has threatened the two owners – Sherry Boris Wigaard and Velois Smith – nor their agents, said Craig, who opened the 33,000-acre sanctuary over 31 years ago. “Who really thinks someone is going to travel to Florida and try to find these ladies to hurt
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