WEEK OF MARCH 13, 2025
VOLUME 37| ISSUE 11
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Federal public safety funding remains frozen Governor Polis promises to find ways to ‘bridge the gap’ BY LINDSEY TOOMER COLORADO NEWSLINE
Collection trucks navigated a timed course with challenges including serpentine and alley backing. COURTESY REPUBLIC SERVICES
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• Vestas to lay off 200 employees
BUSINESS
Commerce City driver takes national trash truck honors Ron Torrez claims Republic Services driving prize •27J Schools moves online-only Dec. 1
BY LONDON LYLE SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
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LOCAL
A Commerce City resident has been recognized as one of the top drivers in North America after winning a national driving skills competition hosted by waste management company Republic Services. Ron Torrez, who works as a trash collection truck driver, took first place in the Small Container category at the 2025 ROAD-EO National Championship. This isn’t your typical driver’s license test. The competition, held every two years in Phoenix, brings together Republic Services’ best drivers, equipment operators and tech-
nicians from across the United States and Canada. One hundred and seven finalists from 36 states and Ontario competed in this year’s event, putting their skills to the test in 10 different categories. Drivers navigated obstacle courses and completed skill-based challenges designed to test their precision and expertise. “Safety is our top priority at Republic Services,” said Gregg Brummer, the company’s chief operating officer, in a press release. “The ROAD-EO National Championship is a celebration of our frontline drivers, operators and technicians. Their expertise and commitment to safety are what make Republic an industry leader, and we are extremely proud to recognize the best of the best.” In the competition, Torrez was required to complete a timed course that included parallel parking, alley backing and a “serpentine section,” which is a fancy way of saying traffic cone
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weaving, designed to test the driver’s skills. To qualify for the national championship, competitors had to first win local and regional contests and maintain a perfect safety record. Winners received cash prizes, extra paid time off, and, of course, bragging rights as the best in their field. Winners also received an all-inclusive trip for two to Phoenix with a luxury hotel suite, special hosted dinners and activities to recognize the dedication of Republic Services employees. Several of this year’s champions were repeat finalists, including competitors who had previously placed in the 2023 ROAD-EO National Championship. Republic Services, one of the largest waste and recycling companies in the United States, hosts the event each year. The company employs drivers, technicians and equipment operators.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on March 3 urged the Trump administration to comply with a court order prohibiting the federal government from freezing funding, highlighting $69.5 million in public safety grants promised to the state. At the end of January, President Donald Trump issued a sweeping freeze on federal spending, which a federal judge soon temporarily blocked. State officials said more than $570 million that Congress approved for Colorado remained inaccessible in early February. A news release from Polis, a Democrat, said the administration has stopped paying for Homeland Security grants allocated to the state in defiance of a court order mandating funding be disbursed. The release said the state will do “everything it can to bridge the gap in funding.” “In Colorado, we are focused on improving public safety and this delay and uncertainty makes us less safe,” Polis said in a statement. “Common sense support to improve safety for Boys and Girls Clubs, places of worship, stopping school violence, and disaster assistance SEE HEALEY, P10
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