Serving Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and beyond
WEEK OF JUNE 12, 2025
VOLUME 41 | ISSUE 45
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Jeffco schools consider deep cuts in 2025-26 budget BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SUZIE@COTLN.ORG
WHERE TO FIND FREE MEALS FOR KIDS THIS SUMMER P2
SCHOOLS CONSIDER FINANCIAL LITERACY CURRICULUM
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DENVER METRO TAROT READERS BRING THE CARDS P14 TO LIFE
MINSTER MAN SENTENCED IN ROCKTHROWING MURDER CASE P16
Faced with a looming $60 million structural deficit, the Jefferson County school board reviewed the district’s proposed 2025-26 budget on June 4 and began a sobering discussion about what comes next. In the upcoming school year, Jeffco is projected to spend more money than it brings in, relying on savings to bridge the gap. The proposed budget relies on $39 million in one-time spending from the district’s fund balance, and Chief Financial Officer Brenna Copeland warned that without significant changes, reserves could dip to unmanageable levels by the 202728 school year. The district has already shuttered 21 schools since 2021, resulting in $20 million in recurring cost savings. Yet, Copeland said the overall budget continues to grow due to inflation, compensation increases and special education needs. “This is not a proposal. This is a hypothetical illustration,” Copeland said as she walked board members through a series of bleak multi-year forecasts. “If we just keep doing what we’re doing, we do not right the ship.”
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Members of the Apex Park and Recreation District are presented with a Pride Month proclamation from Arvada City Council. COURTESY CITY OF ARVADA
WESTMINSTER Arvada City Council recognizes June as Pride Month Rate increase of 3.5% proposed for this month; ‘opt-out fee’ to remain the same BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
For the fourth time in its history, Arvada has recognized June as Pride Month, as the city council presented a proclamation to members of the Apex Park and Recreation District to mark the occasion. Councilmember Brad Rupert read the proclamation, which recognized Apex’s role in fostering community for LGBT+ residents of Arvada — including its monthly Pride Night events for LGBTQ+ teens and their allies. Arvada first recognized June as Pride Month in 2021 and continued to do so in 2023 and 2024, according to the city’s Director of Communications Rachael Kuroiwa. “Whereas the Apex Park and Recreation District has demonstrated leadership and commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ com-
munity through inclusive programming, community education and the hosting of joyful, affirming pride events in Arvada, and whereas the city of Arvada applauds and honors organizations like Apex Park and Recreation District who foster a sense of belonging and visibility for LGBTQ plus residents and help create a stronger, more unified community now, therefore be it proclaimed that the mayor and the Arvada City Council hereby designate June 2025 as Pride Month in the city of Arvada,” the proclamation reads. Vee Duran, Apex’s recreation coordinator, said that since the first Pride Night in 2019, Apex has been working on providing safe spaces for young people. “Our mission is to create spaces that are not only fun and active but are also inclusive and affirming for everyone, improving the lives of our residents, physically, emotionally and socially,” Duran said. “Since (2019), Pride Nights have grown into one of our most beloved monthly traditions, featuring music, games, resources, a little karaoke and a sense of community for teens in attendance and all identities.
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VOICES: 12 | LIFE: 14 | CALENDAR: 17 | SPORTS: 18
SEE COUNCIL, P27
Accountability and long-term planning
The district is statutorily required to adopt a high-level plan to address ongoing shortfalls when using reserves to fund recurring costs. This year’s budget plan, presented in May and reiterated at the June 4 meeting, outlines a phased approach: reduce expenditures through program changes and staffing cuts, avoid future cost increases where possible and consider asking voters for additional funding through a mill levy override. The new forecasts assume modest revenue increases and enrollment declines over the next three years. The district anticipates losing 800 students in both the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years. SEE BUDGET CUTS, P9
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