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Week of December 1, 2022
JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | SPORTS: PAGE 16
VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 24
Words about LGBTQ+ community matter, say leaders across Denver area in wake of Club Q shooting BY COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA STAFF
In the wake of a deadly mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs, leaders in cities and counties to the north are among those denouncing hate and violence. From county commissioners to newly-elected sheriffs, to mayors and chiefs of police, community leaders say words of support for the LGBTQ+ community are needed
now and should continue beyond the tragedy. “Clubs like Club Q are one of our safe places where we can be free and celebrate who we are, but clubs should not be the only places we feel safe,” said Jessica CampbellSwanson, commissioner-elect for Arapahoe County. Campbell-Swanson, who is bisexual, will be the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the board when she
takes office. It is a milestone she said signals a desire by many to see a commission that mirrors the community. “I want the LGBTQ+ community to know one of us is on the board of commissioners, reviewing policy, looking out for us, doing what I can to make Arapahoe County a healthy and safe place for our community to thrive,” Campbell-Swanson said. Five people died in the Nov. 19
Olde Town Arvada celebrates holiday tree lighting
shooting, according to Colorado Springs police. Another 17 were injured before the gunman’s rampage ended when he was subdued by bar patrons, including Richard Fierro, a retired U.S. Army officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as reported by The New York Times. Police are holding Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, who is facing murder SEE CLUB Q, P5
City planners hope to have Olde Town vision plan, design by spring 2023 BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The Guerilla Fanfare Brass Band marches through Olde Town Arvada in advance of the tree lighting.
Myriad festivities took place in Arvada over the weekend BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Olde Town Arvada hosted a slew of events over the weekend, with Small Business Saturday, the Olde
Town tree lighting and the first Holiday Makers Market of the year taking place on Nov. 26. Thousands attended the tree lighting, which was sound tracked by live music from the Guerilla Fanfare Brass Band and the Elegant Plums. Arvada City Councilmembers Lauren Simpson, John Marriott and Bob Fifer took part in the tree lighting. Olde Town Arvada Business Improvement District Director Joe
PHOTO BY VIC PAUL
Hengstler called the festivities the “Official kickoff of the holiday season” and said he was grateful for folks coming to the historic district. “It’s critical for these small businesses that they see shoppers throughout the holiday season,” Hengstler said. “When you walk into an Olde Town business, you have a good chance of seeing the owner behind the county. These SEE LIGHTING, P4
Two years after the initial street closures, Arvada’s city team has partnered with Dig Studios to gauge community feedback and put together a plan for the longterm future of Olde Town Arvada. Arvada Director of Growth and Economic Development Ryan Stachelski and Dig Studio’s Project Manager Ryan Sotorakis presented the details of the Olde Town Arvada Strategic Reinvestment plan at a Nov. 14 City Council Workshop. Stachelski said that Phase 1 of engagement with the community brought over 1,800 online survey responses and over 300 community conversations. The main takeaways, he said, were to design, build and expand a permanent street closure, install overhead string lighting, improve Olde Town Square, activate other streets and provide more shade. A second survey found that the majority of respondents prefer pedestrian-only streets, more local businesses, landscaping and for planners to make Olde Town “clean and safe” in regard to the SEE VISION, P2