WEEK OF AUGUST 10, 2023
VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 8
FREE
How Arvada’s 98th Arvada Harvest Festival moving ahead at Clear Creek Valley Park One Small Step program is combatting homelessness “I can’t keep living this life no more” BY LILLIAN FUGLEI LFUGLEI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
As cities across the nation look for ways to assist unhoused people, Arvada is utilizing a program designed to help — One Small Step. One Small Step is designed as a way to rehabilitate criminal defendants experiencing homelessness without punitive measures. Instead of facing jail time or fines for low-level offenses, participants are connected with resources to better their lives. The parade at last year’s Harvest Festival on 58th Avenue. The parade will continue on the same route this year, while the festival When defendants participate PHOTO BY RYLEE DUNN regularly and complete the program, itself will move to Clear Creek Valley Park. punitive measures such as jail time or ley Park this year from Sept. 8 to 10. said the move was necessitated to fines can be waived. Unlike the other facets of the fesensure the tradition would reach its The program restarted in January tival, the parade is not moving — it centennial anniversary. Nelson said 2021 after experiencing a hiatus due will be held at 9 a.m. on Sept. 9 on that the city’s proposal would have to the COVID-19 pandemic. Housed 58th Avenue between Tabor Street cost the Jaycees its nonprofit 501(c)3 within the municipal court, One and Miller Street; just like last year. status. Small Step is overseen by Municipal The move to Clear Creek Valley “We had to go (to Clear Creek Val- Judge Kathryn Kurtz. ley Park) to ensure we would make it Park comes after years of discus“All of our defendants are really, sion between the festival’s organizto our 100th year,” Nelson said. “The really good, kind-hearted people ers — the Arvada Junior Chamber city tried to force us into the footBY RYLEE DUNN who’ve just had a lot of struggles in RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM Foundation, or Jaycees — and the print of where the BID hosts events, their life,” said Kurtz. “I think the City of Arvada that have centered on where the BID would run (the coolest part about it is watching The 98th Arvada Harvest Festival returning the festival to its original Harvest Festival) and we would just people make progress and positive will look a bit different than years footprint in Olde Town Arvada. volunteer and show up — that would change in their life.” past, as most of the beloved local Renee Nelson, the Co-Chair of the SEE FESTIVAL, P2 SEE HOMELESSNESS, P3 event will be held at Clear Creek Val- Arvada Harvest Festival Committee,
Move comes after years of negotiating with the City of Arvada to return event to Olde Town
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