Serving the community since 1866
WEEK OF JULY 20, 2023
VOLUME 157 | ISSUE 31
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Golden Hills becomes first resident-owned mobile home park in Jeffco
Deputy’s best friend Jeffco Sheriff’s Office welcomes two K-9s BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
with Jeffco, contributed $2 million of its American Rescue Plan Act funds toward the purchase. City Manager Scott Vargo explained how it’s a forgivable loan, and the city will only receive accrued interest or repayment if the property goes into default or is sold. While Jeffco couldn’t contribute directly because of financial complications, it de-obligated the city from paying $1 million for a separate project, Vargo explained. That allowed Golden to contribute $2 million in ARPA funds instead of the initial $1 million it committed in Jan. 2022. “It was a creative effort by both
Throughout the spring, Deputy Zachary Oliver felt like something — or rather, someone — was missing from his work and home life. On Feb. 13, he lost his K-9 partner Graffit, who was killed in the line of duty while trying to apprehend a suspect. Oliver missed his partner and friend in the long weeks that followed, describing how going to work at the Jefferson County Sheriff ’s Office wasn’t the same without Graffit. But, thanks to tremendous community support, Oliver now has a new partner in K-9 Ragnar. The Jeffco Sheriff ’s Office purchased two new K-9s, Ragnar and Rico, earlier this summer and introduced them during a special July 11 media event on the Federal Center campus. The K-9s, who have been training with their deputy partners for six weeks, will be in training for 10 more weeks. Once done, they’ll be certified for narcotics detection, tracking individuals and apprehending suspects. K-9 Rico is working with Deputy Ryan Wagner, a new handler for Jeffco. Wagner has been with JCSO for four years, including six months as a decoy for the K-9 unit. Deputy Jim Valbert, the K-9 unit’s
SEE MOBILE PARK, P2
SEE BEST FRIEND, P6
On July 13, the Golden Hills Mobile Home Park co-op board members celebrate becoming a resident-owned community. PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN
which has owned it Residents excited to preserve Communities, since late 2021. Golden Hills is now the first resaffordable housing, control ident-owned community, or ROC, among Jefferson County’s mobile their own futures home parks. BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
After a two-year journey with lots of ups and downs, Golden Hills residents now own their mobile home park. On July 11, the Golden Hills Mobile Home Park co-op and its partners closed on an $8.5 million deal to buy the property from California-based operator Harmony
“We will have control of our own destinies,” 20-year resident Art Erwin said. Joyce Tanner, co-op president, emphasized how this wouldn’t have been possible without her fellow residents and co-op board members, and their nonprofit and government partners. “There were times when I didn’t know if we’d ever get to this day,” she continued, “and here it is.” The City of Golden, in partnership
VOICES: 14 | LIFE: 16 | CALENDAR: 19 | SPORTS: 28
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Landmark 20th
July 28, 29 & 30
Evergreen Jazz Festival Big Talent! Small Venues! Great Setting!
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