Serving Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and beyond
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 14, 2024
VOLUME 41 | ISSUE 15
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Jeffco voters pass ballot measure 1A
Lakewood neighborhood turns yard work into community care
The measure secures $30 million for public safety and infrastructure BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
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lived on her property since 1970, said that while her kids and grandkids have helped in the past, they can’t always be there since they have busy lives of their own. For the middle schoolers who spent the day bagging leaves in backyards and driveways, the experience left them with more than sore arms. It instilled a sense of purpose and strengthened their connection to their community. It’s kind of cool to help out these homeowners,” said one of the students as his team took a well-deserved break.
Jefferson County voters passed ballot measure 1A by a wide margin, signifying their readiness to eliminate the revenue cap set by TABOR, the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, and allow the county to retain the total revenue it collects from property taxes. While results are still unofficial, the majority of votes favored allowing the county to retain approximately $30 million in additional revenue. Jefferson County Sheriff Reggie Marinelli took to social media to thank voters for their support. “With the passing of Ballot 1A, we’re grateful for the opportunity to enhance our capabilities for safer roads, wildfire prevention, mental health support and crime prevention efforts,” she said. “Your support enables us to strengthen vital services that keep our community safe and resilient. We look forward to delivering the highest level of service and transparency you deserve and to continue to maintain your trust in us. Together, we’re building a stronger Jefferson County.” The property tax revenue from 1A must be invested in transportation and infrastructure and public safety programs like wildfire and flood mitigation and response, addiction and mental health programs, crime prevention programs and strategies and other county public safety functions. The measure also sets up a citizen’s advisory committee of volunteers to provide input on where and how to spend the additional revenue. Leading up to this year’s election, some county officials had started sounding the alarm that public safety funds were falling short and the county was facing serious challenges. “We’re basically working the street right now with about the same amount of deputies who were working in 2003, but the county has grown tremendously,” Marinelli said in September. “We can’t keep cutting.”
SEE YARD WORK, P5
SEE BALLOT, P9
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Cathy Stapleton expresses gratitude to the Denver Christian Academy students who raked her yard. From left, Kate, Reyna, Cathy Stapleton, Madlyn and Anna. PHOTO BY SUZIE GLASSMAN BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
In the quiet Lakewood neighborhood of Southern Gables, 91-year-old Cathy Stapleton watched with gratitude as a team of local middle schoolers from Denver Christian Academy transformed her leaf-strewn yard. They were there as part of an annual combined effort with the Southern Gables Neighborhood Association to rake leaves for elderly and disabled residents. “Boy, did they work,” Stapleton said with a smile when she learned they had filled 42
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bags to the brim. “You all did a wonderful, wonderful job.” According to Lisa Huntington-Kinn, vice president of the homeowner’s association, approximately 75 students, accompanied by parent volunteers, raked around 50 lawns in the neighborhood. The students also serve other areas throughout the day as part of their school’s community service curricula. Neighborhood board members and volunteers joined the students in raking and bagging the leaves. Once finished, they dispose of them at Fleischer Family Farm, where they’re used for compost to
enrich the soil. The effort is a win-win for everyone involved. Allowing collected leaves to decompose under tarps over the winter provides food for beneficial insects and prepares the soil for spring planting,” said Paul Fleischer, the farm’s owner. “Plus, using leaves as compost and mulch instead of sending them to the landfill reduces methane emissions.” For homeowners, clearing yards of autumn leaves is physically taxing, particularly for older residents who may face mobility challenges or live alone. Stapleton, who has
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