Serving Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and beyond
WEEK OF DECEMBER 5, 2024
VOLUME 41 | ISSUE 18
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Wheat Ridge Turkey Trot unites community in effort to gobble up child hunger
Lakewood City Council faces 3 lawsuits alleging Open Meetings Law violations BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
WESTMINSTER
Lakewood faces increased scrutiny this month after three lawsuits were filed against its city council, each alleging violations of Colorado’s Open Meetings Law. The lawsuits, brought by Lakewood resident Lenore Herskovitz and former city council member and attorney Anita Springsteen, claim the council improperly convened executive sessions, provided vague or misleading public notices and withheld recordings of the meetings,preventingpublicaccountability. The allegations span three executive sessions held on Aug. 26, Sept. 9 and Sept. 19. The plaintiffs assert that these meetings demonstrate a broader pattern of noncompliance with the transparency requirements mandated by the state’s open meetings law.
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Misleading notice
Feed Your Soul Fitness staff, volunteers and members celebrate another successful Turkey Trot. BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
On the Saturday morning before Thanksgiving, runners of all stripes flocked to Prospect Park in Wheat Ridge for the Feed Your Soul Turkey Trot, a lively 5K that combined fitness, fun and a giant helping of community spirit. Organized by Brandy and Sven Martin, owners of Feed Your Soul Fitness, the second annual 5K race drew nearly 350 runners, with proceeds going to the Feed the Future Backpack Program, a collaboration with Community Table. The backpack program serves hundreds of children in Wheat Ridge by providing weekend meals for children who rely on school for regular nourishment. “Last year, we aimed to feed students at Stevens Elementary, but we ended up help-
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ing kids across all of Wheat Ridge,” Sven said. “This year, thanks to a larger turnout and increased sponsorship, the event can again cover those costs and help more children and seniors served by Community Table.” Sven joked about the anxiety he felt ahead of the inaugural race, fearing he might end up with “a few hundred medals and a giant bill.” Instead, the community’s response has exceeded all expectations. A race for everyone
The Feed Your Soul Turkey Trot isn’t your average Thanksgiving-themed race. Scheduled the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the timing is strategic, according to race volunteer Ashley Andrien. “Thanksgiving morning races are a tradition for some, but we wanted to make it more
accessible for those who don’t want to rush out early on their day off,” Andrien said. The Saturday schedule allows runners of all types, from serious athletes to families, to participate without disrupting holiday plans, Andrien explained. Hayden Browers of Arvada crossed the finish line in 18 minutes and 29 seconds to claim first place in the men’s division. Jane Jensen of Denver triumphed in the women’s category, completing the course in 22 minutes and 3 seconds. Each received a $100 cash prize. In addition to the overall winners, the event honored age-group winners and provided a welcoming atmosphere for casual participants. Many dressed in festive costumes, including their dogs, adding a layer of fun and community spirit.
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VOICES: 10 | LIFE: 12 | CALENDAR: 15
The Martins leveraged their gym community, local business networks and innovative marketing to grow the event. Sponsors played a crucial role, not only by funding but also by promoting the race through their networks. A professional race management company ensured a smooth experience, from timing to course logistics. Andrien said the Martins decided to host a 5K to combine their passion for health and fitness with their commitment to addressing child food insecurity in their community. The couple wanted to create a family-friendly event that would not only promote physical activity but also bring people together for a meaningful cause.
In the first lawsuit, Herskovitz alleges the council’s notice citing the need to privately discuss legal issues related to a former case filed by Colorado Christian University against the city for the Aug. 26 meeting was misleading. In December 2023, an appeals court judge ruled Lakewood did not unconstitutionally discriminate against the school by enforcing an ordinance restricting university-owned student housing in certain residential areas. Herskovitz was a defendant in that case. Herskovitz’s complaint states, “The Aug. 26, 2024 Special Meeting was not properly noticed and should have been open to the public – especially with the considerable time and expense the appeal cost the Citizens of Lakewood. Certainly the Intervenors in the appellate case should have been allowed to attend a meeting on the very issue they had helped litigate.” She alleges that Lakewood, despite winning the case, seemed to undermine its victory by raising concerns about the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Person’s Act, which wasn’t a part of the original case, and failing to enforce the prohibition.
SEE TURKEY TROT, P4
SEE COUNCIL, P6
PHOTO BY SUZIE GLASSMAN
Community-centered and growing
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