$2.00
Week of April 13, 2023
ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
Northglenn-ThorntonSentinel.com
VOLUME 59 | ISSUE 36
Westminster in strong opposition to Land Use bill BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and regional HHS Director Lily Griego listen as Judy Kron makes a point during a roundtable discussion on the Inflation Reduction Act PHOTO BY SCOTT TAYLOR at Thornton’s Active Adult Center April 4.
Rep. Caraveo talks medical costs with Thornton seniors New congresswoman pays visit to district, with stops in Fort Lupton and Brighton BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
As a pediatrician, U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo told a group of Thornton seniors and officials, she knows that staying healthy is linked to economics. “I am often asked why I would leave a wonderful job like pediatrics to go into government and politics and prescription drugs and the affordability of that is a huge
issue,” Caraveo said during a mid-morning roundtable discussion April 4 at Thornton’s Active Adult Center..”I remember having to tailor my treatments for many, many patients not around what I thought they needed medically but what they could afford. As a medical student and resident doctor, I didn’t train for that. I trained to make medical decisions based on my training, not on cost.” The Active Adult Center visit was the middle stop of Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo tour of her district, in between visits in Fort Lupton and Brighton. Caraveo and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra started the
day April 4 with a visit to the Salud Clinic in Fort Lupton. “They really are a model of integration of dental care, behavioral care, pharmacy, all in one clinic,” Caraveo said..”They noted in particular that the easier we make it for patients to access all different parts of the system and all the specialists that are needed for their care, the more likely they are to go through their care. If they are having problems with mental health, they have professionals that can talk about that or help them get screened. They have a pharmacist that can make sure everything is being taken properly and not interacting.” SEE CARAVEO, P3
Huge overreach. Authoritarian. An egregious violation of the Constitution. Westminster City Council said harsh words about the land use bill, SB 23-213, that is making its way through the Colorado Legislature. “The idea of someone at the State Capital deciding what we’re going to build, how we’re going to build it and where we are going to build it, is dangerous,” said Mayor Pro Tem David DeMott. For lobbying reasons, city staff recommended council to be in opposition of the bill, which required a vote. They were, and voted 5-1, with City Councilor Nurmela opposed and City Councilor Obi Ezeadi absent. Melissa Dworkin, Deputy Press Secretary for Governor Jared Polis, provided Colorado Community Media with a list of minimum standards the bill contains, some in regards to transitoriented development and key corridors. When asked how much would change in Westminster if the bill passed, City Spokesperson Andy Le said an extensive review may not be possible. “Not sure we can provide such an extensive review but maybe a high-level overview is possible,” he wrote in an email. Theresa Booco, Policy & Budget Coordinator, presented the city’s reasoning to oppose the bill. “The bill dramatically expands state authority by imposing top-down zoning
and land use standards on municipalities,” Booco said. She said the bill negates the voice of local communities and does not recognize that local governments are in the best position to meet their residents’ needs. Booco also said that it violates the home rule charter, and that zoning has been recognized by the Colorado Supreme Court as a local concern. The main reasons for their opposition are that the bill will impose on home rule and local control, that it mandates state intervention in matters of local concern, and will have unfunded state mandates, prescribes land use requirements and water conservation. Council’s views
City Councilor Sarah Nurmela said the bill needs massaging and she is in favor of the city participating in discussions around amendments to the bill. She said the bill isn’t as bad as it has been made out to be. “There are so many things that we can be in the conversation to help make this a more workable bill,” Nurmela said. “Let’s not turn our backs, let’s be talking to the state.” DeMott said he appreciated where Nurmela was coming from, but in this instance, he isn’t up for negotiating. “There are times where you can be at the table, and there are times where you say ‘hell no,’” he said. He said the bill is an overSEE LAND USE, P4
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 10 | OBITUARIES: PAGE 11 | LIFE: PAGE 12 | SPORTS: PAGE 14
T BEFSTHE O T S E B
2023
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