Westsider Westsider 8.9.13
North Jeffco
North Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 12, Issue 31
POSTAL PATRON
August 9,2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourwestminsternews.com
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Jeffco fair to mix urban and rural County fair with an urban flair By Amy Woodward
awoodward@ourcoloradonews.com When people hear the words “county fair” and “rodeo,” images of cowboys, cattle and bull riding usually come to mind. The Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo — along with 4H youth development — are trying to change that image with this year’s theme. The “County Fair with an Urban Flair” will feature events to appeal to urban folk, while keeping traditional fair and rodeo shows that appreciate rural life. “We are really trying to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities,” said Lisa Sholten, extension agent and 4H youth development for Colorado State University extension. Livestock sales and bids are usually the staple of county fair’s and rodeos. Sholten noticed that some visitors, and even some locals, did not understand the dynamics of livestock bids. Instead, 4H decided to have a youth’s
farmer’s market on Aug. 11, for meats that might not sell at the livestock sale the previous day. Farmer’s markets are more familiar to urban residents, said Sholten. Interested buyers in fresh meat no longer have to buy a whole animal, and can buy halves and quarters at the market. Although 4H will have their sheep and goat shows, they will also have animals and pets more common in urban areas. There will be a dog show on Aug. 10 at 12:30 p.m. followed by a rabbit hopping contest at 1:30 p.m. This year, organizers for the Jeffco fair and rodeo are anticipating 20,000 attendees with the help of their sponsor, radio station KYGO. “We hope to grow it more in the future for longer hours, more fun and more people,” Sherie Wren, vice president of the Jeffco fair and rodeo said. With the event growing each year, organizers will have to balance expansion and cost in order to keep admission free. “We would like to keep it community friendly,” said Wren. Keeping in step with county fairs and rodeos, some of the more well-known shows this year will include Jeffco’s rodeo with
Hailey Roush of Conifer, left, stands next to her poster design that won first place for the Jeffco Fair and Rodeo’s annual commemorative poster contest. The 4H youth development have worked closely with Jeffco Fair and Rodeo officials to help mix both urban and rural events at the fair. Photo by Bailey Becker bareback riding and roping, and the 2nd annual Evening of Horses held Aug. 9. Highlights for this event include the
Westernaires performance of drills and tricks, the Kodiak Ranch Clydesdales, a sidesaddle performance and horse soccer.
Program assists with home buying By Amy Woodward
awoodward@ourcoloradonews.com
Westminster Promenade Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery head brew master Ryan Piec pours a glass of a summer featured beer, Summer Honey Ale. The brew is being featured throughout August. Photo by Ashley Reimers
Promenade Rock Bottom gets a remodel By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ourcoloradonews.com Regulars at the Rock Bottom Brewery in the Westminster Promenade may notice some changes, not just on the walls but also on the menu. The restaurant and brewery recently underwent a remodel, revealing a fresh new look on July 29. The changes include an updated bar area with flexible seating and community tables for groups together as well as expanded seating near the patio. “A big change is the color scheme and décor which now features warm colors, and
clean and simple lines and new art work,” said General Manager Fernando Canales. “We’ve always been a place people like to come to for live music and great beer, and we’re hoping the additional open seating and new audio visual upgrades will be an even bigger draw for groups when they come to the Promenade.” As for the menu, new made-fromscratch items are being featured including Chipotle Agave Salmon and an Ahi Tuna appetizer. Canales said the restaurant works hard to make most everything from scratch, giving customers the best quality possible. A new beer on tap is also being feature throughout the month of August, the Sum-
mer Honey Ale. Head brew master Ryan Piec said the beer is infused with honey from a local farmer giving a sweet, refreshing flavor to the brew. “As brewers what we love most is getting to play around with stuff we can do next,” he said. “With the season rotators we get to do all of our embellishments and creativity.” Another beer was tapped on Aug. 6 called Rockvar, a traditional bohemian pilsner that Piec describes as a clean crisp beer with a bright hop character. Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, at 10633 Westminster Blvd. in Westminster, was opened in 2000.
Unincorporated Jeffco has joined a program to assist people to get into homes with a mortgage loan sponsored by the City and County of Denver. The Metro Mortgage Assistance Plus program offers a fixed 30-year mortgage loan with down payment and closing cost assistance for low and middle class families. People may have funds to buy a mortgage, but there are always down payments and closing costs involved in order to finalize the buying process. “The hard part is getting into a house,” Kristin Hyser, community development specialist for Jeffco said. “A lot of people don’t have access to that capital.” The program offers high income requirements which encompass many average household incomes. A household size of one or two family members would need an income below $91,100. For larger families of three or more, an income below $103,000 is required to potentially qualify. “It’s very flexible and open,” Beth Truby, senior community development specialist for the office of economic development in Denver said. With unincorporated Jeffco just opting in to the four-month-old program, data showing the number of families participating in the program will take some time, said Truby. So far, there are a total of 50 approved loans in the metro cities, with an estimated 350 loans over the next two years. The assistance program has the potential to continue past its two-year test run if metro cities and Jeffco, find the program to be beneficial. “It’s really a great program,” said Hyser for Jeffco. “It creates more stable communities, we’re excited about it,” she added. The loan requires a FICO score of 640 and maximum debt to income ratio of 45. Home counseling is available for families who may be struggling with debt or worried about their credit history. Information about home counseling including more information regarding the Metro Mortgage Assistance Plus program including requirements and participating lenders can be found at www.denvergov.org/housing.
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