WEEK OF JULY 3, 2025
VOLUME 80 | ISSUE 37
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New policy goals for public land discussed Extractive uses in, protection out for federal lands BY HANK LACEY NEWSLINE COLORADO
The Trump administration’s revised Department of the Interior strategic plan calls for expanded fossil fuel development across federal lands, while omitting any reference to public land sales first raised in an earlier draft. Required under a 1993 statute and in 2010 amendments to that law, the draft plan outlines high-level goals for the Interior’s management of 480 million acres of federal land, including approximately 24 million acres in Colorado. Language emphasizing a commitment to extraction is particularly stark. In a break from contemporary descriptions of the natural resources under federal management, the Trump administration declared in a proposed introduction to the plan that the department “is the U.S. balance sheet, and natural resources are the country’s assets.” “These lands — rich in energy, minerals, biodiversity, and recreational value — are worth trillions of dollars to current and future generations,” the draft introduction continues. Chris Winter, executive director of the University of Colorado Law School’s Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment, said the draft plan confirms what many in the environmental community have feared: a shift away from conservation in favor of extractive industries. “The administration is going to emphasize extractive industries and fossil fuels on federal public lands and is going to move away from conservation and renewable energy,” he said. The plan makes no mention of renewable energy or even of climate change, a sharp contrast from Interior’s current guiding template. The Bidenera2022–2026 strategic planemphasized climate resilience and a transition to clean energy. The new draft, by contrast, omits the subject of climate entirely. That is one of several breakpoints critics say reflects a reversal in federal priorities. SEE POLICY GOALS, P8
Westminster’s old Rodeo Market COURTESY WESTMINSTER HISTORIC SOCIETY
Westminster’s old Rodeo Market headed for a nearly $4 million renovation Critics say the city should not be spending money to rebuild a private business BY MONTE WHALEY MONTE@COTLN.ORG
The City of Westminster is not usually in the business of using city funds to rebuild a business. But in the case of the old Rodeo Market property at 3915 W. 73rd Ave., the city council this week made an exception. Councilors voted to approve spending over $4.3 million to renovate the Rodeo Market to make way for a tap room called The Barque. The actual cost to the city is estimated to be $3,966,375 after the The Barque’s owners reimburse the city $391,058 for tenant improvements. The tenants - Ed and Kyle Knudson also run the Barquentine Brewing Company in the Edgewater Marketplace. The cost of the market’s renovation also includes needed improvements to the adjacent Westminster Grange and Valente Humanitarian Park, according to a city staff report to the council. The fate of the Rodeo Market buildings has been debated in Westminster
VOICES: 6 | SPORTS: 10 | CALENDAR: 11 | PUZZLES: 12
for several years. The structure dates back to the mid-1950s and was the city’s first supermarket. The city purchased the building in 2004, and, in 2006, it became listed as an historic landmark by the State and local Historic Landmark Boards, the report states. Councilors who voted to hire WCG Construction for the renovation said that the old market building along with the Grange and park have fallen into disrepair and needs rejuvenation. “Many of these improvements need to happen because it is our property,” Councilor David DeMott said. “This is a community asset, and this is piece of the community.” “We have a responsibility to take care of this building,” added Councilor Clare Carmelia. The contract agreement, Carmlia said, should be celebrated. Critics say the city should not be using tax dollars to help the renovation of private businesses. Jim Fenimore told the council the renovation funds – which will come largely
through the city’s capital improvement fund – should be used to help improve neighborhood fire stations. “…$4.5 million going toward a private business is not proper for the city to be doing,” Fenimore said. Councilor Kristine Ireland cast the lone dissenting vote, saying the pub does not have enough parking. Also, she said, “the cost is my concern.” The Barque owner Ed Knudson told the council he appreciates the size of the city’s investment in his enterprise. “We really don’t consider this as a restaurant…it’s more of a community gathering place. We consider this an amazing opportunity for us.” Dino Valente - whose grandfather was the building’s original tenant – told the city council the cost of renovation is substantial. But the other alternative of razing the building “would be bad.” “I know this is a painful pill to swallow,” added Valente, “But there is no question this will put a spark in the neighborhood.”
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