Do you want to make an impact on Adams County’s cultural legacy?
Consider joining an artist selection panel. Artist Selection Panel members help identify thought-provoking artists who speak to a place, represent our diverse communities, add vitality to Adams County’s vast environments, and enrich and diversify the county’s art collection.
Why join an artist selection panel?
Being a part of our selection panels is great way to take your passion for the arts to the next level, and to make a meaningful impact on your community.
As a panel member you get to:
Directly influence the cultural landscape of your community.
Engage with your community and public spaces in new ways.
Promote innovation and diverse perspectives in Adams County.
Collaborate with other local art and community lovers.
Increase the quality of life for all Adams County residents through selecting thought-provoking and engaging public artists.
Help revitalize communities and contribute to economic vitality.
Want to learn more about the steps to becoming a foster parent? Here’s your chance! Join the foster care team and current foster parents at 9:30-10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21, for a coffee meet up at Starbucks, 45 E. 120th Ave., Thornton. To learn more about Adams County foster care, visit fosteradamscountycokids.org.
Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. addresses the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., where he gave his “I Have a Dream” speech on Aug. 28, 1963, as part of the March on Washington.
AFP via Getty Images
Monday marks Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Below is a transcript of his celebrated “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on Aug. 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. NPR’s Talk of the Nation aired the speech in 2010 — listen to that broadcast at the audio link above.
Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders gather before a rally at the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28, 1963, in Washington.
National Archives/Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.: Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
But 100 years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself in exile in his own land. And so we’ve come here today to dramatize a shameful condition. In a sense we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check.
When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men — yes, Black men as well as white men — would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked insufficient funds.
Brighton, CO – Today, District Attorney Brian Mason is announcing the conviction and sentence for Robert Trujillo, 51, following his guilty plea to First-Degree Assault in Adams County District Court.
On August 16, 2023, Brighton Police responded to Overland Trail Middle School on North 19th Avenue in reference to an individual with a felony domestic violence warrant who was sitting in his vehicle in the parking lot. Robert Trujillo was sitting in the driver’s seat of his vehicle, and it was backed into a parking space.
When Brighton Police Officers arrived, one parked in front of Trujillo’s vehicle and the other parked behind it. Trujillo attempted to back out and rammed into one of the BPD cars. Officer Alejandro Covarrubias confronted the defendant and attempted to place him under arrest. However, Trujillo resisted, put the car in drive, stepped on the gas pedal, and took off with Officer Covarrubias hanging onto the driver’s side door.
The defendant slammed his vehicle into another car which violently knocked open the driver’s side door and hit Officer Covarrubias who received a fractured hip as a result. Trujillo crashed into two other cars in the parking lot, fled his vehicle, and ran into a nearby apartment. He was later apprehended.
On September 27, 2024, Trujillo pleaded guilty to First-Degree Assault (Serious Bodily Injury with Deadly Weapon) (F3), and on January 8, 2025, Adams County District Court Judge Brett Martin sentenced the defendant to 20 years in the Department of Corrections.
“The actions of this defendant are truly outrageous,” said District Attorney Brian Mason. “As you’ll see in the body cam video, this defendant nearly killed Officer Covarrubias when he attempted to flee. Our law enforcement partners put themselves in harm’s way each and every day to protect our communities. I’m thankful for the work they do to keep us safe.”
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face every day. I am proud of the actions taken by Officer Covarrubias and all the members of the Brighton Police Department team who worked to get this dangerous criminal off the streets and into custody,” said Chief Matthew Domenico, Brighton Police Department. “I want to thank our partners at the District Attorney’s Office for their efforts to hold this defendant accountable and am grateful for Officer Covarrubias’ hard work to recover from his injuries and return to the critically important job of protecting the Brighton community.”
Senior Deputy District Attorney Mike Whitney and Deputy District Attorney Michael Perez led the prosecution of this case.
The video from Officer Covarrubias’ body camera can be found contained within this link,Covarrubias Body Cam. Please be advised it is graphic.
A secondary body camera angle from Officer McKeehan can be found within this link, Mckeehan Body Cam.
DENVER – Today, Governor Polis, as directed by President Biden, ordered flags to fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset for 30 days, starting on the day of former President Carter’s passing, December 29th, including a National Day of Mourning on January 9th, to honor the life and service of James Earl Carter, the 39th President of the United States.
“Today, as America begins to mourn the death of Former President Jimmy Carter I encourage Coloradans to join in honoring his 100 remarkable years of life, service, and leadership. We must continue to further the ideals that Former President Carter believed in, including deep compassion and protecting human rights and dignity,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.
DENVER – Celebrate the New Year with fresh air and scenic views by participating in a First Day Hike at one of Colorado’s state parks. These guided hikes are organized annually to encourage individuals and families to start the year on the right foot – by getting outside and connecting with nature.
On Jan. 1, 2025, Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites you to participate in a First Day Hike at a Colorado state park. For a complete list of participating parks, visit the CPW Event Calendar.
This year, more than 1,000 hikes are available in state parks around the country. The distance and rigor of the hikes vary from park to park, but they all aim to create a fun experience for the whole family. Savor the beauty of the natural, cultural and historical resources our state parks offer, and be inspired to take advantage of these local treasures throughout the year.
Hikers can choose guided hikes that fit their comfort levels including mountain and hill climbing, walks along lakes, exploring trails that wind through forests, wildlife expeditions, and even adaptive adventures at various parks. From boating to fishing and horseback riding, or simply enjoying a peaceful moment from a park picnic table or bench, there is something for everyone in state parks.
To discover winter recreation activities at Colorado state parks and park pass options, visit cpw.state.co.us.
Join us in keeping Colorado, Colorado. Get a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your next vehicle registration and support Colorado state parks and outdoor education programs for local communities. Learn more at cpw.info/keepcoloradowild
Help Arapahoe County families stay healthy and avoid hunger this Thanksgiving and beyond by spreading the word about resources there to help. The County’s Public Health WIC program has a large list of community resources available to families, including local pantries that typically provide holiday food boxes as well as normal distributions. Resources include:
Integrated Family Community Service’s drive-through Fresh Thanks Food Distribution on Saturday, Nov. 23. Gates open at 10:45 a.m. Event begins at 11:30 a.m. at Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S. Sante Fe Dr. in Littleton. Registration not required.
Nov. 20: Don’t drive sauced: CDOT urges motorists to plan a sober ride on one of the deadliest driving holidays of the year
Statewide — If your Thanksgiving plans include alcohol or cannabis, plan a safe and sober ride home — your loved ones will be thankful you did. From Nov. 21 to Dec. 4, the Colorado Department of Transportation will support the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and 75 local law enforcement agencies for The Heat Is On Thanksgiving Week DUI enforcement period. Drivers may see saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and additional law enforcement officers on duty dedicated to arresting impaired drivers.
According to preliminary data, between 2020 and 2023, Thanksgiving had the second-highest average of roadway fatalities in Colorado during a holiday period. Additionally, Thanksgiving ranks third-highest for impaired driving-related fatalities during holidays over this same time frame. Last year’s Thanksgiving Week enforcement period concluded with 353 reported DUI arrests across Colorado. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 833 impaired driving-related fatalities during the Thanksgiving holiday period from 2018 to 2022 nationwide. Email for data.
“So far this year, 181 people have died on Colorado roads due to impaired drivers,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “The holidays are a time to celebrate with loved ones, not mourn their loss. Colorado law enforcement is looking for impaired drivers to ensure every seat at your Thanksgiving table is filled. You can help. Take the steps to prevent a life-changing crash by using a ride-sharing service, taxi, or public transit to get home safely. ”
This Thanksgiving, The Wilhite Law Firm is offering to reimburse Uber or Lyft trips with rideshare credits to keep Coloradans safe and promote sober rides. This offer is valid for a one-way ride to your home and may be redeemed one time for the entire duration of the program (Nov. 27 to 30). You must submit your receipt for an Uber or Lyft credit reimbursement within two weeks of the last day of the program. Anyone age 21 or older who resides in Colorado with a valid ID may participate in the program. Visit www.wilhitelawfirm.com/rideshare-program for program information.
“Make the smart choice and put your keys down if you’ve been consuming alcohol or cannabis — don’t risk a DUI, crash or worse this Thanksgiving,” said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. “Make it to your gatherings and holiday celebrations safely by making sure a designated driver is part of your plans. Even if you think you’re OK to drive, it’s always better to call a sober friend than put yourself and other Coloradans in danger.”
The recent Halloween Weekend DUI enforcement period concluded with 179 arrests across 86 participating agencies. The agencies with the highest arrests were Colorado Springs Police Department (18), Larimer County Sheriff’s Office (12) and Fort Collins Police Department (11). CSP reported 40 arrests. Following Thanksgiving Week, the next DUI enforcement period will be Holiday Parties from Dec. 12 to 25.
Statewide — Don’t miss out on backyard barbecues, time with friends and end-of-summer fun with a DUI — always plan a sober ride home. From Aug. 16 to Sept. 4, the Colorado Department of Transportation will support the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and 70 local law enforcement agencies for The Heat Is On Labor Day Crackdown DUI enforcement period. During the 20-day enforcement period, drivers may see saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and additional law enforcement officers on duty dedicated to arresting impaired drivers.
Labor Day marks the end of the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer — the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day that historically sees a spike in fatal crashes. Since Memorial Day of this year, there have been nearly 1,400 crashes involving a suspected impaired driver in Colorado. In June and July alone, there were a combined 129 traffic fatalities in Colorado, 44 of which involved a suspected impaired driver.
“Impaired driving-related crashes, injuries and fatalities are entirely preventable. When you drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you are gambling with other people’s lives,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Your holiday weekend could quickly come to an end with a DUI, jail time or even a fatal crash. Keep your safety and that of others in mind — the only choice is a sober ride.”
Driving under the influence of any impairing substance — not just alcohol — is illegal. Most CSP troopers have specialized training in drug detection, known as ARIDE (Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement). All Colorado law enforcement agencies can administer alcohol and drug toxicology tests to drivers following a fatal DUI crash. Additionally, there are over 120 Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) in Colorado trained to recognize impairment in drivers under the influence of drugs other than, or in addition to, alcohol.
“Long weekends are never an excuse to drive impaired,” said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. “Last year’s Labor Day Crackdown enforcement period concluded with 774 reported DUI arrests. No one is above the law — the only way to avoid a DUI is by driving sober. It’s that simple. Enjoy the holiday responsibly by leaving the keys at home and planning a sober ride.”
CDOT is making available new DUI checkpoint footage, available free for media use, offering a compelling glimpse of what happens during a checkpoint. The footage captures real-life interactions between law enforcement officers and drivers at DUI checkpoints, highlighting the consequences of impaired driving. You can find more about these photos on the CDIOT DUI Checkpoint B-Roll Google Drive Folder. Send email to to request access to the folder.
Note: The people portrayed in the videos signed participation waivers to be included in filming.
About The Heat Is On
The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year, with 16 specific high-visibility impaired driving enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large public events. Enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to impaired driving enforcement. Find more details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips at HeatIsOnColorado.com. More information about DUI laws in Colorado can be found at NoDUIColorado.org. Learn more about CDOT’s dedication to keeping Colorado roads safe, including impaired driving enforcement objectives, arrest data and safety information at codot.gov/safety.
Crash Not Accident
Note to reporters: Crashes are no accident — they are preventable. We would appreciate you saying ‘crash’ instead of ‘accident’ when reporting.