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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Author: I-70 Scout

  • Colorado Missing Persons Day—February 4, 2025 Ceremony to be held at State Capitol

    Colorado Missing Persons Day—February 4, 2025 Ceremony to be held at State Capitol

  • New Ownership For Mobile Home Park Brings Stability For Seniors

    Arapahoe County is proud to have supported a critical component of quality of life by assisting fixed-income older adults with the purchase of their mobile home park.

    Residents of the Meadowood Village Mobile Home Park in Littleton faced drastic increases in the cost of renting the lots under their mobile homes when their community was set to be sold for $18 million. Meadowood residents formed a cooperative that began work toward submitting an offer to buy the property. Doing so would allow Meadowood to become a resident-owned community and allow residents to remain in their homes.

    Arapahoe County contributed a $750,000 grant to support the purchase. The County, with the City of Littleton, also provided a combined $75,000 for inspection and legal expenses. Additional funding came from other entities through various grants and loans. Following a year-long process, earlier this month, the Meadowood Cooperative became proud owners of their property.

    “What Meadowood Village residents have accomplished is truly incredible and Arapahoe County Commissioners were honored to play a key role in helping the community become a resident-owned community,” said County Commissioner Carrie Warren-Gully. “Without this historic purchase, residents would be subject to rent hikes and eviction and would lose control over key decisions that affect their lives.”

    Affordable housing is in short supply across the County and across the state. The Board of County Commissioners is seeking to increase the number of affordable units by 3% annually—a goal set in their strategic plan where housing is a top focus area. Since adopting the strategic plan, the County has contributed to numerous projects dedicated to safe and affordable housing with federal grants and funds. Housing-related funds typically come from the Community Development Block Grant, which supports affordable housing and economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents, and  . Over the last several years, the County has also been able to utilize one-time American Rescue Plan Act dollars to support housing diversity.

    Learn more about other focus areas of the Board of County Commissioners and additional housing resources.

  • January Is Human Trafficking Prevention Month: How To Recognize And Report It

    Human trafficking is hidden and often hard to spot, but January’s recognition as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month highlights the need for awareness and action. Recognizing the signs and taking action can make a difference.

    Signs of Trafficking:

    • Unpaid labor: Victims often work without pay or receive little compensation.
    • Fearful behavior: Victims may seem anxious or submissive to their trafficker.
    • Physical abuse: Untreated injuries or signs of abuse are common.
    • Isolation: Victims are isolated from others and have little freedom.
    • Lack of control: Victims can’t make basic decisions for themselves.
    • No ID: Many victims don’t have personal documents.
    • Inconsistent stories: Traffickers often manipulate victims into telling false or inconsistent stories.

    How to Report Suspicious Activity:

    • National Human Trafficking Hotline: Call or text 1-888-373-7888.
    • Local Law Enforcement: In emergencies, call 911 or contact police directly.
    • Arapahoe County Hotline: If you believe a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, call 911. For concerns about abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult that is not an immediate danger, call 303-636-1750. Your report is anonymous and confidential.

    Local Resources:

    If you spot the signs of human trafficking, report it. Your actions can help prevent human trafficking and support survivors. Together, we can build a safer community.

  • NFL Divisional Round Playoffs

    NFL Divisional Round Playoffs

    NFL Divisional Round games are in full swing with games being played Jan. 18 and 19.

    Saturday, Jan. 18:

    AFC: No. 4 seed Houston, Texans Vs. No. 1 seed Kansas City, Chiefs at 2:30 p.m.

    NFC: No. 6 seed Washington, Commanders Vs. No. 1 seed Detroit, Lions at 6 p.m.

    Sunday, Jan. 19:

    NFC: No. 4 seed Los Angeles, Rams Vs. No 2 seed Philadelphia, Eagles at 1 p.m.

    AFC: No. 3 seed Baltimore, Ravens Vs. No. 2 seed Buffalo, Bills at 4:30 p.m.

  • Join an Artist Selection Panel

     

    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.

    To learn more click the link https://adcogov.org/supporting-arts-adams-county.

     

  • Foster Care Coffee Meetup

    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.

  • Read Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech in its entirety

    Read Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech in its entirety

    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.

  • Defendant Convicted, Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Seriously Injuring Brighton Police Officer During 2023 Arrest

    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.

  • Governor Polis Orders Flags To Fly at Half Staff For 30 Days To Honor Former President Jimmy Carter

    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.

  • Start the New Year with a First Day Hike at Colorado state parks

    Dec. 27, 2024

    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