Category: Front Page

DENVER- Governor Polis ordered the flags to be lowered to half-staff tomorrow, Wednesday, December 6, 2023, to honor Sergeant Michael Moran, who was killed in the line of duty last week. Flags should be lowered tomorrow, the day of the service, from sunrise to sunset on all public buildings statewide. 

DENVER – Today, Governor Polis announced the annual Governor’s Residence at Boettcher Mansion Holiday Tours. Open to the public annually around the holidays, Coloradans from across our state can tour the Governor’s Residence on Friday and Saturday, December 8th and 9th from 10 am-2 pm. Members of the public are asked to express interest in a tour through this Governor’s Office Form; however, walk-ins are welcomed. 

“This holiday season, I encourage Coloradans to come celebrate with us in Colorado’s House. Our public tours not only give Coloradans a chance to see the Governor’s Residence while beautifully decorated for the holidays, but also learn about the storied history of the home,” said Governor Polis. 

The Governor’s Residence at Boettcher Mansion was recently named a runner-up top wedding venue in the Denver Metro Area by the Colorado Sun. A limited number of weddings can take place at the mansion each year, if you are interested inquire on the Governor’s Residence Wedding website.  

DENVER – Today, Governor Polis ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on all public buildings in honor and remembrance of First Lady Rosalynn Carter as proclaimed by President Biden. Flags should be lowered beginning on Saturday, November 25, 2023, until sunset on the day of the funeral which will be held on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. 

The President’s full proclamation text states: 

Throughout her life as First Lady of Georgia and First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn Carter exemplified hope, warmth, and a steadfast commitment to doing all she could to address many of our society’s greatest needs.  She was a champion for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls; an advocate for mental health and wellness for all; and a supporter of the often unseen and uncompensated caregivers of our children, aging loved ones, and people with disabilities.  Above all, the deep love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership, and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism.  

As a mark of respect for the memory of Rosalynn Carter, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions from November 25, 2023, until sunset, on the day of interment.  I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 14 to consider oil and gas amendments to the County’s Land Use Code that include wildfire protections, increased setbacks, an air quality monitoring program, and additional testing requirements for soil, surface water and groundwater.  

The hearing will be held in the East Hearing Room within the Administration Building, 5334 S. Prince St., in Littleton. Those who can’t attend in person can participate in the hearing by calling 855-436-3656 and pressing *3 to speak.  

The Planning Commission unanimously recommended denial of the proposed amendments at their Nov. 8 public hearing. A recording of the meeting will be available on the website. 

While the Planning Commission recommend denial, the Board of County Commissioners will consider the following: 

• Require oil and gas operations to be located 3,000 feet away from existing and planned reservoirs when downgradient conditions can be demonstrated; 
• Increase setbacks from occupied structures, platted lots and outside activity areas to 2,500 or 3,000 feet; 

• Include wildland urban interface protections determined necessary by the fire district; 
• Require soil contamination testing for any incidents where fluids move off a well pad. This includes a remediation plan if testing reveals contaminants are present off the well pad; 
• Require the creation of groundwater and surface water quality plans, which provides additional water testing beyond state requirements, paid for by the operator; 
• Develop an air quality mitigation plan, including air quality monitoring beyond state requirements with additional monitoring stations and increased leak detection monitoring. This requires County notification should a test result exceed air quality standards and monitoring  conducted by an independent third-party consultant, paid for by the operator; 
• Require continuous noise monitoring by an independent third-party consultant, paid for by the operator.  

The Board of County Commissioner’s agenda and additional information of the proposed amendments is available at arapahoeco.gov/agendas.  

The board previously approved amendments to the oil and gas land development code on October 10, which included a one-mile setback from existing and planned reservoirs unless downgradient conditions can be demonstrated, requiring access roads that comply with fire code, and requiring handwashing supplies for workers at oil and gas sites. 

The County is developing additional amendments for consideration in early 2024, such as the inclusion of financial assurances and development of a County inspection program. For more information, visit www.arapahoeco.gov/oilandgas.   

Arapahoe County is proposing further amendments to its oil and gas regulations. The proposed amendments include wildfire protections, increased setbacks, additional soil, surface water, and groundwater testing, and an air quality program.

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Arapahoe County Administration Building, 5334 S. Prince St., in Littleton. (A previous version of this news item incorrectly listed Lima Plaza in Centennial as the meeting location.) Those who can’t attend in person can participate in the hearing by calling 855-436-3656 and pressing *3 to speak.

The proposed amendments include:

• Requiring oil and gas operations to be 3,000 feet away from existing and planned reservoirs when downgradient conditions can be demonstrated;
• Increasing setbacks from occupied structures, platted lots, outside activity areas and water bodies;
• Including wildland urban interface protections determined necessary by the fire district;
• Requiring soil contamination testing for any incidents where fluids move off a well pad. This includes a remediation plan if testing reveals contaminants are present off the well pad;
• Requiring the creation of groundwater and surface water quality plans, which provide additional water testing beyond state requirements;
• Developing an air quality mitigation plan. This includes air quality monitoring beyond state requirements with additional monitoring stations and increased leak detection monitoring, plus County notification should a test result exceed air quality standards. Monitoring to be conducted by an independent third-party consultant, paid for by the operator;
• Requiring continuous noise monitoring by an independent third-party consultant, paid for by the operator.

The agenda and additional information of the proposed amendments are available in Legistar.

The Board of County Commissioners will take up these amendments during a public hearing set for 9:30 a.m. Nov. 14 in the East Hearing Room within the Administration Building, 5334 S. Prince St., in Littleton.

A month ago, the Board of County Commissioners approved amendments to the oil and gas regulations, which included a one-mile setback from existing and planned reservoirs unless downgradient conditions can be demonstrated, requiring access roads that comply with fire code and requiring handwashing supplies for workers at oil and gas sites.

For more information, visit www.arapahoeco.gov/oilandgas.

ECT 11-05-23 Flyer

Halloween tips for drivers and trick-or-treaters (COLO) – Tomorrow is Halloween, and the Colorado State Patrol wants motorists and pedestrians to do their part as they share the road for an evening of trick-or-treating and fun. According to statewide statistics, 2022 was a record-setting year for pedestrian fatalities with 111 people killed on Colorado roadways, representing 15% of the state’s total traffic fatalities. “Kids love the magic of Halloween, so we all need to do our part to ensure they are practicing road and pedestrian safety,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Talk to your older kids and go with your younger ones. Being a good role model by crossing at intersections and wearing something bright shows them they can have fun and also do it safely.” Drivers are also asked to stay alert for pedestrians and follow the following tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Drive slowly around neighborhoods and residential streets, even if you don’t see trick-or-treaters around. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t drive high. Watch for children who may dart out into the street, and always yield to pedestrians. If you see one child, there are likely to be more who are ready to cross. When driving, ensure your headlights are on—not just your daytime running lights. Try to park in a spot where you won’t need to back up. But if you must, have an adult outside to make sure no children are in the way of your vehicle when you do. Don’t use a cell phone, adjust your vehicle controls or eat while driving. Pull over safely to do all of those things, if necessary. Troopers continue to take a low-tolerance approach to the top fatal crash factors, including lane violations while launching a yearlong campaign called “Drive Safe.” This campaign reminds people to control their lane position based on their current driving environment.