Category: Upcoming Events

By Colorado National Guard Public Affairs

CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The Colorado National Guard will welcome home around 300 Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 157th Field Artillery Regiment Oct. 9, 2022 at the Evie Garret Dennis Campus high school in Aurora, Colorado.

The unit deployed in support of U.S. Central Command as part of Operation Spartan Shield.

“Welcome home Soldiers and thank you families, friends and employers for supporting these warriors as they played an integral role in demonstrating the United States’ commitment to the security and stability of our partners in the Middle East and Central Asia,” The Adjutant General of Colorado, U.S. Army Brig Gen. Laura Clellan said. “Our Colorado National Guard men and women continue to prove that we are a ready, reliable and modernized force ready to serve the citizens of Colorado, the U.S. and our global partners.”

The battalion had two main elements supporting OSS stationed in Kuwait and United Emirates of Arabia.  They also deployed two light High Mobility Artillery Rocket System platoons in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The relentless efforts to train on digital fire missions and maintain communication reliability was the key to the unit’s success.

3-157 FA was organized Sep. 30, 1911 under 1st Battalion. The unit has served in campaigns in the War with Spain (Manila), Philippine Insurrection (Manila and Luzon), World War WI, World War II (Europe and Pacific), and the Global War on Terrorism (Iraq and Afghanistan).

Over the next few days the Soldiers will attend reintegration training and Soldier Readiness Processing in preparation to transition back to their pre deployment lives.

Construction has begun for the State-Highway 79 and Marketplace Intersection improvements and signalization.

Work will continue on October 3, 2022 and crews will be in the area to start lane widening and right of way modifications. Signals will not be installed until the Town receives further approvals from the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Some of the improvements include creating a dedicated right-hand turn lane that will allow trucks and other vehicles to turn towards I-70.

During this time there will be some impacts to traffic, please use extra caution when traveling through the area.

If you have additional questions regarding the work in the area, please contact the Town of Bennett at 303-644-3249.

Explores Wellness Benefits of Art in the Great Outdoors

To support the urgent mental and behavioral health crisis in the community, Adams County has launched two campaigns to bridge the gap between public art, the outdoors, and wellness – while also bringing access to and highlighting the expanding parks, open space, and trail system available to the public.

Love Your Trails is a ground mural series dedicated to the natural beauty of the county. Fifteen local and national artists have been commissioned to install murals now through Fall 2022. Artists who have participated in the program have embraced the challenges of working outdoors and finding new ways to draw in audiences. Murals run 18 miles from the Fishing is Fun Pond in Riverdale Regional Park in Brighton along the South Platte River Trail and the Clear Creek Trail all the way to Sheridan Blvd.

Community Paint Days is an event series providing community members the opportunity to pick up a paintbrush, help paint the community mural, and meet one of the commissioned artists from the Love Your Trails campaign. The community is also welcome to simply watch and enjoy.

Adams County believes the addition and inclusion of art into local environments plays a significant role in the encouragement of lasting economic growth, creating and sustaining cultural identity, and creating a sense of belonging.

“Parks are democratic spaces – they are free to all, reflect the demographic diversity of our county, and are places for social and cultural interaction,” said Adams County Commissioner Lynn Baca, chair.

Participation in cultural activities connects people to each other and to their community institutions, providing pathways to other forms of participation. Thus, arts and culture can create opportunities for expression, community dialogue, and shared cultural experiences.

“Physical environments connect to mental and emotional well-being in more ways than one,” said Baca. “The spaces where we live and play form the context for our lives.”

Mental health problems are on the rise in Adams County and are associated with lower quality of life, increased unscheduled care, high economic and social cost, and increased mortality. Nature-based interventions (NBIs) that support people to engage with nature are data-driven solutions that improve mental health for community-based adults and children. While other environmental factors feed into mental disorders, it’s important to not overlook nature and art’s role in our emotional wellness. Studies have also shown those who participate in cultural activities show an increase in overall health. These surveys have also revealed that not only do people who create the art benefit, so do those who consume it.

“The interplay between art and nature offers bountiful opportunities for rejuvenating cultural encounters and a welcoming environment for all ages,” said Baca. “With the shifts we’ve seen in social interactions, people are craving safe, vibrant outdoor experiences. We’re thrilled to share our accessible and engaging public spaces with the community and to encourage respite and reflection, especially during these challenging times.”

The Love Your Trails and Community Paint Days series aims to provide free, accessible public spaces and art for all residents and visitors to come appreciate art and provides something for everyone.

Love Your Trails murals were selected by a unique art panel made up of members of the Adams County Visual Arts Commission and Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts staff. Learn more about the Adams County Visual Arts Commission: adcogov.org/visual-arts-commission.

View a map of mural locations and more details about the artists: adcogov.org/cultural-arts-current-projects.

Community Paint Days Date and Time:

Twin Lakes Park

Saturday, Sept. 24, and Sunday, Sept. 25

Noon – 4 p.m.

Artist: Eli Pillaert

Pronouns: She/they

Mural Title: Front-range First Light

Mural Size: 10′ x 150′

About the design: This knotted alder plant design celebrates the invaluable resources the trail system provides to residents and visitors. The color palette is inspired by the light at sunrise.

BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo.–The 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, will conduct a readiness exercise at BSFB and Pueblo Regional Airport, Pueblo, Colorado, Sept. 22-25, 2022.

 

Wing personnel will conduct 24-hour training operations in a simulated combat environment, meaning the local community can anticipate an increase in flight activity and noise level during this period to include evening flying operations.

 

“We have been preparing for this very important exercise over the past several months and plan to continue honing our warfighting skills in late September as we serve our state and nation,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Southard, commander, 140th Wing.

 

This multi-day exercise is designed to establish a learning environment for Airmen to exercise their plans and procedures for upcoming deployments in an ever-evolving operational environment.

 

Southard said that the community’s patience and understanding of these necessary training activities is greatly appreciated. The training gained from these exercises will significantly improve the 140th Wing’s ability to prepare and respond to mission-essential functions carried out every day in support of national security.

 

The wing’s real-world mission and emergency response capability will not be affected and will take priority over exercise actions.