January-February 2020 Thornton City Voice Newspaper 1

For details about any of these programs visit ThorntonCO.gov/trashrecycling, email environmentalsvcs@ThorntonCO.gov or call 720-977-6200.

New Year’s DayThere will be a one day holiday delay in city trash/recycling pick up on Wednesday, January 1. If your normal pick up day is Wednesday, it will be collected on Thursday and so on, with Friday collection held on Saturday. Normal schedule will resume, Monday, January 6.

Christmas Tree Curbside Pick UpThornton trash/recycle customers may place their natural Christmas trees at the curb for collection on their regular trash collection day from December 30 - January 4. Please do not wrap the trees in plastic and remove all ornaments and lights.

Christmas Tree Recycle Drop OffSaturday, January 11, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Thornton residents may bring their natural Christmas trees to the Infrastructure Maintenance Center, 12450 Washington St., for recycling. Proof of residency is required. Restrictions and limitations apply.

Adopt-A-StreetLearn how you can help support litter control efforts along Thornton streets. Email environmentalsvcs@ThorntonCO.gov.

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Trash/Recycling News

The New Year Brings Thornton a New Mayor and New Council Members

Thornton’s new city council is nearly filled and complete for the next two years. Five individuals were sworn in to serve on Thornton City Council on December 3, 2019. For the first time in eight years, Thornton has a new mayor. Jan Kulmann was sworn in as Thornton’s 13th mayor. She replaces Heidi Williams who was term-limited. Kulmann has served on council for the last six years representing Ward 4. “I am humbled and honored to have earned the support of so many neighbors across our great city,” said Kulmann. I look forward to collaborating closely with regional leaders, community members and stakeholders to address issues facing our city and to make sure Thornton remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.” Her transition to mayor created a vacancy in Ward 4 which the new council will fill by appointing someone in the near future.

In Ward 1, Jacque Phillips won re-election. “I would like to thank my Ward 1 opponent for running. I also want to thank all the people that worked on my campaign. I look forward, with enthusiasm, to continuing the work for Ward 1 on Thornton City Council,” said Phillips.

Julia Marvin was elected for her first term in Ward 2. She replaces Eric Montoya who had served on city council since 2013. “I’m thrilled to represent the community of Ward 2 on city council,” said Marvin. Thornton is a great place to live, and as we continue to grow, we have work to do to make sure we’re creating a city that is forward-thinking and inclusive. I look forward to working with my fellow council members on issues and projects that will benefit our community and give people the opportunity to succeed and thrive.”

Ward 3 also has a first-term council member as David Acunto was elected. He replaces Eric Tade who was appointed to fulfill a council vacancy last January. “Thank you! Your support over the past several months has been profoundly inspiring. I look forward to listening and engaging with the community as your council member,” said Acunto.

Adam Matkowsky won re-election for a second term in Ward 4. “Thank you for re-electing me. With this opportunity, I will continue the fight for Thornton to provide health insurance to our police officers and firefighters upon retirement. It is imperative we take care of those who put their lives and health on the line for us every day,” said Matkowsky.

At the December 3 council meeting, city council also voted to elect Council Member Jessica Sandgren as the Mayor Pro tem. Jessica will run council meetings if there are occasions in which the mayor cannot attend.

You can learn more about your council members by visiting Thornton’s website at ThorntonCO.gov/council and reading their biographies.

How to Find Your 2020 Trash and Recycling Collection Calendar Our recycling schedules have changed! Your recycling is now collected every other week. As a Thornton trash/recycling customer you can look up your collection schedule for your specific address at ThorntonCO.gov/trashrecycling. You can also sign up to receive collection day reminders via email, phone call, text message, or print your collection schedule or embed it in your iCal, Google or Microsoft Outlook calendar. “Thornton’s Environmental Services Division continues to best serve our customers and with this online calendar and reminder system which saves over 100,000 pieces of paper,” says Thornton Deputy Infrastructure Director Todd Rullo.

Mayor Janifer “Jan” Kulmann 11,385 Eric Montoya 6,137 Steven Cervantes 2,705 James K Treibert 1,120 Beth Martinez Humenik 5,805

Ward 1 Jacqueline “Jacque” Phillips 2,535 Shawn Reza 1,106

Ward 2 Tamara L Pierce 1,678 Julia Marvin 3,120

Ward 3 David Acunto 4,716 Jessica Troy 3,929

Ward 4 Curtis Kowalski 3,764 Adam Matkowsky 5,033

2 Thornton City Voice Newspaper January-February 2020

Thornton Welcomes Alianza: A New Spanish-Speaking Business Support SystemThe Thornton Economic Development Department has formed a new Spanish-speaking business support program for Thornton businesses called Alianza de Negocios en Thornton. An English translation is Alliance of Businesses in Thornton - or Alianza for short. The program is a partnership led by Robin Martinez, Local Business Administrator for the city of Thornton, Mi Casa Resource Center’s Small Business Consultant Andy Figueroa, and a newly formed advisory board of Spanish- speaking Thornton business owners. “Alianza provides the same business services as Businesses of Thornton Advisory Commission (BTAC), and the services are tailored to the specific needs and interests of Thornton’s Spanish-speaking business community,” says Thornton Local Business Administrator Robin Martinez.

“Our Spanish-speaking business owners make up a large portion of the Thornton business community. Historically, our office has struggled to gain participation and involvement from Spanish-speaking businesses when it comes to our events, services and planning. We felt it was important that all Thornton business owners were represented and aware of our services, so they might take advantage of them when needed. We want to support our Spanish-speaking businesses to build a networking connection with one another, to create a support system from within. We especially want our Spanish-speaking business owners to understand the important role they play in the community, so they can get involved and have a voice at the table when we are discussing how to improve the business climate in our city.”

The Thornton Economic Development Office has contracted with Mi Casa Resource Center to bring their services to Thornton to provide technical assistance and counseling in Spanish. “Mi Casa Resource Center has been located in Denver since 1976 and has been serving the Spanish -speaking business community since the mid-1980s,” says Martinez. “Mi Casa Resource Center supports bilingual business development to minority business owners who are in the entrepreneurial and start-up stage as well as second and third stage business owners.” Mi Casa provides one on one counseling, workshops, business outreach and more in both English and Spanish.

Over the last 10 years, Thornton’s Economic Development Office and the Business of Thornton Advisory Commission (BTAC) has built a well-rounded small business service and support system with community partners and the local business community. “When it comes to small business, Thornton has a very supportive city council,” says Thornton Economic Development Director John Cody. “As a result of this support, we have built one of the most robust Small Business Economic Development programs in the Metro Area.” Thornton Economic Development offers grants, marketing assistance, technical assistance, networking and more. “We are excited to add to our program of services, through the Alianza partnership, and to expand our reach to our Spanish-speaking business community,” says Cody.

For more information on Thornton’s small business program and services, contact Robin Martinez at 303-538-7393 or robin.martinez@ThorntonCO.gov. For services in Spanish contact Andy Figueroa at 303-539-5645 or afigueroa@micasaresourcecenter.org. For a calendar of upcoming Thornton business events, visit businessinthornton.com/events.

RTD and Smart Commute are bringing transit service to the 144th Avenue/I-25 employment quadrant, to provide a connection to the existing RTD system serving the Denver Metro region. “This means employees working at St. Anthony’s, the Orchard, the Grove, Amazon, the Premium Outlets, and Burlington won’t have to drive to get to-and-from work,” says Thornton Regional Transportation Engineer Kent Moorman. “Those businesses don’t have nearby RTD stops, so with this new service, they can get on-and-off right at their business.” Riders can transfer to this FlexRide at the Wagon Road Park-n-Ride on 120th Avenue and Huron Street. The

following routes all stop at Wagon Road: 120X, 122X, 8, 12, 120,128, AA and the Thornton FlexRide. The bus is scheduled to pick up at each gathering point every 20 minutes during peak service hours, 4:50-8:45 a.m. and 5:30-9:45 p.m. The service operates Monday through Saturday (no Sunday service), 4:50 a.m. -9:45 p.m., beginning and ending at Wagon Road Park-n-Ride. The shuttle takes the same types of payment as other RTD buses and trains, $3/one-way, local RTD fare if used within the service area. For more information, visit rtd-denver.com

New FlexRide Service: Wagon Road Park-n-Ride/144th Avenue FlexRide Service

Thornton City Council worked with other city councils and RTD to allow local riders to pay `local fares,’ for new N Line Commuter rail during the first six months of operations. The opening fare on the N Line will be $3 one-way no matter how far the trip, instead of the $5.25 charged across RTD’s system when a trip extends across three fare zones. This year’s opening will encompass the first 13 miles of the N Line, extending from Union Station to Northglenn. The full 18.5-mile commuter rail line is slated to extend to State Highway 7 in Adams County.

N Line Update: RTD Promotional Fare Pilot Program

Colorado Digital ID Now Available in the myColorado Mobile AppYou can now download and use the myColorado mobile app to create an electronic version of your Colorado driver license or state ID card. The Colorado Digital ID is a secure, unique visual representation of what has traditionally been the legally accepted official physical format of a person’s identification. It may be accepted, as a legal form of personal identification, at a bar, but Colorado law enforcement agencies may continue to require physical forms of ID in law enforcement and public safety situations, so you should continue to carry your physical ID wherever you go. You can download the app via the Apple App Store or Google Play. Visit myColorado.state.co.us for more information.

Business owner Felipe Bustios talks with Thornton’s Jessica Sandgren and Jan Kulmann at a recent Alianza networking event.

January-February 2020 Thornton City Voice Newspaper 3

What’s New? A Look at Some of the New Buildings, Facilities and Businesses in Thornton

There are a lot of new buildings, facilities and businesses welcoming the New Year in Thornton. Most notably is Thornton’s new Trail Winds Recreation Center which began welcoming customers in November. A new Active Adult Center is now under construction next to the Carpenter Recreation Center and will open later in 2020. Already open are the new Riverwalk Ballfields on Riverdale Road and 98th Avenue. Regarding the business landscape in Thornton, “$450-million in commercial projects broke ground or opened in last 18 months, and 500-thousand square feet of spec/industrial space is expected to be delivered in the next 12 months,” says Thornton Retail Administrator Julie Jacoby. TopGolf at 136th Avenue and I-25 opened in August, Floor & Décor opened in July. Bassett Furniture is taking over the former Toys-R-Us space just north of the Amazon complex, and will open in late November. The Summit, a 50,000 square foot bowling and entertainment facility at 144th Avenue and Washington Street also opened in 2019, along with a new Hilton Garden Inn, Ziggy’s Coffee Shop, and a Dutch Bros. Coffee is being constructed on 84th Avenue, by the entrance to Sportsman’s Warehouse. “Urban Renewal funds were used to offset some of the environmental expenses related to redeveloping this former Chevron gas station into a productive re-use,” says Jacoby. Other businesses calling Thornton home: an H&M in the Denver Premium Outlets, Sachi Sushi, and a Staybridge Suites. The new year will bring even more new businesses to Thornton, including Applejack Wine & Liquors, now under construction, and Viewhouse, coming to Thorncreek Commons, with a December 2020 planned opening.

Floodplain Restoration at Big Dry Creek’s Pilot Project Nearing Completion

The Big Dry Creek Floodplain Restoration Project at the city’s open space between 152nd Parkway and E-470 west of York Street is almost complete. The contractor hopes to finish the channel reconstruction by the end of 2019, with wildlife habitat and stream riparian plantings completed in May of 2020. “The project’s goal is to reconnect Big Dry Creek to its historic floodplain—to improve channel stability, water quality, wildlife habitat and ecosystem health,” says Thornton Open Space and Project Manager Paula Schulte. With the South Platte River on the city’s eastern edge and Niver Creek and its tributaries in the city’s southwest area, Big Dry Creek provides outstanding opportunities for preservation and enhancement as a wildlife habitat open space area and year-round passive recreation area. Design of a missing link of the regional trail from approximately 148th Avenue to 156th Avenue is underway. Once this segment is constructed, trail continuity will be provided from 144th Avenue to Highway 7.

“Big Dry Creek’s watershed originates near the mouth of Coal Creek Canyon by Golden. Below Stanley Lake, Big Dry Creek flows northeast approximately 33 miles to its confluence with the South Platte River near Fort Lupton,” says Schulte. “Within Thornton, Big Dry Creek is approximately six miles long, beginning at I-25 and flowing northeast to the Adams County line. In partnership with Adams County, almost 300 acres along Big Dry Creek have been preserved as open space.” Visit ThorntonCO.gov/parks to learn more about Big Dry Creek and the project.

TWRC Welcomes Its First Customer Thornton’s new Trail Winds Recreation Center opened in November, and Thornton resident John Sandoval was the first person through the door. He was also the first resident through the doors of the Carpenter Recreation Center when it opened in 1994.

As the Spring Flood Season Approaches, Make Sure Your Property is Protected

Thornton has seven major drainageways that travel through the city which have the potential to flood. “Areas along these drainageways that have at least a 1% chance of flooding in a given year,” says Thornton Infrastructure Engineering Manager Jim Kaiser. “These are considered the ‘100-year floodplain’, and are mapped by FEMA, as well as by other local drainageway studies.” Thornton currently has about 40 structures in the FEMA regulated floodplain. However, virtually any property can be flooded: sustained wet periods can saturate grounds and lead to sheet runoff; hail and ice dams can clog storm inlets – or even divert side yard gulley flows toward your house; stationary thunderstorms can produce localized flooding far from any visible stream, which is common in Colorado. Nationwide, over 20% of insured flood loss claims are for areas not in the FEMA floodplain.

“Most owner and renter insurance policies do not cover flood losses, regardless of the source of flooding,” says Kaiser. “Flood insurance is required for any structure in a FEMA defined floodplain that receives federally backed loans.” Thornton participates in FEMA’s Community Rating System for floodplain management and has a Class 6 rating. “This allows Thornton properties which are in the FEMA floodplain to receive a 20% reduction in their flood insurance premiums,” says Kaiser. “Even if your property is not in the FEMA floodplain, consider the risks to your property and consider purchasing flood insurance.” Visit floodsmart.gov for more information.

4 Thornton City Voice Newspaper January-February 2020

Thornton City

Council

Ward 4

Ward 4 VacancyAdam Matkowsky303-538-7530 - City 303-601-2917 - CellAdam.Matkowsky @ThorntonCO.gov

Ward 3

Sam Nizam303-538-7533 - City 720-226-4706 - CellSam.Nizam @ThorntonCO.gov

David Acunto303-538-7532 - CityDavid.Acunto@ThorntonCO.gov

Ward 2

Julia Marvin303-538-7536 - CityJulia.Marvin @ThorntonCO.gov

Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Sandgren303-538-7535 - City720-753-2877- CellJessica.Sandgren @ThorntonCO.gov

Sherry Goodman303-538-7534 - City303-287-8662 - HomeSherry.Goodman@ThorntonCO.gov

Jacque Phillips303-538-7537 - City970-302-4294 - Cell Jacque.Phillips @ThorntonCO.gov

Ward 1

Jan Kulmann303-538-7531 - City720-201-6155 - CellJan.Kulmann @ThorntonCO.gov

Mayor

City Council Meetings January 14 & 28, February 11 & 25

City Council meetings begin at 7 p.m. in the Thornton City Hall Council Chambers and are also televised

live on KTTV-8, Comcast channel 8. These dates are subject to change. Please visit ThorntonCO.gov and

click on the Events link for current information. If you have a disability and require assistance to attend and

participate in these meetings, call 303-538-7245.

Active Adult Center 303-255-7850Animal Control 720-977-5250Arts & Culture Center 720-977-5880Building Inspection 303-538-7250 Building Permits 303-538-7250Business Assistance 303-538-7605City Clerk’s Office 303-538-7230City Communications 303-538-7279City Council & Mayor 303-538-7200

City Manager’s Office 303-538-7200Code Compliance 303-538-7517Community Connections 720-977-5800Economic Development 303-538-7605Human Resources 303-538-7245Municipal Court 720-977-5400Parks, Recreation & Community Programs 303-538-7275Police (non-emergency) 720-977-5150

Pothole Repair 720-977-6464Recreation Center 303-255-7800Snow & Ice Control 720-977-6464Trash & Recycling 720-977-6200Utilities (Water, Sewer) 720-977-6500Utility Billing 303-538-7370Volunteer Hotline 720-977-5760Voter Registration 303-538-7230Water Quality 303-255-7770

Thornton City Hall9500 Civic Center Dr., 80229

Thornton Police Department and Municipal Court

9551 Civic Center Dr., 80229

Infrastructure Maintenance Center12450 Washington St., 80241

Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation Center

11151 Colorado Blvd., 80233Thornton Community Center

2211 Eppinger Blvd., 80229

Thornton Active Adult Center9471 Dorothy Blvd., 80229

Thornton Arts & Culture Center9209 Dorothy Blvd., 80229

Trail Winds Recreation Center 13495 Holly St., 80241

City Facilities & Commonly Used Numbers

Connect with us on...

Visit ThorntonCO.gov.

@ThorntonColorado @CityofThornton

Joinnextdoor.com

@CityofThornton

Editorial StaffTodd Barnes, 303-538-7279

Managing Editor/Communications Director

Lisa Wilson, 303-538-7282Editor, Writer/Communications Content Supervisor

Erika Barnard-Hollinshed, 303-538-7256Writer, Design/Communications Technician

Gina Lantz, 303-538-7575Design/Communications Technician

Photographers: City Staff, GettyImages® and Thinkstockphotos®A special THANKS to all city Departments and Divisions for their contribution to the Thornton City Voice newspaper.

Thornton Parks, Recreation and Community Programs Introduces AIR: Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation

Thornton Police have added three electric motorcycles to their fleet. “These bikes are not only quiet and eco-friendly, they allow officers to better maneuver through our parks and on our bike paths,” says Thornton Community Relations/Public Information Officer Jesus Mendez. “The bikes are quiet, so folks in the parks will continue to enjoy the sounds of nature, while we continue to patrol all the walkable areas of our city and keep residents safe.”

If you get your water from the city of Thornton, and live in single family home built between 1983 and 1987, you can volunteer to have your water tested and receive lead and copper results. “Homes built between 1983 and 1987 are considered to be most at-risk for lead contamination,” says Thornton Water Quality Lab Supervisor Hsueh Shih. “Thornton is doing this to ensure that consumers are not exposed to unacceptable lead and copper contaminants from their home plumbing.” To volunteer for testing, contact the Thornton Water Quality Lab at waterquality@cityofthornton.net or 303-255-7770. Visit ThorntonCO.gov /waterinfo for more information.

Thornton’s new Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation (AIR) program aims to provide meaningful recreation opportunities for participants with disabilities. “AIR will help these residents experience improved quality of life, maximize independence and enhance physical, social, emotional and cognitive abilities,” says Adaptive and Inclusive

Recreation Coordinator Becky Post. “These programs could be through gymnastics, dance, arts and culture, aquatics, fitness and athletics.”

For more information regarding inclusion requests or adaptive opportunities contact AIR Coordinator, Becky Post at 720-977-5702.

2020: A Year of Amazing Art Exhibits at the OZ Gallery

Mark your 2020 calendar for a year of amazing art exhibits at the OZ Gallery at Thornton’s Arts & Culture Center (TACC). “The beauty and diversity of the creative spirit will be on display all year long,” says Thornton Arts and Culture Manager Alisa Zimmerman. “From inspiring photographs of Colorado landscapes to multi-media artworks by local groups and Latinx artists.” Exhibits are free and open to the public Monday-Friday, 1-5 p.m., as well as during scheduled events on weekday evenings and weekends at the TACC. Parking is free at 9209 Dorothy Blvd. or on adjacent streets. For an event schedule or for more information visit ArtsThornton.com or call 720-977-5880.

Water Testing program for Lead and Copper

Parks MOW CREW RECREATION GOLF

thorntonco.gov/jobs

Coming in FebruaryEOE

S E A S O N A L

J O B S

Lisa P. Martinez is one of the artists who will show her work (above) at the Oz Gallery in 2020.