September-October 2019 Thornton City Voice Newspaper 1

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

Labor Day Holiday DelayCollection service will be on a one-day holiday delay for the entire week starting September 2.

Tree Branch/Compost Material Drop-offSeptember 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., IMC, 12450 Washington St.Proof of residency required, restrictions apply. Please use the north entrance on 126th Avenue east of Washington Street.

Landfill DaySeptember 21, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Republic Services Tower Landfill, 88th Avenue and Tower Road.One truck or car load only. Proof of residency is required, and restrictions apply. Additional $30 fee for mattresses and box springs.

Veolia Household Hazardous Waste Recycling DaysSeptember 25 & 28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Veolia 9131 E. 96th Ave. HendersonPoof of residency required and restrictions apply. Vehicle fee will be waived and regular fee will be discounted to $.85 per pound. Household paint only is free. Register online at thorntonco.gov/trashrecycling.

More events listed on the back page.

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Trash/Recycling News

The new Thornton Trail Winds Recreation Center is getting closer to its grand opening and is expected to open its doors the first week of November. Located at 136th Avenue and Holly Street, the new center will help serve Thornton residents, addressing our city’s population growth, and alleviate the high-demand at the over 20-year-old Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation Center. “Trail Winds will offer an indoor aquatics area, gymnasium, fitness components and

an active adult learning wing. “This facility is part of Trail Winds Park,” says Thornton Community Services Director Seve Ghose. “The area also offers a multipurpose field complex, skatepark, trails and a dog park.” Make sure to check out the September-December Thornton Activities Guide for Trail Winds activity and class schedules. Annual surveys by Thornton have found that recreation is one of the most important services the city offers. “

Labor Day Closures and DelaysCity of Thornton offices, Thornton Arts & Culture Center, Thornton Community Center and Active Adult Center will be closed on Monday, September 2, to observe the Labor Day Holiday. City facilities will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, September 3. City of Thornton trash and recycle collection will be on a one day holiday delay the week of September 2 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. If your normal trash/recycle pickup day is Monday, it will be collected on Tuesday, ending with Friday collection on Saturday, September 7.

Thornton Trail Winds Recreation Center Opening Soon to Serve Our Community

Recycling Schedule Change for Thornton CustomersRecycling collection for Thornton customers has changed from twice-a-month to every other week. This change took affect August 5.

You can now access Talk Thornton, a new place to get information and engage with Thornton regarding city projects, programs, and special events. “This isn’t just another web page,” says Thornton Communications Director Todd Barnes. “When you visit TalkThornton.com, you’ll get layered information about important projects, and be able to give your opinion, make suggestions, and see what your fellow residents think.”

“Talk Thornton is a pilot project with one of the most advanced tools in public engagement. It gives people access to project presentations, videos, surveys, and residents can offer input without having to attend a public meeting. There will be many important and fun programs and projects posted on Talk Thornton,” says Barnes. Engagement topics will vary and include community and neighborhood programs; water conservation; parks

and recreation; transportation, and trash and recycling, to name a few. Your feedback will instantly go staff and elected officials, the very folks working to make these projects a community success.

Talk Thornton brings your community, and civic engagement right to your computer screen. “That means we’re going to hear from Thornton residents who haven’t engaged with us in the past, giving us a much deeper look at what residents really want,” says Barnes. “It’s an easy way to make the most out of what your community has to offer.”

Talk Thornton will not only offer information, you’ll also be able to leave comments, take surveys, evaluate progress, and much more. You can sign up for Talk Thornton at TalkThornton.com and get started with your community engagement today.

TalkThornton.com is Your Way to Dive Deeper Into What’s Happening in Thornton

New Trash and Recycling Collection Calendar and Reminder SystemThornton’s Environmental Services Division has launched a new trash and recycling collection calendar and reminder system at ThorntonCO.gov/trashrecycling. Residents can sign up to receive collection day reminders via email, phone call, or text message. You can also print your collection schedule, or embed the collection schedule into your personal iCal, Google Calendar, or Microsoft Outlook Calendar. For more information call 720-977-6200.

Active Adult Center Breaks GroundThornton staff, Active Adult Center Board Members, and Thornton City Council Members Jessica Sandgren (fourth from left,) Sherry Goodman (sixth from left,) and Mayor Heidi Williams (seventh from left,) took part in the official groundbreaking for the new Thornton Active Adult Center. The city’s new center will be located on the southwest corner of 112th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, next to the Carpenter Recreation Center. Construction completion and opening of the new facility is planned for summer 2020.

2 Thornton City Voice Newspaper September-October 2019

It’s been just over two years since a construction crew, working on the site of Thornton’s new Public Safety Facility discovered a rare dinosaur fossil. Scientists from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) were called, and arrived quickly to confirm it was a dinosaur fossil. “My heart was racing,” said DMNS Curator of Dinosaurs Joe Sertich during a 2017 interview. “I realized it was a pretty important dinosaur find.” After initially clearing away some of the dirt at the site, Sertich said it appeared to be a triceratops skeleton and skull. According to Sertich, most fossil finds along the Front Range are from the Ice Age, just 10,000 to 12,000 years old, but this fossil was much older, and much rarer. After excavating the fossil, and taking it to the museum, scientists realized it was the remains of a rare Torosaurus, similar to a Triceratops. “This dinosaur has been laying here for at least 66-million years,” said Sertich. “I’m over the moon right now about this dinosaur fossil.” The triceratops and torosaurus were very similar. But, while cleaning the fossil, museum staff found telltale signs of a torosaurus; “a delicate frill with two very large holes.” DMNS staff said it was the first recorded torosaurus find in Colorado.

The fossil is now housed at the museum, and a cast of the bones is inside the Thornton Public Safety Facility, named Fossil Ridge, for visitor and school tour viewing. “A lot of times these will be plowed up and they won’t be recognized,” says Sertich. “We’re really lucky in this case that it was recognized as a fossil and we got the call.” In the two years since the Thornton Torosaurus was found, the fossil has helped scientists and researchers better understand the creatures that roamed the earth millions of years ago. The Thornton Torosaurus now has some company. Recently, several other fossils have been uncovered at construction sites around the metro area.

Celebrating Two Years of Tiny, the Thornton Torosaurus

Monster Makeover

Thornton to Gather Additional Easements, Present Full Water Project to Weld County

The city of Thornton recently appeared before the Weld County Commission to present phase-one of the Thornton Water Project (TWP). “Thornton was requesting approval of a Use-By-Special-Right (USR) permit that would have granted the right to begin construction of a municipal water pipeline through the southern reach of the project in Weld County,” says Thornton Water Project Director Mark Koleber. Earlier in the month the Weld County Planning Commission moved the project forward to the County Commissioners with a recommendation for approval.

“Thornton’s initial plan was to develop the project in stages, seeking approval for each phase from the Commission in sequence to ensure that construction could begin now and continue on a timeline that would deliver water to our residents by 2025 – the date that we forecasted the need for the water,” says Koleber. While Thornton was only seeking approval from the Commission for phase one during their July hearing, the County Commissioner’s requested that Thornton consider tabling a decision on their USR and come back to the commission with a plan for all phases of the project – Thornton agreed to these terms. “The Commissioners also requested that when Thornton returns before the county that we have secured nearly all of the necessary easements agreements with landowners,” says Koleber.

In recognition of the necessary time to develop a plan to present to the commission, the commissioners voted to table consideration of the TWP for one year, to be heard again in July of 2020.

Torosaurus Timeline

July 31, 2017

Fossil Ridge Public Safety Center Groundbreaking

August 20, 2017

Dinosaur remains discovered

September 8, 2017 to present day

Dinosaur remains are meticulously processed at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science

September-October 2019 Thornton City Voice Newspaper 3

Transform your lawn into a water-wise landscape for less work next summer.

Get Your H2Overhaul Kit and apply for a rebate at ThorntonWater.com/H2Overhaul.

DIG IN NOW FOR A FALLOVERHAUL.

Move Over: It’s Not Just a Courtesy, It’s the Law

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA,) responding to incidents on the side of the road or highway pose a danger to police officers and firefighters in the line of duty, but you can help keep them safe. Drivers may not see the officers, and they could be hit and killed,” says Thornton Fire Department’s Community Safety and Information Officer Sabrina Iacovetta. “Just a few years ago, Thornton Fire and Thornton Police Departments were responding to a multi-car accident on I-25 near Thornton Parkway, when a driver tried to go around the traffic jam, speeding into the break-down lane. That driver actually hit one of our firetrucks. It was a close call for our emergency responders.”

Lawmakers in every state have responded to these dangerous and deadly incidents, creating Move Over laws in every state. Colorado’s law has been in effect since 2005. “When approaching an emergency vehicle with its emergency lights on, slow down and move over away from the vehicle,” says Iacovetta. If you can’t move over, slow down considerable, and pass with care. “It’s not just a courtesy,” says Iacovetta. “Safety is critical for emergency responders and by simply slowing down and moving over, you can help keep them safe, and continue to serve our community.”

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Topgolf Thornton is now open. The facility, at 16011 Grant Street, is housed in a 65,000-square-foot building, and features 102 hitting bays, a full-service restaurant and three bars, a rooftop terrace with fire pits and 3,000 square feet of private event space.

D E V E L O P E D A N D M A N A G E D B Y

Official Media Sponsors:Sponsored by:

THORNTONPARKS, RECREATION & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

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4 Thornton City Voice Newspaper September-October 2019

Thornton City

Council

Ward 4

Mayor Pro TemJan Kulmann303-538-7201 - City 720-201-6155 - CellJan.Kulmann @ThorntonCO.gov

Adam 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

Eric Tade303-538-7532 - City303-549-3946 - CellEric.Tade@ThorntonCO.gov

Ward 2

Eric Montoya303-538-7536 - City720-365-2695 - CellEric.Montoya @ThorntonCO.gov

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 - City303-903-1011 - Cell Jacque.Phillips @ThorntonCO.gov

Ward 1

Heidi Williams303-538-7531 - City303-819-9722 - CellHeidi.Williams @ThorntonCO.gov

Mayor

City Council Meetings Sept. 10 & 24, Oct. 8 & 22

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 go to 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 720-977-5885Building 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 303-538-7517Human Resources 303-538-7245Jobline 303-538-7555Municipal Court 720-977-5400Neighborhood Services 303-538-7600Parks, Recreation & Community Programs 303-255-7275Police (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 Program 720-977-5881Voter 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.

Trash & Recycling Events Continued From Front Page

Fall Leaf CollectionOctober 21 through November 15 (four weeks)Thornton trash service customers only may place bagged leaves at the curb on their regular trash pickup day. Use black trash containers first. Bags filled with trash or other debris will not be collected. Restrictions apply.

Fall Leaf Composting Drop-off - November 2, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., IMC, 12450 Washington St.Proof of residency required, restrictions apply. Please use the north entrance on 126th Avenue east of Washington Street. Be prepared to empty plastic bags on site or use BPI certified or paper bags.

Talking Trash:Recycling containers are emptied every other week on your regular trash collection day. Visit thorntonco.gov to sign up for reminders and find out when your trash/recycling day is.

For recycling tips, the latest information on delays, special events, and more, follow us on Facebook: @COTTrashRecycling.

Thornton Shopping Center Redevelopment UpdateThe Thornton Shopping Center, constructed in the late 1950s, is Thornton’s oldest shopping center. It once hosted over 30 stores, and was once the heart of shopping in Thornton. For years, the city of Thornton has worked with the landowner to come to a redevelopment agreement, and today, the city is continuing redevelopment efforts in that area.

“The Thornton Shopping Center has been in decline for many years,” says Thornton Economic Development Director John Cody. “A dry cleaning business that was originally on the site improperly handled dry cleaning chemicals over several decades, releasing solvents into the ground, resulting in a large area of soil contamination and impacted groundwater.”

The contamination was discovered when United Properties redeveloped the south adjoining Plaza Las Americas, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has since declared that the owner of Thornton Shopping Center is liable for the cleanup, a laborious and expensive process. The owner of the shopping center bought the land before the contamination discovery,” says Cody. “Since then, the owner has spent more than $1 million on assessment and cleanup activities, and the Thornton Development Authority (TDA) indicated a willingness to provide cleanup funding in exchange for a quality, redeveloped site.” The property owner entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) with Flywheel Capital, and the sale is expected to close in early October.

“While there is still a lot of work to do, city staff and the other entities involved in the development continue to move toward the final redevelopment of the shopping center,” says Cody.

Miller’s Market was one of the first businesses to set up in the Thornton Shopping Center, and was Thornton’s first grocery store.

Wes Brown, one of Thornton’s first residents, worked at Miller’s Market for 25 years. The Wes Brown Water Treatment Plant was named after him in 2006 for his dedicated service on the Thornton Water Board.