HomeMy WebLinkAbout20040110.tiff L
11446 County Road 23
Fort Lupton, CO 80621
Weld County Commissioners
Weld County Planning Offices
1555 N. 17th Ave.
Greeley, CO 80631
Dear Weld County Commissioners:
I was unable to attend the hearing for the Heit Sand and Gravel Mine however, I
would like to express my opinion on this issue. As a rural resident living in southwestern
Weld County, I am very much against any increase in truck traffic, dust, noise, and odor
pollution that would be associated with additional mining in our area.
Our rural area is growing quickly and we have seen an amazing increase in the
addition of houses and traffic. A sand and gravel mine is not compatible with the
increase in human population in this area (even though these same people may be the
clients of the sand and gravel company).
In our area, we have been forced to accommodate the oil and gas industry and
their pollution and huge trucks. That is not going away any time soon and they are
everywhere! Please do not inflict additional hazards on us.
Sincerely,
anal (leviArc,,,o
Ann Carrington
r
ry
2004-0110 ��t.
-- �� Banks and Gesso, LLC 720 Kipling St.,Suite117
■. Lakewood, Colorado 80215
(303)274-4277
Fax (303) 274-8329
www.banksandgesso.com
December 4, 2003
Board of County Commissioners of Weld County
Mn: Fsther, Clerk to the Board
P.O. Box 758
Greeley, Colorado 80632
RE: USR-1444
SW Meadow LLC - Heit Sand and Gravel Mine
Dear Esther,
On behalf of the applicant, SW Meadow LLC., we request that Weld County waive the 45-day
requirement and allow this case to be heard by the Board of County Commissioners on
Wednesday, the 7`" of January, 2004.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this request. Thank you.
Sincerely,
ug Ma in
Banks and Gesso, LLC
cc: Mark Campbell, SW Meadow LLC
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS'SIGN POSTING CERTIFICATE
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. THE LAST DAY TO POST THE SIGN IS: ��� � 20.3, THE SIGN SHALL BE
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• EVENT THE PROPERTY BEING CONSIDERED FOR A SPECIAL REVIEW IS NOT ADJACENT TO A
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POST ONE SIGN IN THE MOST PROMINENT PLACE ON THE PROPERTY AND POST A SECOND SIGN
AT THE POINT AT WHICH THE DRIVEWAY (ACCESS DRIVE) INTERSECTS A PUBLICLY MAINTAINED
ROAD RIGHT-CF-WAY.
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December 30, 2003
To: Weld County Board of Commissioners USR# 1444
Re: Heit Farm— Sand, Gravel & Asphalt Proposal Docket: #2994-03
Gentlemen:
I am writing to express my objections and concerns about the referenced application.
Granting this application will pose an extreme burden on the Lupton Meadows and Vollmer
Communities. Currently we have four gravel mines in close proximity to our home. This
proposed site is 92 mile from our home. This proposal is totally incompatible with the area
because of the cement and asphalt component. It will introduce heavy industry into an
agricultural area. It will introduce high intensity lighting, noise, dust, poisonous and volatile
gases into the air placing residents, wildlife, water and soil in danger of contamination and
severe health hazards.
The enormous increase in truck traffic on this rural access road, will place Weld County
Citizens in more danger. The intersection of US 85 & WCR 18 left turn lane is too short, there is
not an acceleration lane on US 85 to accommodate traffic turning north from WCR 18. The only
"control" at this intersection is a stop sign which is woefully inadequate for the current traffic!
WCR 18 & 25 are rural access roads and are not designed to accommodate the kind of truck
traffic that is currently on them and the proposed "improvements" will not decrease the traffic
danger. On WCR 18 there is a dangerous "S" curve with a narrow bridge where numerous
accidents have occurred and gravel trucks use both lanes to negotiate that curve. On WCR 25
northbound there is a narrow bridge that will not accommodate two vehicles at the same time. It
is also my understanding that this bridge has an exposed gas line attached to it. There are no
breakdown lanes, no school bus turnouts, no posted speed limit signs or ton limit signs. It is free
reign for the truckers who travel well over 55 MPH. Also of note, gravel trucks from US 85 use
WCR 18 west to WCR 23 north to WCR 24 west as a shortcut to access I-25.
This proposal will affect existing groundwater and could dry up shallow wells in the area
and dewater fields surrounding the mine. It will impact surface water, including the South Platte
River. It will interfere with groundwater levels and will adversely impact sub-irrigated fields
that surround the site. It will have adverse impacts on the quality of groundwater; fuels and other
pollutants will be at the site and spills will be inevitable. The water storage facility used for fire
fighting for Lupton Meadows and Vollmer could be damaged by the mounding effect this slurry
wall will impose. This facility is located directly east of the proposed site. What are the dangers
of placing this facility in a 100 year flood plane? This was never answered at the state level. In
a flood, the proposed berms will create a barrier that could deflect the water and inundate homes
and property of those of us who live downstream from the site.
The Weld County Code states that agriculture is favored. A recent poll completed by the
Greeley Tribune for the "Readers Choice" indicates that the favorite thing about Weld County is
Agriculture. Let's keep it that way. This site is productive farmland that benefits many citizens.
Granting this permit will remove the benefit and serve one out of the county company. The
water storage may or may not benefit the citizens of Weld County and the communities of
Vollmer and Lupton Meadows. Once this area is mined out, chances are a chain link fence will
be placed around it, weeds will grow and it will become a large breeding area for West Nile
Virus and other mosquito borne diseases.
EXHIBIT
17 ,
The Lupton Meadows and Vollmer communities have retired citizens, long standing
home and landowners, as well as young families who have moved here and built beautiful living
environments for their families. Fifty-four(54) children from these communities and families are
on the school bus during the proposed operating hours of this asphalt plant.
My husband and I bought property here and built our retirement home in Lupton
Meadows where we enjoy the quality of life we expected from rural living. If this proposal is
granted it will be hard to attract compatible development that could provide additional tax base
for Weld County. No one wants to live near an asphalt plant. This does not represent good land
use in our subdivision. I am asking that you protect my family, neighbors, our property and it's
value.
The best way to protect the health, safety, welfare of the citizens and property owners is
to deny the application.
Thank you for you consideration.
Respectfully,
Lavenia Temmer
10691 WCR 25
Ft Lupton, Colorado
(303)s_s- - y 'H
December 29, 2003
To: Board of County Commissioners
Re: Heit Farms— Docket Number: #2004-03
I am writing to ask that the Board deny Use by Special Review Permit#1444 for an Open
Pit Mining and Materials Processing and Asphalt and Concrete Batch Plant in the Lupton
Meadows Subdivision at the corner of Roads 20 and 25.
This proposed industrial operation, if approved, will lie between the two viable and
increasingly populated communities of Vollmar and Lupton Meadows. Approximately 70
residences will be impacted by the asphalt pollution, noise, traffic and visual degradation brought
on by this operation making it completely incompatible with the surrounding area.
This project should be denied on its asphalt production aspect alone. Asphalt production
is dangerous to health, polluting, and smelly. There are hundreds of articles documenting
research to this affect. It's dangerous for the workers and dangerous for people who live near it.
And, in our case, too many people will live near it. It is so dangerous that some states and local
communities have placed moratoriums on asphalt production and/or have passed laws that
restrict asphalt production to within 1/3 mile of residential development. In our case we have
residences that are less than 500 feet from the proposed production site!
Add to unsafe asphalt production increased commercial truck traffic. With the Heit
Farm, Zadel, and Everest pits we will end up with an estimated 375 truck trips per day on our
roads. This does not take into account intermittent but intense traffic from the county owned pits
which are very close to the Heit farm. Our rural roads and the intersection at County Road 18
and Highway 85 are not built to accommodate this amount of commercial truck traffic. Our
roads are becoming increasingly unsafe and our main entrance and exit from our neighborhood at
Road 18 and Highway 85 is already one of the most hazardous intersections on Highway 85.
The central questions is this? Will the Fort Lupton Meadows and Vollmar neighborhoods
continue to be supported for rural residential living and fanning or is an established
neighborhood to be turned into an industrial park for gravel mining and asphalt production to
serve the interests of the Denver metropolitan area? We now have two county gravel pits and
two commercial pits in our neighborhood. Enough is enough. We need protection from further
degradation of our way of life.
I trust that the Board of Commissioners will find this application is not compatible with
the surrounding neighborhood and vote no on this permit.
Sincerely yours,
Linda E. Piper
11230 RD 20
Fort Lupton, CO
Emma
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December 30, 2003
Weld County Commissioners
Re: Case No. USR 1444
Proposal For An Asphalt Plant, Concrete Batch
Plant and Gravel Pit at the current Heit Farm
(Set for hearing January 7, 2004)
Dear Commissioners:
I am writing to you in opposition to the referenced application. I plan on being at
the hearing to testify, and to answer any questions you may have of me.
My wife and I have lived a short distance to the north of the proposed asphalt and
concrete industrial facility for almost eight years, and have been property owners and
taxpayers in Weld County since the 1980's. We built our home on WCR 25 because of
the beauty of the river bottom and the wonderful agricultural and residential community
that exists on WCR 25 between WCR 18 and WCR 22 V2. As you may know, WCR 25
does not proceed south beyond WCR 18, nor north beyond WCR 221/2, so the
community is somewhat defined by those boundaries. Most of the area along WCR 25 is
contained in the subdivision of Lupton Meadows and the current Heit Farm is in the
subdivision.
Just to the west of WCR 25, along WCR 20 lies the community of Vollmar,
which is also just to the west of the proposed site of the asphalt and concrete industrial
facility.
It is my understanding that good land use planning requires that proposed uses be
compatible with the surrounding area. The proposal before you in this application is not
compatible with the surrounding area for a number of reasons.
The most obvious reason it is not compatible is that it would introduce a heavy
industrial use into an area that was subdivided in 1909 for agricultural and residential
uses and that has developed since that time into a beautiful residential and agricultural
community. Toxic fumes from the asphalt production, noise and dust from the facilities,
the appearance of the facilities and the heavy truck traffic that will be generated by this
proposal are simply incompatible with the surrounding community.
Another obvious reason that the proposal is incompatible is the impact it will have
on traffic and safety. WCR 25 is a narrow county road. It is paved between WCR 18 and
WCR 20. It is a gravel road from WCR 20 to WCR 221/2. The proposed site is along the
gravel portion of the road. There is a very narrow bridge across an irrigation ditch on
WCR 25 immediately adjacent to WCR 18. It is impossible for a large truck that is
WOW
1
going west on WCR 18 to make a turn onto WCR 25 without the truck going onto the
wrong side of WCR 25. WCR 18 has several curves, a small bridge, and a large bridge
between highway 85 and WCR 25. Trucks are often on the wrong side of the road when
they travel this way. The proposal would add, according to the application, 150 trips per
day. Each of these trips will create hazards. There are children in the community, and
adding 150 trips by heavy trucks is entirely incompatible with the community.
To give you an idea of the nature of the hazard this would create, during the late
afternoon on December 29, 2003, a heavy gravel truck, of the type that would be
introduced by this proposal, was attempting to cross Highway 85 at the intersection of
WCR 18. The gravel truck was headed east. A collision occurred between the gravel
truck and a pickup pulling a stock trailer that was going south on Highway 85. It was a
terrible accident. The pickup went under the trailer of the gravel truck, and the cab of the
pickup was crushed to the point where it was level with the hood and the bed of the
pickup. Of course, it appeared the gravel truck was barely damaged. I do not know the
fate of the occupants of the pickup.
Finally, this proposal is incompatible with our residential and agricultural
community because it is not that kind of use. It would replace an agricultural and
residential use with a heavy industrial use that would create a negative impact on the
surrounding community. It would create an ugly scar where there are now fields, it
would introduce ugly industrial facilities where there are now farm buildings and it
would create noise, fumes and heavy truck traffic to our peaceful and beautiful
es-
community. It is simply not a compatible use and it should not be allowed.
Sincerely,
Robert E. Temmer
10691 WCR 25
Ft Lupton, Colorado 80621
Re: Heit Farms - Docket Number: #2004-03 December 31, 2003
Use by Special Review Permit #1444
Dear Board of County Commissioners:
A Mr. Lee Mirada spoke at the Planning Commission hearing in favor of the
proposed Gravel mine and Asphalt and Concrete plant. His point, to paraphrase, was
that we should not oppose 'Progress' - that it would be better for all of us if the
whole South Platte River flood plain was mined for gravel and made into water
storage - that was all it was good for.
The application states that 90% of the trucks for this proposal are going south,
out of South Weld County on Hwy 85 (and the other 10% going north on Hwy 85).
We sincerely hope that it is not the County Commissioners' position that south
Weld County be a Gravel Sacrifice Area for the wants of Adams County and the
Denver Metropolitan area. Are we to have gravel pits, and asphalt and concrete
plants, in south Weld County along the Platte River as far as the eye can see?
I have lived on CR 20 for 25 years, much of that time when the County was
operating the Konig gravel pit just across the road from the Heit property. My
experience with truck traffic then - big gravel trucks, dump trucks, and water
trucks - and with the current gravel operation at the Bearson pit, is that the
trucks drive how and where they please. The applicant will have absolutely no
control over those trucks once the permit is granted. Nor, from my experience, can
we expect any reasonable enforcement.
The only enforcement mentioned in the application is, "The property owner or
operator shall be responsible for complying with all the foregoing Development
Standards. Noncompliance with any of the foregoing Development Standards may
be reason for revocation of the Permit by the Board of County Commissioners."
(Item 16, page 8). How much aggravation will we have to suffer - unsafe traffic,
unhealthy asphalt fumes and dust, noise, unauthorized operating hours, etc. -
before the County Commissioners would revoke the permit? Who will enforce those
standards? Once the camel is inside the tent, it is very hard to get him out.
Please, please deny the application.
Sincerely, Willis Piper
11230 County Road 20, Fort Lupton
December 31, 2003
Regarding: Heit Farm Asphalt/Cement and Gravel Mine Hearing on January 7`s, 2004
Weld County Commissioners,
I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed asphalt plant on what is currently
the Heit farm on WCR 25 in Fort Lupton. Unfortunately, I have to be out of town on
January 7`s and will not be present to talk at this hearing. Please read my concerns and
vote against this clearly incompatible use of land.
My wife, 9 year old daughter, and I live less than 'A mile to the north of this proposed
industrial project at 10298 WCR 25. Our land is split by the Platte River and Little Dry
Creek. We raise meat goats, chickens and horses. The precious wildlife that lives on the
undeveloped/preserved acres of our property includes wild turkeys, white tail deer and
great horned owls. Just a few hundred yards up the river from our property is one of
the only bald eagle pairs that nest the winter in Colorado. The fumes that inevitably
come from such an operation as well as the potential risk of an accident happening this
close to the river could impact the wildlife for many miles along the Platte River.
Until recently the Lupton Meadows and Vollmar communities have been zoned
beautifully as an agricultural/residential community. I have never seen an industrial use
of this magnitude zoned into the middle of a community of homes this concentrated, and
I assume that the Commission will agree that this project fails all good sense as being
compatible with the plan for our community. An asphalt project like this is appropriate
for a major industrial development,but not in the middle of a neighborhood.
My daughter rides the school bus every day to and from Butler Elementary School. The
potential increase in danger of boarding and unboarding her bus in the middle of the large
truck traffic that this project would generate makes our hearts sink.
My family and I are anxious to be part of a growing community and look forward to
embracing the many changes that come with growth. However, the pollution of our air
and the unnecessary increase in traffic dangers are not changes that we can accept.
Please vote NO on this project.
Sincerely,
Dustan, Deborah and Haley Flanagan
Dustan Flanagan
10298 Weld County Rd.25 _._..
Fort Lupton,CO 80621 .,
Neil and Laura Coyle
9046 WCR 25
Fort Lupton, Co. 80621
Weld County Commissioners
Re: Heit Asphalt and Concrete plant
Weld County Commissioners,
I am Laura Coyle and my husband Neil and I live at 9046 WCR 25 in Fort Lupton, with our 22-month-old
son Ryan, and we are expecting another baby in Febuary. I am writing with grave concern about the
proposed industrial site that the Heits want to sell their farm for. I would like to first acknowledge that I
believe that property rights are very important,but that they are not unlimited. Isn't that the point of
having a county commission in the first place'?I am counting on all of you to protect the health and safety
of my children and our selves by realizing that this project is a huge health and safety nightmare.
I'm sure that some of you can understand our concern when it comes to our children.Anyone who has
children can testify that they are the most important and valuable people in your lives and you would do
anything to protect them. We make sure they are safe by putting them in car seats and making sure they get
all their visits to the doctor and eat right and don't get hurt when playing and you don't even leave them in
just any ones care. So when a project like this wants to come in and release toxins that are known to cause
cancer and respiratory health hazards in children and adults, such as arsenic,benzene and formaldehyde
into the air, I'm sure you can see our concern. We feel that as parents that if this project were to come in it
would not be safe for our children to play outside and breath the air. That's including the air from all the
diesel exhaust from the 150 plus trucks that would pass by our house every day. I don't know of any parent
that would feel safe letting their children out to play along a road that had heavy truck traffic along it all
day releasing these kinds of toxins or could live with themselves if their child were to become sick.
I have to admit that I was appalled at the Heits when they spoke at the planning hearing and said that just
because they have lived here longer than we have that they have the right to sell their property for any use
they want. Well why shouldn't my family have the same chance to live and raise our children in the same
healthy safe environment that they did?Are we less valuable as people because we haven't lived here as
long? I'm sure there were people who lived here before them too. Besides,they won't be living here any
more.
Our next concern is for the traffic impact. Not just on road 25 but also at road 18 and 25 and especially at
Hwy 85 and road 18. I had no idea until I started working on the traffic study that the intersection at Hwy
85 and Rd. 18 was so dangerous. I have a whole new outlook at the intersection when I drive through
there, on a daily basis, that we could be one of the accidents that occurs there at an average of two wrecks
per week. Making a left turn to go north is like taking your life into your hands. This intersection has no
improvements and the traffic keeps building and building. As a taxpayer there is no way that I would agree
to pay for an intersection to be improved, that has suffered due to truck traffic. The gravel pits that already
exist should agree to pay to improve this problem. There are no plans for CDOT to improve this
intersection and they don't see anything happening for 26 more years. The citizens of Weld County and
everyone else, who drives Hwy 85, deserves to be protected from this truck traffic. We have such horrible
truck traffic accidents that we can't afford to add another 150 trucks to the trucks already traveling our
highway.
Has the county begun to consider the amount of truck traffic that Hwy 85 sustains now?Maybe a future
plan to propose that only a certain amount of permits should be issued determined by the amount of truck
traffic that is already traveling the Hwy. Some where along the way I would urge the county commissioners
to adopt a plan to regulate or even impose a moratorium on these gravel and asphalt operations so that we
are not overcome with the industrial graveyard that Commerce City has become. Southern Weld County
has felt the crush of industry. Don't let the agriculture suffer, and the stench and abuse of industry make our
part of the county look like the throwaway area of the county. We live here and we care.The gravel and
asphalt companies don't care.They go home every day or don't come here at all and leave us with the ruin
and the traffic and the pollution.
Another important issue that I would like to mention is the shallow well that supports our home and our
livestock. Our well is old(1909)and is only 35 feet deep. I have suffered the loss and expense of replacing
my well pump when the Konig/Weld County pit put in the slurry wall less than 500 feet from our well
head.The slurry wall when installed caused the sediment to be stirred up, and filled my pump,causing it to
freeze up.Not to mention all the sediment that ran through all of my pipes and sat in the bottom of my hot
water heater. It was a disaster.
Another water issue that needs to be addressed is the lowering of the water table.Here we are still suffering
from drought conditions and we are allowing for all of these mining operations to come in and lower our
water tables. Our once green and grass filed pastures have been a thing of the past.We raise show quality
paint horses that have always enjoyed pastures that hosted a variety of healthy grasses and alfalfa on which
the brood mares and their babies could thrive on for 8 months out of the year. I know the gravel companies
would object to the fact that the water table will be affected but I know that from the experiences of other
residents in the vicinity of other pits that the tables have been lowered and their wells have been dried up or
damaged. I also have to say that since the slurry wall has been installed across from our house the water
table on our place has never been the same.
I am requesting that you, our Weld County Commissioners, see to it that the future of Southern Weld
County is protected by what the majority of it's citizens want to see have happen. We want to be protected
from pollution and dangerous traffic issues and to have our agricultural businesses stay productive and
protected. DO NOT allow it to fall into the hands of the commercial industrial garbage that Commerce City
has become. Preserve it to host the families who live here to raise their children,go to 4-H meetings and be
safe and healthy. Our community should not become a dumping ground.
Thank you, Laura and Neil Coyle
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I new we lot of weeks Pon the fled the Anne.and another man m potted the first vrpum,Gory Reh tmm weldf' otyRoed 1O.ThePlan-
',white'. f M d t p ti murk du a' d. d later 52,RtW I L ph tare aWr e.to,a hqB.oaf IMth as
A.h h 1 Prime rimer"IRh I il nSfe{aaae where he don to a hoapetalby lathe-Wald CeuntyC nmiaai er
se ,ti g k eY Il, pori nt eft r he sold hr was rdte Awr Tit !noise vanuy Ambulance With endatt n Other fn
�r. . tvetna pullout liabl driver_ tde4 fated tho'wt,w4�lrYl, tq,b faRn tiet the pnVtat.
r
r
Heit Asphalt and Gravel Hearing
Hearing date,
Jan. 7`h 2004
Additional information to the County Commissioners
A very important point was brought up at the planning commission hearing. A discovery was made about
the amount of gravel that is available at this site. This pit will mine 500,000 tons. Only 25% will be gravel.
The other 75%, according to Paul Gesso, is sand deposit,and will specifically be used for asphalt and
concrete. That means 350,000 tons will be asphalt and concrete. This is NOT a productive gravel site. It is
mostly made up of sand, which is only good for concrete and asphalt.The applicants have told our
community that they would not mine this site without the asphalt and concrete plant. Now we know why.
At the state hearing the Department of Wildlife was not aware that a concrete and asphalt plant was going
to be the majority of this project. Their decision was based solely on a gravel operation only. At the
planning hearing the Department of Wildlife had not submitted a report yet. And are they aware of the
asphalt and concrete plant?
It has also come to our attention that many states are imposing moratoriums on asphalt plants due to the
health hazards they have caused.
Another point that we would like to make is that we have been subjected to this intrusion since February
2003. We have made monetary and time contributions to this project that have taken away from our
families and our businesses. Our neighbors at Aquatic and Wetlands located north of the Heit property have
looked at the plans for this project and have identified that they would be the most damaged by this pit. Due
to the nature of the business that they do there, growing plants and shrubs, to restore lands to their natural
habitat, they could not afford to not negotiate a damage contract with S.W. Meadows to protect their
business. But this did not come without a price. They had to agree not to testify against the Heit
application, even though their first response would be, not to let the project proceed and then the danger of
damaging their business would never be an issue. S.W. Meadows would not agree to this contract without
this zipped lip agreement.
From: "Linda Gardner" <gardnerville@earthlink.net>
To: <charding@co.weld.co.us>
Date: 1/4/04 1:41 PM
Subject: Heit asphalt and cement proposal
LCAROL Harding - gravel pit and asphalt plant operations in Southern Weld county Page 1
From: <GMerr10458@aol.com>
To: <charding@co.weld.co.us>
Date: 1/4/04 6:28PM
Subject: gravel pit and asphalt plant operations in Southern Weld county
My husband I moved to this area in November of 1993. We-chose this area
because of the quality of life offered in Fort Lupton. We had good and reasonably
plentiful water, the roadways were safe and the air was clean. Since we have
moved here, we, as others in the state are experiencing water shortages and
with the continued growth; the traffic and air pollution have increased
significantly.
I used to drive the "old" Hwy. 85 to road 8 and then go on the four-lane 85
into North Denver. Due to the increase of traffic, much of which is large
trucks and many of those sand and gravel trucks, it is no longer safe to go that
way I am now driving to 1-25. I drive to Longmont and my husband to Boulder
everyday to work and many times the truck traffic both on Highway 52 and the
traffic exiting from Highway 85 onto Highway 52 creates very risky driving
conditions. I had on many occasions taken Highway 85 to road 18 to go the "back"
way into Longmont and have ceased doing that due to the high volume of traffic
and the high incidence of accidents on that corner.
I am very concerned that we will not have the water needed to keep Fort
Lupton viable with the amount of water that is needed to run a gravel operation.
Our water is good and not unlimited in source. This will put a burden on our
city and this area to provide enough for all uses.
The air quality has gotten increasingly poorer since 1993. That is in part
due to Colorado's growth and the need for more homes and businesses to locate
out of the metro area. We do not want to see our area become industrialized as
have Brighton and Commerce City. The further increase of traffic and the
fumes from the production or recycling of asphalt will negatively impact our
health as the smog increases.
Your consideration for our concerns will be most appreciated.
Sincerely,
Gary and Mary Ann Merritt
emir
CJ
', CAROL Harding - Letter for consideration at 1/7/04 Hearing on Heit Farm Request Page 1
From: <Clc2237@aol.com>
To: <charding@co.weld.co.us>
Date: 1/4/04 7:41 PM •
Subject: Letter for consideration at 1/7/04 Hearing on Heit Farm Request
To Whom It May Concern,
Please accept this e-mail as formal record of our concern about the request
from Heit Farm Asphalt/Cement and Gravel Mine to place an asphalt plant in our
neighborhood. We ask that the County Commissioners vote against this plant
being built. The area already has an active, and two inactive, gravel pits.
The active gravel pit adds a substantial volume of large truck traffic to our
roads.
The proposed asphalt plant would not only add even more volume to the already
heavy truck traffic but bring numerous other dangerous aspects to our area.
Currently there is an abundance of wildlife in the area including ducks,
geese, eagles, deer and fox. The establishment of this plant would disturb their
habitat. We are also very concerned and worried about our health and how it
may be affected by pollution to the air, water and land this plant would
generate.
Please preserve the safety of the residents in this area, the stature of the
land as much as it can be given the already existing gravel pits, and the
value of our property and lives. We ask you to vote no on this proposal.
Sincerely,
Henry and Frances Chavez
Property Owners
Ralph Chavez
Property Owner
gj -�_
4
TO: Carol Harding/G Tl✓&, p % NO. OF PAGES: ,141g f'5 %/7(.'Ili" r
Cloud I
FROM: Lavenia Temmer TIME:
RE: Heit Asphalt/Cement/Gravel Proposal USR 1444 — Hearing Date
1/7/04
DATE: January 5, 2004
Following are pages of information for the Weld County Board of
Commissioners.
It is my understanding that you will scan this information and transmit it to
the board electronically.
OMIT
0
CAE44
01/05/2004 09:50 13838570515 TEMPER PAGE 02
lwl-L9—us 2611 U4'18 ii WELD COUNTY PUBLIC 1187 FAX:97035464.97_ PAGE t
onNKOCerco1-Vt>CRIb and wtxa25 py� 1
Tone Moor
To: Carrot DONALD
Dolt 1011103Ot07AM
Subject: wCR 15 end WCR 25
NCR 1S betppen USES and WCR 25(72 hour Count)MDT 2 1502 paved rood
WCR 1Obetween WCR R5and WCR 25(45 hour core MOTs 1112 paved road
WCR 22,5 between WCR 23 and WCR 25(M heur count)MDT RIO wawa road
WCR 25 between WCR 5) and end of war(72 tourcount) MDT•410 paved rood
WCR 25ban WCR 20 and WCR 22.5(72 hour cant)MDT-117 grevelmod
My 4ueslon please let nw know.
•
REVISED TRAFFIC COUNTS
OCTOBER 2003
•
•
01/05/2004 09:50 13038570515 TEMMER PAGE 03
RESOLUTION PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
FORT LUPTON 2003-045
This resolution was passed urging the denial of Premier Paving,however,much of the
information pertains to the Heit Asphalt/Cement and Gravel proposal and Southern Weld
County.
a
01/05/2004 09:50 13038570515 TEMMER PAGE 04
f
RESOLUTION NO.2003-048
• A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON URGING DENIAL OF
AN APPLICATION BEFORE THE WELD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON THE
OTTENSTIENIPREMIER PAVINGIADAMS PROJECT IN SECTION 19 TIN RUW, SOUTH OF WCR
8 BETWEEN US U AND WCR 27, KNOWN AS WELD COUNTY CASE NUMBER USR-1436
•
WHEREAS the Weld County Planning Commission has recommended denial of this application for the
reasons set forth in its record, and
WHEREAS, the use proposed for this site would be one of 170 such perks granted by Weld County.
with 115 of those permits granted between WCR 68 and WCR 2, and WCR 1 and WCR 29, and with 72
of those permits granted within WCR 38 and WCR 2 and WCR 1 and WCR road 37 (an area depicted
on attached a diiblt A, showing a concentrated burden on rural, agricultural, urban, suburban uses and
transportation corridors In this area of the county, and
WHEREAS, Section 22-540 B. and C. M the Natural Resources area of the Comprehensive Plan of
Weld County states:
CM Goal 2. Promote the reasonable and oidady development of mineral resources.
CM Goal 3. Minimise the Impacts of surface mining activities on surrounding land uses, roads and
highways. (Emphasis added)
•
WHEREAS, the number of permits issued and operating have already created a direct, and
unacceptable, level of highway danger due to truck traffic, showing a concentration of the most
dangerous intersections in Weld County matching the concentration of permits as depicted on Suibit A
and B attached hereto, and
WHEREAS the Industrialization of a signitiard portion of area in and edjecsnt to agricultural, oral,
urban, and suburban uses stigmatizes these areas and drives down the value and options for
development of adjacent areas far more than the localized gains realized, and
WHEREAS, the iodating highway structure cannot safely handle the type and volume of traffic now
being experienced, and funds for maintenance and repair of highways and county roads is more and
more limited,and
WHEREAS maintaining the economic viability of Highway 85, as a safe, efficient end attractive corridor
for the benefit of all of Weld County should not and cannot be lost or discounted by merely focusing on
one localized project at a time, and
WHEREAS routing trucks down a certain road, or to a signalized intersection, does not make them
disappear, but creates a even higher level of safety hazard and road wear and tear as they continue
back and forth through our cities and throughout a wide area of the County, and
WHEREAS there exists now a need for major expansion and improvement of Highway 85, and Weld
County Roads 27, 2, 4,8, and 8 in the Fort Lupton area with no funds in sight to do so and
P's
(S
y� 01/05/2004 09:50 13038570515 TEMMER PAGE 05
!' .
WHEREAS, the efforts to create reasonable and orderly development .d natural resources, and
mbdm s the impacts of surface mining have not been sufficiently effective to date, Its is therefore
RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON COLORADO to strongly urge
the Weld County Commissioners to deny the approval of this permit and continue to deny pelt*, in
this area until a comprehensive plan specifically addressing the safety and economic and development
needs and desires of southern Weld County can be implemented In the Weld County Comprehensive
Pion.
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE FORT LUPTON CRY COUNCIL THIS 107"
DAY OF DECEMBER 2003.
City of Fort Lupton, Colorado
S. bevid Naracss,�Ae�
Approved a to form: Attest
T. WIC Wallace.City Attorney Barbara Rodgers.City Clerk
•
•
01/05/2004 09:50 13038570515 TEMMER PAGE B6
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1.1 ,. . 1- 1 • ... r;427"4. -. "1-r % n"he
r. EXHIBIT A
a C 3 ma K p g g p
4 s- w r+ 8 B r S ,r 2 2 s 'i gl
01/05/2004 09:50 13038570515 TEMMER PAGE 87
County sheriff's deputies hit the road
if's' in move to prevent highway fatalities
weld's most hazardous Intersections rri AN""M /D- 7.O
The Wad Canny Sheets slice has begun analyzing Imomtaaon on traffics
amen item that St the oaks,along with the Wad county Public Wake, Weld County hes led the state in traffic
aaye mot trww 41
dean.donaThis ma seeks fatalities for long enough.Now,the ther-
mos.
N mM eosmy road and etats highway trouble was lies office is working to make Weld a
legend wooer F + sa leader la traffic safety. •
• t • 's, Sheriff John Cooke is introducing a
, J' ,aa " q a A .' . u
that he hopes
County
-.� k2r�• r ' rt will stunt the ounealdng ntty'sspersistent fro
InMaaoebn :. >aa fatTheep
• ' • The program allows deputies to enter
h , "y -' data on car;rashes.that can be used to set
Mae .��eJFlr •o,.a , priorities for road infp'ttt'emenis, law
htnllweey� ;:„� y{ . . nee _ enforcement and traffic saflty.edt�'at`um.
slfi .. '*�. Cooke.said the program presents a
. . . •. ' shifting priority to treat traffic ulittesa
" what they Weld's No l threat
_ Program hasn't y=
1 — the s office stall needs
h ding
�- ,, .• y thready to buy software for patrol ccars — it's
. j
. malting waves on a national scene.
' Ken Poncelow,a commander in the char.
. ` Its office, presented the safety p'an in
�\ Washington, D.C. where the approach
■1 aa�a. c ciao
,,, I was applauded,
JI arm very enthused about this pro
gramr said Bill Copley;.a safety Program
`ti'' a s' manager Sr the Federal Motor Carria
: Air ' " Safety Administration who has seen Pon-
' •: celow's presentation.It Just has so much
/^ •t : q 76 potentaL"
t • • to beethn traffic accidentsdepartment's �the Col
� State Patrol's x sryBity That
nit s
�1 ° added a u p
•''° • 5,s. .SI", ! h � • �CYIaA 77rr,w 'r� l �+ err r.&� .,..
San glees Omer ...,. .`.. ..:.�• from 2001 and 2002 waBye act- The approach Is new, but
Coro uter dents into a new p� rya the .�ea'a
p limn and have alrgeyy pro-
ate approach to prevent-
valuable information. Studies lug mime.
EXHIBIT $ enforce-
showthe leading cause of Tent and problem
program accidents en Interstate 2S is fa. areas, the o@Ice is deft the
lowing...„,ton
m closselly, while the thing as when it Mb red-
will track . dents in • neighborhood with
_ lots keep their
ng causes tlgeta lofted
most accidents on Coln 66. 'We've never done that with
ac • Another revelation was duo- traffic."Poncelow said"But this
cidents _foal�t �r ma_ will head off before
WELD FATALMES t5e
FROM PAGE Al k•7'G Imaimable to preventing accts amid become ABl i ftders t
S dents, according to Poaeelow for taBk enforcement in the
"The attitude was: Those tall�or thosefacts,the office will . end,the Program_could claagr
Cooke said 'Well from
officers will cover traffic,' I 2S drive leave ro by om that m the hada mresp mditg o clan hey m
good esai that's not between a enough. Five officers safe driving education cam_ would�this hap-
won't very far when the Deign to neighboring counties. ' Den on a national basis,"Copley
ttn't Public safety thecae h talking about*ion
Deputies will also be able to said 'We're
r• Path the sheriffs office and track where they issue ticket of money
�std politics here(ale
the Weld Trot have been entering data pu depart- office tw o�q identify p,which atrol the
r griansts),but 1f we can epartment rd
county's trouble spots, op that database—we're$Dh!g
to be home free to to ensile b\
01/05/2004 09:50 13038570515 TEMMER PAGE 08
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
RECENT TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AT WCR 18 AM)
US85
(ONE PAGE)
RELATING TO LUPTON MEADOWS RESIDENTS
(THREE PAGES)
FATAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS - 2002, 2003
(FOUR PAGES)
01/05/2004 09:50 13030570515 TEMMER PAGE 09
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66
FortLnptonPr.áH
Volume 98,No.« Saving Me Community Wier.ISM SMurday,October 18,2003
bird pit, p as sly pomitlet .Ida m tict tips ti i
trucks go out, ten hours a and Gravel Wine, the pro- the loaded trucks would go
day,four days a week.They poalaloincludesanasphalt south on 26 to County Road
are gravel tracks hauling and concrete batch plant on 18,then out to Highway 86,
from a pit behind her house 102 acres at the corner of where 90 percent of them
that is owned by Weld County Roads 20 and 25. would turn south, the other
4-11iri'-- - V County,and the drivers,she The land is currently ten percent north across an
says, make an effort to be owned by the Heit family; interseetionknownfor an as-
polite,even as they lineup in four siblings, who, Gattlerb cidentrateb[more than one
front of her house. She feels lied,who lives on the farm, every three-days.East year,
like the knows them; which says are all in their 70's. "We there were 109 aecidtpnts at
ones wave,which ones donk are all 6ettingeldenoughthat the intersection,gore fatal.
That'.arelatkata ship she we thought it was time to The so dent rate.pbss
doesn't want to have with tell,"he said, and when the the potential wait nitwit*
another set of drivers. She, family was apçroscbedby an thefdirselionoHighway86,
like most of the neighbors Englewood farm, "we had a sortie Coyle."Canyouimag
' old Ryan CIDM' wltlt MeMalt. La 1 who livealongthetoeaicroad chance to sell it" Heir reap= •ms," she asks "waiting bo-
Mosto ma•trunk sum from Weld CountyRi Road 25 on Ito owned by that parallels the South tree that his decision is aSt pied three gravel trucks to
wed county.seismong oho south esnick d Nis usr l ow of Platte River, is fighting the with met of l • turn left when one of them is
weld county.seism the tarok and Ma Trager u a vlar of Bh a popular
e;) 102 eon that nay also be mined for gavot establishment of another neighbors, although co , trying to make a left hand
m
mgravel mine that would be "said he would ra'8t ook turn?"
By RoaaMsEwon re watches tricksturnontothe withinastone's throw dame over and seaopen from When the trucks reach
en bits road that leads to the gravel of them. On Tuesday after- a mine than,* bunch of the comer of 18 and 26, theY
pit behind her have, then noon,they will face the Weld houses." / may have to wait in line to
From the front porch of she watcbesthem drive away County Planning Commie- To tocomplieh the min- turn, as another 100-acre
F her house on Weld County again. The cycle continues, sion to try to convince them ing operation, 160 more gravel pit,Rader eNENorth-
o; Road 26, Laura Coyle eight trucks come in, that another pit does not fit trucks a day would parade em Colorado Construetars
eight in with their neighborhood. past Coyle's home for at least
Called
Helt Sand the years. Mostof See
co
Citizen's action helps
Saturday,October 18,2003 Pon Lupton Press 5
.4`;A let, 3.v. .:a
Local
'/pa f/ •
pits
from page 1
Inc.,was approvedfortheland north- mostly did work for pave!develop- would be no cmrtict of interest, we and dust will settle and stay" •
west oftjseconter.Another 120 daily en,one said that,iftheeooaomywas lose our aUorney." • The idea of living in his house
truck trips,plus those made by 20 slow, they would consider it." So, The coalition of neighbors that whi eminingoperationagoondoeln't
empiyyeescaming to andiron:work, Coyle has done her own study which Coyle is a part of has other issues ' bother Heit, who, after farming the
are expected to be generated from shewlltpresentwhenthe case comes with the proposed gravel pit. They land his family owned for 60 years
that site before the county planning commis- have shallow wells,Coylds is 35 feet now rents it for onion fields. 'They
Coyle isn't sure how much traf- eton next Tuesday. deep. She knows firsthand the ire- said I could stay here for five years,
tic the roads presently carry because A traffic engineer wasn't the pact the mines can have on weals; and I guess I will." He hasn't met
the large group of neighbors and only expert the group has had prob- when the Hoenig pit,a county gravel mostoftke neighbors who opposethe
Vollmer residents who are against lems hiring. A lawyer who is with a pit to the west was dug,they had to sale of the pit, and he zloesn't agree
the pit can not find an engineer who Greeley firm was signed on, and clear"six or seven feet of sediment with them either."They just moved
will doa study. She suspects that it's 13,3001ater he said there would be out of the casing of our well,and we in here and they think everything
more than what is shown on the a conflict because Hall Irwin, who lost the pump.' should be their way,"he says.
study dens for Banks and Gesso the would be the ones to line the pit was The neighbors are also worried
�, 44
law firm that represents the site. one of their clients," Coyle relates. about health concerns of the traffic, I l x
"But we can't hire one because they "Nineteen days before the hearing, the dust and the fumes. "Down here I f 1 u Iwf:.r r V II I:I ten
'don't have the time.'"One said they even though he said at first there in the valley," she says,"the fumes
v-u linen J-- _ - - -
In
..
In
co
N
In
co
m
co
m
ra
co
u,
m
co
v
m
CD
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III
CD
m
?Sok,- aia
003 f Oit 4,26,„ f res) J
v. Families, with different agendas; try to preserve their legacies
By Roa nsEMMA chance to leave a greater financial legacy to their lives.Youwon'thave cokes with the consequences.
Et: descendants,neighbors Sten object. but we wiH." •
The land owners,who are frequently sheen- Hare's bow a proposed facility that recently
Wb.ena gnnl company a ass calling,prom- tee owners, W,It's our land,we have the right came before the Weld County Planning Commia-
Wsg tamales more money than they could make to do with it what we want.'The neighbors say, Sian,the Reit Bend and Oravelldine,northwestd
by selling their land to another farmer and a 'Tour rights will interfere with the quality dour Part Lupton,affects two families.
t , b. ,,‘ r,
-r,: ..i I - • iE f� l!
ax ...m.........." tindell" mlik 1 ,
Thecompsnyieafamily-owned Glemmere Park Lake in Greeley, a ;iii 4
esignlbrniWttgrowenvironmembJrec• restored Boulder Creek, the reborn
amation organisation. Part of the banked the old Stapleton site along Jay tglndeg grows plena and bees to be used h taoismadon projects
using is looking at a site that Band Creek werecreatedby the corn- coobacted by hie Mullin"VMind Compry.
redstoberepaired,such astberaw. party,as are reclaimed mining areas ' "My business depends on the water table"
udleB.whaB-470wasconstruated, in the Yellowstone flea,and a whits
rid adapting a landscape plan that water project for rafters in the end oft narrow moan, d turning ugly laud into beautiflrl
ill utilise soil,climate,and budget Farmington,New Mexico. road,west d Weld County Road 26, landscape.
e nu ditions. Another part is rtur• "We did at least 126 projects ' employees of the c and Web t
landcompany go abstonethe business See"iMndsY"on page 8
tg plants and trees,in greenhouses last year,"Winded)said,which kept
is,
rid on tltecompanje land, that can 40 full-thus and TS part-thus em
-
m 3 used in zeriscaping, or alterna- ployeee busy. AWC has completed the sand and gravel pit in return for the"shadow effect"of a lined water
m vely, plants that will adapt to wet. over 1,000 projects since it was monitoring of his wells for damage, pit would do to his own shaBowwater
m ad conditions. The third part is founded 18 years ago. With annual he chose to speak lean individual at supply,"part of the reason we began
ensiling those plants, from gnu revenues of overt:million,it islisted a hearing before the county planning our.business here." That was the
lugs to trees,to restore an area. as one of the top 10 environmental commissioners.He shouldn't have to reason he signed the agreement,
"There's reclamation going on contractors in Colorado. give up his freedom of speech, he which cost him thousands of dollars
N terywhere,"theconpany'sfounder, Windell's company, and his said,to ensure thathis land would be in legal fees,to provide a method of
m ad vice president,Jay Wendell,who home,is on land just north of where safe from dipping water levels. monitoring the water levels on his
ssaPh.D.inlimnologyandecology, the Halt Sand and Gravel facility He is disdainful of plans to re- land. Shouldthewater levels drop,it
a dd.There are examples of Aquatic would be. He ie vehemently opposed claim the area around the pita, call- would affect the trees and plants on
r el Wetland Company's work from to the project,so much so even ten that ing their restoration proposal ' - AWC's land. "My business depends
N :Wane to New Mexico, and many though he had signed an agreement, imaginative." He is afraid of what on the water table,"he said.
in
ea oser to home. The shoreline of as a company, to not speak against
ce
) )
&et, ,A C
toot
PI _-.�._.__-
'-, .
seces for car crash victims Friday afternoon
Services for 28-year•old Robert County Road 18 about 1:25 Monday panengersdied of massive head inju• condition on Thursday in intensive
Hernandez and his 13-month-old afternoon. Her view of the north- ries. care at North Colorado Medical
daughter Jasmine were held at 1 bound lanewasobstructedbyasemi- Neitherone,Master SergeantRon Center in Greeley.
p.m; in Brighton at the Tabor Fu- truck that was stopped in the left Watkins of the Colorado State Patrol Watkins said the family had
neral Home on Friday, March 15, turn landofnorthboundU.$.86.The said, was wearing a restraint. .The recently moved from Castle Rock
2002. car was struck on the passenger side harness of the car seat was on the and were living withHmaandeaa
They were passengers in a 1999 as it crossed in front of a northbound baby,but the baby wasn't secured. It family in Fort Topton.
Pontiac Grand Am driven by the Dodge Durango traveling about 65 looked like th had walkedto the car T� deaths wen the eighth
baby's mother, Shameka Williams, miles an hour_ - put the car seat in the back, so far this
s year. A tenth
was re-County i
y' and never so far this year. A was re-
20, Fort Lupton,who attempted to Weld County CoronorScottAn- in.
strapped `it " corded on northbound Interstate
make a left-hand turn from south- thony said an autopsy perfoined on Williams, who was wearing a 25 near the Johnstown exit early
bound Highway 85 east onto Weld. Tuesday afternoon showed that both seat belt, was still listed in critical Tuesday morning.
cr
r` Cemetery,Port Lupton.• i
4
Robert was born in Denver, JAZMINE HERNANDEZ,
r Colorado, on Oct. 16, I274, the 13-month-old Infant .
eon of Roberto Hernandez and
- Ellen Brown. He had lived in the Jasmine Hernandez of ,
c. Fort Lupton area for the peat 15 Fort Lupton pawed away in an
years and was employed by in- - - auto accident on March 11,
stalling marble tile. He was a •- 2002, on the outskirts of'Fort
member of the Assembly of Cod _ ==:+CIF: Lupton. Her funeral service •
church. + t was March 15 at Tabor Funeral
insc He is survived by his father, Home in Brighton. Burial took
+� Roberto Hernandez of Fort "'- ( place at Hillside Cemetery,Fort
Lupton; mother, Ellen Brawn of :f: Lupton.
Ul
m Castle Rock; grandparents, Jasmine was n.aebornJa 22,
m a
co 3 Pascuala and EusebioHernandez : I. 0 2001,in Englewood, Colorado.
ROBERT HERNANDEZ,27 of Lubbock, Texas, and Stella i A She was the daughter otRobert
Brown of Fort Garland; brother, :+ '� Hernandez and Shameka Will-
Tile Installer Jura Hernandez of Fort Lupton; } . 1**- : lame. She is survived by her
'n andsistere,NomieHernandoand - " mother and grandparents,Rob-
; Robert Hernandez of Fort
m Ruth Hernandez, both of Fort en Hernandez and Ellen
-
Lupton died March 11,2002,as the .
Lupton. His daughter Jwnins -roe , Brown.Her father preceded her
result of an auto accident which - .p':
'm preceded him in death due W the ;v in death due to the name auto
ccei happened on the outskirts of Fort •same auto accident. . ' -• accident.
m Lupton. Funeral services Tabor Funeral Home in -- -: Tabor Funeral Home in
co at Tabor FuneralHoaminBrighton Brighton handled the arrange- Brightonhandled the arrange-
m on March 15 with burial at Hillside meats. manta.
Man dies in head-on crash with 2 cars
BY ALICIA LEONARDI ;o• q' 03 mph,and the impact pushed the Ter- Zeller said; however, toxicology than 5 mph at the time of the accident
gtreporters®greeleytAb.com cel off the west side of the highway. reports won't be available for several because the traffic light had just
111 One
pickup continued forward and weeks. turned green.
One man died and a 16-year-old collided head-on with a 2002 Toyota The driver of the Tercel, 16-year- Zeller said the dead man was
O boy was seriously injured in a three- Camry. The Camry was thrown back old Alexander B.Platt of Fort Lupton, pulled from the vehicle with no iden-
vehicle crash Friday afternoon in 85 feet and landed on its hood. was airlifted to Denver Health Med- tification, and the license plates on
southern Weld County. "It was a pretty horrific crash$ ical Center where he underwent sur- the pickup he was driving were regis-
N. An unidentified Hispanic man, State Trooper Russ Zeller said. "The gery for a fractured femur and other tered to a different vehicle.
- about 50,was pronounced dead at the individuals in both Toyotas are pretty serious injuries. Zeller said he is "He's unidentified not because of
scene, according to the Colorado lucky to be alive." recovering well. his injuries or because he was
-5: State Patrol. Zeller doesn't know why the pick- The driver of the Camry, Earl deformed, but because we had noth-
v The man was driving a 1982 up was in the wrong lane. He said Head, 75, and passenger Billye Head, ing to go on,"Zeller said.
Chevrolet pickup north in the south- accidents of this type are rare, and 72, of Estrancia, N.M., were taken to The man is the 40th person to die
bound lane on U.S.85 at Weld County most head-on collisions occur when a Platte Valley Medical Center in on Weld County roads this year com-
Road 2 about 3:20 p.m.when he collid- vehicle crosses the median. Brighton. They were treated and pared to 52 on the same date last year.
ed head-on with a 1996 Toyota Tercel. Investigators found empty and full released for minor injuries. If you have any information on the
The pickup was traveling about 45 beer cans in the dead man's vehicle, Both Toyotas were moving at less identity of the man,call(303)239-4501. 1
�o®� ter•
•
CII W °opm( WO " "fli > ' Fort Lupton
Fort Lupton man dies � ! -.51, A e
m crash on U.S. 85 Va � tu�. Quo•
A • woman
A Fort Lupton man died early Sun- •nom -8 cu
-4 3 dies
85y when he crashed his car on U.S. 0 • x U
�� in crash
•
Hugo Fuentes-Guzman, 21,died at �'5 3 p v
the scene of the one-car crash south GU ; o,$x b F.g a4'
of Fort Lupton, near Weld County a « B.. q
Road 6. I o w ' ' STAFF REPORTS / () — II . oa
w �TJ
Fuentes-Guzman was driving �+ ��q' g $'� � A Fort Lupton woman died Friday
north on U.S. 85 at 3:18 a.m.when he CIO morning after her car was broadsided
drove off the right side of the road, it o • On" w,4 02 by a truck on U.S.85.
according to a State Patrol report. i•i N A o a.4 a 0.S a Blanca Martinez-Moreno, 38, was
He overcorrected twice and his car CJ co a.a ,o o u found dead at a car crash scene at U.S.
started rotating.The car hit a utility a Tp a o v tr« 85 and Weld County Road 22, four
pole, rotated again and hit a fence. {r -0 v o 3 w 5,,e,..1
r miles north of Fort Lupton.
Fuentes-Guzman was not wearing •d>w „ o Authorities said that Martinez-
Moreno seat belt and was thrown from the an
. o v; Moreno was driving her 1988 Ford
car. C v a"�m A'�„v'e w Tempo west on Weld 22 at 7:20 a.m.
He died of multiple blunt-force (, o A x'N 3 when she tried to cross the north-
trauma injuries,according to Weld .°'.as h . „ bound lanes of U.S. 85. When she
Count Coroner's Office Investigator "� co u—4 `" > y o
y g II Si c a, m c G a �` entered the intersection, a north-
Chris Robillard. o 3 , 84•07,2
bound Ford F-250 truck pulling a flat-
bed said it would be several o a $3 bed trailer slammed into her on the
weeks before toxicology results will 0 V 0 3 ° 3 driver's side.
show whether alcohol contributed to Martinez-Moreno was not wearing
the crash. I:4 c g a seat belt and was thrown to the
Fuentes-Guzman was the 50th per- la alas W other side of the car,said Russ Zeller,
son to die on Weld County roads this v •
o v of the Colorado State Patrol.
year, compared to 61 at this time last H a w m William Christoffer,48 of Brighton
year. ^: ••^o,p u w a°1q'd v 05 m was driving the truck. Christoffer,
0 x v ob>9 0[ '''''IS who
was wearing a seat belt,was not
al
2_,. _ d �r a d q [ ed.
Zeller said Martinez-Moreno was
• 0 0-'M c •
o 0 0 at fault in the crash. Investigators do
•t ...o Tc6 Q v « not think drugs or alcohol were
d' •�a' a+ a, 0 involved.
CU C%. 0 �' c a 3 -. After the crash, both vehicles
A is °�> try, d>oa ended up in the US. 85 median.The
•a m y'd w v M' highway was not closed because of
•
T'E. the crash,but traffic was slowed for a
'q u•6 d x b o �' couple of hours.
!� 3 °�'O .. er-
son to die eon Weld County roz-Moreno is the ads this
�" •°a o "tj w 422 h year compared to 53 on the same date
a N O 73'^ � u, � last year.
3 °ra
RA tsg ,:a Q WA got'
< >. j•°a4t
•ea0.�4 ZevS A bwo
S 8 LA$ 11 a (s Y),+1
/1
S
4td4irW to t.
�rpt (�ttry qsc
N43sijttLr it° `wcr,}W' RI tit 4 r!li 4if' 9tfiltittieittlrfl ltifl Sharon satuninucya,'....... ......
Y Ll'Fy LL,
I ors*ibttt prninati+#t,etO�tt*r e 4tt;t , 0, ynr (4.►#u, ¶lit, grant tot, Ireceived a total of$225,000 in grants amount o• precipitant), bLr
rrptri usind1h4 To I rf N^�(t7rt i#1 rk a Whip $, t) �yy{)]tolr. Other GulnrNtl over the past two years. "I'm real was 317 percent of n. Jul,
)MIltlty prstparialn,'$r: and rlit,amor recipient=s were the cities of pleased with this one,"he said, "It's month followed many others t r
response. Northglenn, Aspen, Lamar, which something the community has needed have seen little rain or snow(
ITharon amid he applied for the will hove one new officer each and for a long time "The recent storms did not end
grant,which was awarded to l20low Golden, which received $250,00, drought,"Wilkinson said. "We r
U L /l be feeling the effects for years. '
Alyssa from page 1 citizens of this state are now real:
ing that water is a finite resoure
one she has never met,a child whose it to Locks of Love."My hair stylist burned,or have had extensive frost- "For the record," Wilkinson not
medical condition or cancer treat- person was Jennifer," Alyssa said. bite,or have been unconscious for a "We are in a drought. It's not t'
ment has caused hair loss,someone "She said I was the youngest person long time, all conditions that cause drought of the decade, or the cm
who would not be able to afford a that day to do it. She asked how hair loss. Children who are under tury,it's a one-in-300-year drought
hairpiece made of real hair unless it much I wanted to donate, then she age 6 receive synthetic hair pieces, Colorado State University c'.
was donated. put it in a braid and cut it off at because of their rapid head growth. matologist Nolan Doesken said tl
"I wanted to help people who exactly 13 inches." Although Alyssa donated 13 onset of this drought had been "i
have cancer," Alyssa explained. Alyssa's hair will be sent to inches of hair, 10 inches is the mini- credibly rapid." "There's a reaso
"Miss Loftis (one of her fifth-grade Locks of Love headquarters inLake mum. Both boys and girls can re- able chance we are in a long dow
teachers) told us about how you Worth, Florida, where it will be ceive hairpieces; for boys some of turn," he said due to changi.
could donate your hair and so I forwarded to a manufacturer which the shorter lengths of hair are sepa- weather patterns. "What seems li
decided to do it. I filled out the will combine with 10 to 15 other rated by hand from each donation a good spring trend could reverse
paper and over spring break, went braids or ponytails to make a hair- to make their shorter hairpieces, a few weeks."
to"Tangles" in Fort Collins for the piece for a child from age 6 to 17 Locks of Love,which is a non- Division 1 water engineer J
cut. Although any salon or indi- who has lost their hair.Ninety per- profit volunteer organization, pro- Hall cautioned that "one big snc
vidual can cut and send in hair to cent of the hairpieces are for chil- videsthehairpiecestochildrenfree storm doesn't fill all of the res
Locks of Love, Tangles is one of dren with alopecia areata, an auto- or at a sliding scale, and uses dona- voirs." He said that "we basics
three salons in Colorado on the list immune disorder which causes hair tions to pay for the cost of manufac- emptied the reservoirs last year
of shops that contribute to the orga- follicles to shut down and the child turing. The retail cost of custom and that for the first time since 1
nization by cutting and styling do- to lose all of his or her hair. Other hair pieces , which start at$3,000, 1970s the plains reservoirs are
hors' hair for free and forwarding children who receive hair have been would make it prohibitive for many full. The drought, he said, has c
of the families to afford one for their pelled water from an agriculture
• a municipal concern.
Man dies on Highway 85 crash child.
The majority,over 80 percent, The increasing proportion
of donations comes from children use of water bymuncipalitiesver
A Denver man died Friday afternoon after he was involved in a crash like Alyssa,who want to help other agriculture was pointed out
on Colorado Highway 85 at Weld County Road 18.1/2. Arturo Chavira- children. Not surprisingly, Alyssa Wilkinson. In the beginning of
Gomez,73,of Denver,was attempitng to make a left U-turn to go southbound is looking at a career that will help, Northern District, he said, 90I
on 85 about 5:25 p.m. His 1985 Toyota Camry was struck in the driver's door as a doctor or a veterinarian. She cent of the users were agricultu
by a northbound 1994 Dodge pickup driven by James Borquez, 57, of also likes to write,and the book she Now,60 percent of the water is ow
Brighton. is writing about the cultures of her by muncipalities, and 40 percen
Russell Zeller of the Colorado State Highway Patrol said Borquez had classmates, (her own is "a mix- agriculture. Due to renting and:
attempted to avoid hitting the Tyota by getting into the left lane. Chavira- ture") will be on display at the ing of water shares, Wilkinson
Gomez was pronounced dead at the scene. Borquez was taken to North Middle School's Celebration of that this year,as much as 90 per
Colorado Medical Center and was later released.Both drivers were wearing Learning on April 24. of NCWCD's water could be g
sea thelts. No charges will be filed. toward municipal use.
r.L j • ) ss 1" ; 1 1� 1 3 ic 6
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