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It’s a haul-away service for Thornton Trash & Recycle
customers only. We’ll pick up debris
such as in-house remodel, renovation materials, junk from your
yard or garage cleanup.
Visit cityofthornton.net/TrashRecycling to schedule your
curbside pickup.
Try Click & Haul!
got junk?
Scheduling the service is easy! Most pickups: $65+
November 2017 Thornton City Voice Newspaper 1
For details about any of these programs go to
cityofthornton.net/TrashRecycling, email
[email protected] or call 720-977-6200.
Fall Leaf Collection:October 16 - November 10City trash service
customers only. Place bagged leaves at the curb on your regular
trash pickup day. Use black trash containers first. Bags filled
with trash or other debris will not be collected. Restrictions
apply.
Veterans DayThere is no delay for the Veterans Day holiday,
November 11. Trash pickup will be running on a regular schedule
Thanksgiving DayCity collection service will be on a one day
holiday delay November 23 and 24. If your normal trash/recycling
pick up day is Thursday, November 24, it will be collected on
Friday, November 25 and Friday’s pickup will be collected on
Saturday, November 26.
Trash & Recycling Reminderscooking oil recyclingThornton
residents can drop-off used cooking oil in one gallon sealed
plastic containers at the IMC, 12450 Washington St., M-F, 8 a.m.-5
p.m. excluding holidays. Commercial oil will not be accepted.
requesting a collection scheduleSend an email to
[email protected] and include your home address
to request an electronic copy of your collection schedule.
make room for the driversRemember to leave plenty of room around
your containers on your collection day. Park vehicles at least four
feet away from the containers.
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Thornton Triceratops is in its new
home at DMNS
The Thornton Triceratops is in a new home at the Denver Museum
of Nature and Science (DMNS), and it continues to draw
attention.
“All the bones are at the Museum,” says DMNS Communications and
Media Relations Manager Maura O’Neal. ”Museum staff and volunteers
are now working to clean the bones, and prepare them to become part
of the Museum’s permanent collections for the next 12 to 24
months.” All of this work is going on in a third floor studio in
the museum, one that has a giant window so you can watch the
progress. “The first weekend after we brought some of the
Triceratops fossil back to the Museum, we welcomed more than 1,200
guests to the windows of our Paleo Prep Lab in Prehistoric
Journey,” says O’Neal. “We have seen excited people visiting the
fossils ever since.”
“I am honored and excited to be part of the team — our city’s
future is boundless.”
Kevin Woods is officially Thornton’s new city manager. He
started work for the city on October 2, 2017 and was sworn in at a
special Thornton City Council meeting on October 3. Woods has been
busy the past few weeks meeting city staff and observing how things
have been operating in Thornton prior to his arrival.
“I’d like to formally thank Mayor Williams and all of city
council for my selection for this position,” said Woods. “Thornton
is a fantastic city with an excellent and well-deserved reputation.
Having lived in Colorado, I knew Thornton to be a wonderful place
to live and work. Great cities are no accident. They start with
location, but their greatness comes from an involved and connected
community, a committed council, and an exceptional staff. Thornton
certainly has all the ingredients. As with most urban centers
today, Thornton will continue to grow and change. Our challenge is
to foresee those changes, sustain our exceptional quality of life,
and ensure Thornton is well-positioned for continued positive
growth. I am honored and excited to be part of the team — our
city’s future is boundless.”
Woods is the first new city manager for Thornton in more than 32
years. Jack Ethredge was previously the city manager prior to
retiring in March of 2017. Woods comes to Thornton from Stallings,
North Carolina where he was town manager since 2013. Stallings is a
suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina. More than 75 people applied to
be considered for the Thornton City Manager position and city
council used an executive recruitment firm to help them find the
candidates to consider. Thornton City Council reached a contract
agreement with Woods in August of this year. He is originally from
Indiana.
Mr. Woods is a retired 26 year veteran of the United States
Army, retiring as a Colonel in 2009. He also served as Vice
President of a global engineering and construction firm called
Versar, Inc after his military career. Woods earned a bachelor’s
degree in psychology from Westmont College in California and two
master’s degrees, one in operational planning from the U.S. Army’s
Advanced Military Studies Program and the other in national
security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College.
Trash/Recycling News
Changes in the Season, Changes Water Taste
Taste and odor issues may arise in Thornton’s water supply and
can start as early as May and last through November on occasion.
This problem is not strictly isolated to Thornton. Water utilities
up and down the Front Range and across North America are struggling
with elevated levels of taste and odor compounds, especially in the
last two years. The exact cause of this phenomenon is currently
unknown. Hot, sunny weather encourages algae and bacterial growth,
making taste and odor compounds more prevalent in the water from
July to October. It is not a public health threat, but a byproduct
of algae and bacteria in the water and bacteria in the soil at the
bottom of a lake.
Thornton has several reservoirs that capture and hold raw water
for future processing. The reservoirs Thornton has along Interstate
76 encounter the greatest amount of algae growth due to the high
levels of phosphorus coming in from their water source - the South
Platte River.
Continued on page 2
Thornton’s New City Manager is officially on the Job
Continued on page 3
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]
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2 Thornton City Voice Newspaper November 2017
9-1-1 Youth Hero Award Recipients
On August 15, Thornton’s 9-1-1 Emergency Communication Center
and 9-1-1 for Kids, will present 9-1-1 Youth Hero Awards to two
local youth and two Communication Center Specialists. McKenna
Hankin, 12, will receive the first award for her 9-1-1 call for a
medical emergency. The second award will be presented to Jaqueline
Aguilar, 9, who dialed 9-1-1 while home alone with her younger
brother when their home was broken into. Communication Specialist
Dina Pacheco took the call from McKenna, and Communication
Specialist Kimberley Brooks assisted Jaqueline.
Changes in the Season Continued from page 1Phosphorus is the
preferred food source for algae and bacteria. Other Thornton water
sources, such as Standley Lake, have lower levels of phosphorus and
hence less algae.
Since it’s difficult to control Mother Nature, Thornton is
making changes to the processes at the water treatment plants to
help combat the taste and odor compounds. The new Thornton Water
Treatment Plant, scheduled to begin
operations in 2020, will use ozone as a means to reduce the
compounds below detection levels. The city is also implementing
some changes at the Wes Brown Water Treatment Plant in 2019 that
should help reduce some taste and odor compounds in the finished
water.
In 2025 when the Thornton Water Project begins delivering water
from the Poudre River, the city will have another tool to help
ensure high quality drinking water for Thornton residents.
Thornton’s water from the Poudre River will be diverted before it
travels through any major municipal locations and will travel down
a 70-mile pipeline into Thornton. For more information about the
Thornton Water Project, visit www.thorntonwaterproject.com.
WE WILL BE ACCEPTING VIDEO AUDITIONS
NOVEMBER 15-FEBRUARY 2!See the 2018 Winter-Spring edition of
the
Thornton Activities Guide for more information!
FINAL COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AT THORNTONFESTSATURDAY, MAY 19,
2018
New Grant Available for Thornton Home Buyers
If you’re purchasing a home in Thornton, you may be eligible for
a $15,000 grant to help pay for the down payment and closing costs
of a home. Local nonprofit Community Resources & Housing
Development Corporation (CRHDC) has partnered with Wells Fargo Bank
to provide the NeighborhoodLIFT grant. The grants are available to
people whose household income is up to 80 percent of the Area
Median Income (AMI). “That’s $53,700 for a couple and $67,100 for a
family of four,” says Thornton Neighborhood Services Manager Nicole
Jeffers. Additionally, teachers, military service members,
veterans, police officers, firefighters and other emergency medical
personnel can have a household income of up to 100 percent of the
Area Median Income (AMI). One of the qualifications of the
NeighborhoodLIFT grant and other grants and loans is completing a
homebuyer education workshop.
The city of Thornton and CRHDC will be hosting a free workshop
at the Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation Center, 11151 Colorado
Blvd. Saturday, December 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. R.S.V.P is
required and lunch is provided. To reserve your space at this
workshop email [email protected] or call 303-428-1448.
http://www.thorntonwaterproject.commailto:[email protected]
-
WATER-WISE COMMODE
ABODETo Your
Add a
& Get Paid To Save
Upgrade to a Water-E�cient Toilet and Get a Rebate.
Cash in on the savings with WaterSense rebates and learn more
about saving indoors at ThorntonWater.com
The city is looking for residents who are interested in sitting
on a grant review committee. The committee will meet Monday nights
in February, March and April to evaluate the Thornton Assistance
Funds (TAF) applications, and present their recommendation to City
Council in May. TAF is a grant program for organizations that help
Thornton residents meet their basic needs and enhance their ability
to be self-suffi cient.
To apply for the committee, residents should complete a city
board application.
Applications and more information on TAF can be found on
www.cityofthornton.net or by contacting Neighborhood Services at
303-538-7600 or [email protected].
Deadline to apply is December 15, 2017.
Members Needed for Grant Committee
November 2017 Thornton City Voice Newspaper 3
PARKS and OPEN SPACE UPDATEShay Ditch TrailA pedestrian bridge
and trail lighting will be installed over Big Dry Creek as part of
the Shay Ditch Trail project. The entire project constructs a
3,400-foot concrete trail from the Big Dry Creek Regional Trail,
next to the Quail Valley Subdivision, to the 146th Avenue and
Washington Street underpass adjacent to the Stargate School. This
project routes pedestrians away from Washington Street and 144th
Avenue, and provides for future trail connections in the city.
Construction is expected to begin in November.
Niver Creek Trail LightingTen new trail lights have been
installed on the Niver Creek Trail between the Anythink Library and
Pecos Park. The new lights provide additional safety for trail
users during the early morning and late evening hours. Residents of
the adjacent neighborhoods have been very receptive to the project
because it alleviates many expressed safety concerns related to the
trail.
Cherry Park Playground RehabilitationA design plan for the
playground rehabilitation at Cherry Park, 11500 Birch Dr., has been
selected, and the project will be installed late this year. The
selected plan is the Rustic Tree House-themed design alternative
that provides a bit of shade and whimsy for the kids to play and
enjoy the outdoors in this updated and accessible play area. The
design was one of three alternatives reviewed by residents at a
public meeting held in June.
Thornton Recognized for Building a Healthy Community
LiveWell Colorado has awarded Elite Status to the city of
Thornton for its commitment to building a healthy community by
advancing healthy eating and active living (HEAL) policies that
make Thornton a healthy place to live, work, and play. “Thornton
has made a significant investment in building a healthier community
by working to improve access to healthy food and active living for
its residents,” says LiveWell’s HEAL Cities & Towns Campaign
Director Julie George.
Since joining the LiveWell Colorado’s HEAL Cities & Towns
Campaign in September, 2013, the city of Thornton has:
• Partnered with the Adams 12 School District to offer free
recreation programs at schools providing free summer meals for kids
from low-income families.
• Created city employee wellness policies.• Built bike and
pedestrian underpasses and trails.• Adopted Station Area and
Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
Plans.• Donated city land for a community garden.
To learn more about Thornton and its healthy living initiatives,
visit cityofthornton.net or livewellcolorado.org.
Thornton Fire Department to receive SAFER Grant from FEMA The
Thornton Fire Department will receive a $1,957,068 SAFER (Staffing
for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant from FEMA. This
grant will be used to fund 15 firefighter positions over three
years, and will assist in paying for an advanced life support (ALS)
staffed fire engine. The engine will be housed at a new public
safety facility at 132nd Avenue and Quebec Street, scheduled to
open in 2018.
With the additional firefighters hired under the SAFER Grant,
the Thornton Fire Department will be able to provide a higher-level
of coverage to the northeast corner of Thornton. “This grant will
allow our city to move forward with the personnel needed to further
serve our City and increase our overall emergency response
capabilities,” says Thornton Mayor Heidi Williams. “The new
firefighters will contribute to our dedication to decreased
response times and improved service levels.” The Thornton Fire
Department is the second Colorado fire department to be awarded a
SAFER Grant under the 2016 FEMA award. “This is a highly
competitive grant process and we are very fortunate to have the
resources to successfully apply and implement this award,” said
Thornton Fire Chief Gordie Olson.
Thornton Fire received a grant from FireHouse Subs Public Safety
Foundation of over $15,000. The funds were used to purchase an
AutoPulse Resuscitation System that provides automated CPR.
On Friday, August 25, construction crews working on Thornton’s
new Public Safety Facility at 132nd Avenue and Quebec Street
uncovered the fossil, and scientists at DMNS were on-site just days
after. “My heart was racing,” says DMNS Curator of Dinosaurs Joe
Sertich. “I realized it was a pretty important dinosaur find.”
Scientists say most fossil finds along the Front Range are from the
Ice Age, just 10 to 12-thousand years old, but this fossil is much
older, 66-million years old, and much rarer; it’s one of only three
found along the front range. Crews and volunteers spent weeks
carefully uncovering the fossils, and carefully moved them to their
new home at the museum. “This is the most complete
Cretaceous-period skeleton ever to be found in Colorado,” says
O’Neal. “By comparing it to other horned dinosaurs throughout the
Rocky Mountain region, we’ll learn more about what life was like 66
million years ago in the area, and about the ecology and
relationships of horned dinosaurs in the Mountain West.”
Fossil’s New Home Continued from page 1
http://www.cityofthornton.net
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5K
4 Thornton City Voice Newspaper November 2017
Thornton’s Environmental Services Team Reaches Safety
Milestone
Thornton’s Environmental Services Division recently reached
one-year of no preventable accidents or work injuries. The team
accumulated approximately 275,000 miles of safe driving while under
daily challenges such as poor weather, extreme traffic congestion,
residential street obstacles, service pickup in tight areas,
restrictive landfill/recycle center discharge clearances and much
more. Work-related challenges also include truck cab entrance/exit
multiple times per day as well as lifting bags of trash, overflow,
and other items at the curb on a routine basis and during special
events. This Division is responsible for city curbside trash and
recycle collection.
Thornton City
Council
Ward 4
Jan Kulmann303-538-7201 - City 720-201-6155 - CellJan.Kulmann
@cityofthornton.net
Adam Matkowsky303-538-7530 - City 303-601-2917 -
CellAdam.Matkowsky @cityofthornton.net
Ward 3
Sam Nizam303-538-7533 - City 720-226-4706 - CellSam.Nizam
@cityofthornton.net
Josh Zygielbaum303-538-7532 - City720-523-3371 -
[email protected]
Ward 2
Mayor Pro Tem Eric Montoya303-538-7536 - City720-365-2695 -
CellEric.Montoya @cityofthornton.net
Val Vigil303-538-7535 - City303-947-7588 - CellVal.Vigil
@cityofthornton.net
Mack Goodman303-538-7534 - City303-287-8662 -
[email protected]
Jacque Phillips303-538-7537 - City303-903-1011 - Cell
Jacque.Phillips @cityofthornton.net
Ward 1
Heidi Williams303-538-7531 - City303-819-9722 -
CellHeidi.Williams @cityofthornton.net
Mayor
City Council Meetings November 28; December 5, 19
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 cityofthornton.net and the Community Calendar for
current information. If you
have a disability and require assistance to attend and
participate in these meetings, call 303-538-7245.
Connect with us on...
Visit www.cityofthornton.net.
@ThorntonColorado @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 and Thinkstockphotos® A special THANKS
to all city Departments and Divisions for their contribution to the
Thornton City Voice newspaper.
Join at nextdoor.com.
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 303-538-7200City Manager’s Office
303-538-7200Code Compliance 303-538-7517Community Center
303-255-7830Human Resources 303-538-7245
Jobline 303-538-7555Municipal Court 720-977-5400Neighborhood
Services 303-538-7600Police (non-emergency) 720-977-5150Pothole
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., 80233
Thornton Community Center2211 Eppinger Blvd., 80229
Thornton Active Adult Center9471 Dorothy Blvd., 80229
Thornton Arts & Culture Center9209 Dorothy Blvd., 80229
Tune into Comcast Channel 8 anywhere in the Thornton area.
Thornton 8 airs city council meetings, coverage of local events
and issues, and arts, cultural, educational and original
programming. Don’t have Comcast? Visit cityofthornton.tv for
live streaming and On Demand content.
City Facilities & Commonly Used Numbers
Help neighbors experiencing Hunger and Homelessness.
T he city of T hornton is collaborating with nonprofit and
faith-based organizations to host
hunger and homeless awareness events in November.
Help Assemble Thanksgiving Food BasketsAssemble BasketsSunday,
November 5 with Crossroads Church, Northglenn. To sign up call
720-470-4221 or email Michele.gerbrandt@crossroadsabc.
Sunday, November 12 with Food for Hope. To sign up visit
foodforhope.net/events or call 720-593-0940.
Mayor’s Sock Drive &City of Thornton Holiday Food Drive
November 15 - December 15Drop off new & unused socks for
kids and adults
of all ages and semi- or non-perishable food items.• Thornton
Community Center, 2211 Eppinger Blvd.• Carpenter Recreation Center,
11151 Colorado Blvd.• Thornton Active Adult Center, 9471 Dorothy
Blvd.• Thornton City Hall, 9500 Civic Center Dr.• All Thornton Fire
Stations M-F, 8-5 p.m.: Visit
cityofthornton.net/fire or call 720-872-6092 for station
locations.
For more information, call Jaylin Stotler at 720-977-5817 or
Sabrina Iacovetta at 720-872-6092.
