Board of County Commissioners Business Meeting - Regular Meeting

Good morning, I'd like to call the May 26th, 2026 business meeting of the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners to order. In attendance today are Acting County Attorney John Christopherson and Kuni Saraceno, Administrator to the Board in the Clerk and Recorder's Office. Also joining us to facilitate remote public participation is Michelle Halstead, Director of the Commissioner's Office. I would like to note for the record that Commissioner Warren Gulley is absent and excused, and so is Commissioner Campbell. Mr. Saraceno, will you please call the roll?

Commissioner Fields? Present. Commissioner Baker? Here. And Commissioner Summey?

Here. Commissioner Baker, seeing that we have just observed Memorial Day for our fallen service members, would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

I'd be honored. Please stand if you're able and join me.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you very, very much. Are there any changes to the agenda as presented?

There are no changes this morning.

Thank you. Then may I have a motion to adopt the agenda?

So moved.

Is there a second? Thank you. It's been moved and properly second. It's been moved by Commissioner Baker and seconded by Commissioner Fields to adopt the agenda as presented. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is adopted. Next is our public comment period. You're invited to speak to the commissioners about any topic that is not on the agenda for general business. If you'd like to speak on a topic that is included on this agenda, we ask that you please wait until that item is called until you speak. For those on the line who'd like to get in the queue to speak, please press star 3. at this time. As a reminder, please only press star three once to get in the queue. If you press it multiple times, it will remove you from the queue. Those in the room wishing to speak should approach the podium when your name is called, and each person has one three-minute time period for comments, which will begin after you state your name and your address for the record. While the board does not respond to individual comments during this section of our agenda, please note that we do listen to these concerns and take note of the issues for resolution and follow up as appropriate. First on the list is Candace Rutledge.

Can you hear me? My name is Candace Rutledge and I'm a street cat here in Littleton. And I wanted to say that in the age of AI and salt typhoon directing, scraping, seeding, targeting, and engineering, just about everyone and everything it can access through digital capabilities. I can only guess that last time you guys were probably trying to protect those people. I know that I was pretty upset, but I can imagine that you probably limited public comment to keep them safe from all of that nonsense that happens. I don't know if that's the case, but I guess in hindsight, that might have been. Speaking of AI and the advanced persistent threats like salt typhoon, the cruel and unusual attrition, cognitive warfare, directions, instructions, decomposition, deconstruction, psychological operations, and punishment that these can deploy around a person to destroy them while disregarding due process, while doing it covertly to the point that the victims sound delusional when they complain. Victims like me, people who are then terrorized into medical and mental health situations where their insurance can be billed, fee-for-service billing, harvested until they are hollowed out. I can only suspect what the reasons may have been. In other news, I was targeted multiple times this week myself. Thank you, Ms. Rutledge. That's not three minutes. I'm just going off of what the light said. That still wasn't three minutes.

That's what I understand from that schedule.

Excuse me, what? That wasn't even three minutes. That was three minutes. No, it wasn't.

I'm sorry, Ms. Rutledge.

I'm wearing a watch. That was not three minutes.

Can you wrap up quickly?

Yeah, if you don't mind, give me one more minute. I can give you 30 seconds. Okay. So I had an AI sing a song about how someone held me over the fire after talking about Havana syndrome. That's really cruel. It sounds like cooking someone. Someone at Littleton City Council meeting talked about a starlight project with clear sight lines. And this week I was targeted in a way with energy. that caused lines in my vision. And then also, last night I was sitting at my spot, and six cop cars rolled by, and the second caused an acute headache for me. I think that's kind of cruel. And then the ballroom project at the East Wing in Washington, D.C., I've been thinking about everything I've seen around me, and I think that's a Havana syndrome tragedy waiting to happen. That's 38 seconds.

All right, thanks. Thank you. Cynthia Guzman.

Hey, good morning. My name is Cynthia Guzman. I'm Cynthia. That's okay. I'm sorry. You're fine. I live at 26900 East Colfax Avenue. I am a long life Arapahoe County resident. I'm here for a noise ordinance and I recently contacted Jeff Baker, sorry, Commissioner Jeff Baker on email for the urge that unincorporated Arapahoe County needs a noise ordinance. So I have been dealing with really noisy neighbors for the past year, and I've received really minimal support from Arapahoe County, from the Sheriff's Department, from my community office, and it's just gotten to a point where it's just become really excessive. So I urge you today to consider having a noise ordinance for unincorporated Arapahoe counties like myself. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Karen Talentire.

I timed this and it does fit in three minutes. I'm Karen Tallentire Littleton. You missed the biggest experiment yet of hand counting with the Rocky Mountain Method. At least I think you weren't there, but people came and went and I didn't see everyone. It's kind of funny that we counted exactly 4,248 ballots, but we weren't counting people, so I'm not sure exactly how many people we had. But it was around 70 who actively helped with the count. Candice Rutledge was actually one of them. She found out the day before, and as a citizen, she came to see what hand counting was about, so we put her to work. We're planning other tests to get data about other extreme situations, and I will try to remember to invite you. But don't wait on an invitation. This is your county that's learning to count, and you should get on the bandwagon. Some statistics. It took 70 people five hours, the time between close of polls and midnight election night, to count 4,248 ballots, over three times as many as the largest precinct in Arapaho would expect in November, and over 10 times as many as the average precinct would expect for the primary. In this time, we counted each vote, double-checked every step before moving to the next step, created a chain of custody log, created a physical record of the entire count, and also counted 2,303 signatures as a check on the credentialing. All but about five people were done after three hours and 40 minutes. The rest of the time was just the aggregation team being good accountants, adding up the numbers while everybody else had a pizza party around them. The team came up to top speed pretty quickly, tallying over 1,000 ballots per hour, about one ballot every three seconds. We had 10 tally tables of four people. Just one table of four working at that speed could easily count the number of votes in the average precinct primary in a couple hours. Two tables could handle the general. Some of the 70 people were complete newbies who had never done anything like this. Others had training, but only in a simplified version. Two people quietly told me as we were starting, I did this two years ago, but I don't remember anything about it. What do I do? And others had lots of experience. But after the first batch, I don't think you could have told who was who. It's that simple to pick up. One of the fastest tables was made up of people who I happen to know disagree strongly with each other. But that's who you want, watching each other and checking up on everything. After working together for a common goal for several hours, there was a lot more mutual respect. Hand counting unifies. This was a very successful test of the method for an extreme number of ballots, and we got some good data from it. We came up with several best practices to speed things up even more in the future. Should have been there. Tina Peters is almost free.

Thank you. Greg Sullivan.

Good morning. Greg Sullivan, Climate and Kids. I'm speaking this morning about the recent fuel tanker fire on April 27th, Santa Fe, on Santa Fe Drive, and what it revealed about cumulative fuel infrastructure risk in our community. Littleton is already heavily oversaturated with fuel stations. There are currently 24 gas stations within Littleton and another 20 on our boundary. Despite this concentration, additional large fuel infrastructure continues to move forward. The city of Littleton recently approved a supersized Costco with 32 pumps, along with another proposed fuel station on Santa Fe Drive. On April 27th, there was a tanker crash, loss of life, and a tremendous fire, demonstrating that fuel-related risks are not theoretical. These risks include catastrophic fires, spikes in air pollution, transportation disruption, emergency response, and threats to nearby residents and children. The proposed Costco fuel center alone is projected to require five tankers per day and each holding 8,000 gallons traveling on West Mineral Avenue between Broadway and Santa Fe. Within less than 500 feet of the proposed Costco project are two schools. When fuel infrastructure becomes increasingly concentrated, the risks become cumulative. Air quality impacts, tanker traffic, accident exposures, and emergency hazards do not remain confined to a single property line. The issue before the community is not simply whether one additional fuel station is profitable. The issue is Littleton already exceeds the reasonable threshold. I have a simple request, simple, just simple for you. I respectfully urge the Board of County Commissioners to formally communicate in writing to Littleton City Council that public health, child safety, air quality, and recreational quality of life must be prioritized over future expansion of fuel infrastructure. Specifically, I ask you, the Board, in its letter to City Council to recommend that no new fuel station of any size be approved within 2,000 feet of schools, playgrounds, parks, trails, recreation facilities, or existing major fuel centers. The recent tanker demonstrated terribly that these risks are real, cumulative, and community-wide. Children should not bear the burden of increasing fuel concentration and tanker traffic exposure in Littletons. Thank you.

Thank you, Dr. Sullivan. Michelle, is there anyone online who wishes to speak?

Commissioner, we do have someone in the queue with the last four digits of 2860. If you could go ahead and state your name and address for the record, you are live with the Board of County Commissioners. Go ahead.

Hello, good morning, Commissioners. My name is Yvonne Yap. I live at 6738 South Riverwood Way. in South Shore community right beside the sunlight-long sacking pad. Since Mother's Day, I have spent these days thinking deeply about what it means to be a mother in this community. My journey to become a mother was long, painful, and uncertain. My husband and I went all the way to Australia for IVF treatment. I lived there for 18 months while my husband flew back and forth between countries so we could keep pursuing our dream of having a child. Finally, after years of hope and heartbreak, I was able to come home to the United States carrying my three-month-old baby in my arms. We chose this community because we believed it was the perfect place to raise a family. We imagined parks, bike rides, walks around the neighbourhood and a safe and healthy future for our child. But one day, while pushing my stroller through the neighbourhood, I noticed yard signs everywhere. That was the moment I learned that there would be 155 new wells planned next to our community. And from that moment on, my role changed. I was no longer simply a new mum enjoying life with her baby. I became an advocate for a child who could not advocate for himself. What I discovered was terrifying. The research surrounding oil and gas development near communities is deeply alarming. Increased risk of preterm birth, congenital heart defects, childhood leukemia and other serious health harms. And what is perhaps most frightening is that study after study continues to show there is no clearly established safe distance for children. Parents in this community are living with fear and uncertainty every single day. I know families who have already left. At least two doctors and their families have moved away because they don't feel safe raising their children so near to these fracking projects. Others can't afford to leave, and instead they're discussing which air monitoring systems to buy, whether they need whole house water filtration, industrial-grade air purifiers, and how to protect their children from something they never expected to live beside. And all the while, families are watching the value of their greatest financial asset, their home, decline while insurance costs continue to rise. These are life-altering consequences for thousands of families. And yet, despite these enormous impacts, there was no transparent public hearing, there was no meaningful examination of alternative locations that could have been more protective of people. Approving projects with impacts this significant through a staff-level process is wrong. The public deserves an open hearing and a transparent review that seriously evaluates safer alternative locations and fully considers the consequences for the families who will live with this decision. Because we are not just sensitive receptors. We aren't data points on a map. We are families. We are parents. We are children. We trusted that our elected officials would uphold their mandate to protect public health, safety, welfare, wildlife, and the environment. Today, I'm asking you to show this community that these applications do still matter to you. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Yap, for your comments. Michelle, is there anybody else online who would like to make a statement?

There is no one in the queue at this time for general public comment.

Okay. Well, then I'm going to close. Is there anybody in the room who missed signing up who'd like to speak on something that's not on the agenda? Okay. Thank you. As a reminder, I'm going to conclude public comment at this time. Thank you for your comments. As a reminder, while the board does not respond to individual comments during this section of our agenda, please note that we do listen to these concerns and take note of the issues for resolution and follow-up as appropriately. Again, we encourage you to email us at commissioners at Arapahoe gov.com. If we weren't able to hear your comments today. So today we have one proclamation to issue, which recognizes may 2026 is Asian American Pacific Islander heritage month. Is there a motion to approve the proclamation?

Madam chair. Yes. Commissioner fields.

Thank you. Commissioner Okay, thank you the motion was made by Commissioner fields and seconded by Commissioner Baker to approve the proclamation all in favor say aye Any opposed say nay any abstentions the ayes have it and the proclamation is adopted I'd like to ask Commissioner Baker to read this proclamation, please Thank You madam chair

Whereas the United States has long recognized May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the extraordinary contributions, rich cultural heritage, and diverse traditions of Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. And whereas Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders represent more than 30 countries and ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages and have strengthened our nation through their achievements in arts, sciences, business, medicine, education, government, and military service, and whereas the month of May was chosen because it commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese citizen, Nakahama Manjiro, to the United States on May 7, 1843, and is also the anniversary of the May 10, 1869 completion of the first transcontinental railroad built with the backbreaking labor of nearly 20,000 Chinese immigrants whose vital contributions were long overlooked in the official record. And whereas the AAPI population in Arapahoe County is 42,444 Asian Americans, and 2,039 native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, the highest numbers in Colorado, enriching every region, profession, and sector of our county. And whereas, in celebrating AAPI communities, we must also recognize the discrimination, exclusion, and outright violence they continue to face. Throughout our history, AAPI people have been targeted by senseless violence, disenfranchisement efforts, efforts to restrict immigration, and other xenophobic policies at the federal, state, and local levels. And whereas at a time when federal recognition of AAPI Heritage Month was rescinded in January 2025, local governments and communities bear a special responsibility to affirm the dignity history, and belonging of AAPI residents, and to ensure that the erasure of recognition at one level of government is met with renewed commitment at another. And whereas we honor the courage and resilience of AAPI communities who have overcome prejudice and adversity throughout our history, from the Chinese Exclusion Act and the Japanese American incarcerations, to the surge of anti-Asian violence during COVID-19 pandemic, and who have met each injustice not with retreat, but with deeper commitment to this nation's founding ideals. And whereas in a time when many seek to erase the more troubling chapters of the American history, of the American story, The lessons of history remind us that ignoring past transgressions puts us at risk of repeating them. And now, therefore, the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim May 2026 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and call upon all residents to celebrate the immeasurable contributions of AAPI communities. to learn about their histories, to stand firmly against discrimination and hatred in all of its forms, and to commit to the principles of inclusion, understanding, and respect for all people.

Thank you, Commissioner Baker. Are there Commissioner comments on the proclamation at this time? Commissioner Fields.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and Thank you, Commissioner, for reading this proclamation today. I learned something when you read about the record number of population that we have with the AAPI residents. That's a pretty significant number. and 444 Asian Americans, and then another 2,039 Native Hawaiian Islanders. That's the highest number in Colorado, and they happen to be in Arapahoe County. And it's always a pleasure that we take time out to recognize the various cultures that we have in Arapahoe County, because that would suggest that we are a community that respects the contributions that they bring to local businesses, to our schools, to our neighborhoods. And I just get a lot of pride when I hear that we take time to acknowledge all the aspects of our society that they contribute to, and they deserve this recognition and this proclamation. Thank you.

Thank you very, very much, Commissioner Fields. And Commissioner Baker gave his remarks with that proclamation, and I would just like to add on to what Commissioner Fields and also what Commissioner Baker have said. One of the things that is always top of mind for me is how recent things have happened in the world. Recently, things have happened in the world and in our country that we would be surprised about. Commissioner Baker did mention In the proclamation, the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II. Interesting story that I would like to share about two people who were very high up in the government of the United States government. and they are Norman Mineta and Alan Simpson. They both met as children in northern Wyoming in 1943, both of them Boy Scouts. However, one of them was a prisoner. This is from the Mellon Foundation. Mineta and his family, all Japanese Americans, were confined behind barbed wire at Heart Mountain Incarceration Camp Simpson and his family, meanwhile, lived nearby Cody, free to roam as they pleased. Their friendship began after both boys took part in a jamboree organized by their troop scout leaders who hoped that bringing kids together at Heart Mountain would help them better relate to each other. Simpson and Mineta were paired to share a pup tent. The bond that emerged from a dark moment in history following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II Fear and suspicion led to approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans, many of whom were citizens, being forcibly removed from their homes. So here are two men. They had lost touch after their one-day Boy Scout encounter. They reunited some 35 years later, also in the 20th century, found that they had strikingly similar paths, and at that time, 35 years later, they were now in the U.S. Congress. or they were in the U.S. Congress. Although Senator Simpson, they both have passed now. Senator Simpson passed most recently. It is pretty amazing to know what we have done to each other out of fear, and it's fear. And so I'm grateful that we are able to observe and celebrate this, This month, our Asian American Pacific Islander Month, so that everyone in Arapahoe County, speaking of what Commissioner Fields added with how many AAPI members we have in our community, we should absolutely be making sure at every turn that if you live, work, and play in Arapahoe County, that you are valued. As a member of Arapahoe County and all of our members of the county should be able to live the lives they love living and we are we are are wrong if we do not take the contributions of everyone into account. in Arapahoe County. So I know that took a little while to say, but it's what's on my heart today. And I thank you, Commissioner Baker, for reading that proclamation and for Arapahoe County's insistence that all are of value, as we say in our Pledge of Allegiance, one nation, So thank you very, very much. We're going to take just a quick second to memorialize this with a picture, and we'll be right back with our general business items. Thank you. We appreciate your patience with us. We have five items on our consent agenda today. Does any commissioner wish to remove an item? If not, I'll entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda. So move. Thank you. Second. Thank you very much. The motion was made by Commissioner Fields and seconded by Commissioner Baker to approve the consent agenda items as presented. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? Wonderful. The ayes have it. The motion is adopted. There are two items on our general business agenda today. The first is adoption of Arapahoe County Ordinance Number 2026-02 on fireworks. Acting County Attorney John Christopherson is the Attorney of Record and the presenter for this item. Mr. Christopherson, please provide any background and the presentation as needed.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The purpose of this general business item is to consider the adoption of Arapahoe County Ordinance No. Twenty twenty six to two. It's regarding the ban of sale and use of fireworks and unincorporated Arapahoe County for a one year period. This does exclude the period of May thirty first through July first of each year. The board could ban the sale and use of fireworks during that period at a subsequent meeting where they adopt a resolution. high fire danger. The board will be considering that period on the June 9th as a general business item on June 9th. So this one is for just the remainder of the year, except for those times. First reading of this ordinance was held on April 14th, 2026, and the text of the ordinance was published in full in the editions of the Colorado Community Media Newspapers. and April 30th, 2026 in conformance with the statutory requirements. The board has jurisdiction to move forward on this item to consider adopting this resolution. Sorry, adopting this ordinance by resolution.

Okay. All right. So are there, do we have any questions for you? I have none. Commissioner Baker, are you good?

Yes, Madam Chair, I do have a question.

Yes, Commissioner Baker.

John Christopherson, if I could. I just want to be clear is that on June 9th is when we'll look at whether or not the fire danger is high enough to ban those fireworks during that one period of time that we're allowed to by the Colorado revised statutes.

That is correct. It'll be June 9th is when we'll have that presentation to see if the board will consider it a finding of high fire danger at that time.

Thank you very much.

Thank you. I will now open this item up for public comment. Please press star three to enter the queue if you're listening on the phone or come to the podium if you're here in person. Thank you very much. Please provide your name and city or address and if you're comfortable for the record and you'll have three minutes for your comment. For those in the room, the lights will count down and while I'll tell those on the phone when they have 30 seconds left. So we have Britton Cottrell. And if I mispronounce your name, please let me know.

That is perfect. My name is Britton Cottrell, but my grandmother would say Cottrell. Okay, great. So that's great. I'll take it. It's the younger generation that decided to say Cottrell. Britton Cottrell, my address is 4327 West 31st Street, and I am up in Greeley, and I work with T&T Fireworks. I just want to say thank you, commissioners. I stand here in support of all of you and the business of Arapahoe County. and as a you know firework vendor we know that after today the second reading of this that you could visit a resolution in the future on june 9th and so we just want to get in front of you and let you know what we are doing as industry partners to partner with you all and to try to make sure that this year is a safe year for people celebrating as you know it is The celebration of Colorado 150 years, which is exciting in coordination with America 250. So it's a banner year. We know that people will be celebrating. They're going to want to celebrate. And we're just asking that we are able to work with you and partner with you in any way possible. to make sure that people celebrate safely. As a firework vendor locally here, we sell fireworks to the consumers that do not leave the ground. They do not explode. We're talking fountains and sparklers. And that's something that generally people can do safely. But we've taken it a step further. And in just a few moments, Ian's going to show you. We've been working on what's called the 2026 Bucket Brigade. We have partnered with the Department of Fire Prevention and Control with the state of Colorado, and this is launched nationwide this year, and we have many states, many counties, and many municipalities that have jumped on. As an industry, TNT Fireworks, we are donating thousands of buckets to the cause. to help people know that just because you use a sparkler doesn't mean it's perfectly safe when you throw it in the trash, and we want to teach people how to properly dispose of that. Furthermore, we know that in your consideration of banning sales and use of those smaller fireworks, that what it can do is drive people to more unsafe options to use fireworks that we don't want to see in our state those would be items coming across from other states things that are not regulated or they've come into the united states untested and those are easy to get not only a short drive from here but also ordering online and having them shipped right to your doorstep. That is an avenue that we want to help prevent and curb people from getting the wrong type of items. And so you allowing us to let our nonprofit partners continue to offer those items will no doubt hopefully give us a much safer alternative in this celebration this year. And so I just want to say happy Colorado 150 to you all. And thank you, Arapahoe County, for just all of the work that you do for us. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Britton. All right, Ian, Nacy.

You got that right. You were right on. You get Nancy quite often. Ian Nacy, 5210 2nd Avenue. I live up north in Timnath, right by Fort Collins, Colorado there. And again, I have the privilege to work for T&T, but also the privilege to work with, again, everything from mayors to council people to county commissioners across the state along the front range, from Fort Collins all the way down to Fountain and Falcon. And as Britton said again, too, we are committed to safety. I mean, that's really one of the biggest things that we're about. And so as Britton knows, there will be thousands of these arriving shortly to my garage. deploy all over my wife we've already moved a car out and we're ready to get these out we actually have fire districts all over the state currently that have placed orders with us for us to just partner with us and do the same thing we would love to again to partner with with you guys any way that we possibly can we'll have these at some of our tents we'll be working with we've got west metro fire north metro metro fire gray leaf fountain falcon we're working with aurora i've already talked to all the fire inspectors and some of that but again we want to do this safely and most responsibly we want people to know again Celebrate Colorado 150, America 250 safely. But again, we want to provide buckets where we can, again, put water in, make sure that we're ready. They can soak it, leave it there overnight. It has all the different things on here that you can even see. Everything from obeying the laws to who should be lighting the fires to how to properly dispose and everything. You don't just find it here, but you actually find this on our product as well, too. Again, everything that we do isn't just about that because we live in an amazing state. I've got properties up in Larimer County and also in El Paso County. Again, I have a vested interest to make sure that we celebrate safely and ready for that. And so we just say, like, we're excited for America 250, Colorado 150, and anything we can do to partner with you to be as safe as possible is really what we're about. Thanks for your time.

Thank you very, very much, Ian. Okay. Is there anybody else in the room who'd like to speak on this item? And Michelle, is there anyone online who would like to speak on this item?

There's no one in the queue at this time.

Okay. Is there any commissioner discussion at this time?

Yes, Commissioner Fields. Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to thank TNT for providing those buckets because, as you mentioned, fireworks during this time of year, the summer months, people are excited about the Fourth of July and the celebration of our nation and those kinds of things. And having that there is a good reminder, and it gives them a resource to be able to put those fireworks in a bucket to make sure that they don't catch fire. So I think that's good education. It's a good reminder. And I just want to say thank you for being a good steward of public safety.

Thank you, Commissioner Fields. And I would like to add that, Ian, as you were talking about sprinklers or sparklers, I was thinking back to my days as a five-year-old. And an unfortunate incident I had in my backyard with a sparkler. And so I am very grateful to see how TNT is working to make sure that things are safe. Because, you know, as Commissioner Fields said, there are lots of celebrations and they are part of, you know, our celebratin'. So anything that we can do to make the whole process safer is great. And so we really appreciate you being here today. Is there a motion?

Yes, Commissioner Fields. Madam Chair, I move to adopt the Arapahoe County Ordinance Number 2026-02 as presented on today's date. Second. Second.

It has been moved by Commissioner Fields and properly seconded by Commissioner Baker to approve the ordinance. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? The ayes have it. The motion is adopted, and we are going to be celebrating for the holiday. The second item is first reading of amended and restated Arapahoe County ordinance number 2026-03 on open fire bans. Our presenter and our attorney of record, excuse me, is senior assistant county attorney Tiffany Blue. Ms. Blue, welcome. Could you please set the foundation and read the ordinance? Yes.

Yes, so this is an ordinance that is replacing the prior ordinance which was 2000-2. It won't replace it until the second meeting if it is adopted. But authorizing the declaration of fire bans by the Board of County Commissioners or the County Sheriff in the unincorporated areas of the county. This one slightly changes the publication methods and the method of penalty. So it is now a civil infraction and the penalty amounts will be higher. And it has been noticed as required by the statute and by county requirements. We are authorized to proceed with it at this time. Great. Is that it?

Are you going to read the whole thing?

I'm going to read the whole thing. Okay. It's not terribly.

I was going to say, do you need some water?

No, I'm okay. Okay. So this is ordinance number 2026-03, an ordinance authorizing the declaration of fire bans by the Board of County Commissioners or the County Sheriff. Whereas, pursuant to Section 30-15-401 CRS, the Board of County Commissioners of Arapahoe County has the power to adopt ordinances for control of those matters of local concern. And whereas, pursuant to Section 30-15-401, Subsection 1, Subsection N.5, matters of local concern include fire bans with the danger of forest or grass fires is found to be high based on competent evidence. and whereas it has come to the attention of the Board of County Commissioners that conditions year-round frequently warrant the apposition of fire bans, and whereas the Board of County Commissioners is further aware that conditions necessitating the declaration of fire bans or changes to the level of fire bans in place can arise or change suddenly, requiring the need for expedited implementation or modification of fire bans, and whereas it is the opinion of the Board of County Commissioners of Arapahoe County that in order to preserve the public peace, health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Arapahoe County, they should take the following action. Now, therefore, be it ordained by the Board of County Commissioners of Arapahoe County the following. Section one, declaration of fire ban. The Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners or the Arapahoe County Sheriff shall, whenever the danger of forest or grass fires is found to be high, based on competent evidence as defined in section 30-15-401 one at 0.55 a CRS and without further proceedings or resolution, have the authority to declare a fire ban and issue restrictions to effectuate the ban. The Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners or the Arapahoe County Sheriff shall likewise have the authority to increase or decrease the level of a fire ban and restrictions and or to terminate a fire ban and restrictions based on competent evidence. Any declaration of a fire ban made pursuant to this section shall specify the parameters of the fire ban and restrictions as deemed necessary and appropriate. Section 2, notice a fire ban. In the event that the Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners or the Arapahoe County Sheriff declares a fire ban pursuant to Section 1 of this ordinance, notice that a fire ban has been declared along with a statement of the parameters of the ban and restrictions shall be promptly posted on the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office website and its social media sites. Section 3, unlawful conduct. It shall be unlawful for any person to start or maintain a fire that is in violation of a fire ban and restrictions declared pursuant to Section 1 above. Section 4, applicability. This ordinance shall apply to all portions of unincorporated Arapahoe County. Section 5, enforcement. The Arapahoe County Sheriff shall enforce the provisions of this ordinance. Section 6, violations. Any person who violates this ordinance commits a civil infraction and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of $750 for a first offense and $1,000 for a second and a subsequent offense. The penalty assessment procedure provided in Section 16-2-201 CRS shall be followed by the arresting sheriff's deputy or other officer for any violation of this ordinance and the graduated fine schedule set forth herein. shall be followed when issuing any summons and complaint in accordance with such procedure. Section 7, disposition of fines. All fines for violations of this ordinance shall be paid to the general fund of Arapahoe County. Section 8, severability. If any one or more of the provisions of this ordinance is determined by a court of law to be invalid, such determination shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this ordinance. Section 9, safety clause. The ordinance shall take effect upon its adoption. This is necessary for the immediate preservation of public health and safety due in part to the need to control activity subject to this ordinance as soon as possible and because of existing high fire danger. Section 10, repeal. This ordinance supersedes and replaces ordinance number 2000-2, an ordinance authorizing the declaration of open fire bans by the Board of County Commissioners or the County Sheriff. Thank you very much.

I have a question.

There is a motion. So we do have to vote.

Yes.

Thank you very, very much. Okay.

Thank you, Ms. Blue, for the clarification because your chair is not an attorney. Because this is the first reading, we will not have public comment. On this. So I would like to. OK. I would like to go ahead and ask if there's any commission or discussion at this time. No commissioner discussion, then I would like to ask for a motion.

Madam Chair? Yep. Commissioner Baker? I move to adopt the resolution setting a public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners on this proposed ordinance number 2026-03 for June 23rd, 2026 at 9.30 a.m. to be held at this location and ordering that the proposed ordinance be published in the Colorado community media newspapers at least 10 days prior to the public hearing. Second.

It has been moved by Commissioner Baker and seconded by Commissioner Fields. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? The ayes have it and the motion is adopted. Thank you very, very much and thank you. Ms. Blue, we appreciate you. I do want to circle back, though. I had gotten a communication that there was someone online who missed our public comment because of technical difficulties. And so I will go ahead and reopen to hear that comment if that caller is still there. Michelle, is that caller still there?

I don't see anyone in the queue, but if you can press star three at the time at this time and we can give it a minute and see if they can get into the queue, but I don't see anyone in the queue at this time.

Okay, let's give 20 seconds. No star three. I'm just checking Michelle.

Commissioner, there is someone who has joined the queue. Just give it a minute and we will bring them online shortly. Okay, thank you very much. All right, commissioners, we have a caller with the last four digits of 2170. Go ahead, you're live with the Board of County Commissioners.

Good morning, can you hear me? Yes, we can hear you. Okay, good. My name is Diane Mock. I'm at 20471 East Chenango Place, Aurora, Colorado. I am in unincorporated Aurora. Anyway, or unincorporated Adams County or Arapahoe County, I guess it would be. Anyway, thank you for taking my call. And I wanted to just quickly say, regarding the Blanca permit, I'm hoping that when you hear that, I understand it should be the 3rd of June, that you will open it up to the public, that we can be part of that. I know that we have not been part of these meetings in the past, but I know that myself and a host of other folks would like to be. So that is my ask, and I thank you. I hope you all have a good day.

Thank you, Ms. Mock. We're glad you got to make your comment, and we were able to get that technical difficulty taken care of. Thank you. So now we are at the point in our meeting, since we had no pooled consent agenda items, this is an opportunity for the commissioners to make remarks about the work they're doing, issues of importance, remembrances, thank yous, And I would like to go ahead and as one of the two veterans on the board to open it up and just talk a little bit about the observance and Memorial Day that we observed yesterday. We had a very full weekend with observances. I was able to be at the Freedom Memorial on Saturday. And yet again, one of the things that we need to do is figure out how the Freedom Memorial, such an important part of Arapahoe County, how we get that building built so that more people can participate in honoring those who have given their all for freedom. This country and especially for the state of Colorado. And so I am hoping that we can do that at some point soon to all those who have served all those who have lost. We honor we honor the service of those who gave absolutely everything. in defense of the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. And with that, I'd like to pass it on to Commissioner Baker, as he is a senior veteran to me.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, I would also like to just... say how wonderful the Colorado Freedom Memorial is. If anybody doesn't know, it's right off of Sixth Avenue, just north of Buckley Space Force Base. And it is absolutely a emotional reminder of the number of Coloradoans who have given their lives. in wartime and in some cases in conflicts, maybe not war declared, but the names of those that have passed on etched into the panels at that memorial is something that you will never forget and also contains soil from the numerous American military cemeteries across the world where those remains are interred. So it is very fitting that that should be someplace called Colorado Freedom Memorial as it remembers those who have given that sacrifice from Colorado in our conflicts. And I would urge everyone to try to get out there and look online for how to donate to that education building that needs to be built out there. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Commissioner Fields, you? Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair.

And I, too, want to add on to the comments that you all have made about Memorial Day and participating in the Colorado Freedom Memorial event that took place. I had the opportunity to attend also. And they're celebrating their 13th year. And I can remember when it was just an idea. And many people in Aurora and Arapahoe County and just in the state kind of came together in collaboration and partnership to build those glass pallets or windows that have etched in there all of the people who have lost their lives either in action or those who may be missing. And I think the number I heard was like over 6,000 names are etched on those walls. They're expanding. After 13 years, when you think about what they've been able to accomplish in such a short time, they want to also have a visitation center, which is kind of right across from Buckley, where people can do more than just see names. They can understand the history and the contribution that so many veterans make, not those who are fallen, but those that are active. And so my dad was a soldier, and so I always remember him on Memorial Day and every day. but then also the Gold Star families who have sacrificed and they live with that grief every day. So I really appreciate, once again, us taking the time to remember those who have given their lives or their service or their sacrifice for our freedoms. We should never take our freedoms for granted.

Thank you very much, Commissioner Fields. So now is the time. Be there no other business before this board. We are adjourned.