Governor Polis has drawn the line in the sand on which municipalities are eligible to receive a variety of grants totaling $277 million.
The issue is local compliance with state-mandated actions on affordable housing, including density in transit corridors, dropping required off-street parking, and eliminating the number of non-blood-related people living under the same roof.
Bill Christopher
Previously in Colorado, these legislative acts have been under the control of home rule cities. Now, the six cities – including Westminster – have brought a lawsuit against the state over excluding these cities from eligibility for these grant funds. The six cities contend that the land use policies are local government decisions and the state is usurping their control.
Polis had stated, “I am directing relevant state agencies to ensure state grant support goes to communities that are stepping up to be part of our housing solution.” He has cast the debate and legislative actions as a “you are either with us or against us” with no room in between.
That is not a valid position to take. The six cities have made their own local decisions that support affordable housing. They have accommodated density requests, provided fee waivers and taken other legislative actions to support affordable housing and bring down the cost to build. The home rule section of the Colorado State Constitution gives municipalities the power to make these decisions. Kevin Bommer, Executive Director of the Colorado Municipal League, pointed out that Polis “lacks any authority to rewrite laws restricting funding to only so-called “pro-housing” jurisdictions or to implement a strategic growth plan that has not been endorsed by the legislature.”
Water World’s popular 40-year-old Calypso Cove says goodbye
It’s always hard saying goodbye to dear old friends. Water World patrons in Federal Heights have been enjoying Calypso Bay amenities for the past 40 years. Now, Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District officials say it is time for a new look with new amenities.
The themed area described as a “Caribbean Family Adventure” has been aimed at young kids and their parents, with attractions such as Pirates Plunge, Wally World, Screamin’ Mimi and the grass hut theme Caribbean Family Adventure play structure.
The subject area will be “replaced with an exciting new chapter at Water World. These changes will bring fresh attractions and modern amenities that will better serve families, groups and guests of all ages for years to come.”
A “farewell celebration” for Calypso Cove was held on August 24, after which it will close for good in its current form. More details on the rehab and its new attractions will be announced in the fall.
More Westminster Council candidates slide in under the deadline
The City Clerk’s Office has published an updated list of candidates who have filed paperwork to run for city council seats.
Mayoral candidates remain the same from previous lists, with current city council members Claire Carmelia and David DeMott both running, along with former city council member Bruce Baker.
The city council candidates list has grown to add three new names that include Kara Hucke, Karen Kalavity and Kathryn Stroud.
They join incumbent Mayor Pro Tem Sarah Nurmela and Council member Obi Ezeadi plus Jack Johnson, Jeremy Nuances and Phillip Romero. Tyler Quick had filed earlier but has since withdrawn his candidacy.
Just as a reminder, there will be three council seats filled from this list of candidates. August 25 is the deadline to file and submit at least 25 valid signatures to be placed on the November ballot.
Celebrating 30 years of service to the community
I bet you are among the many individuals who have gotten up the nerve to allow this furry creature to walk up your arm. Don’t be afraid as Rosie, the famous Chilean Rose Hair tarantula, at the Westminster Butterfly Pavilion has crawled along millions of hands and arms over 1995-2025, including visitors of all ages.
Come to find out, there has been more than one Rosie over those 30 years. In fact, roughly 120 tarantulas have played the iconic role of Rosie before retiring.
According to Butterfly Pavilion staff, 98 of these hairy creatures call the Pavilion “home,” with 37 being old enough to be handled.
After considerable study and discussion, the Pavilion staff has decided to change the focus of their invertebrate research. It was discovered that tarantulas did not like to be held and it took a toll on the veteran Rosies. This was the conclusion of years of studies conducted by Pavilion staff.
Rosie the tarantula will have a new spot at the Pavilion in her new exhibit starting Sept. 8.
However, I must say it simply will not be the same experience. I think back to the early years of Rosie’s fame and popularity. Dr. Ernie Merkel was a volunteer at the Pavilion and would introduce Rosie to anxious kids and adults while soothing some nerves. What a great example of bringing science and the human experience together in an enjoyable way.
A big thank you to all of the Rosies and volunteers over the years.
Red flags from Xcel Energy’s aggressive expansion plans
For Colorado, we have worried for decades that a limited water supply would be the “King Maker,” causing new development to be diminished.
However, as we look at Xcel Energy’s investment plans through 2032 to create a large additional electric supply, there is concern that the resulting user rate structures will become exceedingly expensive and burdensome.
Xcel has unveiled its aggressive investment in new capital expansion of $22.3 billion. That is more than in any of the seven other states in which it operates. The investments will raise its electric assets in Colorado from $8 billion in 2021 to $36 billion in 2029 and more than $44.6 billion in 2032, according to Xcel’s own company filings.
The importance of these figures is that they are the “rate base upon which rates are set.”
Such rates include all residential customers, even though the bulk of the new electric capacity would be earmarked for new power-hungry data centers, which are sweeping the country. It’s a case of the “tail wagging the dog.”
Xcel Energy stated in a filing with the PUC that “retail rates would be kept in check by a robust 8% growth in electricity sales for the next five years with sales doubling by 2034.”
Colorado Public Utilities Commission Chairman Eric Blank expressed the fundamental concern quite clearly. He stated, “This is the heart of the concern. I am worried about the potential long-term rate impacts if capital spending continues to increase and the sales and revenue growth don’t materialize.”
The risks fall on the residential customers and could be saddled with high rates that they did not cause. Colorado residential electric customers should closely watch this PUC case.
In fact, creating a class action lawsuit would be money well spent.
Trump offers false information on Social Security regulations
In celebrating the 90th birthday of enacting the Social Security legislation, President Trump took the opportunity of making more classic false statements about Social Security.
First and foremost, he boasted of “no tax on Social Security” to help seniors when in fact the “One Big Beautiful Bill did not eliminate taxes on seniors’ benefits.
He also stated that this safety net is “more resilient than ever before.” However, the Social Security trustees stated back in June that the trust fund will be insolvent by 2033 if something is not done to change the program.
Boy, I wish I had a buck for every false statement Mr. Trump had made since taking office in his second term.
