Posted on: September 21, 2022
Explores Wellness Benefits of Art in the Great Outdoors
To support the urgent mental and behavioral health crisis in the community, Adams County has launched two campaigns to bridge the gap between public art, the outdoors, and wellness – while also bringing access to and highlighting the expanding parks, open space, and trail system available to the public.
Love Your Trails is a ground mural series dedicated to the natural beauty of the county. Fifteen local and national artists have been commissioned to install murals now through Fall 2022. Artists who have participated in the program have embraced the challenges of working outdoors and finding new ways to draw in audiences. Murals run 18 miles from the Fishing is Fun Pond in Riverdale Regional Park in Brighton along the South Platte River Trail and the Clear Creek Trail all the way to Sheridan Blvd.
Community Paint Days is an event series providing community members the opportunity to pick up a paintbrush, help paint the community mural, and meet one of the commissioned artists from the Love Your Trails campaign. The community is also welcome to simply watch and enjoy.
Adams County believes the addition and inclusion of art into local environments plays a significant role in the encouragement of lasting economic growth, creating and sustaining cultural identity, and creating a sense of belonging.
“Parks are democratic spaces – they are free to all, reflect the demographic diversity of our county, and are places for social and cultural interaction,” said Adams County Commissioner Lynn Baca, chair.
Participation in cultural activities connects people to each other and to their community institutions, providing pathways to other forms of participation. Thus, arts and culture can create opportunities for expression, community dialogue, and shared cultural experiences.
“Physical environments connect to mental and emotional well-being in more ways than one,” said Baca. “The spaces where we live and play form the context for our lives.”
Mental health problems are on the rise in Adams County and are associated with lower quality of life, increased unscheduled care, high economic and social cost, and increased mortality. Nature-based interventions (NBIs) that support people to engage with nature are data-driven solutions that improve mental health for community-based adults and children. While other environmental factors feed into mental disorders, it's important to not overlook nature and art’s role in our emotional wellness. Studies have also shown those who participate in cultural activities show an increase in overall health. These surveys have also revealed that not only do people who create the art benefit, so do those who consume it.
“The interplay between art and nature offers bountiful opportunities for rejuvenating cultural encounters and a welcoming environment for all ages,” said Baca. “With the shifts we’ve seen in social interactions, people are craving safe, vibrant outdoor experiences. We’re thrilled to share our accessible and engaging public spaces with the community and to encourage respite and reflection, especially during these challenging times.”
The Love Your Trails and Community Paint Days series aims to provide free, accessible public spaces and art for all residents and visitors to come appreciate art and provides something for everyone.
Love Your Trails murals were selected by a unique art panel made up of members of the Adams County Visual Arts Commission and Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts staff. Learn more about the Adams County Visual Arts Commission: adcogov.org/visual-arts-commission.
View a map of mural locations and more details about the artists: adcogov.org/cultural-arts-current-projects.
Community Paint Days Date and Time:
Twin Lakes Park
Saturday, Sept. 24, and Sunday, Sept. 25
Noon – 4 p.m.
Artist: Eli Pillaert
Pronouns: She/they
Mural Title: Front-range First Light
Mural Size: 10' x 150'
About the design: This knotted alder plant design celebrates the invaluable resources the trail system provides to residents and visitors. The color palette is inspired by the light at sunrise.
Posted on: January 30, 2017
Printing Error on Property Tax Envelopes
A small number of Adams County property tax statements could be arriving in envelopes marked “Littleton Sewer and Storm Drainage Utility.”
The county’s external print vendor, Seattle-based The Master’s Touch, believes the error will impact less than one percent (500-3,000) of the 180,000 property tax statements the county is mailing. The error is believed to have occurred in their facility when envelopes from a previous print job were accidentally left in their sorting equipment.
Posted on: January 25, 2017
Adams County Hosts Regional Park and Fairgrounds Master Plan Open House
The Adams County Parks & Open Space Department and consultant team, Design Workshop, are working together to update the Adams County Regional Park and Fairgrounds Master Plan. The public is invited to an open house on Thursday, Feb. 2, 4:30–6:30 p.m., at Adams County Regional Park, Administration Building (9755 Henderson Rd., Brighton) to share thoughts and feedback on the future needs at the Regional Park and Fairgrounds.
Posted on: January 24, 2017
The Future of Adams County
This morning, three students were awarded and recognized for their professionalism, preparedness, and inquisitive determination at the 2016 Adams County Commissioners’ Career Expo. Of the nearly 6,000 8th grade students who attended, Sydney Thomas (Silver Hills Middle School), Kimmy Ton (Silver Hills Middle School), and Elijah Moore-Mundell (York International) went above and beyond and made a big impact on the businesses and higher education institutions they met with. We commend them, and are proud to recognize them as the future of Adams County.
Posted on: January 18, 2017
Citizens Invited to Help Select Adams County's Employee of the Year
Adams County government is preparing to select its Employee of the Year (also known as the "Employee of ALL Seasons"), and the entire Adams County community is invited to help choose the winner. Now through January 20, county residents can access the online ballot by clicking on the link below.
Posted on: January 17, 2017
Commissioner Eva J. Henry Elected Board Chair
The Adams County Board of Commissioners today elected Eva J. Henry to serve as board chair for 2017. This election marks Commissioner Henry’s second term in the role of Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. Henry, who represents District 1, also served in this capacity in 2013. Commissioner Charles “Chaz” Tedesco (District 2) was elected to serve as vice-chair.
Posted on: January 12, 2017
Adams County Awarded Funding for New Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations
Adams County has been awarded $54,080 from the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) through its Charge Ahead Colorado program for the purchase and deployment of new electric vehicles and charging stations. One new charging station will be added to the Adams County Government Center public parking lot (4430 S. Adams County Pkwy., Brighton). Two charging stations will be added to the new Westminster Human Services Center public parking lot and one charging station will be added to the employee parking lot.
Posted on: January 12, 2017
Adams County Elected Officials and Judges Sworn in at Inauguration
Adams County marked the commencement of new terms for four elected officials and several judges in an Inauguration Ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at the Waymire Dome at Adams County Regional Park in Brighton.
Residents, employees, and family and friends filled the Dome to watch the proceedings.
The following elected officials took the oath of office to begin new four-year terms:
Posted on: January 11, 2017
Adams County Launches E-Permit Center
Adams County has launched its new E-Permit Center, which will allow residents and businesses to handle all aspects of applying for a building permit online without having to travel to a county office.
Using the E-Permit Center, located at adcogov.org/epermitcenter, citizens can apply for, review, pay for, and print out building permits at any time from any computer or mobile device. In addition, residents and developers can use the E-Permit Center to schedule conceptual review meetings to get early input on more complex projects such as subdivisions and rezoning requests.
Posted on: January 6, 2017
Part of 96th Avenue to Close for Road Widening Project
Beginning Monday, Jan. 9 at 8 a.m., 96th Avenue will be closed between Tower Road and E-470 due to Commerce City's Tower Road widening project. The area will be reopened no later than Thursday, Jan. 12 at 6 p.m.
During the closure, the following detours are available:
Southbound E-470 drivers can exit at 104th Avenue and go west to Tower Road, then turn south on Tower Road to 96th.
Northbound E-470 drivers can exit to westbound Pena Boulevard to reach northbound Tower Road, then go west on 88th Avenue, and north on Buckley Road to 96th.
Posted on: January 4, 2017
County Will Appeal Retail Marijuana Tax to Supreme Court
Adams County Commissioners have directed County Attorney Heidi Miller to appeal a December 15, 2016 Colorado Court of Appeals opinion to the Colorado Supreme Court. Reversing a Sept. 23, 2016 Adams County District Court decision, the Court of Appeals issued an opinion in favor of three municipalities ruling that, despite voter approval in all cities, the county does not have the authority to impose a special sales tax on retail marijuana.
Pending the definitive ruling through the appeal process, the county will continue to collect the three percent tax on retail marijuana.
