Posted on: March 4, 2022
The Colorado Court of Appeals upheld a judgement Thursday, March 3, against the City and County of Denver for violations of an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) concerning Denver International Airport (DEN).
In June 2020, a Jefferson County judge ordered the City and County of Denver to pay Adams County more than $33 million for violations of an IGA regarding noise levels at DEN during the years of 2014, 2015, and 2016. DEN was found in violation of 67 Class II noise exposure performance standards (NEPS) during the aforementioned years. NEPS are used to measure noise levels of aircraft flying over Adams County.
In 2020, the City and County of Denver appealed the decision. Thursday, the Colorado Court of Appeals upheld that judgement.
“We are pleased with the outcome of this appeal process,” said Lynn Baca, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “We had hoped all along this could be resolved amicably without having to go to court against a partner agency, but it’s important to pursue this issue on behalf of our residents who have dealt with the noise issues far too long.”
The IGA between the two entities allowed Denver to annex land within Adams County to build a new airport, in exchange for Denver’s agreement to monitor and strictly limit the noise exposure levels at DEN. If noise levels exceed the agreed upon limit, and are not remedied within the time allowed, Denver must make a noise mitigation payment for each violation.
The IGA provides specific procedures and remedies to be followed and allows Adams County to bring legal action to enforce the NEPS, or seek noise mitigation payments based upon the NEPS violations.
The county filed the first legal complaint against the City and County of Denver in 1992 based on perceived violations of the IGA that could not be resolved. Subsequent complaints were filed over the years – all relating to noise level monitoring and violations.
Given the recent nature of this decision, the county will take some time to assess how to best use these funds.
Posted on: February 15, 2024
Vote in the 2023 Employee of ALL Seasons Nomination Community Survey
Residents of Adams County are invited to participate in the voting process for the Adams County Employee of ALL Seasons award. The Employee of the Season recognition program recognizes the efforts of Adams County employees in all departments/offices.
In 2023, there were 26 employees who were Employee of the Season winners in the following seven recognition categories:
Posted on: February 8, 2024
Governor Polis Orders Flags to be Lowered to Honor Former Colorado State Senator Keith King
DENVER- Last week, Governor Polis ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor former Colorado State Senator Keith King on the day of his memorial. The memorial has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 21 and flags are to be lowered that day from sunrise to sunset on all public buildings statewide.
Posted on: February 6, 2024
Adams County Health Department (ACHD) Supports Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s Recent Action to Protect Clean Air for All
Today, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) announced the largest state enforcement package against a single facility for air pollution violations to Suncor refinery in Commerce City. Suncor must pay at least $10.5 million toward penalties and projects due to air pollution violations from July 2019 through June 2021. This action is a step toward holding Suncor more accountable for past violations and requires the refinery to take steps to prevent future violations.
Posted on: January 9, 2024
Commissioner Emma Pinter Elected Board Chair for 2024
Commissioner Eva Henry Selected as Vice-Chair
On Tuesday, Jan. 9, the Adams County Board of Commissioners unanimously elected Commissioner Emma Pinter as board chair for 2024. Pinter first took office to represent District 4 as commissioner in 2019 and won re-election in 2022.
Posted on: December 28, 2023
Adams County, VOA Colorado, DRCOG, and Senior Hub Seek Volunteers to Deliver Meals to Older Adults
The nonprofit Senior Hub recently reported it was running out of funds to continue supporting its Meals on Wheels program in Adams County. To ensure Senior Hub’s existing clients continue to receive meal delivery services, Adams County has partnered with Senior Hub, Volunteers of America Colorado (VOA Colorado), and Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) to fund emergency meals while a long-term strategy is developed to continue these services for older adults into the new year.
Posted on: December 19, 2023
Governor Polis Orders Flags to Fly Half Staff to Honor Justice Sandra Day O’Connor
DENVER - Governor Polis ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on all public buildings to honor Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman on the Nation’s highest court as directed by President Biden. Flags should be at half-staff from midnight Monday, Dec. 18, to sunset Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. Governor Polis previously released a statement on the passing of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
The text of President Biden’s proclamations reads:
Posted on: December 12, 2023
Adams County Commissioners Award More Than $8 Million in Open Space Grants
On Tuesday, Dec. 12, the Adams County Board of Commissioners (BoCC) awarded more than $8 million in open space grants for 16 projects thanks to the voter-approved Open Space Sales Tax. Funding for the fall 2023 grant cycle came from revenues from the first half of the 2023 Adams County Open Space Sales Tax, which was passed by Adams County voters in 1999, and in perpetuity in 2020.
Posted on: December 7, 2023
Governor Polis Orders Flags to Fly at Half-Staff For Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
DENVER - Governor Polis ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, December 7, 2023, in honor of the Americans who died in service of their country at Pearl Harbor, as directed by President Biden.
President Biden’s proclamation reads:
Posted on: December 5, 2023
Governor Polis Orders Flags to be Lowered to Honor Sergeant Michael Moran
DENVER - Governor Polis ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, to honor Sergeant Michael Moran, who was killed in the line of duty last week. Flags should be lowered Dec. 6, the day of the service, from sunrise to sunset on all public buildings statewide.
Posted on: November 21, 2023
Governor Polis Orders Flags to be Lowered to Half Staff in Remembrance of First Lady Rosalynn Carter
DENVER - Governor Polis ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on all public buildings in honor and remembrance of First Lady Rosalynn Carter as proclaimed by President Biden. Flags should be lowered beginning on Saturday, November 25, 2023, until sunset on the day of the funeral which will be held on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.
The President’s full proclamation text states:
