Adams County CoVid-19 Response and Recovery

Historic Splendid Valley: Preserving Farmland in Adams County and Brighton

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Posted on: February 25, 2021

We are coming up on five years since the approval of the District Plan, a joint plan adopted in 2016 by Adams County and the City of Brighton focused on the south Brighton agricultural area, now called Historic Splendid Valley. This award-winning plan was put together in response to ongoing public support for preserving valuable farmland and heritage, building on policies laid out in previous land use, and open space plans spanning more than 20 years.

The many action items in the District Plan fall under one of three overarching goals:

  • Preserve agricultural land
  • Encourage local food production and consumption
  • Promote agritourism

As we approach the five-year mark of working on the plan, here is an update on progress made on the first goal, preserving farmland. Historic Splendid Valley is home to acres of land designated by the United States Department of Agriculture as prime farmland. This is land that has been farmed for decades and continues to produce vegetables, fruits, nursery crops, and other products for local consumption and distribution regionally and nationally. While farmland is being lost at alarming rates across the country, Adams County and the City of Brighton have recognized the benefits of preserving these lands locally. These benefits include access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, realizing our vision of a standalone city surrounded by open space and farmland, and tourism related to visiting some of our local farms.

Since the adoption of the District Plan, approximately 264 acres of land have been preserved with the associated water rights. That brings the total farmland preserved in Historic Splendid Valley to about 445 acres. This is made up of both acquired lands that the county or city lease to local farmers and privately owned properties protected through conservation easements. Competitive grants, including the Adams County Open Space Sales Tax program, and key partnerships have made these successes possible and have helped to ensure that our heritage and community values are reflected into the future.

To learn more about Historic Splendid Valley and the implementation of the District Plan, you can visit brightonco.gov/SplendidValley

Half-Staff Flag
Posted on: September 11, 2023

Governor Polis Orders Flags Lowered to Honor 9/11 Anniversary

Governor Polis ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on all public buildings statewide on Monday, September 11, 2023, from sunrise to sunset to honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and also in recognition of Patriot Day, which was designated by Congress in 2001.  

President Biden issued A Proclamation on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, 2023, and ordered flags lowered to half-staff. The full text is below:

Posted on: September 7, 2023

Adams County Health Department Reports First Death of the Season from West Nile Virus Infection

Adams County Health Department (ACHD) officials confirmed the first death from West Nile virus, an adult resident, within the county this year.

West Nile virus is spread to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Most infected with the virus do not have symptoms. However, one in five could develop flu-like symptoms, which typically begin two to 14 days after exposure. Serious, potentially deadly neurologic illness occurs in fewer than one in 100 infected people.  

Chris Kline
Posted on: August 17, 2023

Deputy County Manager Chris Kline Credentialed by International Local Government Management Organization

Chris Kline, Deputy County Manager of Adams County, recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. Kline is one of over 1,300 local government management professionals currently credentialed through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program, and the third credentialed leader currently serving within Adams County government.

Posted on: August 9, 2023

Adams County Health Department and Human Services Department Working Together to Prevent Residents From Losing Health Insurance

After more than a three-year pause, the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) has resumed the standard eligibility renewal and disenrollment process for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). The priority for the Adams County Health Department  (ACHD) and Adams County Human Services Department (ACHS) is to keep residents covered and to connect disenrolling members to affordable health coverage.