Posted on: September 18, 2022
AURORA, Colo. – Officials from Aurora, Denver, Adams and Arapahoe Counties will travel to Houston on Wednesday, Sept. 14 on a fact-finding mission to understand how the city and its many regional partners have approached homelessness in a way that has garnered national attention and praise.
“Our goal is to make homelessness rare, brief and a one-time experience,” said Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman on behalf of the city and its staff. “I’m looking forward to seeing Houston’s approach to reducing homelessness, and we are interested in learning how they brought together key stakeholders from all sections of the community to work on this issue. The Metro Denver region has been working together on homelessness and this is a great opportunity for us as a region to learn together.”
Aurora Council Member Juan Marcano added, “I am thrilled to have Aurora lead this mission and to have the City and County of Denver, Arapahoe County, and Adams County joining us in cooperation and partnership. We have a great opportunity to learn from the successes and struggles of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston and Harris County, and I am grateful to Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Coalition for their willingness to share their expertise with us. It is my hope that we return from this mission with a commitment to a shared strategy and vision for the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metro region and get to work reducing homelessness in a way that is both cost-effective and humane.”
During the two-day trip the group will meet with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, and an array of leaders from government, nonprofit and private organizations from across the Greater Houston area, and learn more about the area’s street outreach efforts, funding streams and procurement of housing units.
“With unsheltered homelessness up by nearly one-third across the Denver metro area over the past two years, it’s more important than ever for our region to pull together and address the injustice of people living on the streets,” Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. “I’m confident the delegation will benefit from visiting Houston and bring back fresh ideas to metro Denver.”
“We know that homelessness is not only an Adams County, Aurora or Arapahoe County issue,” said Adams County Board Chair Lynn Baca. “The key to the success that Houston and Harris County have in addressing this issue rests with their regional approach and we are all hoping to learn more about how that model might be applicable for us.”
Among the elected officials from Colorado to travel to Houston will be Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, Aurora Council Members Juan Marcano and Alison Coombs, Denver Council Members Candi CdeBaca and Chris Hinds, Adams County Commissioner Eva Henry and Arapahoe County Commissioner Nancy Jackson.
“As one of the largest metro areas in the country that has also had some successes in dealing with their homelessness issues, we feel that our group can benefit from seeing Houston’s work and look for ways that it might translate to the Denver metro area,” said Arapahoe County Board Chair Nancy Jackson. “We already view homelessness as a very regional issue in our communities, and we look forward to a robust sharing of ideas around how we can make a difference in Colorado.”
Officials will be available for debriefings after the trip. The Aurora Council Members will discuss the trip during the City Council Study Session at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19.
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:
Posted on: November 16, 2023
Adams County Celebrates National Adoption Day
On Thursday, Nov. 16, 18 children in Adams County welcomed a new start on National Adoption Day. A special celebration took place at the Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton.
The Board of County Commissioners, Human Services Department, and the 17th Judicial District hosted the adoptive families. Adams County projects a total of 130 adoptions will be finalized by the end of the year.
Posted on: October 31, 2023
