Adams County CoVid-19 Response and Recovery

National Planning Achievement Award for ASARCO Redevelopment Project

Archive
Posted on: April 2, 2018

Adams County has received the Gold 2018 National Planning Achievement Award for Economic Development Planning from the American Planning Association (APA). The award recognizes the initiative, A Return to Past Prosperity: The ASARCO Redevelopment Project, for transforming a toxic industrial plant into a vibrant, economic center. The ASARCO Redevelopment Project is one of 16 APA Achievement Award recipients this year.

“We are thrilled this project is being recognized by the APA,” said Mary Hodge, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “It took tenacity, innovative partnerships, and relentless optimism to see it through. The goal was always to bring jobs and vitality back to this neighborhood.”

The ASARCO Redevelopment Project is a joint effort of private and public entities to clean up and redevelop a distressed 77-acre industrial site in Globeville, located north of Denver. When the American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO), which managed the site, shut its doors in 2006, the pollution and environmental waste it left behind was so toxic that many residents underwent frequent cancer screenings. During ensuing bankruptcy proceedings, a custodial trust was formed to oversee the property and was given $14.4 million for remediation efforts.

The redevelopment project plan called for a finance package that included a $10 million Section 108 HUD loan from Adams County, $750,000 from Denver’s Community Development Block Grant Program, and Tax Increment Financing funds. New legislation modified the state’s urban renewal law, which allowed counties to participate in urban renewal projects, and made the financing package possible. The collaborative effort transformed a dangerous brownfield site into a vibrant, economic center that will ultimately bring approximately 1,000 new jobs into the area.

“The community overcame challenging environmental obstacles,” said W. Shedrick Coleman, AIA, 2018 Awards Jury chair. “The county’s work is an outstanding example of leveraging funding and partnerships to provide the area much-needed employment opportunities.”

Each year, APA recognizes outstanding efforts in planning and planning leadership through its National Planning Excellence and Achievement Awards. The two-tier awards are selected through a juried process. Excellence Award recipients are the highest honor, and Achievement Awards recognize accomplishments in areas of specialization within the planning profession.

The 2018 National Planning Award recipients will be honored at a special luncheon during APA’s National Planning Conference in New Orleans on April 23. The recipients will also be featured in the April issue of Planning magazine. For a complete list and summary of all the APA 2018 National Planning Excellence and Achievement Award recipients, visit planning.org.

Google Fiber and Adams County
Posted on: May 14, 2024

Adams County Commissioners Vote to Enhance Internet Services for All Residents

Google Fiber will bring faster speeds and better service to Adams County internet users, as the Adams County Board of Commissioners (BoCC) approved an agreement today with the company that allows the installation, maintenance, and operation of a fiber-optic broadband network in the public right-of-way.

Pride Logo
Posted on: May 13, 2024

Adams County Pride Returns Saturday, June 8

Adams County Pride is back at Riverdale Regional Park on Saturday, June 8. Take pride in who you are and celebrate love, diversity, and equality at the free, family-friendly festival.

Starting at 11 a.m., featured activities will include roller skating and art exhibits with Rainbow Dome, live music/entertainment, Airbound attractions, volleyball, and a drag show that’s guaranteed to dazzle.

Posted on: May 3, 2024

Check Your Air, Improve Your Health: Phone App Empowers Community During Air Quality Awareness Week

It’s no secret air pollution can cause both long- and short-term health conditions ranging from an itchy throat and shortness of breath to asthma attacks, cardiovascular disease, and mental illness.

That’s why Air Quality Awareness Week (AQAW) is back this year from May 6-10, with a greater focus than ever on empowering communities to find out what’s in the air they’re breathing and take action to better their health.

This year’s theme is “Knowing Your Air” with a different topic for each day of the week:

Posted on: April 19, 2024

Recycling in Adams County is Easier This Earth Day

Residents can celebrate Earth Day by signing up for recycling at their homes, a service now available in all parts of unincorporated Adams County.

In February, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) unanimously approved an ordinance that requires all trash collection providers operating in unincorporated Adams County to offer curbside recycling services to their residential and commercial customers. The ordinance does not mandate what trash providers can charge for recycling services paid by the resident or business.

Colorado Curated Story - USS Colorado
Posted on: March 27, 2024

Adams County Partners with History Colorado to Develop Colorado Curated Story: USS Colorado

In 2023, when Adams County unveiled the Adams County Veterans Memorial – a replica of the USS Colorado – at Riverdale Regional Park, Adams County residents with ties to the renowned vessel donated items to honor the lives of veterans. Among the objects received by Adams County were letters, photographs, and artifacts that told the story of life aboard the USS Colorado. 

Posted on: March 26, 2024

Colorado Air and Space Port Receives State Grant to Rehabilitate Ramp and Taxiway Areas

Colorado Air and Space Port (CASP) is receiving a $500,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Aeronautics Division to perform pavement rehabilitation work on some of CASP’s most heavily used taxiways and ramp areas. Adams County is providing $55,555 as the local grant match toward the work with a total project cost of $555,555 in a 90/10 partnership.

On Tuesday, March 26, the Adams County Board of Commissioners (BoCC) applauded the grant in Public Hearing.