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.
In the first year of collection, more than $500,000 generated from the retail marijuana tax was used to create the Adams County Scholarship Fund. This program, using matching funds from the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Program, provides four-year scholarships to qualified students enrolled in the free and reduced school lunch program. The county will honor the scholarships awarded to more than 50 students in May of 2016 and will award another $1 million in scholarships in 2017.
“Our residents understood the money generated from this tax could be used for education, and they overwhelmingly supported the tax by voting for this measure,” said Board Chairman Steve O’Dorisio. “The county will pursue all legal avenues to preserve its authority to collect this tax on retail marijuana that voters in every municipality approved.”
The county will file a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the Colorado Supreme Court in January.
Notice of Emergency Preparedness Exercise - N Line Commuter Rail
The Regional Transportation District (RTD), in coordination with Suncor and local emergency services will conduct an emergency preparedness drill for the N Line on Wednesday, Oct. 28, between the hours of 8 a.m. and noon. The drill will take place at RTD’s Commerce City/72nd Station, 3838 E. 72nd Ave.
Skyrocketing COVID-19 Cases Force Adams County to Level 3 of Safer at Home Starting October 28
Because Adams County incidence rates are almost double the level needed to stay in Level 2 of Safer at Home and hospitalizations are rising statewide, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) will move the county into Level 3 of Safer at Home on the state’s dial in hopes to quickly reduce the spread of the virus. The dial is a framework to inform counties about how they are doing to contain the virus and has five levels.
Riverdale Animal Shelter Supporting Displaced Pets Due to Fire Evacuations
Riverdale Animal Shelter, formerly Adams County Animal Shelter, is supporting Larimer Humane Society in assisting families with displaced pets and large animals evacuating their homes due to fires in the region.
Pets can be taken to:
Riverdale Animal Shelter
12155 Park Blvd.
Brighton, CO 80601-0016
Located at the south end of Riverdale Regional Park, on 120th Ave. and Park Blvd. (between Hwy. 85 and Quebec St.).
Mask order extended for Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties
Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) will be extending the local public health order requiring face masks in indoor public spaces and in outdoor spaces whenever 6-foot distancing is not maintained. TCHD is extending this order for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, or until amended or rescinded. No other changes were made to the order. The current order will expire on October 22, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
Tri-County Health Department Issues Public Health Order to lower the number of COVID-19 Cases in Adams County as numbers climb sharply
Tri-County Health Department is issuing a public health order (public health order-Spanish) to limit public and private gatherings in Adams County in an attempt to reduce the recent surge in cases and thereby protect both the public’s health and the economy.
NWS Extends Red Flag Warning
The National Weather Service has extended the Red Flag warning for Adams County until 6 p.m. Weds., Oct. 14. A Red Flag Warning automatically places Adams County at Level 2 Fire Restrictions. No open burning is allowed until further notice. Those having burn permits issued by the Fire Chief CANNOT burn during Level 2.
Rise in COVID-19 Cases Could Lead to Level 3 Restrictions
In an effort to remain in Level 2 of the State of Colorado’s Safer at Home Public Health Orders, Adams County is working with Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) to finalize the county’s mitigation plan to help control the spread of the virus. Recent data points suggest the county is moving in the direction of regressing to Level 3 restrictions by the State.
NWS Issues Red Flag Warning for Monday, Oct.5
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Adams County for Monday, Oct. 5, in effect from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A Red Flag Warning automatically places Adams County at Level 2 Fire Restrictions. No open burning is allowed until further notice. Those having burn permits issued by the Fire Chief CANNOT burn during Level 2.
COVID-19 Testing Site Extended through Dec. 31 at Water World
The State COVID-19 testing site in Adams County, located at Water World, 8801 N. Pecos St., Federal Heights has been extended through Dec. 31 and will have extended evening hours.
Starting Sunday, Oct. 4, the site will operate daily from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. and can administer up to 1,500 tests each day, and there is no cost to get tested. Visitors do not need an identification card, a social security number, or insurance to get a test.
I-70 Overnight Closures
Eastbound and westbound I-70 will close at Colorado Blvd. from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.on Monday, Sept. 28, Thursday, Oct. 1, and Friday, Oct. 2. Construction crews will be setting bridge beams on the new northbound Colorado Boulevard bridge. In addition, the Colorado Boulevard on-ramp to westbound I-70 will be closed during that time. All other ramps will be open for local access. See the detour map below and drive safely!
