Belen Ward here, and happy Friday!

It was another hot March week, but we are headed into a spring winter storm. In some areas, there is an active snow and ice event forecast with totals ranging from 1 to 3 inches, depending on where you live, with a potential for snow coating. 

I had to research the last March blizzard event in Colorado. Remember the blizzard from March 17-19, 2003, which dropped over 30 inches of snow in Denver and up to four to five feet in parts of the Front Range, causing massive travel shutdowns?

At that time, I lived in an apartment in Glendale where all the apartments surrounded a swimming pool, and when we opened the door, it was a wall of snow up to the top of my door, with neighbors driving from their balcony into the snow drift that covered the pool. We had to dig out.

I found this photo on the National Weather Service website. This guy, who lived in Clear Creek Canyon in 2003, must have spent months digging out.

Anyway, let’s get into this week’s news and events!

Why it matters: Over the past several weeks, residents have increasingly voiced concerns about a nearby AI data center and its impacts, including noise, water consumption, electricity infrastructure demands and compatibility with surrounding land uses.

What’s happening: The Weld County Board of Commissioners stated, It’s important to take their time to review the code-update process to ensure they are making good decisions in creating a well-crafted ordinance with community input before they make any decisions to allow an AI data center.

Aims Community College was selected as first in Colorado to train air traffic controllers with the Enhanced Air Control training and certification program unveiled by the Trump Administration. Aims’ new Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training would allow students who complete the program to apply to become an air traffic controller through a fast-track program.

Another roundtable is going up, this one along County Road 54 and the Larimer/Weld County Line road. It should improve traffic flow and reduce broadside accidents at the intersection is about 2.4 miles east of Interstate 25 on Weld County Road 54, at the Larimer/Weld County Line Road intersection in Johnstown.

United Power Board 2026 balloting opens March 13. Six candidates are running for election to the United Power Board of Directors in the cooperative’s 2026 director election.

The Fort Lupton Council voted to install a stoplight at State Highway 52 and College Avenue instead of a roundabout.

The decision was based on a poll they conducted last month asking the community whether they preferred a traffic signal or a roundabout.

Two hundred eighty-one people voted 50.36% in favor of a traffic signal, while two hundred forty-eight voted 44.44% for a roundabout. Additionally, 29 people voted that either option was acceptable, representing 5.2% of the vote.

The cost estimate for a traffic signal is $1.2 million, while a roundabout would cost $2.5 million. Fort Lupton would cover the installation costs, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) would be responsible for maintenance.

The City Council approved the traffic signal project because of cost considerations. Mayor Chris Cerretto, Bruce Davis, Valerie Blackston, Claud Hayes, Chris Cerretto, and Bruce Fitzgerald all voted in favor. Roy Vestal, Fort Lupton Public Works Director, said they will send the ICAT evaluation to CDOT.

The Colorado Intersection Control Assessment Tool (ICAT) is a CDOT resource that quantitatively assesses and ranks intersection safety, traffic operations, and cost-effectiveness. It assists city planners in comparing options such as roundabouts, signals, or stop signs using safety performance measures and cost estimates. 

The Copper Hen, a new full-service restaurant, was approved to open at 737 Denver Avenue, the previous Copper Kettle location, to be owned by Lizeth Gomez. Once the restaurant has been renovated, they plan to have a grand opening.

You have two options for your annual fish fry fix this March!

The Knights of Columbus hosts the annual fish fry two times this month at the St. William Catholic Church Parish Hall

The first is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. on March 6, with a second meal from 5-7 p.m. March 20.

They’ll be serving up fried Cod fish, green beans, garlic mashed potatoes, Mac and Cheese, dinner rolls, coleslaw, dessert and fish sticks and French fries for the kids. Beer, wine, soda and coffee are free with your meal and take-out is available.

The cost is $15 for adults and $7 for those 12 and under.

We walk them every day—to school, the store, or just around town. The city wants you to tell them what needs to change. Take two minutes to complete the Fort Lupton Crosswalk Safety Survey now, online at https://form.jotform.com/253275881987173, and tell us about your experiences, concerns, and ideas for improvement.

Qualified Listeners, a veteran and family resource hub serving northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, needs volunteers to drive veterans to and from appointments, run errands, provide handyman services, help administer veteran and family resource guide inventory in local libraries and to train veterans to become qualified listeners.

Visit qualifiedlisteners.org/volunteerapp and fill out the form or call 720-600-0860.

Weld County residents can receive a free radon test kit (one per household, while supplies last). Test kits can be requested online at www.drhomeair.com/weld, according to a statement.

Call the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment at (970) 400-2226 or visit: www.weldgov.com/go/radon.

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