Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital for receiving the City of Wheat

Ridge's Reinvestment Award for 2017. The Reinvestment Award recognizes businesses who play an active role in improving the City of Wheat Ridge.

Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital, with more than thirteen years in Wheat Ridge, was selected because of their redevelopment of an old office building, demolition of a blighted older business and their accommodation for parking in their new facility. The company purchased an older two story office building that had been shuttered for over three years. The owners of Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital completely rehabilitated the building to accommodate the re-use.

I applaud Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital for being the recipient of this well-deserved honor by the City of Wheat Ridge, and I congratulate them on their success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Wheat Ridge Poultry and Meats for receiving the City of Wheat Ridge's Business of the Year Award for 2017.

The Business of the Year Award recognizes local businesses who demonstrate a commitment to their community, strong management practices and are a positive reflection of the City of Wheat Ridge's values.

As noted in their mission and vision statement, ``Your local butcher has been on duty since 1942 offering fresh cuts of beef, pork and chicken served from our fresh meat case. Add simplicity, variety and freshness to your family table. Our poultry comes from farms where the birds roam free and animals have spacious barns. Our selection of jams and jellies offers nothing but the freshest fruits and finest ingredients.''

I applaud Wheat Ridge Poultry and Meats for being the recipient of this well-deserved honor by the City of Wheat Ridge, and I congratulate them on their success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Hank Alderfer for receiving the 2017 Hall of Fame Award from the West Chamber.

The Hall of Fame Award recognizes outstanding individuals who have significant, long-lasting impacts through their leadership and contributions to Jefferson County's economy, community and legacy.

Hank Alderfer has shown a lifelong dedication to the Jefferson County community and is known for his love of history in the mountain communities. He was raised in Evergreen, Colorado on the Alderfer Ranch. Eventually the Alderfer family sold or donated much of their property to Jefferson County Open Space which would become the 242-acre Alderfer/Three Sisters Open Space Park. When the Alderfer ranch house and barn were designated historical landmarks, Hank contributed critical information to Jefferson County Planning and Zoning in the creation of the Evergreen Area Community Plan. During his tenure on the Board of the Evergreen Park and Recreation District, Hank was instrumental in developing the Evergreen hiking and biking trails known as the Evergreen Trails Plan. Hank also shares his vast knowledge of the history of the area in his Canyon Courier newspaper column ``Yesteryear.''

I extend my deepest congratulations to Hank Alderfer for this well- deserved recognition by the West Chamber of Jefferson County.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud John Ellis for receiving the 2017 Jefferson County Hall of Fame Award from the West Chamber.

The Hall of Fame Award recognizes outstanding individuals who have significant, long-lasting impacts through their leadership and contributions to Jefferson County's economy, community and legacy.

John Ellis has shown a lifelong dedication to the Jefferson County community. His extensive involvement includes serving on many nonprofit boards such as the Evergreen Christian Outreach, Blue Spruce Kiwanis, Evergreen Audubon, and Jeffco Outdoor Lab Foundation just to name a few. For the past eleven years John has served as an elected official with the Evergreen Metropolitan District and for almost four years has served on the Evergreen Parks and Recreation District board. In addition to these endeavors, John is an avid fisherman and has been teaching fly fishing for the past 27 years and is involved with Evergreen Trout Unlimited preserving cold-eater fisheries.

John Ellis' history of volunteerism and support of the community and its businesses spans decades. He currently holds the position of Community Relations Manager for Evergreen National Bank.

I extend my deepest congratulations to John Ellis for this well- deserved recognition by the West Chamber of Jefferson County.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Lynn Johnson for receiving the West Chamber's 2017 Jefferson County Hall of Fame Award.

The Hall of Fame Award recognizes outstanding individuals who have significant, long-lasting impacts through their leadership and contributions to Jefferson County's economy, community and legacy. Known for her dedication in helping children, families, and those who need it most, Lynn has faithfully served Jefferson County and greater Colorado for over twenty years. Lynn began her career as a probation and parole officer with the United States Courts where she was responsible for supervising offenders with mental health problems and those convicted of sex offenses. Later she acted as a policy advisor for Governor Bill Owens before assuming the position of Chief of Staff to the Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton in 2003. Following this position, Lynn managed her own consulting firm which specialized in issues regarding mental health, high risk youth, developmental disabilities, child welfare and early childhood education. In that role, Lynn helped develop programs related to juvenile justice, prioritizing children and familial wellbeing.

During her career, Lynn was appointed to various task forces by three different Colorado Governors including Welfare Reform, Youth Leadership Commission, and most recently, Colorado's Human Trafficking Council. Lynn currently serves as the Executive Director of Jefferson County Human Services which includes Divisions of Head Start, Career and Family Services, Community Assistance, Workforce and Youth and Families (Child Welfare). Earlier this year, she was nominated by President Trump to be the Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families acknowledging the impact of Lynn's tireless service and instrumental contributions to Colorado's community as well as her potential to influence national policy.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Lynn Johnson for this well- deserved recognition by the West Chamber of Jefferson County.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Mike Moore for receiving the West Chamber's 2017 Jefferson County Hall of Fame Award.

The Hall of Fame Award recognizes outstanding individuals who have significant, long-lasting impacts through their leadership and contributions to Jefferson County's economy, community and legacy.

As a Colorado native, Mike has faithfully served the Jefferson County community his entire life. After serving in the Peace Corps, Mike returned to Denver in 1966 to become the Executive Director of Denver Opportunity at the War on Poverty Community Action Agency. Mike later co-founded the Jefferson County Open Living School in Evergreen open to anyone within the county who wished to attend. Turning his attention to the environment, in 1972 Mike was a founding member of Plan Jeffco, which advocated for the creation of the Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS) program. The following year Mike was appointed a founding member of the Jefferson County Open Space Advisory Committee overseeing the JCOS program, which has since helped

preserve the natural and cultural resources of over 50,000 acres of land. Mike also helped found the Evergreen Center for the Arts in 1976, establishing an outlet for local artists to pursue their creative endeavors. In 1988, Mike helped found Culture Jeffco and promoted the formation of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. A year later he was appointed as the founding chairman of the Jefferson County Cultural Council, the governing board of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District that was responsible for distributing the county's annual share of Tier III funds for art, music, theater, dance, zoology, botany, natural history, or cultural history.

Mike's civic achievements include recognition from the Jefferson County League of Women Voters as well as the Rex Morgan Citizen Volunteer Award. In his five decades in the Jefferson County area, Mike has worked tirelessly to improve the City of Evergreen and Jefferson County through public service.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Mike Moore for this well- deserved recognition by the West Chamber of Jefferson County.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Greg Stevinson for receiving the West Chamber's 2017 Jefferson County Hall of Fame Award.

The Hall of Fame Award recognizes outstanding individuals who have significant, long-lasting impacts through their leadership and contributions to Jefferson County's economy, community and legacy.

As a resident of Jefferson County for over fifty years, Greg has used his leadership and business insight to help shape our community. Greg was instrumental in the creation of the Colorado Mills Mall and the Denver West Office Park in Lakewood. For these efforts he received the honor of being named businessperson of the year by the Rocky Mountain News. Greg has also been an ardent supporter of open space in Jefferson County. He served on committees including Jefferson County Open Space, Save Open Space and Jeffco Outdoors Foundation.

Greg has served on several boards including the Colorado Baseball Stadium District, Red Rocks Community College Foundation and Craig Hospital. He is known for his personal drive, public service, and cultural contributions, which have made a tremendous impact on this county.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Greg Stevinson for this well- deserved recognition by the West Chamber of Jefferson County.

Mr. Speaker, July 20, 5 years ago, we had a terrible tragedy in Colorado. Twelve young people were killed, 70 were injured, and countless suffered emotional trauma.

Today I want to recognize these 12. Despite the tragedy we suffered and the impact on our community, there were at least two bright spots: the response of law enforcement, firefighters, ambulance drivers, and medical personnel in dealing with what was a war zone.

Over the 5 years, the families have come together and become great friends, recognizing and celebrating the lives of the people who were taken by that crazed shooter.

I want to recognize them, I want to recognize the dedicated people who assisted them, and just let everybody know that we won't forget. Time goes on and the memories dim a little bit, but these were great young people. Our first responders were wonderful.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Cathy Gerali, the District Manager of the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District (Metro District) in Colorado, on her election as the President of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). The Metro District was formed in 1961 and provides wholesale wastewater transmission and treatment services to 59 local governments and approximately 1.7 million people across the Denver metro area.

Cathy started her successful career at Metro District 35 years ago as an account clerk. Through her strong work ethic and dedication, she moved up the ranks to serve as the strategic planning and internal control officer and Deputy Manager before being selected as District Manager in 2008.

Cathy is known as a dynamic leader who believes in recognizing her staff for their important work protecting the environment, protecting public health and allowing the region to thrive. Each year for Earth Day, Cathy hosts a special breakfast to celebrate employees. She is known for always being on the front lines, being accessible to employees, and checking on facility operations. She has also played key leadership roles nationally with a number of water organizations helping advance both research and advocacy for municipal clean water utilities.

Cathy understands when we invest in our public water infrastructure we are investing in the health of our environment, our communities, and our economy. Cathy's fundamental understanding of the importance of advancing today's clean water agencies as utilities of the future will make her an invaluable leader at NACWA.

Once again, I congratulate Cathy Gerali on her election as the President of NACWA. As she has done with the Metro District, I am confident she will lead NACWA with integrity, a spirit of collaboration, and an eye toward innovation and progress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Golden Schools Foundation for receiving the Golden Rotary Ethics in Business Award.

The Ethics in Business Award was established by the Golden Rotary to honor for-profit and non-profit businesses. The recipients of this award must maintain integrity, conviction and possess high ethical standards demonstrated by the treatment of customers, employees, community and the environment.

The Golden Schools Foundation (GSF) was founded in 2010 as an independent non-profit and 100 percent volunteer-run organization. GSF strongly believes in supporting students as a whole which in turn supports the community as a whole.

GSF is dedicated to raising and distributing funds in a responsible and ethical manner to foster excellence in education. Among their many accomplishments, programs include the Teaching Excellence program, which supports professional development for teachers and the Student Academic Summer Boot Camp. It also includes supplemental education programs to provide academic exposure to Golden students and encourage a successful academic experience from start to finish.

I extend my deepest congratulations to the Golden Schools Foundation for receiving this well-deserved honor by the Golden Rotary. Thank you for your continued commitment to the students and teachers of our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Lucia Gonzalez for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award.

Lucia Gonzalez is a student at Jefferson High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Lucia Gonzalez is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Lucia Gonzalez for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Mariyah Hurtado for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award.

Mariyah Hurtado is a student at Wheat Ridge High School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Mariyah Hurtado is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Mariyah Hurtado for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sound Relief Hearing Center for receiving the Golden Rotary Ethics in Business Award.

The Ethics in Business Award was established by the Golden Rotary to honor for-profit and non-profit businesses. The recipients of this award must maintain integrity, conviction and possess high ethical standards demonstrated by the treatment of customers, employees, community and the environment.

Sound Relief Hearing Center is a family-owned and operated business specializing in hearing solutions. They have built a foundation of exceptional service, showing compassion for the community and genuinely caring for the people they serve. Their code of ethics includes a commitment to charitable giving, educating the public and volunteering their time. Some examples of their philanthropy include earmarking 10 percent of their earnings for several charities and reimbursing employees for continuing education.

To all the employees of Sound Relief Hearing Center, congratulations on receiving the Golden Rotary Ethics in Business Award, and thank you for your continued commitment to excellence.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud John Zabawa who is retiring as Chief Executive Officer and President of Seniors' Resource Center (SRC) after years of service to the senior community in Colorado.

The Seniors' Resource Center is a person-focused non-profit dedicated to enhancing the independence and quality of life for seniors in the Denver Metro community through coordinated services such as transportation, in-home care, and many other life-enriching programs. Under Mr. Zabawa's leadership, the Center has served over 24,500 people each year, developing strong community relations and raising awareness of senior issues. With his guidance, the Center has expanded its programs and services to reach ten Denver Metro and mountain rural counties across Colorado.

Mr. Zabawa started his career as a recreational therapy assistant in Indiana, coordinating activities for psychiatric patients before serving as a youth counselor for troubled youths in Adams County. His accomplishments include President of LeadingAge Colorado, the Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors for the Jefferson Center for Mental Health, and the President of the Jefferson County Council on Aging. In 2005, Mr. Zabawa was appointed by the President of the Colorado State Senate to represent Colorado at the White House Conference on Aging, and he was recently appointed by Governor Hickenlooper to serve on the Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging to create an action plan for Colorado's shifting demographic. John has continuously demonstrated passion, dedication, and leadership in advocating and serving the senior communities, and we will forever be grateful for his commitment.

I extend my deepest thanks to John Zabawa for his service to our community and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Katelin Byrd for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award.

Katelin Byrd is a student at Moore Middle School and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities.

The dedication demonstrated by Katelin Byrd is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives.

I extend my deepest congratulations to Katelin Byrd for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments.