Mold Remediation in Westminster, CO

Westminster voters appeared to decide Tuesday night that they do not want the city divided up into geographic wards.

Ballot Question 3D, which would have amended the city charger, went down by a 54%-to-46% margin as of Nov. 6.

The proposal asked voters to generate three wards with two city councilors per ward and with one mayor voted at large. The city currently has six councilors and a mayor, all elected at-large.

If the ballot item would have passed, the process for determining ward boundaries would have begun in 2025. The proposed ordinance includes ward boundaries with balanced populations that are within 10% of each other and boundaries will be adjusted every 10 years in alignment with the U.S. Census, according to the city of Westminster.

If the population deviates beyond 10%, the city may adjust boundaries mid-decade, according to the city.

The city council also told city staff to draft a ballot question for the 2025 municipal election for residents to consider creating an additional two at-large council seats to create a nine-person city council.

Voters in 2023 supported a proposition to introduce geographic wards to city councilors. A study committee this year also included the ward system plan as part of its three recommendations to the council.

Councilors initially backed the recommended ward configuration. But they scrapped the idea earlier this month and asked for a new proposed charter amendment to expand the council.

Proponents said the larger council would be more representative of the needs of a growing city. But opponents said the nine-member council would be an uncalled-for expansion of city government.

They also bristled that the council seemingly brushed aside the recommendation of the Wards Advisory Committee.

“This is not governance…this is tyranny,” said Elyce Jarvis, who served on the advisory committee.

“They gave us a recommendation and we shouldn’t just throw it away,” said Councilor Obi Ezeadi in August. He added that two new voices could “dilute” the council.

Former City Manager Bill Christopher – who also served on the advisory panel – told the council in August they got “lobbied by someone” on the advisory committee to back a council expansion. “It begs the question why are you so anxious to implement ballot language for a nine-member council,” Christopher said.

“The majority of the …city does not want more governance,” he said.

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – guided the Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team to a 3-1 victory against Westminster on Friday night as the Orediggers closed out the 2024 RMAC Power Pod.

Kudlac led all players with 16 kills, and hit .389 in the process. Teammate was right behind with 14 kills. provided a 10-kill, 17-dig double-double as well. anchored the back row with 19 digs while chipping in two service aces. added 11 digs and three service aces. and put the bow on the win. Storm recorded 41 assists, three blocks, two kills, and one ace. Jansen recorded six total blocks, nine kills, and three digs.]

As a team, Mines (8-14) earned significant advantages in total blocks and total aces. Westminster (9-11) had more kills, more assists, and more aces. However, the Orediggers hit .252 while holding the Griffins to .212 on the attack. The match did not count toward the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Standings, but it did mark Mines' second win over Westminster in the 2024 season.

HOW IT HAPPENED Four kills apiece from Kudlac and Kinnison highlighted the Orediggers' 25-18 win in the opening set. Four digs each off the hands of Murillo and Kinnison bolstered the victory. Helms owned game two. She exploded for eight kills on .615 hitting and chipped in one block as well. Four error-free kills by Jansen added fuel to a fire that required extra points for Mines to win, 30-28. The Orediggers hit .390 as a team and Kinnison churned out six digs as well. Ten ties and four lead changes didn't keep Westminster from winning the third set by a score of 25-22. In the end, Kudlac pounded out seven more kills and Mines produced 22 digs as a team to round out the win with a 25-16 victory.

NOTABLES - Mines owns a 12-1 advantage in the all-time series against Westminster. - The Orediggers have taken 12 of the last 13 matches from the Griffins. - Kudlac's 16 kills on Friday marked a single-match, career high. - Murillo had a collegiate personal best in digs and surpassed 200 digs for her career. - Three aces for Price matched her career high in a single match. - Kinnison notched her eighth double-double as an Oredigger. - Head Coach is now 362-136 in her 17th season at the helm.

WHAT'S NEXT Mines travels to Regis on Friday, Nov. 8, in a return to RMAC play. Free live stats and video will be available at www.minesathletics.com.

Fans can keep up with Mines volleyball on "X" (formerly Twitter) at @minesvolleyball and on Instagram at @mines.volleyball. They can also follow all of Mines Athletics year around on Facebook, "X", and Instagram at @MinesAthletics.

Gastamo Group, the Denver-based restaurant and hospitality development company behind concepts like Park Burger and Lady Nomada, is excited to join the vibrant Westminster community with the openings of Homegrown Tap & Dough and Perdida Kitchen. These restaurants will open their doors late fall at 1257 W 120th Ave, bringing unique, Denver-rooted dining experiences to Westminster.

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After three years of meticulous redevelopment, the 12,000-square-foot building, housing both concepts, has been redeveloped into a vibrant, destination-worthy space designed to redefine the dining experience.

Homegrown Tap & Dough will introduce its ski lodge-inspired pizza and Italian restaurant to Westminster, marking its fourth location in the Denver area. Known for its warm, rustic ambiance, hand-tossed pizzas, and local craft beer selection, Homegrown Tap & Dough offers a welcoming setting where families and friends can gather. This new location will be a celebration of Colorado’s ski culture, local ingredients, and the strong sense of community that defines Westminster.

Homegrown Tap & Dough will transport guests from the everyday to a cozy ski chalet, where Colorado-inspired, and rustic details create a perfect escape. The restaurant showcases authentic gondolas sourced from a ski resort in Steamboat Springs, crackling fireplaces reminiscent of backcountry adventures and interior design details hand-selected to create a winter resort atmosphere.

Additionally, the interior is designed for the ultimate watch party, featuring two massive 100″ TVs and countless screens throughout the space. For added fun, the retro arcade offers a nostalgic escape, making it the perfect spot to enjoy great food, sports, and entertainment.

With hand-tossed pizzas, locally sourced ingredients, and Colorado-inspired dishes like the signature “Weekend Warrior,” the restaurant is set to become a new favorite among locals. Outdoor patio seating and a wide selection of brews and wines will also provide guests with an inviting space to relax and enjoy the mountain town vibes.

“We’re proud to open Homegrown Tap & Dough in Westminster. This community has such a unique vibe – it’s vibrant, family-oriented, and growing, which feels like a natural fit for us. We’ve always believed that great pizza and welcoming hospitality bring people together, and we’re here to be part of that connection. Westminster is a place where we can grow with the community, not just serve great food but create a spot where people feel at home,” said Jean-Philippe Failyau, CEO and Co-Founder of Gastamo Group in a statement.

Under the same roof, Perdida Kitchen will debut its second location in Westminster, transporting diners to the vibrant shores of coastal Mexico. Inspired by the lively spirit of Baja, Perdida offers a bright and welcoming environment complete with surf videos projected throughout the dining room, colorful décor, and a vintage VW buggy on the exterior. Perdida Kitchen’s expansive patio, complete with cozy fire pits, offers a perfect outdoor dining experience for families.

The menu focuses on fresh Baja cuisine, featuring from the fire dishes, tacos, and only the best ingredients.

Guests can enjoy Failyau’s signature shareable small plates, such as Fried Garlic Shrimp and Ceviche, along with crowd-pleasers like Chicken Tinga and Carnitas Tacos. From the fire, standout dishes include Carne Asada and Crispy Carnitas. The lively bar program complements the creative flavors with a wide selection of house-crafted margaritas, signature cocktails, and a curated list of wine and local beer.

The building is adorned with stunning murals, and the space was designed by world-renowned architects to create an inviting, visually striking atmosphere. The vibrant, locally sourced art and decor further reinforce Perdida’s connection to the community, adding a creative and personal touch to the space. Perdida will also have an incredible sound experience, complete with a high-quality sound system, a vintage record collection, and a classic record player that adds a unique touch to the dining experience.

“Our vision with Perdida Kitchen and Homegrown Tap & Dough was to create places that allow people to step away from the everyday and immerse themselves in something special. Whether it’s the vibrant, sun-soaked escape of Baja at Perdida or the cozy, ski-lodge warmth of Homegrown, we wanted to bring these experiences to Westminster in a beautifully designed space. After exploring the Baja Peninsula and drawing inspiration from Colorado’s mountain towns, we knew we could create spaces where the community can gather, share great food, and feel transported,” said Peter Newlin, Chief Visionary Officer and Co-Founder of Gastamo Group.

Both Homegrown Tap & Dough and Perdida Kitchen will celebrate their openings with grand events to welcome in the Westminster community. Gastamo Group’s focus is on more than just expanding – it’s about embedding these new restaurants into the heart of Westminster and turning them into true neighborhood gathering spots where locals can enjoy great food, warm hospitality, and a genuine sense of community. They are committed to creating spaces that reflect and serve the communities they are a part of, and this Westminster location is no different.

Photo: Official

Westminster firefighters hope to upgrade their aging fire stations if voters approve ballot measure 3C, which would increase sales tax in the city.

WESTIMINSTER, Colo. — Westminster firefighters hope to upgrade their aging fire stations if voters approve ballot measure 3C, which would increase sales tax in the city.

The measure would implement a 0.5% sales tax increase, adding $0.05 for every $10 spent. The tax would generate an additional $19 million annually for the fire department.

"It's addressing a need that we've had for quite a while," said firefighter August Rasche, a local firefighter's union board member.

Rasche said the additional revenue would provide the following:

Firefighters operate under a four-minute response time standard operating procedure. Rasche said it's difficult for Westminster Fire to meet that response time due to increased call volume and coverage gaps.According to Westminster fire officials, the department saw a 37% increase in calls between 2020 to 2023.

“We started out at about 7,000 calls for service when I first started here, and now we're at over 17,000 calls,” said acting Westminster Fire Chief Erik Birk.

The fire department would also build a new training facility to help firefighters who often have to leave town for training procedures.

If passed, Rasche hopes the two new stations will completed and fully staffed within the next three years. The sales tax increase will go into effect at the start of the new fiscal year.

“If we were able to construct a station tomorrow, they would run 1,800 calls that first year off the bat," said Rasche.

Those against the measure argue that if approved, Westminster will have the second-highest sales tax rate in Adams County.

Additionally, opponents of the issue contend that 3C would push tax dollars out of the city as residents shop in surrounding communities to avoid paying more for goods and services.

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