Elementary school poster contest
The city of Brighton is part of the annual Arbor Day Fifth Grade Poster contest, open to public, private and home-schooled students.
This year’s theme is “Celebrating Trees In Our Community” and is an opportunity for students to show their creativity to raise awareness of trees and the important role they play in the environment and our quality of life, according to a city statement.
The winner of each Brighton school will move onto the state contest and their posters will be put on display at the State Capitol.
One entry per student, and it must be original. Entries should be on 12-inch-by-18-inch paper
The entry deadline is Wednesday, March 30. Contact Adam Rhodebeck, city of Brighton forester, at arhodebeck@brightonco.gov or 303-655-2048.
New scholarship
27J Schools introduced a new, $5,000 scholarship for district seniors last week. It’s in honor of former educator Lucile Knaus.
The deadline to apply is Thursday, March 31. Visit bit.ly/3BZrwFB.
History museum’s new exhibit
The Brighton History Museum is set to debut a new exhibit featuring the timeline of Brighton and the immediate region over time Thursday, April 1.
The new exhibit “Splendid Valley and Brighton: Story of a Place” will include interactive elements that’ll start with the area’s earliest inhabitants, exploring first the South Platte River Valley through successive waves of newcomers.
More at https://www.brightonco.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1962
Trash Bash dates for 2022 in place
The city of Brighton announced its dates for Trash Bash in 2022. It’s a chance for residents to get rid of large items.
The first chance is the weekend of Friday, April 29. The second is the weekend of Friday, Sept. 23. Both will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Brighton Wastewater Treatment Facility, 325 N. Kuner Road. Those with special needs can call the city for pick-up service April 27 and 28 and again Sept. 21 and 22.
Acceptable items include furniture, cabinets, appliances (not refrigerators/freezers), bicycles, cut-up carpet, doors, stereos, lawn/yard equipment, mattresses/box springs and bundled branches less than 5 feet in length. Call 303-655-2087.
ONGOING
Water audit program
The city of Brighton and Resource Central teamed up to provide a free water audit for businesses and homeowner associations. The program aiums to help residents and cities increase water use efficiencies and reach conservationm goals.
Call 303-999-3824 or visit https://www.brightonco.gov/589/Water-Audit-Program
COVID vaccination clinics
Adams County and Tri-County Health are offering free vaccination clinics from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Anythink Brighton, 327 E. Bridge St.
The city of Brighton extended its free vaccination clinics at the recreation center, 555 N. 11th Ave. The new dates are Monday, March 7, and Mondays, April 4 and 18. The shots are available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and no appointment is necessary.
COVID-19 rapid tests at the Brighton Recreation Center
As part of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s community distribution program, the Brighton Recreation Center is offering free at-home COVID-19 rapid test kits to the public. Come to rec center, 555 N/ 11th Ave., Mondays – Thursdays 5:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., Fridays 5:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturdays 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.). Kits will be made available to the public while supplies last.
Staff will be distributing the iHealth rapid antigen tests (self-collected lower nasal swab), which have received emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration for home use by patients 2 and older. Results should be available in approximately 15 minutes.
Eail cdphe_covidtesting@state.co.us or call 1-877-268-2926.
Legal self-help clinic
The Access to Justice Committee hosts a free, legal self-help clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month. The program is for customers who don’t have legal representation and need help navigating through legal issues.
Volunteer attorneys are available to discuss such topics as family law, civil litigation, property and probate law.
Call 303-405-3298 and ask for Legal Self-Help Clinic at least 24 hours in advance.
Sidewalk, curb and gutter program
The city of Brighton’s 50.50 Sidewalk, Curb and Gutter program is under way. The program helps ease the financial costs of maintenance and replacements, according to a statement. Property owners are responsible for that maintenance work. The program halves the replacement costs between the city and the property owner.
The program began in 2004. Last year, it assisted 14 homeowners. To date, the city says the program has saved about $75,000 worth of repairs.
Visit www.brightonco.gov/50-50 to apply. Call 303-655-2036 with questions.
American Legion meets in Brighton
American Legion Post 2002 meets regularly on the second Thursday of each month, and all veterans are invited to attend. Meeting begin at 6:30 p.m. in the United Power headquarters building, 500 Cooperative Way.
Senior meals
Eagle View Adult Center will serve hot VOA lunches on Mondays and Thursdays beginning August 2. Advance reservations are required. Call EVAC 303-655-2075 for more information.
Water payment assistance
Brighton residents who need help in paying their water bills can apply for the new Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, a federal program through the Colorado Department of Human Services.
Requirements include a completed LEAP application, a copy of a water bill and directly paying a water provider for either drinking water and/or sewer and wastewater.
To apply for LEAP and LIHWAP go to colorado.gov/PEAK. Call 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435). There are no minimum or maximum benefits for LIHWAP. This program is first-come, first-serve. Deadline is ongoing until LIHWAP funds run out.
Call 303-655-2009.
Tree program
Trees are available for purchase through the city of Brighton’s 2022 Tree program at brightontreeprogram.com. The idea is to encourage tree planting, species diversity and water conservation within the city, according to a statement.
Thirteen species are available through the program: American Linden, Chinkapin Oak, Cleveland Pear, Osage Orange, Thornless Hawthorn, Ohio Buckeye, Box Elder Maple, Discovery Elm, English Oak, Bur Oak, Hackberry, Northern Catalpa and Hotwings Maple. Each tree costs $75 (maximum of two trees per household).
This program is for Brighton residents only. Ordering is available until all trees are sold out. Trees will arrive in the spring. Participants are responsible for maintenance. Purchased trees have to be planted within the city limits.
To place an order, go to brightonco.gov/treeprogram. Contact arhodebeck@brightonco.gov or call 303-655-2048.
Walk with a doc
Platte Valley Medical Center’s cardiac rehab team and Walk With A Doc will host monthly walks with Dr. Christopher Cannon, an interventional cardiologist at Brighton Heart and Vascular Institute.
This is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. After a few minutes to learn about a current health topic from the doctor, spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and a fun conversation. It’s a great way to get out, get active and enjoy all the benefits that come from walking.
‘Hearts in the Arts’ rental assistance program begins
The Brighton Urban Renewal Authority began the Brighton Hearts in the Arts rental assistance program. It’s designed to help local artists who occupy physical space in the downtown urban renewal area with rent costs.
It’s open to arts-focused nonprofits, according to a statement, plus for-profit art galleries and art studios. Some of the ‘Need-to-meet” criteria include a 501(c)(3) designation and to be sure that the function and mission of the facility is to exhibit, create, present and sell artwork in several forms of media.
Artists can apply for grants that will cover up to half of their annual or monthly lease but no more than $15,000 per year. Visit brightonura.org/176/Brighton-Hearts-the-Arts. Call 303-655-2150 or email aherrera@brightonedc.org.
Meet the mayor
Brighton Mayor Greg Mills wants to meet the public during new, one-on-one meetings. It’s a chance to learn about current projects, new developments and share issues.
Meetings are the third Friday of every month in 15-minute slots, starting at 10:30 a.m. Reserve a time slot at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4caaa62fabf9c34-meet. Indicate whether you want to meet in person at City Hall, 500 S. Fourth Ave., or virtually. Call 303-655-2042.
Eagle Express rides
Barr Lake State Park will offer virtual rides aboard the Eagle Express. Join Ranger Michelle and her friends as they read a story about our natural world that is sure to entertain your preschooler while teaching them about plants, animals and our planet. Call 303-659-6005.
Food resources available
Here’s a list of food programs and resources available during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Bank from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday is open for people who need help with food. Also, donations can be dropped off at 421 Denver Avenue, Fort Lupton. For more information call 303-857-1096.
Brighton Seventh-day Adventist Church, 567 E. Bromley Lane, 10 a.m. to noon, on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month.
Hunger Free Colorado. For anyone who might need help locating food. Call 855-855-4626 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The hotline keeps information confidential and has bilingual staff on hand.
The Colorado Department of Education tracks meal site information for every school by school name and address, including service times, start and end dates and how meals are handed out.
Meals on Wheels delivers hot meals at noon to anyone, regardless of age in Brighton. Meals are delivered on weekdays; customers can choose the days. The cost is $4.25 per meal payable at the end of the month. Call 303-659-0978.
27J Schools have free grab-and-go meals for youngsters up to age 18. Drive-by or walk up between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Vikan Middle School, 879 Jessup St., Overland Trail Middle School, 455 N. 19th Ave., and at Thimmig Elementary School, 11453 Oswego St. Food for Hope is the sponsor.
Chapel Hill Church, 10 Chapel Hill Drive, Brighton, hands out one box of food per family the second and fourth Wednesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and alternating Saturdays at 9:30 a.m.
St. Augustine food pantry, 129 S. Sixth Ave., offers food Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ID and paperwork required. The pantry serves Brighton residents who love between Quebec Street and Cavanaugh Road and between Weld County Road 4 1/2 and 96th Avenue.
Calvary Chapel Brighton Food Pantry, 103 E. Bridge St., Brighton. Open from 4 to 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month.
Community Baptist Church Food Pantry, 15559 Weld County Road 2, Brighton. Open from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays.
Mental health
Community Reach Center offers in-person intake assessments from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays at the Brighton Learning and Resource Campus, 1850 E. Egbert St. in Brighton. Call Community Reach Center at 303-853-3500.
For walk-in intake, bring an ID and insurance information. For those who would prefer to complete the intake forms and schedule an appointment, the intake forms are available online at www.communityreachcenter.org. There will be a short screening for flu-like symptoms before entering the center to ensure safety and wellness for everyone.
Anyone feeling unsafe or suicidal should call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255, text 38255, or visit the Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) Center at 2551 W. 84th Ave., Westminster.
Through an arrangement with The Colorado Spirit Program, there is support for feelings of worry, hopelessness, anger, loss, isolation and disconnection that many individuals are experiencing as a result of the pandemic.
It’s free and confidential. Services include virtual individual and group counseling. community networking and support, assessment and referral to community resources and psychoeducational materials and emotional support. Email J.Sheehan@CommunityReachCenter.org.
Help for vets
Qualified Listeners, a veteran and family resource hub serving northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, has several power chairs, power scooters and electric wheelchairs available.
The VA offers urgent care services to eligible veterans at both VA medical facilities or at in‑network urgent care clinics that are closer to home. Use this benefit to treat minor injuries and illnesses that are not life-threatening, such as colds, strep throat, sprained muscles, and skin and ear infections.
To find the closest facility to you visit www.va.gov/find-locations.
Call 720-600-0860.
Qualified Listeners also needs volunteers to drive veterans to and from appointments, run errands for veterans who cannot get out, handyman services, help administer veteran and family resource guide inventory in local libraries and veterans to be trained to become qualified listeners.