Summary

What just happened in Edgewater? What is on the horizon? The Edgewater Echo has the latest

Edgewater Echoes — Looking Back

• On National Suicide Day, Desmond Holly took his own life after shooting two other students at Evergreen High School.
  
  • The two victims remain hospitalized, with one in critical condition. 
  • The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released a report Friday with more details. According to ADL research, Holly had a “WatchPeopleDie” account, had expressed neo-Nazi views, indicated he was interested in other school shootings, and regularly posted white supremacist content on his social media accounts.
  • Colorado Gives Foundation is raising money for victims and the Evergreen community.
    
  • Read more: Denver Post; Colorado Public Radio; New York Times

• The horrible tragedy at a Jefferson County School did not stop one of the school district’s employees from making a heinous post about Wednesday’s other horrific shooting, in which conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was killed during a speaking appearance Utah Valley University.
  • Nimita Weiss, the school district’s Diversity and Equity Specialist, said on social media: “I don’t support what happened to Charlie. Charlie supported what happened to Charlie.”
  • Lindsay Datko, founder of JeffCo Kids First, is raising alarm.
    
    
• Four candidates are running for the Edgewater City Council this November; each will win election, as only four seats are contested.
  
  
  • Yes, but your vote still counts! One of the four open seats is a vacancy in the middle of a four-year term. Therefore, the candidate who receives the fewest votes will serve only a two-year term.
    
  • Three incumbents are running: Joel Newton, Lilly Steirer, and Hannah Gay Keao. Mark Stechschulte, who currently serves on the History, Arts, Recreation, and Parks board, is the fourth candidate.
    
  • Incumbent Mayor Steve Conklin is running for re-election. Cassidy Binder has filed as a write-in candidate.

• The Edgewater Books Writing Group kicked off! The group will meet twice per month at the Public Market. The next one is Friday, September 26th. 

Edgewater Echoes — Looking Forward 

• Girls Who Code Club starts this week at Lumberg Elementary. There are still spots!
• STREET SWEEPING is this week. Be sure to move your cars. Here is the schedule.
• This Tuesday, the 16th, Council meets at 6:30pm at the Civic Center. Here is the pre-read packet. If you can’t attend in person, you can participate remotely.  The Council will:
  • Consider a resolution adopting the updated Sustainability Plan (read the Echo’s recent write-up)
  • Consider two resolutions related to excavation permits.
  • Discuss neighborhood compliance and enforcement of city codes.
• This Tuesday the 16th there is a Sustainability Seminar on “Edgewater’s Food Forest”. According to the city, “Attendees will learn what plant species thrive locally and how to select, plant, and care for them.” Attend at 6 pm at the Vietnamese Baptist Church.
  
  
• On Wednesday the 17th, Council member Joel Newton will be a guest bartender on at Joyride Brewing.
  
  
• On Friday the 19th, from 9-10:30am, you can attend Coffee & Conversation with the City Council.
• On Sunday the 21st, from 10-11:30, you can volunteer with the Sloan’s Lake Park Foundaiton for a Clean Up.
• On Saturday the 27th, you can volunteer in the morning with Jefferson County on National Public Lands Day.
  
  
• HOMETOWN FEST! Edgewater’s largest city gathering is from 2-8:30pm on Saturday the 27th. 
  • The city is looking for volunteers.
• The city is hiring. They seek a Police Officer ($62k-$91k/yr) and a Rec Specialst for Facilities. 

Colorado Connection 

• SPORTS | The Broncos ownership group announced plans for a privately funded new stadium at Burnham yard. The Mayor and Governor are supportive; the current stadium site at Mile High would be converted into parks and housing. (Denver 7).
  

• POLITICS | Republican State Senator Barb Kirkmeyer is running for Governor. According to CBS News Colorado, “She is the biggest Republican name to enter the race.” 
  • Meanwhile, former member of Congress Yadira Caraveo dropped out of the competitive Democratic primary in the 8th Congressional District. She cited the stigmatization of mental health, but others say she has mistreated her staff during previous mental health episodes.
    

• WATER | The Colorado Sun reports: “The Colorado River Basin has operated in the red for most of the 21st century. Experts call for broad water cuts, now.”
  

• HEALTH | Governor Polis told Congress that health insurance premiums on the state exchange will increase if they don’t take action. 280,000 Coloradans get their health insurance on the marketplace. (Colorado Pulblic Radio)

 

Correction: A previous version of this newsletter said Edgewater residents would vote on a tax increase for the South Metro Fire District. Edgewater is a part of the West Metro Fire District, and Edgewater voters will not vote in 2025 on any tax increase for fire protection.