[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6594898,"mediaKeyId","3047198-d4c275174e1a447d6fdf711262f09240","parentId",3047198,"title","New Conifer library demo underway; full permits pending as staff prepare programs","audioSeconds",161,"startMs",657000,"endMs",818000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3047198-d4c275174e1a447d6fdf711262f09240&start=657&end=818","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3047198-d4c275174e1a447d6fdf711262f09240/thumbnail_657000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6594898/Colorado/New-Conifer-library-demo-underway-full-permits-pending-as-staff-prepare-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594898-c3870cf93ff373a869e19643c630f8c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770903605&Signature=kddWEzvMgDeFpQWSoEhtSWI6HjS5ywoYCrAPfiv9xTEmC0RmIeAI~CKrBC6fvwFzXfsBOjRuzR6iO~1XgdWDG6WcMI4CHtEODCoC0UMEySLX~Mtyr9REaSiR7uqKdpQWhR-lSuAuKLTReddHfv1ZHziFzE4qznBgWxp59mY7gfp4T7Pnk3TEG7fn1yhvQgk4s5wdGDxrAdmZvrbXRvyE7LH2w2q8I~vTTWd~SwIZPvqGIekuproIO-AXozoUnyPCKRsY8D5ECNN~nlKveaoBiZ9fA16HnbgU8vtp9r6VguTQdQ4vdfreF~6~pLxZKzxljN5hXSscUvOR5-qGpkgv5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Conifer ","date","2025-04-17T17:58:12.943Z","article","Jefferson County Library staff told an April Conifer Area Council meeting that demolition work has begun at the planned Conifer library site and that the library team is completing collection and furniture planning while preparing programs for the move.

\"We have submitted permits for the new Conifer location. We have not received the full permits back yet, but we did get our demo permit a few weeks ago,\" said Jared Johnson, public services manager for the new Conifer Library. He said demolition work at the Safeway-adjacent site is wrapping up and the team expects to receive full building permits in the coming weeks and then move into the build-out phase.

Johnson described features planned for the new library: a study room with a television, two main spaces that can combine into a single room, and dedicated children's, teen and adult areas with comfortable seating and study booths. He said staff have selected fabric options for furniture and are coordinating with Conifer High School to convert the current library space into a school library, leaving selected materials and some furniture for classroom use.

Johnson also promoted existing programs: weekly story time on Saturdays from 10:15 to 10:45 and a summer reading challenge that kicks off on June 1. He directed residents to jeffcolibrary.org for building and program updates and said staff would be available after the presentations for questions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Conifer Area Council Town Hall - April 16 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Jefferson County library staff reported demolition work has begun at the future Conifer library site near Safeway after receipt of a demolition permit; full construction permits are pending and staff said they are shifting materials at the current school-based library.","taxTitle","Conifer, Jefferson County, Colorado","taxId",62193,"location","Colorado","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6594903,"Jefferson County planning staff: 28 active Conifer cases; Together Jeffco comment review continuing",293,340000,633000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3047198-d4c275174e1a447d6fdf711262f09240&start=340&end=633","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3047198-d4c275174e1a447d6fdf711262f09240/thumbnail_340000.jpg","/articles/6594903/Colorado/Jefferson-County-planning-staff-28-active-Conifer-cases-Together-Jeffco-comment-review-continuing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594903-d901fe43e6eb4f52c7e4b04a4317cabf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770903605&Signature=LwnMGywoCGeT512PZdfTO5t7MVgITPre40HwgZddIbqZDsK0hrA1uDj95Or0C8L9eqWW3MYf04--TRxRt3esYblQWFNKy-SEMItBPjeD4NV-730Di686wN8FRcrieE02b6C~NwrO3RBGRS0lR-a5INHDgh4a8Yci3~m16Y8WKirzP7107kyzjiifKox0KUNqQGkgQia5Cd3bRir2L96OMhG2dTZ7WJJqSizmyFCtqb8dBnsAqTo8rwgqypXymazceI9zKs3TXO1caks1Deoqhyb6WDv41G5Jdqwxc9-fvHhX289YC9o33J33qOIBaOsT6kcHPb8pB7kVpaZ3s1F0iQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Jefferson County Planning & Zoning long-range staff member updated Conifer residents at the April town hall about active development cases and the Together Jeffco comprehensive-plan process.

Heather (Jefferson County Planning & Zoning, Long Range Planning) said there are 28 active Conifer-area cases on the county list and that many pre-application filings do not advance to full formal applications, estimating \"about 40 to 50% of these never move on to a formal application.\" She summarized several key items: a proposed three-lot subdivision on roughly 50 acres near Pine Junction using existing zoning; a pre-application request to rezone a parcel near Flat River Road to allow four rental cabins and a main lodge; and a rezoning case near U.S. 285 and Richmond Hill Road that the Board of County Commissioners approved to change parcel designation from Agricultural-2 (10-acre lots) to Agricultural-1 (5-acre lots) contingent on special wildfire policies.

Heather also described a separate rezoning and site-development plan near Conifer High School to allow light industrial uses, office, limited outdoor storage and residential uses; that case had moved from sufficiency review into first referral since the last meeting.

On the county's comprehensive-plan process, Heather said the Together Jeffco draft documents and transportation mobility plan generated strong public interest: outreach included notices to more than 10,000 newsletter subscribers and the county received roughly 750 comments in total — about 200 on the mobility plan and 550 on the comprehensive plan. She said staff are working through every comment and will publish a spreadsheet showing all comments and the county's responses when review is complete.

Heather invited residents to review the development report list and to speak with county staff after the meeting for case-specific questions.","Jefferson County Planning staff reported 28 active Conifer-area development cases, summarized several pre-application and rezoning matters, and said the Together Jeffco comprehensive-plan effort received roughly 750 comments now under review.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6594906,"State health officials brief Conifer crowd on PFAS tests, private-well program",282,938000,1220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3047198-d4c275174e1a447d6fdf711262f09240&start=938&end=1220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3047198-d4c275174e1a447d6fdf711262f09240/thumbnail_938000.jpg","/articles/6594906/Colorado/State-health-officials-brief-Conifer-crowd-on-PFAS-tests-private-well-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594906-45417b3ac61ea620f989104036de6fda/orig.mp4?Expires=1770903605&Signature=lXBqP86tbzhkGlkLLdl85PTHVW~Koooil1lNbNnC5-luCfmMBRitHCvT1Jvq~fF-kAP6fo8pgGRLy-TS0zc6qEIGxWG655qojHfbpdYJjvQsv6R80iGqerJgCp2iwnPlL~hGK9Z2P5Xdmwe9xodT46Tm2vpjPzP8ami5hO~IGg0VDTQ0r8IiBaauJkFJEXHn-MFDW5v4ubew~08XXvTTfcxoV8QgXmHaEgdYkHanPkgSx83fkeTHMuT9NfAGQEnxbKHCvqzel1GlwIYTtnp4uW9~YSoiYqQ1aWb-ezcBnANu23p~XQ6pgD3~dtqNZzN4SzNCIicdSC6c-LWIGy859g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State health officials told an April Conifer Area Council town hall that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread, persistent chemicals, that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set maximum contaminant levels for some PFAS compounds, and that Colorado is rolling out testing and support for private wells.

\"We call it PFAS for a reason,\" said David (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment), using the agency's shorthand for \"per and polyfluoroalkyl substances.\" He explained PFAS are a family of man-made chemicals resistant to heat, oil and stains and that they do not break down easily, can accumulate in people and wildlife, and have been linked in studies to health risks. David said the EPA last year finalized maximum contaminant levels for a subset of PFAS and that public water systems must follow those limits and take action if levels exceed them.

David said public systems in the Conifer area that have tested so far are not currently serving drinking water above EPA maximum contaminant levels; however, he said well water samples at Conifer High School and Conifer Medical Center previously showed higher levels and that both sites have treatment in place and have notified users. \"We have a grant program to support testing for our public water systems, and when we do find higher levels, we partner with them to reduce the exposure,\" he said.

Kelsey (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment) spoke about private wells: \"Private wells are not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.\" She said a pilot private-well testing program in Bailey in 2024 led to a statewide roll-out that will offer a free PFAS test for private-well users beginning in May, and that filtration assistance will be available for participants who meet certain PFAS level and income eligibility requirements.

Officials said the department will make testing results public via an online dashboard and that public water providers will be required to complete a series of tests and report results. Attendees were directed to the CDPHE table at the meeting for program materials and to speak with health-education staff about private-well testing.","Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment staff explained PFAS health concerns, said public systems with elevated levels are being treated, and announced a statewide private-well PFAS testing program with free tests and potential filtration assistance.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6594911,"Conifer-area leaders push wildfire preparedness as Jefferson County affirms fire district unification",1839,1327000,3166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3047198-d4c275174e1a447d6fdf711262f09240&start=1327&end=3166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3047198-d4c275174e1a447d6fdf711262f09240/thumbnail_1327000.jpg","/articles/6594911/Colorado/Conifer-area-leaders-push-wildfire-preparedness-as-Jefferson-County-affirms-fire-district-unification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594911-74b3fe6762044e24518dac405466faf4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770903605&Signature=WW4hWtSpZzzcbO4PdEjRCj7PG3OsWw7QIk270h2E42FTqWFYckOczOF3osJax-EXNnK7WkpYTtD~OyuXPpzteptprjt6IzRS30K9XiqfdczO-x5-YQjSQsvhYBEn4wFXM5xTFFBhLzVUiVHqn1fG8tveWsodwiur~3eFULqWWIPFpo2fS1bq-7MY-l-~4BrIDfXbHL-z98L9d2RCKu0W052bJT6cNgbZ9BRbAwXMzIlVWqffr3pbyiIRYg5c-AiBVTR6MD31vy4BxUlUEhqCflNBNk8bniGn2nB5m29PVQWtGb3zFf713eGkZLb7RF90rhZmPThosWCBL44TdG5ExA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At an April town-hall meeting organized by the Conifer Area Council, local fire officials, volunteer groups and county leaders emphasized wildfire preparedness and evacuation planning, and Jefferson County commissioners said they recently affirmed Elk Creek Fire Protection District's unification.

Commissioner Rachel Zentzinger, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners, told the gathering that the county on April 8 \"affirmed Elk Creek Fire Protection District's unification efforts\" in a unanimous vote, and that the county found the agency had followed \"the state statutes and exclusion requirements.\" The commissioners said the decision clears a legal step in the unification process.

Conifer Fire leaders described administrative and operational changes following recent unification of local districts. Curt Rogers, chief of Conifer Fire Protection District, said the agencies have combined administrative functions since the beginning of the year. Deputy Chief Skip Shirlaw noted training and staffing progress, saying the district \"just this evening finished our first Conifer Fire EMT class,\" and that 10 community members completed EMT training and will be deployed for emergency medical calls.

Captain John Mandel and other wildfire staff urged residents to sign up for emergency alerts and learn their evacuation planning unit. Mandel said the county and dispatch have refined planning-unit data since last summer and urged residents to use the online interactive map and the sheriff's Lookout Alert system to receive notifications. \"If you do not know what planning unit you are in, I invite you over to the Conifer'and Elk Creek ambassador table,\" Mandel said. Deputy Chief Shirlaw added: \"Please, please, please get on the sheriff's website\"

Nonprofit and volunteer groups described community-level preparedness work. Emma Peterson of the American Red Cross said the organization provides sheltering, recovery casework, mental-health and medication-replacement services after fires and other disasters, and noted shelters are predetermined through local partnerships and typically operate in facilities such as middle schools. Rotary Wildfire Ready volunteer Sharon Trope described the group's education, early-warning cameras and fuel-break work and invited volunteers to help thinning along Highway 73.

The Mountain Metro Association of Realtors said it has developed wildfire education courses for agents and is promoting an ambassador program so new residents receive home-hardening guidance. Lindy Loek, CEO of Mountain Metro Association of Realtors, said the association trains members as \"mountain area specialists\" to inform buyers and sellers about wildfire risk and mitigation.

Jefferson County officials described training and planning investments. Commissioner Zentzinger highlighted a Department of Homeland Security grant that allowed the sheriff's office to acquire a simulation table (SimTable) for wildfire training and said the county plans to make the tool available to other communities. She also noted county emergency manager Nathan Whittington was recognized as Colorado's Emergency Manager of the Year.

Volunteers and agencies encouraged actions residents can take now: register for sheriff Lookout Alert; identify planning-unit evacuation routes using county maps; create a go-kit with medications and pet supplies; and engage with local ambassadors for home-hardening guidance. Several presenters noted the region's continuing hot, dry forecast and the need to treat evacuation as the primary safety measure in extreme incidents.

Votes at a glance: Jefferson County Board of Commissioners affirmed Elk Creek Fire Protection District unification (unanimous; vote count not specified). A rezoning case near U.S. 285 and Richmond Hill Road was reported as approved by the Board of County Commissioners (see separate planning article for details).","At an April Conifer Area Council town hall, local fire officials, nonprofits and county commissioners urged residents to sign up for evacuation alerts and prepare defensible space. Jefferson County commissioners reported a unanimous April 8 affirmation of Elk Creek Fire Protection District's unification.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

New Conifer library demo underway; full permits pending as staff prepare programs

Jefferson County planning staff: 28 active Conifer cases; Together Jeffco comment review continuing

State health officials brief Conifer crowd on PFAS tests, private-well program

Conifer-area leaders push wildfire preparedness as Jefferson County affirms fire district unification