[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6057802,"mediaKeyId","3299831-47bdfc8d2082673bdef51e41969792a6","parentId",3299831,"title","Littleton board hears urban agriculture briefing; presenter urges water, land tenure and partnerships","audioSeconds",4432,"startMs",584000,"endMs",5016000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3299831-47bdfc8d2082673bdef51e41969792a6&start=584&end=5016","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3299831-47bdfc8d2082673bdef51e41969792a6/thumbnail_584000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6057802/Littleton-City/Arapahoe-County/Colorado/Littleton-board-hears-urban-agriculture-briefing-presenter-urges-water-land-tenure-and-partnerships","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057802-83ef1924c014308ffa5ed9c6dfadc977/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191030&Signature=Rb~nt9KmoLVWxq9kYVuXoND2SCTFiS8jGWsw2p1-YafZdKPqPjL7hthk3FD5tZKU18k6vjN4GY4GH5Wz96USaw-P--g~vjSsx71LZthjUWJah2I3Jb4eNUC6CEyQNutDsiDMm4MtiowF0s7ZI88j2wv-HlmtpAmZfNz893VFoyXZk5Ciy7JlVowH0fc1R3zRW0Iygc9CyKXiAlH0ho5ES~zrOu01zz1zthUMXynCfuEK89lfjQRC~DkUL118ZvlsO1CjdgaBa33DmQ0DIavhCQFgHUE3ieZt7MC~b3-52-L83qCj6pf~WXhBNl0gWES-rHbKrGmWFPJbD-uun1v69g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Littleton City, CO","date","2025-05-14T17:43:59Z","article","Dr. Damien Thompson, a sustainable food-systems educator and co‑founder of Frontline Farming, told the Littleton City Environmental Stewardship Board that municipal partnerships with professional community farms can scale local food production, expand food access and support environmental goals.

Thompson said municipal support for land, water access and multi‑year leases are important because “no farmer is going to plant a tree that they're not going to see fruit on for 5 to 7 years if they're not going to be on the land.”

The presentation gave the board a high‑level overview of three municipal models — community farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) and community gardens — and a case study of Frontline Farming’s Majestic View site in Arvada. Thompson described Majestic View as a two‑acre site operated under a lease from the City of Arvada, with an initial five‑year term renewed for a second five‑year term; Frontline Farming reported growing about 22,242 total pounds of produce across its sites last year, roughly half of that from Majestic View. He said the operation combines market sales, a CSA that aims for about 90 members this year, and donated distributions to food‑access partners.

Why it matters: Thompson argued that local food systems can advance climate resilience, provide culturally relevant food, and create public‑facing spaces that increase civic engagement. He recommended Littleton start with existing assets — the Littleton Museum demonstration plots, local community gardens, and regional anchors such as Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield — while planning longer‑term steps to secure land and water for agricultural use.

Key details from the presentation and board discussion:
- Case study: Majestic View partnership. Thompson said Arvada issued a request for proposals for a farming partner and required demonstrated farming capacity and insurance. The city provided land and water access; the farmer (Frontline Farming) managed operations, community engagement, classes and weekly CSA distribution. Thompson said the site now supports a range of activities including beekeeping, seed‑saving classes and value‑added products such as jam and hot sauce.
- Scale and numbers. Thompson described Majestic View as approximately two acres and said Frontline Farming has three sites and a program goal of about 90 CSA members this year; he stated the organization distributes 20–25% of its produce through donation or partner channels and cited historical totals from the group’s distribution records.
- Water and tenure as constraints. Thompson emphasized that water access is “potentially the most, expensive agricultural input” and that land tenure (multi‑year leases) matters so farmers will invest in infrastructure such as season‑extending hoop houses and solar cooling. He cited a Denver water tap cost figure referenced in the session and warned that water arrangements require municipal coordination.
- Implementation levers. Recommended short‑term steps included mapping existing local food assets, expanding CSA pickup and farmers‑market connections (for example at the Littleton Museum), and convening focus groups to assess resident demand. Medium‑term ideas included revising the Environmental Stewardship Action Plan to incorporate urban agriculture in water, natural environment and community well‑being sections, and issuing an RFP for a municipal farming partner modeled on Arvada’s process.

Board members and other participants asked about distribution and equity: Thompson said the organization works with partner food banks and programs (including SNAP/WIC outreach and EBT matching programs) to reach low‑income households and partner nonprofits for direct delivery to service providers. Participants also asked about siting, infrastructure (refrigeration and irrigation) and whether demonstration or historic‑interpretive farm uses at the Littleton Museum could be compatible with production; Thompson said museums can pair historic interpretation with contemporary regenerative practices.

No formal board action was taken; the session concluded with volunteers and staff discussing next steps for mapping local assets and potential partnerships.

Ending: The board agreed to continue the topic at future meetings, with members flagging water access and land tenure as issues requiring staff follow‑up before any formal procurement or lease decisions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Environmental Stewardship Board Meeting - 05-07-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dr. Damien Thompson, a sustainable food‑systems educator and co‑founder of Frontline Farming, told the Littleton City Environmental Stewardship Board that municipal partnerships with professional community farms can scale local food production, expand food access and support environmental goals.","taxTitle","Littleton City, Arapahoe County, Colorado","taxId",52180,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6057791,"Resident urges Littleton to fix staffing, cross‑department coordination and budgeting in environmental action plan; board member offers research to council",303,108000,411000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3299831-47bdfc8d2082673bdef51e41969792a6&start=108&end=411","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3299831-47bdfc8d2082673bdef51e41969792a6/thumbnail_108000.jpg","/articles/6057791/Littleton-City/Arapahoe-County/Colorado/Resident-urges-Littleton-to-fix-staffing-crossdepartment-coordination-and-budgeting-in-environmental-action-plan-board-member-offers-research-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057791-56d0ecd8740e815a4324d5f417812629/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191030&Signature=YsQCuOM7JW8Iwk0zmQqgbJmfuVoWkiXBCsXAc2yZar7Q5rtfsxJ3hHmEx~jmbex-~3XMLA0eGjCU~Z3brdoRXEGx~etjQvaHKlKpXr~PGbYRNkatx9awtGKnXvfjSTQ-ZxRf~9gWWhHmIMWvTNDvJmIhKFf~iE2F1NTuAfQ5BN8RvEnx7EiX77R~NKgfAXMxiBX9BLiDTLPbDa5h3zlRKhXwmyFA0U8Emt7JdT6egak2jlotty8n5P32JwXMXKR8nlyZzZYvoyzG8YzxvF44EhdED6HvUDxCpbBtt4nD339wdD-vw8UiI9kBNBzRZZs79UU4YWQ1q3b7hV3mekBvyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pam Chatburn, a Littleton resident who identified herself during public comment, told the Environmental Stewardship Board she is concerned the city’s Environmental Stewardship Action Plan is not advancing because of staffing gaps and departmental stovepiping.

Chatburn said the plan “isn’t advancing much,” and urged the board and staff to provide a staffing report on the hiring of a replacement arborist and to consider a broader position focused on the living environment rather than a single‑issue role. She also asked the board to integrate a citywide budget outlook that includes general, capital and enterprise funds (stormwater and sewer) and to assess the fiscal threat that underperforming metro district developments could pose to city finances.

Separately, a board member reported they had researched Colorado Communities for Climate Action and its funders and said the organizations supporting it include several environmental nonprofits and foundations; the board member offered to draft a memo for the group to consider forwarding to council for a decision on affiliation or membership. That same board member volunteered to present the draft at a future meeting for board review before it would go to council.

Why it matters: Chatburn framed staffing and interdepartmental coordination as inhibitors to implementing environmental priorities, and she asked for transparency on recruitment and resourcing. The board member’s research flagged funding sources for a potential intergovernmental affiliation and proposed a formal staff/board memo as the next administrative step.

Actions and next steps: No formal action or vote was taken. The board member offered to draft a memo summarizing their findings on Colorado Communities for Climate Action and submit it for review at a future board meeting, where the board could decide whether to recommend council consideration. Chatburn’s requests were entered as public comment and will require staff follow‑up if the board wishes to convert them into formal agenda items.

Ending: The board did not make policy decisions during public comment but recorded the concerns and the volunteer commitment to draft a council memo for future consideration.","During public comment, resident Pam Chatburn told the Environmental Stewardship Board the city’s environmental action plan shows staffing gaps and siloed departments; a board member presented research on Colorado Communities for Climate Action funding and offered to draft a memo to council recommending a membership or next step.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6057797,"Littleton staff brief board on required Colorado model electric, EV‑ and solar‑ready code; adoption slated this summer",1912,5017000,6929000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3299831-47bdfc8d2082673bdef51e41969792a6&start=5017&end=6929","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3299831-47bdfc8d2082673bdef51e41969792a6/thumbnail_5017000.jpg","/articles/6057797/Littleton-City/Arapahoe-County/Colorado/Littleton-staff-brief-board-on-required-Colorado-model-electric-EV-and-solarready-code-adoption-slated-this-summer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057797-b17c85d2e4f159fe76f8e72a77551519/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191030&Signature=SN~SUiJ0gRKc~19Fmdf0Rqzm65jJSD9ttJlPgUvm3UkbwdsgB5r1TKeouPVZU3Bu0TApaqEQxXY8mjIOleavDCSAnQbjAIRFExCUINQMvAQRmau~MXZwgKjrdufwDxnw5W5JCbEnWzTSkbbkB5mI~8SBWvYlQEhdKvpH2luX-0nwikQokX2M56M3FpoCUsk-P2ItBtlxRdco4Qp1RGapwzwrwMo9Fbmt9xRynMe7SalAMVnNuj2M5rR5Wt0SkstGZDzd48WW~tAmZ~Pt3zACoTRvSzEZMvIVVlSvtcYYPcs0ZSZS4u-z6gWgeEk1G6T1ppLfTYF8la~CNhuqUb62gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tim Simon, Littleton’s chief building official, and Greg Lang, the city electrical inspector, told the board that Colorado’s model electric and solar‑ready code will be adopted by municipalities in the current code cycle and that Littleton is preparing to implement it.

Simon told the board: “This is coming, and we're not getting out of adopting this code,” and provided a schedule that would include study sessions and a planned adoption window in the summer code cycle.

What the briefing described
- Scope and timing: The staff presentation explained that the state model and associated appendices (for electric, solar‑ready and related energy codes) are scheduled to be included in the next municipal code adoption cycle. Staff said building permits issued after the local adoption date will be required to comply; staff cited a target adoption date discussed in the presentation for early August.
- EV‑ and solar‑ready elements: For new single‑family homes and townhomes with dedicated parking, the code requires at least one EV‑ready space; staff described EV‑ready as conduit/branch‑circuit work terminating at a receptacle or junction within proximity of the parking space to reduce retrofit costs. The presentation also described a “solar‑ready zone” requirement for roof area on new residential buildings intended to ease later installation of rooftop solar.
- Waivers and thresholds: Presenters noted a waiver mechanism that allows applicants to satisfy requirements by spending a specified share of a project’s mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) budget on EV‑ready infrastructure; staff displayed illustrative tables showing higher percentage requirements for certain commercial and multifamily projects, but emphasized waivers and appeals are part of the administrative process.

Questions and concerns
Board members asked about the likely costs and who bears them (owners vs. first tenants in new commercial shell projects), enforcement capacity and whether grid capacity could constrain implementation. Simon and Lang said larger projects already anticipate solar and electrification, but added that the city will need to balance code adoption with enforcement resources and that the code contains waiver and appeal options for projects that demonstrate practical constraints.

No final local adoption action was taken at the meeting; staff invited board members to a forthcoming study session (as scheduled by the presentation) where the full code package and any proposed local amendments will be discussed in more detail.

Ending: Staff recommended the board review the detailed code language in the posted materials and raise concerns at the study session so any local amendments or enforcement planning can be coordinated before formal adoption.","City building officials told the Environmental Stewardship Board that Colorado's model electric and solar‑ready code must be adopted following the state's timetable; the presentation outlined EV‑ready and solar‑ready requirements, waivers and an adoption schedule, and board members raised questions about costs, enforcement and grid capacity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Littleton board hears urban agriculture briefing; presenter urges water, land tenure and partnerships

Resident urges Littleton to fix staffing, cross‑department coordination and budgeting in environmental action plan; board member offers research to council

Littleton staff brief board on required Colorado model electric, EV‑ and solar‑ready code; adoption slated this summer