[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6536866,"mediaKeyId","3660931-fa6f79358377f3ec7272728849a53dad","parentId",3660931,"title","Council names Jessica Sandgren as CML voting delegate; Justin Martinez named alternate","audioSeconds",139,"startMs",5206000,"endMs",5345000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3660931-fa6f79358377f3ec7272728849a53dad&start=5206&end=5345","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3660931-fa6f79358377f3ec7272728849a53dad/thumbnail_5206000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6536866/Thornton-City/Adams-County/Colorado/Council-names-Jessica-Sandgren-as-CML-voting-delegate-Justin-Martinez-named-alternate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536866-f538c1ad64afae6ca4e47edb499795f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156142&Signature=egXUQuBXJCyVlT2xx9pFD6HYRZ2pLqj3A2KZpFWXrQ4a37-3PU4TE7NEo8sUy~2HYJfJ~65yj4AhfMI1nGxkE0fSMlQaR~8NOco5m6H64H-xQBBeJXK0oK2FioCqtldZ6CvhHked8c3zTL8uvxFfhrQQs19yI3xTf-uY18eJ68nuU4EpTae1-1trXXPVKEt4zi7T0h4YhOzakYDbqXtNpkrv7r24vq3Aap0bk12CD0PMb6D4V~aE~YwMIxVs86DX1NWPRZP50brLUJ2wB9ptIigRl727JRQllBiLcWrLFPYAQHEpj1lFEO~Sn6ABqdn5Qglq5fXFht64ajVR7eNk9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Thornton CO","date","2025-06-04T19:57:55Z","article","Thornton City Council designated Councilmember Jessica Sandgren as the city’s voting delegate for the Colorado Municipal League (CML) business meeting and named Councilmember Justin Martinez as the alternate.

Rob (staff) asked whether the council was comfortable designating a delegate; council members agreed to appoint Sandgren as primary and Martinez as the alternate. Rob noted the CML business meeting is scheduled for June 26 during the conference in Breckenridge. Council deferred naming a delegate for the National League of Cities meeting in November until travel plans firm up.

Why it matters: The voting delegate casts the municipality’s votes on association business at the CML meeting; the designation allows Thornton’s delegates to participate in candidate and policy business at the statewide municipal conference.

Speakers in this item included Rob (staff) and council members Jessica Sandgren and Justin Martinez.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Thornton City Council Planning Session - June 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council designated Councilmember Jessica Sandgren to cast Thornton’s votes at the Colorado Municipal League business meeting and named Councilmember Justin Martinez as alternate; the National League of Cities designation will be set later.","taxTitle","Thornton City, Adams County, Colorado","taxId",5596,"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},6536871,"Thornton parks staff previews busy festival season, 70th‑anniversary ideas and Veterans Day planning",1013,5927000,6940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3660931-fa6f79358377f3ec7272728849a53dad&start=5927&end=6940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3660931-fa6f79358377f3ec7272728849a53dad/thumbnail_5927000.jpg","/articles/6536871/Thornton-City/Adams-County/Colorado/Thornton-parks-staff-previews-busy-festival-season-70thanniversary-ideas-and-Veterans-Day-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536871-dceef36b29aed5defa989b330621c8f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156142&Signature=jTqcpssPmDytDWP1nfJtFYI0h11F9FgkhSFUEFqSmRAwlH8x-NGNzREwVNybLwgzBLcgjY-XtWiap7KEeH2Cl-7kOFi3FLl~ZNaGC33HlEBteXbXlXL1orAJ3Pn5uo7AbUxw5VupVk2ZSTBaGa2cYsd4mof2O1nAbjMm0liTBNk~J~w9Pk-6345glWAiEfaYpo~z4tmiVhZ9qwfP3HGawXRbAbXG6oo8FvEAaXGjGfGgloyPZzK8PWITZJEy4KwNsJrymrEYTv-r1NAG5dIex8Jcnmrd7JffilXBMhEey~B0iUIhWurK-XwjBYJ8nU2rbSOEtGDy2zBF7UkSNTnaaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Thornton’s Parks and Recreation staff laid out a packed events calendar for 2025 and previewed programming for the coming weeks, including ThorntonFest (in four days), the city’s July 4 celebration and longer‑range ideas tied to Thornton’s 70th anniversary.

Recreation Superintendent Chris Steinke described ThorntonFest as an expanded, four‑day event that will include a 200‑car car show produced with Twisted Steel, a Colorado Disc Dog competition, a Paw Fest pet area, 20 food vendors, about 80 marketplace vendors and free carousel rides at Carpenter Park. \"ThorntonFest will have 20 plus acres of fun and entertainment,\" Steinke told council.

Steinke said the festival will also feature a skate park competition, a kids’ corner with multiple vendors and activities (climbing wall, inflatables, mini train) and new programming including boxing demonstrations hosted in partnership with the Thornton Boxing Club. Council members were given VIP lanyards and were told reserved parking will be available in Carpenter Recreation Center’s south lot.

Steinke reviewed the city’s other headline events: the July 4 program — with a mayor’s remarks and main‑stage entertainment before fireworks timed with a skydiver landing — Harvest Fest in October at Community Park, and a multi‑day WinterFest with family activities. Staff said the city removed an expensive drone show from WinterFest planning after budget review; the drone option cost the city about $27,000, while the fireworks budget line was roughly $9,000.

Special events and community outreach
Steinke summarized a long list of special events and community programs through the year, including Juneteenth, Pride, a new DinoFest (a STEM‑oriented youth festival planned with community partners), bike‑to‑work locations, a car show, family fishing day at Carpenter Park and a fall trunk‑or‑treat. He said some programs are still being finalized and that staff will continue outreach to cultural organizations; council members asked staff to engage Servicios de la Raza and other community connectors for Dia de los Muertos and other culturally focused events.

Seventieth anniversary and Veterans Day
Staff floated ideas for Thornton’s 70th anniversary — a potential Guinness World Record attempt, expanded entertainment, a laser show and a history tent — and requested council input on marketing and priorities. On Veterans Day, staff asked council to support a community‑led planning committee; council members directed staff to inventory memorials and military‑centric public art and to return with options for a more central, coordinated observance.

Why it matters: Thornton’s events are a primary gathering point in a city without a traditional downtown; staff said events are part of broader community building and help drive tourism, vendor income and community cohesion.

Speakers in this article include Chris Steinke, recreation superintendent; and several council members who discussed outreach and logistics.","Parks and Recreation staff reviewed a summer festival calendar — ThorntonFest in four days, July 4 fireworks, plus Harvest Fest and WinterFest — outlined special events and proposed ideas for the city’s 70th anniversary; staff also sought community help to plan a community‑led Veterans Day observance.",{"_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},6536875,"Council backs final development‑code changes, sends draft to planning commission and schedules public hearings",6634,3102000,9736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3660931-fa6f79358377f3ec7272728849a53dad&start=3102&end=9736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3660931-fa6f79358377f3ec7272728849a53dad/thumbnail_3102000.jpg","/articles/6536875/Thornton-City/Adams-County/Colorado/Council-backs-final-developmentcode-changes-sends-draft-to-planning-commission-and-schedules-public-hearings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536875-ea80c37f864fe790b378006add9625bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156142&Signature=Omx4~HdGTsoBIzTJc8vQnoUrLJw48bvO6rHy2sd~ULEQQkzmX9ceRZV4EwP1LrUjvbm79anU6R~oQ0Mfrp0Ps2FdT4OpynYp48Es59dppwy6FOHgXUotbFTebSXrtc5seJYeAbGrWSKuMlW~FyF6WpljZLOs5vJyyPy8DX~nqVY-QTJRuiWF0M6g7rRfDPBoZ2E6ICkp583KeanJJnFr6Qmlzx-k0ZJY~6HckbNfR~9X8m-n2tTQCHvWhci3j2mGzGetC6C2h~qUa78diOyVsuovQ3hPQVwCsHbj-5PR-VLF47dzKSL48q3jP7rJK6i~ldXMPgRQWPu5IS-w8AGUyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Thornton City Council reviewed the final draft of the city’s updated development code and directed staff to move forward to the Planning Commission public hearing process, while providing specific policy directions on housing types, TOD guidance, façade standards, drive‑through circulation and parking connectivity.

Staff and consultants presented the update as the product of an approximately two‑year outreach effort intended to increase housing choice, modernize development standards and make review more objective. Karen Wodofsky, the city’s long‑range planning manager, said the ordinance will be followed by a second cleanup ordinance and a public hearing timeline. \"This code isn't gonna be perfect,\" she told council. Staff said the final draft will be renumbered and formatted to match the city's codification service prior to hearings and that any substantive additional changes after the packet deadline would have to await future amendments.

Housing and lot standards
Council directed staff to add cottage‑housing as an allowable use in the new Residential Low (RL) district with a recommended cap of roughly four to six units per lot and to permit reduced lot sizes in green‑court and motor‑court configurations, while preserving minimum lot widths for front‑loaded garages. Council members said cottage housing and motor‑court designs can increase attainable options without overturning the neighborhood scale. Staff noted the city will engage a housing‑affordability consultant after adoption to recommend targeted code changes.

Transit‑oriented development and ground‑floor commercial
Staff recommended updating station area typologies as a follow‑on project rather than embedding major changes in the code; council agreed. The draft requires a commercial component for large TODs (25% of ground‑floor area of a development), which staff said was reduced from earlier proposals and was acceptable to at least two developers who reviewed it.

Façade materials and architectural standards
Council agreed to a compromise on façade requirements to lower developer costs while preserving quality: for multiunit‑residential buildings, staff will allow a single Type‑1 (high‑quality) façade on most buildings, while nonresidential corner buildings should retain two higher‑quality facades. Council also approved lowering the required coverage of the most expensive cladding materials (brick/stone) on multiunit Type‑1 facades from 50% to 40% to allow more design flexibility and cost savings; staff retained authority to approve alternative materials in cases that demonstrate design merit.

Drive‑throughs, circulation and parking
Council reaffirmed a standard that generally prohibits drive‑through lanes from wrapping between a building and the public street in pedestrian‑oriented districts. Staff said applicants can pursue special reviews (special use permits or planned‑development overlays) where site constraints exist; drive‑throughs still require stacking studies and a review of traffic impacts. Council also retained the proposed parking‑lot connectivity standard (the draft’s 70% connected drive‑aisle guideline) after staff clarified the rule applies on a lot‑by‑lot basis and will not force cross‑access easements onto uncooperative neighboring property owners.

Sidewalks, pedestrian access and bike parking
Staff made modest adjustments after feedback: sidewalks for smaller buildings were reduced from 10 to 8 feet in some cases, but protections for pedestrian connectivity were preserved. Council also directed that when vehicle parking reductions are approved via adjustment, bicycle‑parking requirements should not be reduced proportionally and that long‑term bike parking in individual dwelling units should generally not replace secure common long‑term bicycle parking required for multifamily developments.

Oil and gas
Staff reminded council that oil and gas production sites remain subject to state and Chapter 18, Article 5 regulations and that municipalities have limited authority to ban production outright; the city attorney's office will prepare an options report on near‑term local measures.

Schedule and implementation
Council instructed staff to take the draft to the Planning Commission on July 1, and the council packet will include a first reading on July 22 and a second reading Aug. 12 if timing holds. Staff said applications submitted before the July 22 vote will be processed under the current code; the city will pause new applications briefly between the adoption steps to prepare the application packet and online materials and will begin accepting applications under the new code on Sept. 1.

Why it matters: The changes aim to expand housing options, streamline review and prioritize pedestrian safety and design quality. Council members stressed balancing neighborhood compatibility, affordability and market realities.

Speakers quoted in this article include long‑range planning manager Karen Wodofsky, planning director Mike Garrett, consultants and multiple council members.","Council reviewed the final development code draft, directed staff on options to increase housing choices (adding cottage housing, reducing certain lot sizes), affirmed limits on drive‑throughs and parking‑lot connectivity, and set a public‑hearing schedule with planning commission review on July 1 and council readings in July and August.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536877,"Council hears parks and recreation visioning plan and equity‑tool demo; consultants outline targeted outreach",776,1321000,2097000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3660931-fa6f79358377f3ec7272728849a53dad&start=1321&end=2097","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3660931-fa6f79358377f3ec7272728849a53dad/thumbnail_1321000.jpg","/articles/6536877/Thornton-City/Adams-County/Colorado/Council-hears-parks-and-recreation-visioning-plan-and-equitytool-demo-consultants-outline-targeted-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536877-4df58b827b51b5bfa05807a9b4ad42ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156142&Signature=AgPPkEfqbRQ5GcRP-uBag3MyPJzqzS4N9n2L1C4dsRYCkrM0fDRaPVPGzFhKTQNX2ucWo6nN-rYyp7uK2RJPf4vumEn34PuB37Cd4mCJcGZnQlPkATaEuH5ZrgqcGEBeXkgCR-trT1owMeomCjvOLYuk8nm0rzHCONQ1~IFq2bguvM4kPfA1kdt~gW2nMGEdbiXQIkHTmZB24sLR-TUPYzZeV2yVDqRP1lu5Ue6qK1ubcrHA22pi9rawNoUAezAXI62AhZSjBCaExLwyzOKHivFqvf3itiXvFb4ShVDjphe0PJHKYiBAD2s4~S-HnhdoPKfG8-mGjcY9Q5iuIQdVpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants and city staff presented the Parks, Recreation and Community Programs Visioning Plan, describing a multistage planning process, community outreach and a new interactive “equity tool” designed to help prioritize park investments.

Jeff Loesergan of HR Green described the project’s three phases and five task buckets — process design, data collection, public involvement, alternative concepts and a written plan — and said the team will produce a 20‑year vision and a two‑to‑five year capital improvement strategy. \"We want to establish a comprehensive vision for the plan,\" he told council members.

Bryn Hilder Hulson of HR Green said the equity tool will be an online, GIS‑based dashboard that pulls quantitative and qualitative data into a single interface to help staff and the public identify parks with the greatest need for investment. \"It is an online EIS‑based interactive and accessible platform using a diverse set of data to help in measuring which of the city parks and recreation centers have the greatest need for investment and improvement,\" Hulson said. She cited examples in Atlanta and Tacoma and said Thornton staff will be able to test the tool in June before a broader public launch.

Consultants and city staff emphasized targeted outreach to Hispanic and Latino residents after community interviews indicated traditional public‑meeting formats were less effective. The team described plans to partner with the Thornton Police Department and community connectors and to host engagement at local soccer events at Sky Park, where organizers plan bilingual staff and interactive attractions to draw participants.

Project staff reported the public survey has been active for several weeks and described early results: \"When we developed these slides, we had 60 responses. We're up to 185 now,\" Daniel Estes of CDR said. Estes summarized emerging themes: respondents generally rated current parks and programming about 3.5 out of 5 for both quality and accessibility and identified shade, restroom facilities and improved trail connections as common needs.

Council members asked about equity scoring, data sources and how the equity tool will inform funding decisions. Staff said the tool will link to the city’s capital planning and strategic priorities, and that a technical advisory group of roughly 42 members helped refine the indicators.

Next steps: staff said they will continue public engagement through June, including ThorntonFest and targeted events, and will bring an interactive budgeting exercise to council or provide it offline if the meeting runs long. The consultants said they will continue refining the equity tool and present additional public‑touch points to show how community input shaped the plan.

Speakers in this story include Jeff Loesergan and Bryn Hilder Hulson (HR Green), Daniel Estes (CDR), Mayor Jan Coleman and Councilmember Justin Martinez.","Consultants presented a parks and recreation visioning process that includes an interactive equity tool, targeted Hispanic/Latino outreach and an open community survey; consultants said the equity dashboard will be available for staff testing in June.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536878,"Council signals consensus to appoint Valentina to Parks, Recreation and Open Space advisory commission",1297,18000,1315000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3660931-fa6f79358377f3ec7272728849a53dad&start=18&end=1315","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3660931-fa6f79358377f3ec7272728849a53dad/thumbnail_18000.jpg","/articles/6536878/Thornton-City/Adams-County/Colorado/Council-signals-consensus-to-appoint-Valentina-to-Parks-Recreation-and-Open-Space-advisory-commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536878-6eb876a8643a4d9ffe73f9282a14eb8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156142&Signature=DlIBHcwf53tLf43KNgEqYEeRLDydXJVc-0VuFotCrsEQ-i5cLCeNQeVm~wap3eu~RrdxsXQYXyEV3oaEhwLcmxBCWLhxOoFrP7WnfqzjjnGgxjHq3DioP4v~Zzk3LeLBvEXwTVTdmH9hMz9HAFuOH9gz6yGz9lKP6yIsXrzjquMUODHSeX-V5fDzFXItP~qoLLdqaxz9EcVvQ9jB4vbcWNOxKhrsznxzCiC3iQoRT1xlrDGWxTn5NxBFvmiUb5X7AJ5zgGbbi9i97sxeZtkbKBaLkURlt1lkyntsnmaS89WUEZ5PIrlUslGDu5Q206hiowty-l9ph2yYCSdXM~EO6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Thornton City Council indicated a consensus to appoint Valentina to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Advisory Commission after interviewing three Ward 3 candidates during its meeting.

The interviews included applicants Tim Lindo and Albert Kendrick; Valentina had been interviewed at an earlier session. Tim Lindo described a long personal connection to city parks: \"I have loved the park system since I've been a kid,\" he told council members while describing growing up near Eastlake and participating in local recreation programs. After hearing from the two candidates interviewed at the meeting, council members said they favored the candidate previously interviewed, and Mayor Jan Coleman said, \"Erin? Valentina. So it looks like we have consensus for Valentina.\" Council members said the mayor and staff will place a formal appointment on the consent agenda at the next council meeting for final approval.

Why it matters: The appointment fills a single vacancy for Ward 3 on the commission. Council members said they extended the application period earlier to ensure a robust pool of applicants; one Ward 1 applicant withdrew. Council members emphasized interest in candidates with community involvement and practical park experience. In discussion after the interviews, members cited accessibility and neighborhood balance as priorities for the commission's work.

The commission advises staff and council on park planning, open-space acquisition and recreation programming. Council members said park accessibility — including play areas, restroom upgrades and equitable distribution of facilities across the city — are issues the commission will help shape.

What happens next: Council indicated it will place Valentina’s appointment on the consent agenda at the next meeting for formal approval.

Speakers cited in this article include Jan Coleman, mayor; Jessica Sandgren, council member Ward 2; Roberta Ayala, council member Ward 2; Justin Martinez, council member Ward 1; Tim Lindo, applicant; Albert Kendrick, applicant; and Valentina (applicant).","After interviewing three Ward 3 applicants, council members said they reached consensus to place Valentina on the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Advisory Commission; formal appointment will appear on the consent agenda next week.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council names Jessica Sandgren as CML voting delegate; Justin Martinez named alternate

Thornton parks staff previews busy festival season, 70th‑anniversary ideas and Veterans Day planning

Council backs final development‑code changes, sends draft to planning commission and schedules public hearings

Council hears parks and recreation visioning plan and equity‑tool demo; consultants outline targeted outreach

Council signals consensus to appoint Valentina to Parks, Recreation and Open Space advisory commission