This month's Sentinel contains information from the Town’s various departments and community partners. Below are announcements for events like the month-long Marshall Fire Commemoration and guides for the holidays from Superior Chamber and others. Also, don’t miss registration for the Stocking Run; a chilly, fun, and family-friendly community event!

Because the newsletter is packed with goodies for you, we encourage you to use the Quick Navigation links below which will help you move directly to your area of interest!

Our Town Board and Town Staff wish you the very best during the holiday season. Happy December!

As the one-year anniversary of the devastating Marshall Fire approaches, affected residents in Superior, Louisville, and unincorporated Boulder County are organizing various events to mark this milestone, and local municipalities and nonprofits are partnering to ensure residents have access to important resources. 

On December 30, 2021, the Marshall Fire swept through the Town of Superior, City of Louisville, and unincorporated Boulder County, destroying and damaging more than 1,000 homes and over 30 commercial structures. While the healing and rebuilding process continues, anniversaries of traumatic events such as the Marshall Fire often trigger increased emotional distress for survivors.

A steering committee comprised of fire survivors and other residents supported by the City, Town, Boulder County, and other organizations, has planned a number of events to commemorate the anniversary, including a pet memorial, a solidarity breakfast, a weekend of healing, and more. Visit the Boulder County Commemoration Website for more information about these events.

The Solidarity Breakfast will be hosted at the Superior Community Center at 1500 Coalton Road on December 30 from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. The event will be an open-house-style breakfast featuring foods and beverages from Serendipity Catering. All those impacted by the Marshall Fire, including our first responders and volunteers, are welcome to attend. 

Youth activities will be hosted by the Superior Youth Leadership Council and activities for children will also be provided. In addition, mental, emotional and social support will be offered by local professionals. A jazz pianist will be playing for the group throughout the event. Please join us and support our community!

You're invited to the Superior Bazaar happening on December 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Superior Community Center (1500 Coalton Road).

This event will have up to 50 vendors selling various goods. There will be arts and crafts, food and gifts!

A portion of all sales will go to support our Superior-Khandbari Sister City Project. This project is a collaboration of ideas and resources with the City of Khandbari, Nepal. 

Due to two vacancies on the Town of Superior Board of Trustees, created by the recent resignation of a Trustee and the election of Mayor Pro-Tem Lacis to Mayor, the Town Board will be accepting letters of interest from residents of Superior that are interested in filling these two vacancies. 

It is anticipated that appointments will be made by the Town Board at its meeting on December 12. The appointees will serve the balance of the Trustees' remaining terms, which expire in November 2024. 

In order to be considered for the office of Trustee, an applicant must:

• be a citizen of the United States of America
• be eighteen (18) years of age or older
• be registered to vote
• have resided within the Town of Superior for at least twelve consecutive months

An applicant’s letter of interest should be limited to one page and include, at a minimum, your name, address and phone number; your length of residency in Superior; your qualifications for service on the Town Board; and why you would like to serve on the Board for the interim period. Applicants may include a resume with their letter of interest.

Submittals must be received by the Town Clerk, Lydia Yecke, by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 2 at Town Hall (124 E. Coal Creek Drive) or via email at lydiay@superiorcolorado.gov.  The Town Board will interview applicants at the regular Board meeting on Monday, December 12, 2022, and make appointments. Applicants will need to be available to attend the December 12 meeting. Applicants should also be available to attend the Town Board work session on December 19 at 6:00 p.m.

The Town of Superior's Marshall Fire Recovery webpage is our community's collective resource for the information you need on recovering and rebuilding following the Marshall fire. It includes frequently asked questions and a list of available community resources.

If you have any questions or concerns, please share them with us at marshallfire@superiorcolorado.gov.

Please come participate in a celebration to honor those affected by the Marshall Fire Saturday, December 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Superior Community Center (1500 Coalton Road).

Attendees can pick handmade ornaments donated by local residents and caring individuals across the country. This event is open to everyone; hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies will be provided.

The Cultural Arts & Public Spaces Advisory Committee will host a workshop for DIY ornaments, menorahs, and other winter decorations. Supplies, instructions, and helpers will be available.

There’s still time to take part in the FREE Art Therapy program, brought to you by the Town of Superior Cultural Arts and Public Spaces (CAPS) Committee, available to Superior, Louisville, and unincorporated Boulder County residents impacted by the Marshall Wildfire.

If you’ve already participated in the program or are still thinking about it, sessions will be available through mid-December. Registration for final sessions can be accessed through the Chamber’s sign-up page. The Art Therapy studio location is a result of the partnership with the Superior Chamber of Commerce. Sessions take place in the Superior Marketplace at 602 Center Drive, Unit C.

This program was made possible thanks to a sponsorship from Friday Health Plans.

Join fellow residents and Superior Town Board Members for First Fridays Coffee hosted by the Town Board on December 2 from 7:45 to 9:30 a.m. at the Superior Community Center (1500 Coalton Road).

First Fridays is an informal meeting to discuss current topics relating to the Town. Bring your questions, concerns and encouraging updates.

Get your running shoes ready for the 2022 Superior Stocking Run, hosted by Racing Underground.

This fun and festive 5K Run & Walk will take place on December 11 and is sure to be a fun and goofy time for the whole family!

All finishers will receive a Stocking Run finisher medal which doubles as a holiday ornament, and kids eight and under will get to choose a tiny toy at packet pickup (while supplies last). Learn more and register by visiting the Stocking Run's website.

The Town of Superior Winter/Spring Recreation Guide will be posted online at superiorrec.com on Monday, December 5. This guide will contain information on events and activities taking place during the months of January through April 2023. Online registration for Winter/Spring activities will open on December 16 at 9:00 a.m. 

Don't worry; the Fall lineup isn't finished yet. There’s still time to register for activities and programs running now through December!

The Town of Superior is hosting a volunteer event to help clean up Autrey Park. We will be meeting at the bike and skate areas (1830 Honey Creek Dr.) on Saturday, December 3, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. 

The project will consist of jump repair, de-vegetating, and the implementation of drainage solutions. The Town will provide gloves and some basic hand tools to volunteers; however, supplies are limited, and volunteers are encouraged to bring their own tools.

Email Open Space Ranger Tom Keras at tomk@superiorcolorado.gov if you are interested in attending.

The outpouring of volunteerism in support of the Town this year was nothing short of inspiring, and the impact our volunteers made this year was incredible:

• Over 600 volunteers served the community
• 6,394 hours were spent in support of various community committees, projects and events
• Over 50 projects, programs and events were made possible with volunteer support
• Total financial representation of this year’s volunteer service equaled $191,500.30

Thank you, 2022 volunteers, for a year of outstanding volunteerism!

Have you visited the Superior Community Center's Website?

The site is an easy place to find upcoming programs for all ages, our weekend games, movies and entertainment (that happen every weekend, by the way), and information about renting out space for your next party or important meeting.

You can also find info about the Serendipity Tap & Café and other amenities. Check back often!

To stay informed about parks, recreation, open space, trails, arts and events in and around the Town of Superior, subscribe through the Town's email subscription service and make sure to check the "Parks, Recreation and Open Space" topic when choosing which types of information items you would like to receive.

Take a look at the latest Parks, Recreation and Open Space Newsletter.

Please welcome Alexis Bullen, our new Sustainability Analyst! Alexis has been working in sustainability in Boulder County for the last eight years, most recently at the City of Lafayette. She received her degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon and is passionate about making the topic of environmental sustainability accessible to everyone. 

Alexis enjoys community outreach and is excited to work with the Town. She is eager to continue implementing and expanding on the Sustainability Action Plan. Welcome, Alexis!

Stay informed about sustainability programs and projects in and around the Town of Superior, subscribe through the Town's email subscription service and make sure to check the "Sustainability" topic when choosing which types of information items you would like to receive.

Take a look at the latest Sustainability Newsletter.

In November, the Town Board and Town Staff approved several projects associated with the Marshall Fire Recovery.

Most recently, the Town Board approved the Alley Decontamination and Replacement Project which will be starting in December. This project will remove ash and fire debris deposited on alleys within Original Superior, eliminating potential dangers to existing and future residents of Superior associated with this debris. This project is eligible for FEMA reimbursement, and it is anticipated that 75% of the project costs will be reimbursed. 

Town Staff bid and awarded both the McCaslin Retaining Wall and Sagamore Bridge Reconstruction Projects, with these projects starting in November and December. The McCaslin Retaining Wall Project will remove the damaged timber retaining walls along McCaslin Boulevard north of Christenson Avenue and replace them with new masonry retaining walls. The Sagamore Park Bridge, which was damaged and destroyed during the Marshall Fire, will be rebuilt.

Both of these projects are eligible for FEMA reimbursement.

In November 2022, the Town Board approved both the purchase of the Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) System as well as a new building to protect the GAC System. The Town originally leased the system, but has approved the purchase of the existing system as the water entering the GAC System still has odor issues related to the fire.

In addition to removing taste and odor issues, the GAC System will also remove disinfection byproduct precursors and per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) should they ever become an issue in the future. None of these substances have been detected in Superior’s water to date, but as these can cause health issues, we now have a safeguard against them should they ever enter the water supply.

Anyone can report non-emergency issues or concerns with Superior Click and Fix any time of the day or week. You can submit issues such as potholes, damaged sidewalk, graffiti, missing or damaged street signs, abandoned vehicles, weeds, trash, and other code violation concerns.

Town staff will respond to the reports Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Issues reported outside the Town limits will generate a warning that the location is not within the Town's jurisdiction.

A short span of trial adjacent to McCaslin Boulevard will be temporarily closed as a retaining wall damaged by the Marshall Fire is being repaired.

The closure will begin November 22 and continue through December 24. Trail users will be directed to detour onto the McCaslin Boulevard shoulder to maneuver around the work zone. Protective barricades have been installed to separate people using this detour from vehicular traffic.

Due to inflation and federally mandated improvements at Superior’s wastewater treatment plant, the monthly fees in the areas of sewer, landscaping, trash and recycling are due to increase in the coming year.

Residents will begin seeing the rate increases in their billing statements beginning for landscaping, trash and recycling in February, and for sewer in April. Rate increases are as follows: Sewer (5%), Landscaping (3%), Trash and Recycling ($14.49 per month).

Not all rate increases apply to all residents. To find more information, please visit the Town’s Utility Billing webpage. View your account at xpressbillpay.com. Contact Utility Billing through email at utilitybilling@superiorcolorado.gov or phone at 720-304-6797.

The Town of Superior is approaching one year since the Marshall Fire. At that time, all utility late fees and shut-offs were suspended for all residents to accommodate the hardship faced by the community. As the Town moves into the new year, late fees and shut-offs will resume. This resumption will not apply to homes that were destroyed or homes that are uninhabitable because of severe damage. For all others, this change will begin in January and will first be applied to the February 11 statement reflecting January usage.
 
The Town will continue to assist individuals who are struggling to pay their past-due utility bills as a result of the economic impact from COVID-19 or the Marshall Fire. We will work with you to set up a payment plan that meets your individual needs.

Please contact the Utility Office at 720-304-6797 or through email at utilitybilling@superiorcolorado.gov to discuss your options; Remember, a partial payment is better than no payment.

Where you spend your money matters.

Shopping, eating, spending, and enjoying your time locally are more important now than ever. The money you spend locally goes right back into our community's economy. Our local businesses are the very core of our community and it’s been a long, hard road to recovery.

There’s no better time to support our local businesses than around the holidays. We’ve made a guide to all the spots in our neighborhood offering something special this holiday season to make your gift-giving easy!

Superior business and residents should be aware of the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, a Colorado law passed in 2021. This law states that stores and retail food establishments, with more than three locations in Colorado, will be required to charge customers a 10 cents fee for each single-use plastic and paper bags used at the point of sale starting on January 1, 2023. Businesses will retain 4 cents of the fee to cover the costs of administration and compliance while 6 cents is to be remitted to the Town on a quarterly basis.

What businesses must follow the single-use bag fee and ban?

• Major grocery stores and supermarkets
• Major convenience stores
• Major liquor stores
• Major retailers
• Other major stores that provide plastic bags including any self-checkout and delivery services

Exemptions:

• Smaller stores with three or fewer locations in Colorado
• Farmers and roadside markets
• Laundry or dry-cleaning services
• Pharmacies
• Bulk stores
• Restaurants are exempt from the plastic bag fee and plastic bag ban, but are prohibited from distributing Styrofoam containers on and after January 1, 2024

For more information, contact Jill Mendoza at jillm@superiorcolorado.gov or 303-499-3675, ext. 141.

Bring the whole family to the Superior Chamber's Skate with Santa presented by Staufer Team Real Estate on December 17 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Enjoy some time on the ice at the Sport Stable (1 Superior Drive)! There will be a craft area for the little ones, hot cocoa and cookies, and an opportunity to have a photo captured with Santa.

This event is free thanks to our sponsors Dixon Orthodontics, Nick Crothers Real Estate, and the Sport Stable. Registration is required for entry.

On Saturday December 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., join Mountain View Fire Rescue at Station 5 (2701 S. Indiana St.) for photos with Santa!

Santa will be available and is looking forward to taking photos with the whole family. This will be a come and go event, so no registration is required.

Can't wait to see you there!

Do you have a child who is ready to start Kindergarten in the fall? 

Come check out Superior Elementary's Kindergarten Round Up on December 6! Doors will open at 3:15 p.m., and the presentation will begin at 3:30 p.m. Incoming kindergartners are welcome and will spend time in the kindergarten rooms with teachers and Student Council members. To avoid disruptions, please do not bring other children if at all possible.

Incoming Kindergartners must be 5 years old by October 1, 2023. Principal Stein and Kindergarten teachers will present information and offer a Q&A session for parents. We will also offer an open enrollment tour on December 8 from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. for all grade level interests. No need to respond for either event, just show up!

If you have any questions, email Susie Stricker at susie.stricker@bvsd.org or call 720-561-4107.

How do we protect both people and waterways after winter storms? Deicers are a useful tool that help keep walkways and driveways safe when there is snow and ice, but in large quantities are harmful to aquatic life. Melting snow will carry deicers and other pollutants into storm drains which drain directly to nearby streams without any treatment.

What can I do at home? Shovel snow from sidewalks onto vegetated areas so it can soak into the ground instead of flowing onto the street. If using a deicer, apply according to instructions as soon as snowy or icy conditions appear. Deicers help break the bond between ice and pavement to make shoveling easier. They do not evaporate the snow and ice, so adding more does not eliminate the need to shovel.

RTD's General Manager Debra Johnson will speak at Commuting Solutions' Annual Membership Meeting. This meeting will be hosted at 1ST BANK Center on December 7 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Johnson will speak with the Commuting Solutions membership about RTD's outlook on community priorities heading into 2023. We encourage Superior businesses to attend this unique opportunity to hear directly from RTD's leadership!

This meeting will also feature an ugly sweater contest, so wear your worst! 

Members get free registration and Non-Members will have a $50 registration fee. For more information, email Angela Banks at angela@commutingsolutions.org.

Snowed In: First Friday Art Walk at the Library
December 2 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Louisville Public Library (951 Spruce St)

The Library will be hosting its annual holiday open house, with live music, winter crafts, a snowy photo booth, a children’s scavenger hunt and cozy refreshments. Be sure to stop in and warm up before heading out for the Parade of Lights! 

Winter Fest 
All ages/families 
December 8 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Louisville Public Library (951 Spruce St)

Families are invited to join us for winter crafts and hot cocoa.  Or, pick up supplies to make your crafts at home. Drop-in. RSVP for event reminders! 

Animal Sculptures: Mexico 
Grades K-5 
December 15 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Louisville Public Library (951 Spruce St)

Join Imagine Arts Academy for this fun program. It’s time to turn a fantastical dream into a fantastic work of art! Let’s go to Oaxaca, Mexico and learn the story of the alebrije dream and how it unleashed a whole new art form. We’ll take our creativity to the wild side by blending fauna and flora into amazing animal sculptures. Registration is required.  

The Wonder of Winter Slide Program 
Perfect for Adults & Teens ages 12 and up. 
December 17 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Superior Community Center (1500 Coalton Road)

Winter is a great time to explore the natural wonders of Boulder County! Join volunteer naturalists to learn about the many wonders of winter and how plants and animals adapt to snow and cold, from the Great Plains to the Continental Divide. Registration is required. 

Block Party 
All ages/families 
December 28 from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m.
Louisville Public Library (951 Spruce St)

We have big blocks, little blocks, wooden blocks, magnetic blocks and more! Bring your whole family and play with a variety of building toys. 

Drop-in. No registration required.