This issue of County Roots marks the 150th since we started this venture in 2019. With each issue, we strive to show the interesting people who work for Weld County Government and the processes and technologies they use to serve residents each and every day.
How do you sum up the impact of 150 issues — the drafts, redrafts, interviews and pictures used to hopefully bring our subscribers, which total well over 6,000, interesting stories? We thought revisiting our writer's favorite stories would be a unique way to capture the moment and say thank you to our readers — the people who've made this effort successful.
Baker Geist's pick: Coffee and collaboration fuels DHS' legislative efforts — July 12, 2021
It’s difficult to think of a favorite County Roots story across 150 of them, but when I consider the difficulty of the subject and the broader impact of Weld County Government, a story about the county’s involvement every year in state legislation stands out.
It's not just the interesting story told by Kristen Sigg about the work the Weld County Department of Human Services (DHS) does annually supporting, opposing, even leading legislation that affects Weld County families, it’s the work done to tell it.
Government can be complex, and sometimes those complexities can make topics difficult to make interesting. Kristen worked through a few drafts and interviews to tell this story — which is often the case for everyone who writes for County Roots, as we try to show what the county is doing for taxpayers and why they should care. I mean, legislation … it can be legal, verbose, confusing and a challenge to highlight the meaningful impact to residents. It’s even more difficult if it’s your first story — as was the case for Kristen.
She persevered and turned in a story with an engaging lead and perspective, which showed the important work of DHS, and a desire to share that work in an interesting, impactful way with residents.
Read the full story.
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Kristen Sigg's pick: A head start toward life's next chapter — May 30, 2023
County Roots, a concept created by the Weld County Public Information team, really allows residents to get an inside look at not only how county government operates but also the impact it has on the communities it serves. As we reach our 150th issue, looking back at the stories told not only leaves me feeling a sense of pride as a member of the team but also a desire to get out there and tell more compelling stories.
One of my favorite issues, written by fellow communications specialist Baker Geist, captures Kendree Kern’s experience with Weld County Public Works when she was a senior in high school and translates it into a meaningful story about growth, purpose and the future. The piece highlights how local government can deeply influence and inspire youth when there’s intentional outreach and collaboration.
The collaboration between University High School, Kendree’s mentors, and the county was a model of what community investment in the next generation should look like. Through this internship, Public Works didn’t just offer exposure; it helped shape Kendree’s aspirations and opened her eyes to new engineering pathways. Watching her passion ignite week after week, as described by her mom, was both touching and energizing. This story reminds us that internships, when done right, help build futures. It’s a testament to the positive ripple effect of hands-on learning, mentorship and local government.
Read the full story.
Shaley Dehner's pick: Keeping families together through reading — Dec. 9, 2019
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The County Roots newsletter began with eight stories in 2019. These eight stories paved the way for a growing newsletter — in readership and the number of stories published per year. After150 issues, my favorite story is still the third I wrote.
From the minute I interviewed Eric Cano, a participant in Weld County’s work release program, about how he connects with his daughter through reading, I knew this story would embed itself in my heart. The program allowed clients like Cano to record themselves reading a children’s book which was then sent to the family so the children could hear their relatives reading to them. Having my mom or dad read a bedtime story is something I remember being a pivotal part of growing up, and it helped shape my love of reading.
Hearing Eric talk about the program’s impact on his time in the work release program and writing the story brought me to tears. It was such a meaningful thing for him and his daughter. And I tried to get that across in my story. I gave the draft to my boss and waited nervously for feedback. She called me into her office with misty eyes and said the story was a “win.” This story would help the public view government in a new light, and that’s exactly what we aim to do with County Roots.
Read the full story.
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Shereen Dudar's pick: It all starts with dirt — Oct. 15, 2024
It all starts with dirt. That’s how my favorite County Roots article begins. When I was browsing through back-issues as a new employee, I didn’t know what story I was about to be told, but I was already hooked. As I started reading, I quickly realized this story was about roads and how they come to be. It’s admittedly not the most glamorous story, but it was actually one I had thought about many times before. I remember looking out the backseat of the car as my mom drove down 10-lane highways, trying to imagine what that landscape was like before. How someone even begins to design something that we all rely on, but rarely think about. This story pulled the curtain back to explain what developing and maintaining a road entails, from designing it on paper to analyzing and experimenting — with sand and silt and rocks and cement powder… everything that “dirt” can be.
For me, this story taught me something I didn’t know about county government in a way that was interesting and informative. Now I drive to work on roads I know a little bit more about, taking small moments to appreciate the skill, science — and dare I say — art behind it all. That’s what County Roots does. It is about county government and what happens here, but it’s also about the individuals who are truly passionate about the work that they’re doing.
Read the full story.
Brian Hughes' pick: A partner on the parenting journey
County Roots stories often shine a light on county programs that quietly transform lives. For me, the story about Weld County’s Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) program, A partner on the parenting journey, remains the most memorable.
I met Chelbey Gartner during a time of transition in her life. She had just navigated through the trials of an unplanned pregnancy and was settling into the daunting role of mother to a brand-new baby boy. What I found through our conversations, more than just a compelling personal story, was a window into the impact the program has on the lives of first-time parents. NFP nurses aren’t just health care providers; they’re mentors, advocates and trusted partners. They sit with clients, sometimes for hours, offering guidance that’s practical and personal. Seeing that bond of trust between Chelbey and her nurse, Nicole, was moving. Telling her story felt like an invitation to readers to look closer, to see what’s possible when public health is personal.
To me, this story is what County Roots is all about — showcasing the work being done behind the scenes that makes a lasting difference in our community. Making the policy, the structure and the data behind the programs feel immediate and real.
Chelbey’s journey was one of growth and reassurance, and through her words, readers could see the value of a county program designed to walk alongside people when they need it most. This story still stands out to me because it highlights how Weld County doesn’t just deliver services — it delivers support.
Read the full story.
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