Mid-April 2021

Hi everyone — Here’s an update for mid-April 2021.  Read on to learn more about street racing, a potential increase to Superior’s sales tax, and Elvis is coming.  Yes, you read that right, Elvis is coming to Superior…

COVID-19 in Superior

Through April 15, 2021, we have had 459 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Superior.  Cases have noticeably increased since March.  Vaccines are now available to the general public (ages 16+ for Pfizer; 18+ for all other vaccines).  For information from the State on vaccine distribution, please see: https://covid19.colorado.gov/for-coloradans/vaccine/vaccine-for-coloradans.  For more information on obtaining a COVID vaccine, please visit: www.boco.org/COVIDVaccines.

In addition, the State’s dial for COVID-19 risk in our communities has been discontinued and the State is now allowing counties to issue their own risk dials.  Boulder County adopted its risk dial and we are currently in level Blue.  https://www.bouldercounty.org/families/disease/covid-19/state-dial-framework/.

In addition, masks are no longer required outdoors, but are required in many places indoors.  For more information, please see: https://www.bouldercounty.org/families/disease/covid-19/face-covering-order/

COVID-19 remains a serious threat.  Please continue to exercise caution: wear masks, wash hands, keep your distance, and please do your part and schedule a vaccine appointment today.  https://www.vaccinespotter.org/CO/

Elvis is Coming to Superior

One of last year’s highlights was Vinny (the guard llama) and the goats who over the course of 8 weeks, worked their way through the open space area southeast of Eldorado PK-8, near Castle Park.  Vinny, the goats’ guard llama, was a big hit with kids and we even had t-shirts made to commemorate him.  Unfortunately this summer, Vinny won’t be able to join us, but he is sending a friend.  A guard billy goat named Elvis will be here to keep close watch over another trip of goats.  

This summer, the Town will work with Homestead Ranch to extend our Goat Grazing sustainability efforts. With the assistance of a Boulder County Sustainability Grant, the grazing time will be increased to 120 days and will include evaluation of weed mitigation, native seed propagation, and fossil fuel reduction (associated with using goats instead of mowers and other traditional methods of open space management).  We’ll also avoid the use of herbicides when combatting noxious weeds.  Goats eat everything and Superior is a healthier place now that goats help us maintain open space areas.  Excited to welcome Elvis and his blue suede shoes to Superior!

Sales Tax Ballot Measure this November

Currently, Superior collects an 8.445% sales tax — .16% of which is collected by the Superior/McCaslin Interchange District (SMID).  That tax was enacted to fund construction of the diverging diamond interchange over US-36 and is set to sunset in 2022.  Town Staff has identified $2.5 million in annual unfunded transportation projects in Superior, which amount continues to grow each year and currently has no dedicated funding source.  

Most towns in our area have dedicated funding sources for roads and transportation projects.  This fall, Superior will most likely ask the voters on the November ballot (as we’re required to do under TABOR) to join those municipalities to help secure that roadways remain safe and reliable well into the future.  At a recent Town Board meeting, the Board reached a compromise where we would ask Superior voters to consider a .28% sales tax increase (instead of the .44% which was originally proposed and/or a property tax mill levy increase).  This sales tax increase would be dedicated to funding roads/transportation capital needs.  

One added benefit to creating a dedicated transportation sales tax is that other Town capital projects will not have to fight for the limited dollars available each year in our budget.  By funding road projects through this sales tax, other projects like renovating the North and South Pools can proceed much sooner.  

I previously wrote about various proposals for potential sales and property tax increases back in April.  I encourage you to send your feedback (townboard@superiorcolorado.gov) about raising taxes to the Town Board and/or attend a meeting.  We need to hear more from our residents on this issue.

Superior Garage Sale

Superior’s annual Garage Sale (sponsored by Caryn & Lyndsey Geiger and the Superior Chamber of Commerce) will be held May 7-8, 2021.  More information is available here: https://www.superiorgaragesale.com/.  

It’s great to have the garage sale back after they took a break last year due to the pandemic.  To learn more about the Superior Chamber and the amazing work and events they do for our community, visit their website at https://www.superiorchamber.com/.  Also, congratulations to T.J. Sullivan who was recently named “Chamber CEO of the Year” by the Association of Colorado Chambers of Commerce.   

Street Racing Update

Many of you have heard the street racing that is regularly occurring on US-36.  Often, street racers gather at a parking lot within the Superior Marketplace (near the RTD Park & Ride) before racing towards Denver down US-36.  This is not a problem unique to Superior.  Street racing has become an increasing problem in the greater Denver metro area.  

To address this problem, the Town has been working with Brixmor (the owner of the Superior Marketplace shopping center) and the Boulder County Sheriff to install No Trespassing/Loitering signs in the parking lots of the Marketplace.  Increased police presence from the Sheriff’s Office is expected as well.  The Town Board is also open to any and all consider Code amendments to ensure law enforcement has all necessary tools at their disposal.  If you have any information about street racing, please consider making an anonymous tip at https://reportstreetracing.com/.

Windsource

Beginning in May 2021, Superior Town facilities will be powered 100% by renewable energy.  By participating in Xcel’s Windsource program, the Town will be able to offset all of its electricity consumption as part of a subscription program where we will purchase wind energy credits to offset all carbon-based electricity that is generated by burning fossil fuels.  I’m happy that the Town Board is prioritizing sustainability efforts to lead towards a greener future.  

Verizon Tower

Verizon is constructing a new macro tower at Community Park to address coverage issues throughout Superior.   Excavation and removal of the old light pole is complete and trenching for electrical connections is underway.  Stay tuned for more information about when Scanlan Field will re-open.  Thank you for your patience throughout this project and hope that better mobile service throughout Superior will be appreciated by the majority of our residents.

Superior Passport Program

Following the success of the Superior CA$H program, where residents received $20 in gift certificates from the Town (funded by Federal CARES Act funding) to spend at local merchants, Superior is launching a new program to benefit our local businesses.  The Superior business passport program will reward residents who shop at at least 5 local merchants from May until June.  Stay tuned for details. 

4th of July

On April 26, the Town Board will discuss whether to hold any events for the 4th of July.  Prior to making any decisions, we will review guidance provided by Boulder County Public Health.  It is my sincere hope that we’ll at least be able to host our annual parade down Rock Creek Parkway.  Personally, I LOVE these community events and know that we all want them to proceed, but only provided that we can do so safely.  I believe we can and hope BCPH agrees.

New Public Art

Two new murals were installed under the Rock Creek Parkway bridge near Autrey Park.  Thank you to our CAPS committee for continuing to find new and creative ways to integrate art into our community.  The cover photo of this blog post is one of the murals.

First Fridays & Lowdown with Trustee Lacis

On the First Friday of every month, starting at 7:45 a.m., Town Board members host “First Fridays” which is an opportunity to drop in for a casual conversation with your elected officials to ask questions/get updates on things going on around town.  To participate in this month’s First Friday on May 7, visit this link for more information.  

If you’d prefer to meet with me one-on-one, please shoot me an email at markl@superiorcolorado.gov and we’ll find time to schedule a Lowdown with Trustee Lacis.