News highlights: 1995

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

Buckeye area residents questioned health and safety hazards related to a proposal by Colorado Lien to open a sand quarry called Sandy Flats southwest of Park Creek Reservoir off County Road 80. On Feb. 6, county commissioners voted 2-1 against the proposal.

County employees held a farewell party for Courtlyn Hotchkiss, who retired after 16 years as county commissioner.

PTI Communications became the telephone service provider for the Red Feather Lakes territory in February after buying it from US West.

Marie Welch, 85, of Wellington and her 22-year-old Arabian stallion, Sakrcharm, captured the championship title in Open English Pleasure at the 89th annual National Western Stock Show in Denver.

After two years of covering Wellington, Waverly, Buckeye, Carr and the north Fort Collins area, the North Forty News expanded its horizons in March by adding LaPorte, Livermore and Red Feather Lakes to its readership area. The move doubled the newspaper's circulation. Bellvue became part of the readership area in June.

The Wellington Economic Development Association incorporated as a nonprofit organization to help new and prospective businesses take advantage of Colorado Enterprise Zone tax benefits.

The Wellington Town Board voted to discontinue its contract with a part-time administrator by the end of the year and then hire a full-time person for the job.

In June, the historic Robinson Cabin was moved from its original location along County Road 68C to the village of Red Feather Lakes. The Rocky Mountain Dharma Center donated the cabin to the Red Feather Historical Society.

The Holnam Cement Plant in LaPorte demolished its old preheating tower and smokestack on June 12, 1995, to make room for new equipment.

Wellington celebrated its 90th anniversary in July. The town incorporated in 1905.

New owners of the North Forty News, JoAn and Mike Bjarko, moved the newspaper office to Kintzley Plaza in LaPorte and published their first issue in August.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America accepted Wellington's youth program into its national membership as an extension of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County.

A group of rural residents revived the name Northeast Neighborhood Coalition to monitor development proposals on land annexed by the city and adjacent to their rural homes.

LaPorte residents attempted to rename the community's "orphan Main Street" something other than County Road 54G. Other than continued use of the name Old Highway 287, nothing came of the venture.

Larimer County road engineers agreed to soften the impact of a reconstruction project on County Road 72 after area residents complained that it would damage a waterfall that spilled into Campbell Creek in Owl Canyon. County officials also agreed to put more effort into notifying citizens about road and bridge projects.

Ten Fort Collins residents ran for four seats on the Poudre School District board, making it the most highly contested school board race of the past decade.

The Weaver Ranch in Virginia Dale and the Bee Ranch near Wellington were named Colorado Centennial ranches.

Larimer County began working on a new master plan for its fairgrounds.

Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association broke ground for its new headquarters in September at 7649 REA Parkway, which is east of Interstate 25 on Highway 392.

Unable to renew a contract with Coors to supply sand for production of glass beer bottles, Colorado Lien announced plans to close its Weaver Quarry and silica sand processing plant in LaPorte.

Tom Brown wrapped up 53 years of 4-H at the end of 1995 when he retired from his 20-year job as youth extension agent for Larimer County.