All hail Westminster.

We are still coming to grips with the weirdest, warmest winter we have ever experienced. Last week, Colorado set a record for the most 60-degree days in a single winter season, according to Channel 9 News. That is fueling concerns about grassland fires in the cities and towns far below the ski resorts.

Westminster officials insist they are prepared for both wildland fires and a huge snow dump. City crews have worked through the year to clear dried vegetation from open space to reduce the fuel available for fires.

The city’s street crews also stand ready with snowplows which have recently been christened with new names at the suggestion of residents. The clear winners were Sled Zeppelin, Scoopy Doo followed by Cruella DeChill. My personal favorite was Nikola Snokick.

One thing that surprised me while reporting this week: Maybe the shadow of Valentine’s Day and the urge to reach out and confess their true feelings, prompted officials at Rocky Mountain Regional Airport - or RMMA - and the Regional Transportation District - or RTD - to come clean about the projects that have hung over the lives of Westminster residents for years.

Honesty is refreshing. Right?

Why it matters: Westminster residents and city councilors have long complained that the leaded fuel used to power piston-engine aircraft at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan causes health and environmental problems. Their complaints led to recent state legislation to make it and other smaller airports in Colorado environmentally friendly.

What’s happening: Rocky Mountain Metropolitan pilots will now switch to using UL94 aviation fuel, leading a nationwide push for unleaded gasoline at regional airports. Officials say the move should impress young pilots who will see Rocky as more “forward thinking.”

Why it matters: Voters in 2004 approved FasTracks - the nation’s largest transit project in the nation - which was to encircle the metro area with passenger rail. Westminster is among several northern tier cities that continue to pay taxes to RTD even though FasTracks has fallen well short of its aims.

What’s happening: RTD board chair Patrick O’Keefe said earlier this month that “I’d be shocked if we don’t all know that there is not enough money to finish FasTracks,” according to Colorado Public Radio.

Westminster Mayor Claire Carmelia said O’Keefe’s comments only confirmed the worst fears of residents still waiting for their commuter trains. “This devastating admission goes to show that voter fears were not displaced,” Carmelia said.

What to know: Google Fiber began installing in Westminster last April and today (Thursday Feb. 19) the company marks the first customer served in Westminster.  

Next step: Westminster is the second Colorado city to bring fiber internet to residents and businesses, following Lakewood’s activation last year.

The Westminster School District proposes closing WAIS a year earlier than previously recommended. Read the story here➡

Future buckaroos

Two area students - Quinn Owen and Malia Wagner-Lopez - shone at January’s Great Western Stock Show through their work in horsemanship.

Low-cost pet vaccination clinic: Westminster’s Animal Management team is working in tandem with the Spay Today Healthy Pet Center to host a pet vaccination clinic at The MAC (3295 W. 72nd Ave) on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Context: Some people cannot afford the fees to get their pets or vaccinated. This clinic will offer vaccines for rabies and distemper for $20. Also on hand will be Colorado Pet Pantry, an organization that provides pet food to families in need. 

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