VanMeveren Law Group — December 2019

VanMeveren Law Group — December 2019

Foundations 970

SOUTH 2038 Caribou Drive, Suite 101 Fort Collins, CO 80525

OLD TOWN 123 North College Ave., Suite 112 Fort Collins, CO 80524

DECEMBER 2019

Fort Collins Joins the E-Scooter Craze

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU RIDE

As most of you know, electric bikes and scooters (e-bikes and e-scooters, respectively) are all the rage throughout Colorado’s Front Range communities. In the past six months, Fort Collins has also joined the party and has adopted two new pilot programs for the bikes and scooters. The first pilot program was implemented last spring, providing e-bike riders with some important rules and guidelines. Fort Collins has also launched a brand- new e-scooter program that provides a whole new set of rules applicable to the e-scooters. E-bikes are bicycles with two or three wheels that are fully operable with pedals but also have a small electric motor. E-bikes fall into three categories: Class 1, 2, and 3. Wisely, Fort Collins is not permitting the faster Class 3 e-bikes to travel on our paved trails, as Class 3 e-bikes can travel at speeds up to around 30 miles per hour and pose hazards to other people. However, Fort Collins is permitting the use of Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes on paved trails, and the city encourages riders to abide by a courtesy speed limit of 15 mph. Trail etiquette and trail laws applicable to standard bikes also apply to e-bikes. During the one-year pilot program, conflicts and safety issues will be evaluated by park rangers, city staff, and volunteers in order to determine the best next step after the program is complete. E-scooters are newer to the FOCO scene, following a recent partnership between the city of Fort Collins and the e-scooter company Bird. For $1.00 to start and $0.33 per minute, Bird scooters are available to anyone who downloads the app. They can be found at various sites around the city. Here’s what you need to know before your first e-scooter ride. • Riding in natural areas and on unpaved trails is prohibited. • Riders must dismount and walk e-scooters before entering a crosswalk. • Parking e-scooters must be done in an upright fashion and only in designated parking zones on hard surfaces and/or near bicycle parking areas, provided the e-scooter doesn’t obscure the flow of pedestrian travel, block fire hydrants, or obstruct bus benches.

• Riding on sidewalks is permitted outside of dismount zones (but not on CSU campus property or designated city dismount zones). • Helmets are not required but are encouraged; helmets are available through the Bird app and at safety events. On top of these guidelines, Bird also requires riders to photograph their e-scooter at the end of their ride to record ride time and distance as well as to encourage responsible parking. Unfortunately, these fun little scooters come with a dark side. In 2017, they accounted for over 1,500 crashes in the U.S. In addition, scooter versus pedestrian and scooter versus motor vehicle conflicts are on the rise. Liability for crashes involving e-scooters is based on negligence principles, and, in Colorado, our comparative fault laws apply. In rare instances, e-scooters have been known to malfunction, causing serious injury or death and giving rise to product liability claims.

If you choose to ride an e-bike or e-scooter, remember to ride responsibly. Abide by the rules of the road and the guidelines that apply to these types of vehicles. If you are involved in a conflict or a crash involving an e-bike or e-scooter, contact an experienced lawyer who specializes in injury law as soon as possible.

–Bryan VanMeveren

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Move Over, Rudolph! The 4 Most Underrated Holiday Specials

Our Clients Say It Best

“My experience with VanMeveren Law Group has been nothing but great. I have been working with Leah Hopkins on a hit-and-run accident that I was the victim of. Miss Hopkins has been very diligent and professional in handing all the ups and downs of my case. I have been very impressed with her ability to communicate to me all the details and nuances that occur between insurance

When the weather outside is frightful — or your family is on your last nerve — there’s nothing like settling in to watch a classic holiday special. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” hold top spots on the TV guide, but there are plenty of overlooked specials that are sure to delight. Here are a few seasonal suggestions that might become your new family favorites. ‘A MUPPET FAMILY CHRISTMAS’ In this musical masterpiece, Kermit and friends prepare to celebrate the holiday season. What makes this special truly unique are the appearances by characters from “Sesame Street,” “Fraggle Rock,” and “Muppet Babies.” There’s even a cameo from the Muppet creator, Jim Henson, himself. If you can find this holiday special, consider yourself lucky. Complicated copyright laws can make it hard to track the movie down. ‘THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS’ The stop-motion film “The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus” is one of Rankin/ Bass Production's lesser-known works. Based on a story by L. Frank Baum, the author of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” this fantasy epic introduces a new Santa Claus story, one with light elves, wood nymphs, and benevolent immortals. It’s an unusual tale, but the strange elements are what make the story worthwhile. ‘A RUGRATS CHANUKAH’ Praised by critics and audiences alike, “A Rugrats Chanukah” covers the story of Chanukah through the eyes of Nickelodeon's beloved animated babies. In addition to putting a “Rugrats” spin on the Chanukah story, this special episode also features themes of family and forgiveness. “A Rugrats Chanukah” is a delightful experience for audiences who celebrate Chanukah and those who would like to learn more about the holiday. ‘DOCTOR WHO: A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ Here’s one for your nerdy family members. In this episode of the British sci-fi classic, the titular Doctor, an alien who travels through time and space, must save his friends by teaching a bitter old man the true meaning of Christmas. Time travel shenanigans ensue as the Doctor reminds us of the importance of kindness, the value of loss, and the magic of spending the holidays with those we love. This special puts a unique spin on the Christmas Carol formula and is even accessible to audiences who have never seen “Doctor Who” before.

companies and the law. I will definitely be using this firm in the future and would recommend anyone else to do

the same.” –Brandon Mau

May these specials bring you some much-needed cheer and a moment of relaxation this holiday season.

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A Furry Friend Needs a Home Your New Best Friend Cherry has been with the Fort Collins Cat Rescue since July, transferred from another Colorado shelter. She is a 2-year-old spayed female kitty who is declawed on her front paws. She is looking for her special home. She's not the type to fall head over heels before she gets to know you, but once you earn her affection, she will be by your side for life. She likes classical music, rolling balls, unwrapping presents, snuggling with her person, and giving headbutts. Her dislikes include being smothered with attention, the great outdoors, romantic comedies (SO unrealistic), dogs, skipping meals, and the wizard who turned her into a cat.

Cherry is available as a Foster-to-Adopt kitty, so you can see if she's a good fit for your home before making a long-term commitment. For more information, please email us at Development@SavingAnimalsToday.org or call 970-484-8516.

SUDOKU

CLASSIC ROAST CHICKEN

Inspired by Ina Garten

Ingredients:

• • • •

1 chicken, approx. 5–6 lbs

• • • •

1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted 1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced 4 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces

Kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper

1 large bunch fresh thyme, 20 sprigs removed

1 lemon, halved

Olive oil

Directions:

1. 2.

Heat oven to 425 F.

3.

Meanwhile, in a roasting pan, toss onions and carrots in olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and 20 sprigs of thyme. Place the chicken on the vegetables and roast for 1 1/2 hours. Remove from oven, and let stand for 20 minutes covered with foil. Slice and serve with the vegetables.

Rinse chicken inside and out, removing giblets if included.

Move to a work surface, pat dry, and liberally season with salt and pepper. Stuff cavity with thyme bunch, lemon halves, and garlic head. Brush outside with butter, and then season again. Tie chicken legs together with kitchen string.

4.

5.

6.

Solution

970-495-9741 • 3

2038 Caribou Drive, Suite 101 Fort Collins, CO 80525 970-495-9741 www.VanMeverenLaw.com

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INSIDE This Issue

What You Need to Know Before You Ride an E-Scooter Page 1

Your New Favorite Holiday Special

What Some People Are Saying About Us Page 2

A Furry Friend Needs a Home

Classic Roast Chicken Page 3

3 Fun Wintertime Events Page 4

It’s a Winter Wonderland in Fort Collins

Downtown Holiday Lights & Old Town Spree Through Dec. 31 Downtown Fort Collins

Through the end of December, the Downtown Fort Collins Business Association has partnered with over 50 shops, restaurants, and venues to celebrate the season — and downtown Fort Collins! To participate, all you have to do is get a special passport, and every time you shop in one of the participating businesses, you’ll get a passport sticker. Collect 10 stickers and you’ll be eligible for a chance to win some serious prizes, including a $2,500 downtown shopping spree. Of course, you can also just stroll through downtown on a chilly December evening, admiring the holiday lights (which will be up until Feb. 14). For all the details on the Old Town Spree, visit DowntownFortCollins.com/event/old-town-spree . Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Thursday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. The Lincoln Center For many people, Mannheim Steamroller is the soundtrack of the season. Whether you catch their music on the radio, own any of their CDs, or stream their music, you can always count on Mannheim’s classics. Of course, listening to them in the car or at home is one thing, but listening to them live is something else entirely! It’s a fun,

thematic show of lights and sound, and it’s a great way to celebrate the season. For more on this show, see LCTix.com/mannheim-steamroller-christmas . Polar Bear Run and Plunge Saturday, Jan. 25 Horsetooth Reservoir In January, it’s freezing on Front Range, so what better time to plunge into Horsetooth Reservoir? If that sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday, now is the time to register for the annual Polar Bear Run and Plunge. Jump into the frigid water, sign up for the 5K, or do both! During the event (and especially afterward), hot chocolate, beer, and other beverages will be available to help warm you back up. You can find complete details and registration at FrontRngeFreeze.com/ polarbear.

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