"Look at this -- potatoes, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower . . . and all fresh. It's been quite a while since I've had fresh vegetables." The elderly woman, 75-years-old and living in a Jefferson County assisted living complex, tipped her broad-rimmed hat and smiled as she accepted a free 10-pound bag of fresh produce from a public health worker. The Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) has teamed up with the Food Bank of the Rockies, Live Well Wheat Ridge and other community partners to put fresh fruits and vegetables in the hands of low-income Jefferson County residents. The first "Public Health Produce Fair" took place on Friday, June 13, at the Healing Waters Family Center.  An additional fair was held Friday, July 18, and one is being planned for Friday, August 15, at the same location.
 
Sara Lemley, JCDHE Nutrition Services Supervisor, orchestrated the produce fairs and enlisted the help of the JCDHE Emergency Preparedness Program, which played a key roll in the distribution process. "At just one fair we have distributed 6,011 pounds of various fresh produce, orange juice, potatoes and breads to over 105 Jefferson County households."

 

Lemley added that 85 percent of those attending the first fair were on some sort of public assistance. "The produce fairs are intended for those who may not otherwise be able to afford fresh fruits and vegetables. Fortunately, many of the families we serve through the WIC (Woman, Infants, Children) Program receive vouchers or "prescriptions" for essential foods such as milk, cereal and beans, but fresh fruits and vegetables are not on the list. Making fresh produce available to all of our families in need throughout Jefferson County is important."
 
Public health professionals have long touted the benefits of including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in one's diet. Not only do they provide essential vitamins, minerals and fibers, but they help to reduce obesity in our populations. Still, many in Jefferson County are forced to forego the fresh fruits and vegetables in favor of the dollar.  "On the days that we have to ride the bus, which is at least four days a week, we have to save money and that means doing without fresh produce," says one of the participants as she scoots her two-year-old along past the cooking demonstration and toward one of the exhibits. 
 
In addition to the rows of colorful produce displayed for the picking, produce fair participants were presented with healthy cooking demonstrations from the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension and a wealth of other health information from community partners. Exhibitors included the JCDHE HeartWise program, The Learning Source Belmar Literacy Program, Jefferson Center For Mental Health, Por Tu Familia Program - American Diabetes Association, Jeffco Action Center, LiveWell Wheat Ridge, Volunteers of America - Senior Handyman Program, HIPPY, JCDHE WIC, Head Start Denver and Food Bank of The Rockies.

 

For information on the produce fairs or public health in Jefferson County please visit: www.health.jeffco.us

 

This is a busy time of the year for the Jefferson County Elections Department with two major elections coming up.

 

The primary election is set for Tuesday, August 12 and the general election will be Tuesday, November 4. The registration deadline for the primary has passed, but the deadline for the general election is still upcoming on Monday, October 6.
 
Early Voting
Primary election: August 4 - 8
General election: October 20 - 25 and October 27 - 31
*All locations will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 25.
 
Locations for Early Voting

As part of an ongoing voter education and outreach effort, the Elections Division staff will also have booths set up at the following events in August to answer election-related questions, register voters, provide mail-in ballot applications and demonstrate Jefferson County's voting and ballot-counting equipment:

If you have other questions, please call the Jefferson County Elections office at 303.271.8111 or email at elections@votejeffco.com. The elections staff will be available to assist you.

 

Scooters attract more attention these days as high fuel prices make them a practical alternative to cars and motorcycles. Scooters, motorcycles and other motorized vehicles are fun to ride and they can be used anywhere. Right? With the combination of increased popularity of the scooter and heightened community questions and concerns, we went to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office for some information.
 
Mopeds and Scooters
Scooters vary widely in power and options. Motorized bicycles (commonly known as scooters or mopeds) have an engine up to 50cc, with a maximum designed speed of 30 mph. They have headlights and taillights (for night operation), a horn or bell, brakes, an automatic transmission and an attached seat.
 
They may only be operated on private property and roadways; driving on sidewalks is prohibited. However, they cannot be operated on Interstate or controlled access highways. They are licensed (they have a sticker, not a license plate) and the operator must have a valid driver's license.  Motorized bicycles follow the same rules of the road as a car or truck but they must drive as close to the right hand side of the roadway as possible and they are not allowed on the high-speed freeways. 
 
Motorcycles
Colorado law defines a motorcycle as a vehicle with two or three wheels and an engine exceeding 50cc. The primary legal difference between a motorized bicycle and a motorcycle is the size of the engine. A motorcycle must be equipped with the same mandatory equipment as a car or truck - operating headlights, taillights, turn signals and all other equipment required of any motor vehicle. Motorcycles may be operated on private property or on public roadways (no restrictions on Interstates) but not on sidewalks. Motorcycles are licensed and a license plate must be displayed. The operator must have a valid driver's license AND a motorcycle endorsement. 

Other Vehicles
Toy vehicles are any vehicle not intended or designed for use on roadways. Legally they are any contraption with wheels under 14" in diameter, regardless of how they are powered. The most common examples of toy vehicles are motorized scooters (aka Go-Peds), pocket rockets (miniature motorcycles), skateboards, skates, and stand-up scooters.
 
Toy vehicles may not be operated on a public roadway, with the single exception being that of crossing a roadway at a crosswalk following pedestrian rules. Motorized toy vehicles may not be used on sidewalks and may only be operated on private property. Human-powered toy vehicles may be operated on private property and on public sidewalks, following the same rules that apply to pedestrians.
 
A "neighborhood electric vehicle" is a self-propelled, electrically powered vehicle with a top speed of 25 miles per hour. They are usually similar in appearance to a golf cart. These vehicles are not registered and may not be operated on sidewalks. These vehicles cannot be operated on any roadways in unincorporated Jefferson County but can be used on private property.
 
An off-highway vehicle is any self-propelled vehicle which is primarily designed for recreational purposes. That includes personal water craft, snowmobiles, 3-wheelers, quads, off-road "dirt" bikes, etc. and must be registered. These cannot be operated on sidewalks or on roadways unless specifically posted.
 
Please remember that there are safety issues to consider when operating any of these types of vehicles. Tickets can be issued to a user who violates the laws for any of the vehicles. The fines would depend on the violation; the lowest is $18, going up to several hundred dollars for the most severe. If you have questions regarding the use or regulations of these vehicles, look to the Colorado DMV Guide.

 

 

700 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden in the Hearing Room
Thursday, August 7; 7:00 p.m

 

Rolling Hills Country Club, 15707 West 26th Avenue, Lakewood
Thursday, August 14; 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Applewood Property Owner's Association

Place to be determined - Please call Jack Hoopes @ 303.279.9779 for that information
Thursday, August 14; 7:00 p.m. 

 

Peak Recreation Center, 6612 South Ward Street, Littleton

Saturday, August 16; 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.