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Contact Your Commissioners |
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Kevin McCasky
Chairman, District Two
Faye Griffin
Chairman Pro Tem,
District One
Kathy Hartman
District Three
303.271.8525
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| Johnson Road to Close for Preparation of Light Rail Station |
 There will be some major changes in front of the Jefferson County Administrative and Courts Facility over the next few months as the county prepares for construction of the RTD West Corridor light rail extension and train station. The most immediate changes will start April 6, 2009, as the county begins its portion of roadway improvements associated with the construction.
The first closure comes with RTD and its contractor shutting down a small portion of Johnson Road from West 6th Avenue to the Courthouse entrance at the roundabout early Saturday morning, April 11, 2009. The road will be re-opened early Sunday morning, April 12. Work will involve completion of the waterline tie-in and roadway paving. Suggested detour routes include Ulysses Street to 10th Avenue, and West 6th Avenue to Jefferson County Parkway.
During Phase I, Johnson Road will be closed to through traffic, just north of the courthouse entrance near the roundabout to the Sheriff's Office Detention Facility entrance, south of 10th Avenue. To help accommodate the added traffic that is forecast for the light rail station, a second roadway segment will be constructed to connect Jefferson County Parkway to Johnson Road. This new roadway will be located near the south side of the county jail and will give employees and courthouse visitors a second access point from Johnson Road.
During the closure from April 16 to June 15, Johnson Road will be raised in some areas and lowered in others to properly connect this new extension. The current access from Johnson Road through the roundabout will remain open during and after construction.
Work also will include construction of two detention ponds and a new storm sewer system. Although Johnson Road will be shut down, visitors and employees can still access the courthouse from US 6 and Johnson Road through the roundabout.
The link below shows the planned phases of construction.
The Jefferson County Highways and Transportation Division will manage the roadway project and provide routine updates of progress. Jefferson County will split the costs of the roadway improvements with the City of Golden.
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| Jefferson County Welcomes Community Orchard |
 The organization Feeding Many, Inc., officially broke ground and began planting 136 fruit trees for a community fruit orchard on April 4, 2009. Preparations were made on the site, which included building raised beds for strawberries, potatoes and melons and the construction of large arbors for grape vines. The produce will be free and will go to residents of Jefferson County in need who come to the orchard to pick as much as they need for their family's consumption. Any extra produce will be donated by Feeding Many to agencies, ministries, youth homes and other organizations within the Jefferson County community. The site is on five acres of land owned and donated by WaterStone Community Church, which is also providing the water for the orchard for which Feeding Many will be paying.The orchard and church are located near the intersection of Bowles and Alkire, at 5890 South Alkire Street, Littleton, 80127. Included in the plan for the site are orchard trees, including nectarines, apricots, pears, peaches, apples and plums, as well as raspberries and grapevines. The orchard and grounds will be tended by volunteers. Shirl Smith, President/Founder of Feeding Many, invites the public to join her on April 25 at 9:00 a.m., for the Public Ribbon Cutting. The Feeding Many Web site, www.feedingmany.org, will have volunteer opportunities, educational opportunities, times and dates for workshops on canning, and helpful tips on gardening, fertilization and useful recipes for fresh produce. You can also donate money via a secure connection to Feeding Many. | |
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| Rocky Mountain Resource Fair
Helping people in turbulent economic times - Moving Colorado forward |
Provided by Kris Kinzli, Jefferson County Workforce Development
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, and Broomfield and Jefferson County Workforce Centers are sponsoring a resource fair for unemployed people at the Denver Merchandise Mart on Thursday, April 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Unemployed individuals will connect with resources and gather information to help them with issues faced in today's economy. Assistance with resumes, interviews, workshops for budget planning and new job search strategies, along with information from 50 community, state and local organizations will be offered FREE to attendees. Workforce Centers, Colorado Department of Labor & Employment, Human Services, health and housing organizations, education, senior and veterans programs, credit and tax assistance, plus many other resources will be highlighted at the resource fair. Workshops will include financial planning for individuals who have lost part or all of their income, overcoming obstacles (such as a past conviction) to employment, and New Strategies for a New Job Market presented by Don Strankowski. Strankowski is the author of "Get Hired! 10 Simple Steps for Winning the Job You Desire-in Any Economy," "New Strategies for a New Job Market," and "Success is a Choice" and is widely considered a leading expert in the modern job search. The Plaza at the Denver Merchandise Mart is located at 451 East 58th Avenue on the North side of the building. The Mart is on an RTD route and parking is free. Attendees should come prepared with questions and ready to learn. ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accommodations are available for any resource fair activity. Please contact the Resource Fair Planning Committee for additional information. American Sign Language interpreters will be on site. The workshop schedule is: 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. When your Income Decreases ... but the Bills Keep Coming ... What To Do.
Presented by Money Management International
Financial Planning During Lay-off Transition
Presented by the Financial Planning Association of Colorado
Breaking the Barriers of Job Searching with a Criminal History
Presented by Empowerment
12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
New Strategies for a New Job Market
Presented by Don Strankowski
For additional information contact:
Nicole Weiss Jill Howard
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| 5k to Support Foster Care |
 Mark your calendar for the Edgerunner 5k Walk/Run. This new event is intended to promote awareness and raise interest in the need for foster care in the community. Resources and agencies will be present to answer questions. Come cheer, walk or run to show your support for kids and families involved in foster care! This race is being sponsored by the Foster Care and Adoption divisions of Arapahoe and Jefferson Counties. Visit www.edgerunner5k.com for more information.
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| Coyote Conflicts . . . and How to Avoid Them |
 Provided by Andrea Burns, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
Coyotes are active in Jefferson County and throughout the Denver metro area. The following is adapted from Colorado Division of Wildlife literature. Coyotes in the Front Range?Coyotes are extremely adaptable and can thrive in urban areas. From downtown Denver to the smallest suburb, coyotes are not new to residential communities. They can and will be found in any neighborhood that provides their basic needs -- food, water, shelter and space. Why are they here?
Residential areas provide habitat for coyotes. Plentiful food sources exist, such as mice, rabbits and voles. These small animals feed on birdseed, berries and garbage, which are commonly found and easily accessible. Shelter and water can be found in landscaped parks and yards. Space is plentiful throughout parks, trails, and natural areas. As coyotes have adapted to the presence of humans, they have lost their natural fear of us. What attracts coyotes to your neighborhood?Coyotes are attracted to neighborhoods due to the availability of garbage, pet food and even pets, which coyotes see as prey. The following list illustrates some of the attractants that draw coyotes close to people. Remove these attractants to discourage coyotes from visiting your property:
- Outdoor pet food or water
- Birdseed or food sources that attract small mammals
- Accessible garbage or compost
- Fallen fruit or berries from trees or shrubs
- Shrubs, woodpiles, decks or any other structure that can provide cover or be used as a den
- Dogs and cats allowed to roam free, and/or female dogs in heat
If you have an incident with a coyote:
If a coyote attacks your pet, or if you have an unexpected encounter with a coyote in which the animal appears aggressive, please report the incident to Animal Control at 303-271-5070, or 303-277-0211 after normal business hours.
If a coyote attacks a human:
In the case of a coyote attack on a human, call 911. The Sheriff's Office will respond, and will also notify the Division of Wildlife so that DOW can track or destroy the animal.
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| Jefferson County Workforce Center wins Economic Developer of the Year Award |
On March 26, the 2009 Jefferson Economic Council (JEC) Industry Appreciation Awards drew a full crowd to the Arvada Center. At this event, select Jefferson County businesses were acknowledged and awarded for their efforts in contributing to the economic vitality of Jefferson County and its citizens.
The Jefferson County Workforce Center received the Genesis Award or "Economic Developer of the Year." This award goes to an organization that has contributed to the economic vitality of Jefferson County through creative leadership, innovation, facilitation, and collaboration within and outside of the county.
The center was nominated by the West Chamber serving Jefferson County and award winners were chosen from an exclusive pool of nominees by a volunteer committee. Mary Russell, Director of the Jefferson County Workforce Center and Jane Barnes, Chair of the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board, took the stage to receive the award. "We are honored to be the recipients of such a prestigious award. It confirms our strong economic tie to the community and reinforces our commitment to our job seekers, businesses and families," says Mary Russell.
Other business award winners include: CaridianBCT, Abengoa Solar, Gaming Laboratories International, Lockheed Martin Orion Program, McKesson Provider Technologies, Quest Product Development, Sartorius TCC Co., ZeaChem, Carma Developers and Miller Coors.
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Cycling in Jefferson County |
 Provided by Andrea Burns, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
Jefferson County is a popular place for outdoor recreation. Its foothills, parks and roads, and its proximity to Denver make it a great choice for people from all over the metro area. We welcome you to Jefferson County and remind you to consider the following:
Traffic Laws Apply to Everyone
Both motorists and cyclists are responsible for obeying traffic laws, and both may receive traffic citations for violations.
Choosing a Route
Some roads are better suited than others for an activity like cycling.
Riding a bike down a hill at excessive speeds is hazardous.
Parking In certain areas of the county, motor vehicle parking for cyclists can be hard to come by.
Waste Please be responsible about discarding your litter, or hold onto it until you return home.
Share the Road
Mutual respect and cooperation between motorists and cyclists makes the road safer for everyone.
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| National Start Walking Day |
Provided by Nancy Braden, Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment Please join the American Heart Association and Colorado Public Health Week partners to kick-off the 2009 Walking Season. The second annual National Start Walking Day rally begins at noon on Wednesday, April 8, at Skyline Park, located at 17th and Arapahoe in downtown Denver. Wear your walking shoes and walk approximately one mile as we all celebrate public health in Colorado. Click here to see the flyer.
Confirmed speakers include Colorado Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Medical Director, Ned Calonge. Here are some other events happening during Public Health Week that you may be interested in: Preventive Medicine Grand Rounds
Anschutz Medical Campus, Ed2 N 1303 Monday, April 6 at 12:00pm www.cudenver.edu
Preventive Medicine Grand Rounds are hosted by the CSPH General Preventive Medicine Residency Program. Grand Rounds are hosted each month during the fall and spring semesters. Visit the Preventive Medicine Grand Rounds page at http://publichealth.ucdenver.eduPublic Health Legislative Advocacy CCI Conference Room Tuesday, April 7 at 1:00pm Health policy interventions are one of the most effective ways to improve public health. The Health Policy Advocacy Training offers public health students and professionals information and skills to build their capacity to advocate for public health policy. Please join us for an engaging and interactive learning opportunity on public health advocacy! NOTE: To register for this event, you must visit http://events.publichealthalliance.org! Uniting Public Health in ColoradoGovernor's Park Restaurant & Tavern Tuesday, April 7 at 4:30pm for more information: heather.kennedy@ucdenver.edu
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| Public Health Champions for 2008 Announced |
Provided by Nancy Braden, Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment
Public Health is what we as a society do collectively to prevent illness and premature death and promote health in our communities. Each year, during National Public Health Week, being celebrated this year between April 6-12, 2009, Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) honors some of the many people it works with throughout the year that help to make our County healthy.
While they may not have made public health their profession, the work they do, the partnerships they provide and their enthusiasm for protecting the health of Jefferson County residents, makes them the 2008 Public Health Champions of the Year. An award ceremony hosted by JCDHE, the Jefferson County Board of Health and the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 100 Jefferson County Parkway in the Lookout Mountain Room.
JCDHE is pleased to announce the following 2008 Public Health Champions of the Year: Kathy Ireland, Dave Seal, Jackie Mohr, Amber Lippert, Annie Bekuhrs, Maria Gurbindo, Mary Pond, Elia Gonzales, Luis Bonet, Eli Ayala, Tina Ayala, Colleen Hatton, Brenda Crowe, Carol Salzmann and Fred Zastrow. Read their full stories.
Ensuring a Safe and Healthy Learning Environment:Kathy Ireland, Classroom Coordinator, Lakewood Head Start and Early Childhood Education Programs Head Start and Early Childhood Education Programs aim to provide children with a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment. In Lakewood, this is accomplished through the dedication and hard work of Head Start Classroom Coordinator, Kathy Ireland. Kathy has made safe food a priority for the hundreds of children who attend the Head Start Program by requiring all program staff to attend the health department's Excellence in Food Safety course.
Dave Seal, Jefferson County Schools Water Quality Management
Ensuring a safe and healthy environment for learning is no small task for the second largest school district in the state of Colorado. With over 130 facilities, which includes seven water treatment plants and two wastewater treatment plants, Dave Seal has plenty of work keeping children safe.
Promoting Automobile Safety from the Car Seat to the Driver's Seat:
Drive Smart Evergreen-Conifer's Jackie Mohr and Amber Lippert; Middle School Coordinators, Annie Bekuhrs from Evergreen Country Day School, Maria Gurbindo from Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen, and Mary Pond from West Jefferson Middle School
Automobile crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers in Jefferson County. Since its formation back in 1993, Drive Smart Evergreen/Conifer has been a champion for safe driving in the mountain communities. Partnering with schools, businesses, community and governmental organizations Drive Smart has created awareness and improved attitudes around safe and courteous driving in Jefferson County. Drive Smart's Buckle Bear Program, modeled after the national program, is especially effective in that it uses soon-to-be drivers as middle school mentors to educate younger children about the importance of automobile safety.
Promoting Healthy Nutrition for Jefferson County Families:
Elia Gonzales, Luis Bonet, Eli Ayala and Tina Ayala with Healing Waters Family Center
Public health professionals have long touted the benefits of including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in everyone's diet. Not only do they provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fibers, but they help to reduce obesity. Still, many in Jefferson County are forced to forego the fresh fruits and vegetables because of limited incomes. Healing Waters Family Center made it possible in 2008 for the health department to hold its first Produce & Health Fairs for low income residents. Reverend Elia Gonzales, Luis Bonet, and Eli and Tina Ayala are all champions for their work not only providing the space for the produce fairs but also helping to make them run smoothly.
Promoting Tobacco Free Workplaces:
Colleen Hatton, Brenda Crowe and Carol Salzmann with Exempla Lutheran Medical Center
Tobacco-free campus policies, along with local and state smoke-free laws, make a significant, positive impact on health in Jefferson County by reducing tobacco use and secondhand exposure. In July, 2008 the Exempla Lutheran Medical Center campus went 100% tobacco free. The policy applies to the entire campus including the hospital, four medical office buildings, two outlying medical care faculties and the 100 acres of corporately-owned land in Wheat Ridge. Tobacco-use and secondhand smoke exposure continue to be among the top causes of preventable death and disease in Jefferson County and Exempla's example sets an important standard.
Promoting Tobacco Free Living:
Fred Zastrow
Fred Zastrow has an important message for the thousands of Jefferson County school children he presents to each year, Don't smoke or use any other form of tobacco. Zastrow speaks to his audience through a mechanical device due to the loss of his larynx from cancer caused by cigarette smoking years ago. As a survivor of throat cancer, Fred uses his story to inspire and motivate thousands of youth throughout Jefferson County public schools each year.
The Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment held the first Public Health Champions Awards ceremony in April 1998. The Public Health Champion Awards have been duplicated nationwide by state and local health departments honoring their own public health champions or heroes during National Public Health Week, the first full week of April each year.
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| Airport Improvement Projects in 2009 |
 With the arrival of springtime, new development projects will begin to bloom at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport. The Airport Master Plan Update is one of this year's most exciting projects. An airport master plan is essential in the ongoing process of developing the airport. Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport has not had a master plan completed since 2000 and utilized 1999 information, which does not reflect the changes the airport has undergone in the past few years. A typical master plan outlines 20 years of development, however, the airport has changed a great deal over the past decade and the current master plan no longer provides the necessary vision to continue airport development. The master plan update is well underway with the firm of Reynolds, Smith and Hill (RS&H) having completed the airport existing inventory section and the aviation demand forecast. These chapters are available, as well as additional information pertaining to the Airport Master Plan Update, within this website. Other airport development news includes the addition of two airport monument signs. The larger of the new monument signs will be located at the corner of Wadsworth Parkway and Metro Airport Avenue. The other sign will be located at the intersection of Airport Way and West 120th Avenue. The construction of the new air traffic control tower is underway. A ground breaking ceremony was held on March 2, 2009 with an anticipated completion date in March of 2010. This spring, the final phase of the Taxiway Alpha Relocation Project will begin. The existing taxiway will be demolished, the last segment relocated, and lighted. After six phases, a great deal of patience, and several long years, the Taxiway Alpha Relocation Project will be completed the summer. If you have any questions or comments concerning development at the airport, please contact the Airport Development Manager, Georgiann Sailer, at 303-271-4850.
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| "Our Jeffco" Civics Class |
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Have you ever wondered what exactly local governments are responsible for? A new educational seminar called "Our Jeffco" has been designed to help citizens learn more about their local government and become more engaged in the process. This seminar will be similar to a civics class, providing a unique learning experience where you can interact, engage and discuss topics specific to government operations at the local level, as well as how things operate on a broader scale.
The county is planning to offer this Civics 101 course starting in early summer 2009. To gauge interest and assist in planning this inaugural class, we need your feedback. We would like to know if you would like to participate in such an event. Classes will be held at the Jefferson County Administration and Courts Building. Specific dates and time have not yet been determined.
If you would like to attend the event, please send an email to Tim Carl at tcarl@jeffco.us. It would be helpful to know if you prefer classes in the evening or afternoon. In addition, take a moment and let us know what topics sound interesting to you, such as:
- How does government work?
- Where do your property taxes go?
- How does land get rezoned?
- Who determines which streets get plowed?
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