Contact Your
Commissioners
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Kevin McCasky Chairman, District Two  Faye Griffin
Chairman Pro Tem, District One  Kathy Hartman
District Three commish@jeffco.us
303-271-8525 |
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Citizens Provide Valuable Feedback at Commissioners' Input Meetings
Jennifer Kostka, Citizen Involvement Coordinator |
 A total of more than 150 people attended four Citizen Input Meetings hosted by the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners at locations across the county this fall. Citizens, Commissioners and other elected officials discussed a variety of issues, including FasTracks, the 2010 County Budget and the increased demand for social services. Commissioners held the meetings in October and November at the Peak Community and Wellness Center in South Jeffco, the Evergreen Lake House in Evergreen, the Standley Lake Library in Arvada and the Belmar Library in Lakewood. Attendees learned about the current state of the county, used an interactive keypad system to answer questions from Commissioners, and asked questions and commented on the issues that matter most to them. Despite the diversity of residents who live in Jefferson County, Commissioners saw many of the same interests at each meeting. For instance, 28 percent of attendees in Evergreen and 27 percent of attendees in Lakewood said they would approve a mill levy increase for programs for seniors, children and families in need (Commissioners have no plans to increase taxes at this time; the question was asked to gain insight into what services matter most to citizens). However, the two groups differed in their support for other areas. Only 10 percent of attendees in Evergreen said they would vote for a mill levy increase for libraries, compared to 27 percent in Lakewood. Other keypad response results, along with videos of the meetings and Commissioners' presentations, are posted on the Transparent Jeffco Web site. If you could not make a meeting but still want to answer the keypad questions that Commissioners asked attendees, you can take our online survey. Commissioners would like to thank all citizens who participated in these meetings, as well as Jeffco Public Schools for loaning the keypad system to the county. Please watch for more Citizen Input Meetings in 2010! |
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Santa's Flying In to the RMMA
Kenneth Maenpa, Airport Director |
 Santa Claus is flying in to Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport on Friday, December 4 at 6:00 pm. Come enjoy treats, seasonal music and holiday movies, while waiting to share your wish list with Santa.
This event is open to the public. Admission and parking are free, but expect a line to see the big guy. Mr. Claus will arrive via helicopter, provided by Rotors of the Rockies.
All festivities will take place in the Terminal Building located at 11755 Airport Way, Broomfield, CO 80021. Please call airport administration at 303-271-4850 for more information. |
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Deputy Hugs
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office |
 Studies have shown that no single object calms a troubled child as quickly as a teddy bear. "Deputy HUGS," a program that began in 1991, works with the Victim Services Unit, comforting frightened young victims of crisis or crime.
For a donation of $20, you can adopt a "Deputy HUGS" bear for yourself or your child. At the same time, your donation will provide a "Deputy HUGS" bear for a child in need.
 The "Deputy HUGS" bear given to the victim will wear a T-shirt that reads: For further information or to donate, contact: Adopt a Bear Attn: Deputy "HUGS" c/o Jefferson County Sheriff's Office 200 Jefferson County Parkway Golden, CO 80401 303-271-5339 |
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Eat Pizza to Help Kids
Jefferson County District Attorney's Office |
 The Jefferson County District Attorney's Office has a Child Internet Sex Offender Investigations program called "Cheezo." Johnny's New York Pizza in Lakewood is participating in a two-day fundraiser (December 8-9) with a percentage of their profits going to the Cheezo program to help fund the educational efforts for the community. The Cheezo Educational Program has averaged 120 Internet Safety presentations (by request) a year inform both children and adults how to better protect themselves while on the Internet and using cell phones.
The Cheezo Internet and Cell Phone Safety Program is funded through private donations to the District Attorney's 501(c)(3) non-profit community partnership. The unique aspect of this non-profit is that all monies go toward the educational program.
The program has two components - prevention and undercover investigations. Senior Investigator Mike Harris has been very successful in arresting predators who seek out children through the Internet and/or their cell phones. He has arrested more than 400 sex offenders, including 98 this year alone. This proactive component of the program is funded through the county.
So on December 8 and 9, whether you choose to eat at Johnny's, take out or have them deliver (in their area), you'll be helping the Cheezo program.
For more information on the program, contact Sr. Investigator Mike Harris or by phone 303-271-6936. |
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Manage Utility Costs This Winter
Rusty Collins, Jeffco CSU Extension Director |
Living a more sustainable lifestyle can be achieved by taking small steps. Jefferson County's Colorado State University Extension program offers some simple and inexpensive energy conservation ideas to help you get started.
Weatherstripping
Prevent air leaks by sealing around windows and exterior doors with inexpensive materials. Self-adhesive foam, caulk, and door sweeps can be purchased from your local hardware store. You can also use materials around the house, such as tape and cardboard.
Control Your Thermostat
Reduce your heating bill by setting the thermostat to a comfortable and energy-efficient temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit when in the home. Set the thermostat to 60 degrees when you leave. Also, try lowering the thermostat at night and putting on a fleece or using a blanket to keep the chill away. You can conserve heat by opening curtains on sunny days and closing them at night. Replacing the furnace filter once a month during heating season will increase the energy and heating efficiency of your furnace.
Control Your Hot Water Heater
Reducing the temperature of your hot water heater can lower heating costs by 6 to 10 percent. Try setting it from 140 degrees down to 120 degrees. Using less hot water can also help reduce your heating bill. Washing clothes in hot water costs 20 to 40 cents per load. Try washing with full loads in cold or warm water.
For additional home energy ideas, go to CSU Extension's Clean & Renewable Energy page. |
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Floodplain Questions in Jeffco?
Pat O'Connell, Planning & Zoning |
If you want to know if a property is in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) in Jefferson County, you can contact Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Division at 303.271.8700.
You can also visit our Web site for additional, detailed information including an interactive mapping program, jMap (including floodplain limits), information on building in the floodplain, land disturbance activities in the floodplain, how to protect your building from flooding and tips about what do in a flood.
You can also contact the Jefferson County Planning and Zoning staff at 303-271-8700 for copies of FEMA Elevation Certificates for buildings constructed in the floodplains since 2004 or to answer any other questions you may have. |
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Help Protect Our Waters
Pat O'Connell, Planning & Zoning |
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Jefferson County is responsible for what flows through our storm sewer system, even if the pollutants originate on private property. Our storm sewer system is designed to carry runoff from rain and snowmelt and discharge it directly to the drainage way. Materials that are dumped or inadvertently washed into our storm sewer system can pollute our surface waters.
An illicit discharge occurs when an activity results in an unauthorized substance entering our storm sewer system. Jefferson County has procedures to address illicit discharges into the storm sewer system.
Water pollution is harmful to wildlife and may require additional treatment. Always keep solid waste, such as pet waste or food grease, contained and disposed of appropriately. Liquid waste, such as concrete washout, residuals from carpet cleaning, or power wash water should be contained and also disposed of properly.
If you have any questions regarding Jefferson County's stormwater management program, please call the Planning and Zoning Division at 303-271-8700.
If you see an illicit discharge that is an urgent matter, please contact the Jefferson County Sheriffs Department at 303-277-0211. |
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Job Clubs a Creative Search Strategy
Kris Kinzli, Workforce Development |
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Jefferson County Workforce Center, in partnership with St. Anthony Hospital's Health Passport program, is offering Job Clubs for Professionals and Boomers at Colorado Mills.
These no-cost job clubs provide the networking opportunities to exchange job leads, job search ideas,information and support -- all important when creating effective job search strategies.
- The Professional Job Club meets Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
- The Boomer Job Club (for those 45 years and older) meets Thursdays from 10:00 a.m.-noon.
The location for both is Colorado Mills, 14500 W. Colfax Avenue (I-70 & Colfax) Lakewood, CO, Entrance #1, Space #134.
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