Human Services to Prepare Workers for 'Green' Jobs, Thanks to Grant
Jefferson County, in partnership with several other entities, will begin working with the renewable energy industry in Jefferson, Boulder and Broomfield counties to meet the industry's growing need for trained workers in Colorado. 
                      
The project is part of a $438,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment through the Sector Strategies Initiative. The money will fund efforts to help renewable energy businesses address their workforce needs and enroll 150 people in a program to receive the training they need to be "green-collar" workers.
 
In April 2009, the Jeffco Human Services' Career and Family Support Services Division applied for $62,000 from the Colorado Department of Labor to begin research and planning to serve renewable energy businesses in the area. Upon receipt of this first planning grant, Jefferson County, in partnership with the Tri-County and Boulder workforce regions, Red Rocks Community College, the International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology, Jefferson Economic Council, Ascent Solar and PrimeStar Solar, began to research the industry's needs.
 
In November 2009, Jeffco applied for the second grant of $438,000. Commissioners authorized acceptance of the grant at their staff briefing in December. Now, Human Services and the other partners will work on implementing a plan that addresses the industry's top four needs.

1. Cultivating a green-collar workforce
2. Assisting applicants and businesses with evaluation and placement
3. Eliminating workforce system barriers.
4. Increasing employers' ability to provide on-the-job training

County to Study One-Way Traffic on Sutton and Conifer Roads
Commissioners gave approval to Transportation and Engineering staff to move forward with a plan to evaluate whether to make Sutton and Conifer roads one-way traffic only to allow for a planned bike and pedestrian trail.
 
In fall 2009, the BCC approved a $100,000 Conservation Trust Fund grant to design and construct a trail along Sutton Road in Aspen Park. Designs have shown that the trail could work along that road but would fit better if Sutton and Conifer roads functioned as one-way streets. The one-way designation also has other advantages, such as increased traffic capacity and possible on-street parking. However, it would also require more traffic signs, paving and striping, and necessitate more traffic enforcement.
 
County staff will contact RTD, the Sheriff's Office and other agencies to gauge their support, survey business owners who may be affected and conduct 24-hour traffic counts. The study should be completed in early 2010. Staff will bring final results and recommendations to the BCC.

BCC Approves Contract for New County Data Center
Computer Sites, Inc., of Denver, will begin design and construction of a new data center at the county's Laramie Building at 3500 Illinois Street in Golden, following Commissioners' approval of a $1.3 million contract with the company. 
 
The new data center is the first stage of the county's efforts to relocate some Courts and Administration Building offices at 100 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden to accommodate more judicial personnel. The State of Colorado is increasing the number of judges at the Jefferson County Courts and Administration Building, requiring the county to reconfigure and increase its courtrooms and judicial offices and relocate some staff. The new data center will include a power sub-electrical room, cooling units, uninterruptible power supplies, emergency generators, raised flooring and a new control room.
 
Computer Sites, Inc., was the highest-rated of four firms that responded to the county's request for proposals and met all county requirements. The county will use Capital Improvement Plan money to fund the project.