Contact Your
Commissioners
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Kathy Hartman Chairman, District Three  Faye Griffin Chairman Pro Tem, District One  Kevin McCasky District Two [email protected]303-271-8525 |
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| Young Adult Job Fair
Kris Kinzli, Jeffco Workforce Center |
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Jeffco YouthWorks Young Adult Job Fair will take place March 2, 2010, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Companies who are interested in participating in the job fair at no cost, please contact Debbie Beckley
at 303-2714. | |
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Hartman to Chair Jefferson County Board of Commissioners in 2010 |
Kathy Hartman has been named the 2010 chairman of the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners and Faye Griffin will serve as chairman pro-tem. Hartman also will chair the Jefferson County Law Enforcement Authority Board of Directors with Griffin as chairman pro tem.
Commissioners Hartman, Griffin and J. Kevin McCasky approved the 2010 organizational structure at the Board's hearing today. They also confirmed several appointments to various boards and commissions.
For more information, contact Jefferson County Public Information Officer Kathryn Heider at 303-271-8515 or [email protected]. |
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Assessor to Host Business Property Tax Forums
Jim Everson, Jefferson County Assessor |
 My staff and I will be conducting a series of Business Property Tax Forums across Jefferson County early in 2010. These forums are designed to let the business community in Jefferson County know about a new online business personal property tax reporting option we are offering for 2010 and to help business owners better understand business property taxes in general.
When businesses receive their business personal property tax declaration in January 2010, it will be the first time they will have the option of filing their declaration online. Each declaration sent will contain instructions for online filing, however, these forums are being made available to business owners to answer questions they may have. We also plan to present information on how we value business real and personal property and facts about the specific geographic marketplace in which the forum is being presented.
The four Business Property Tax Forums will be held in library community rooms beginning at 7:00 p.m.:
- For Arvada, Westminster and North area: Wednesday, January 13, at Standley Lake Library in Arvada
- For the Mountain Area: Wednesday, January 20, at the Evergreen Library
- For the Lakewood and Wheat Ridge Area: Wednesday, January 27, at the Belmar Library in Lakewood
- For the South Area: Wednesday, February 10, at Columbine Library in South Jeffco
I hope business owners and their tax service providers will take this opportunity to find out more about their property taxes and how to deal effectively with the Assessor's Office in addition to learning about the new on-line personal property system.
The Jefferson County Assessor's Office is responsible for valuing all property in Jefferson County for property tax purposes. Our Web site offers information about the assessment process and property valuations. Our office is located in the Jefferson County Administration Building at 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, Colorado, Suite 2500. Property owners may also call 303-271-8600 or email the office. We would love to hear comments from those who attend the forums and get ideas for future property tax forums. |
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County Clerk Seeks Public Input Regarding 2010 Primary Election
Josh Liss, Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder's Office
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 Last year, the Colorado General Assembly passed a law that expands the flexibility at the local level to decide how to conduct Primary Elections. Specifically, House Bill 09-1015 allows for each county to choose to conduct Primary Elections by mail-in ballot with service centers located throughout the county. In the 2008 Primary Election, 94% of Jefferson County voters who participated in the election chose to vote by mail, with less than 6% electing to visit a polling place on Election Day.
Although public preference for the last Primary Election was strongly in favor of voting by mail-in ballot, the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder's Office is seeking input from citizens regarding whether or not they would like the 2010 Primary to be conducted by mail-in ballot as well. "It's important that we gauge the public sentiment regarding how citizens want their elections conducted," said Clerk and Recorder Pam Anderson.
The Clerk and Recorder's Office will be receiving public input regarding whether or not the 2010 Primary Election shall be conducted by mail-in ballot from January 29 through February 12, 2010. Comments in favor or opposed to a mail-in ballot Primary may be submitted by email to [email protected], by phone at (303) 271-8111, or by delivering written comments to the Clerk and Recorder's Office at 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 2560, Golden, CO 80419. |
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January is National Radon Action Month
Nancy Braden, Jefferson County Public Health |
 Jefferson County Public Health encourages all residents to have their homes tested for radon gas, a naturally occurring gas that you can't see, smell, or taste, but could be present at dangerous levels in your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in America and claims the lives of about 500 Coloradans each year. Elevated levels of radon have been found in homes all across the country. In Colorado, 52 of its 64 counties are at high risk for radon. Due to the gas's unpredictable nature, two houses right next to each other may have very different radon levels. Testing is the only way to know for certain if you and your loved ones are at risk.
January is an excellent time to test your home. Residents in Jefferson and Gilpin counties can purchase short-term test kits for $10.00 at Jefferson County Public Health Environmental Health Services. Visit the Golden office at 1801 19th Street to pick-up your testing kit. Long-term test kits are also available at local hardware stores, supermarkets and other retail outlets.
If high levels of radon are found in your home (above four picocuries per liter of air), installing a mitigation system is recommended. It takes more than just opening a window or turning on a fan to remove the gas built up in your home. Qualified contractors can seal up cracks and install ventilation systems to prevent the radon from collecting.
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BEST Provides High-quality Education Seminars and Training Sessions
Kris Kinzli, Jeffco Workforce Center |
Business Education Series Training (BEST) is a partnership of Jefferson County municipal and non-profit business specialists which provides high-quality education seminars and training sessions to the region's business community. These sessions are relevant, diverse and affordable for the purpose of encouraging successful growth in a challenging business climate.  Although workshop offerings aren't new to the business community, the collaboration is. "In the past, all of our organizations have hosted training events. Now twelve groups have come together to strengthen the offering and to meet the needs of the local businesses with a one-stop education shop," comments Ryan Stachelski, Economic Development Specialist, City of Wheat Ridge. The education seminars and training sessions are geared towards any sized business or profession. Topics for the 2010 series include communication skills, social networking, financing your business, immigration law, buyer behavior and more. The first in the series, "Marketing, Marketing, Marketing - Effective, Affordable Strategies," will be held January 29 from 7:30-9:00 a.m. at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, with breakfast included.
Visit the BEST Web site for more information, a complete list of 2010 workshops and to register. |
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H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Update
Nancy Braden, Jefferson County Public Health |
 Public Health surveillance data indicates that over the past few weeks, influenza activity has declined to consistently low levels; however, those levels are still higher than what is seen in a typical influenza season. 2009 H1N1 continues to be the dominant circulating influenza virus currently. However, we expect to see increased seasonal flu activity in the weeks ahead.
Seasonal influenza generally peaks mid-February to mid-March. Infection, hospitalization, and death are still occurring in populations not normally at risk for complications from influenza. Your best defense against infection is to become vaccinated.
There are still several opportunities to get vaccinated against 2009 H1N1. A free Saturday clinic opportunity is still available through the Visiting Nurse Association at Jefferson County Public Health's Lakewood location (260 South Kipling) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on January 16, 2010. Please call the VNA at 303-698-6378 for more information or for other flu clinics being offered by VNA. Also check out www.immunizecolorado.com for both seasonal and H1N1 clinic locations.
For more information on H1N1 and seasonal influenza, please visit the Jefferson County Public Health Home page. |
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Public Health Update
Nancy Braden, Jefferson County Public Health |
 National Influenza Vaccination Week, January 10-16, 2010
The number of people who get vaccinated against influenza typically drops after November. With more than 130 million doses of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine available, and with flu illness declining in many areas, Americans who have not been vaccinated have a window of opportunity to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Encouraging more people to get vaccinated over the next several weeks could prevent serious illness and death. That's why the Department of Health and Human Services designated January 10-16, 2010, as National Influenza Vaccination Week. For more information, visit the flu.gov Web site. For more information on vaccine preventable diseases, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site.
 Prevent Cervical and Breast Cancer
January is National Cervical Cancer Screening Month and Jefferson County Public Health reminds women to schedule a breast and cervical health screening. The screening test for cancer of the cervix is called a pap smear, it can detect changes in the cervix that might lead to cancer. Unfortunately, despite its availability and success in reducing deaths from cancer, too many women neglect to take advantage of this life-saving screening.
 HPV Vaccine
JCPH reccommends that young women consult their health care provider and consider being vaccinated against the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV infection can lead to cervical cancer. The vaccine is recommended for 11-26 year-old women, and can be given to girls as early as age 9. Ideally, females should receive the vaccine before they are sexually active.
It is important to realize that the HPV vaccine doesn't protect against all cancer-causing types of HPV, so Pap tests are still necessary even if vaccinated. Regular breast and cervical health screenings are important. Some important things to remember:
- All women should be screened for cervical cancer about 3 years after they start having sexual intercourse. Screenings should start by the time a woman is 21 years old, regardless of sexual activity. Women should be screened every year with a Pap test.
- All women should have a mammogram every year beginning at age 40.
JCPH's Cancer Control Program (funded partially by the Colorado Women's Cancer Control Initiative) offers free clinical breast exams, mammograms, pelvic exams and Pap tests to women with limited income and limited or no insurance. To qualify for JCPH's free cancer screenings women must:
- Not be on Medicaid
- Not have health insurance which will pay for a mammogram
- Have not had a mammogram or pap test in the past year
- Meet certain financial criteria (determined when appointment is being scheduled)
- Be 40 years of age or older (women under age 40 may be eligible for low cost pap smears through our Family Planning Program).
Call 303-239-7078 to schedule an appointment at the Arvada or Lakewood clinics. For more information about breast and cervical cancers or to see if you qualify, please call the JCPH Cancer Control Coalition Coordinator at 303-239-7044. |
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Wash Away Hep A
Nancy Braden, Jefferson County Public Health |
Jefferson County Public Health Environmental Health Specialists and Public Health Nurses have teamed up to increase awareness and prevention of Hepatitis A in the county, especially among workers who handle and serve food. The Food Safety and Hepatitis A Prevention Project will increase educational outreach to food handlers on Hepatitis A and its prevention, as well as provide opportunities to receive the Hepatitis A vaccine at a greatly reduced cost.
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that is spread from person to person. The disease can cause both mild illness that lasts a few weeks and severe illness lasting several months. Hepatitis A is spread when a person ingests fecal matter from contact with food or drinks or objects contaminated by the feces or stool from an infected person. Because outbreaks have been traced to foods contaminated by infected food workers, it is important to educate food handlers about the risks of Hepatitis A.
Food-handlers can prevent the spread of Hepatitis A by washing hands thoroughly, avoiding bare-hand contact with ready to eat foods, and not working when sick.
The Food Safety and Hepatitis A Prevention Project is made possible in part through grant funding awarded to JCPH from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Jefferson County Environmental Health Specialists and Public Health Nurses have partnered to make the project possible from November, 2009 through October 2010.
Food handlers are asked to call 303-239-7007 for more information about the vaccine. For more information:
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Jefferson County Professional Connections Job Club Facilitates Networking and Job Search Support
Kris Kinzli, Jeffco Workforce Center |
| As more and more job seekers look to the Internet as a simple, quick way to search for new positions, many are frustrated by an utter lack of response. Since companies are receiving hundreds of resumes for each opening, networking has become a non-negotiable tool in the quest to land a position.
The Jefferson County Professional Connections Job Club provides a weekly opportunity to network and learn valuable information on topics like interviewing, salary negotiation and personal branding. The job club is a partnership between Jefferson County Workforce Center and St. Anthony Hospitals Health Passport Program. The group is facilitated by Professional Career Consultant, Kate Culligan.
The group of 20+ job seekers meets each Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Colorado Mills Shopping Center in the St. Anthony's Passport Office, Space #134 (West of Border's Book Store). Meetings are free and participants are encouraged to provide leads and support to their fellow job seekers.
Most who attend are mid-career professionals who have been laid-off or downsized by local companies. The group provides an opportunity to fight isolation, seek support and information on how to transfer their current skills to new industries or positions. Many group members have successfully transitioned to new careers.
For more information call Kay Ross at Jefferson County Workforce Center at 303-271-4710. |
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Governor Ritter Launches CareerReady Colorado at Jeffco Workforce Center
Kris Kinzli, Workforce Development |
 On Thursday, December 10, Governor Ritter visited the Jefferson County Workforce Center to officially launch the CareerReady Colorado Certificate, a tool that helps match the right person with the right job.
The CareerReady Colorado Certificate is awarded after an individual completes a skills assessment at any workforce center. The assessment, a WorkKeys system from ACT, verifies workplace skills in reading for information, locating information and applied mathematics.
While job seeking, David Bebout used his certificate to land a job at Envergent, an environmental assessment company. "This is gauging intellectual qualities, commitment, team work analysis and analytical skills," Bebout said. "These are all things that any business can utilize and so can any job-seeker."
Ameristar is one of those businesses realizing the benefits of the CareerReady Colorado Certificate. "At Ameristar Casino Resort Spa, we just opened our 4 star hotel in October, and found that utilizing the WorkKeys assessments that can lead to a CareerReady Colorado certificate helped us to identify the best qualified candidates in the most timely manner. Working with the Jeffco Workforce Center to administer the assessments has made it very easy for us," says Reggie Fullwood, Sr. VP & GM, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa, Black Hawk.
In addition to launching the CareerReady Colorado Certificate, the governor unveiled three legislative proposals intended to help employees and small businesses with job training and retraining programs:
- Incentives for health care professionals to work in rural areas.
- Extended eligibility of the existing CollegeInvest nurse loan forgiveness program.
- Implementing employee funded job-retraining accounts which would offer incentives to businesses that match contributions.
Gov. Bill Ritter told the crowd that this is the worst economy since the Great Depression. "Government can't solve the unemployment problem by itself, but it does have a role," Ritter said. "We're making significant investments in job training and retraining programs so that Coloradans have the right skills for the new jobs that we're able to build in this economy," Ritter said.
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Jefferson County Human Services Would Like to Thank the Community |
| Jefferson County Human Services received numerous donations and support from the community all year long for the Head Start, Children, Youth and Families, and Community Assistance Divisions in 2008. We want to thank all of our many partners for their contributions, dedication and support of the children and families we serve. Many of our children, families and senior citizens were deeply touched and impacted by the generosity of the following community agencies:
 1150 AM KNRV, Abundant Life Christian Center, American Legends, Applewood Community Church, Applewood Golf Course, Arvada YMCA, Bank of the West, Bikers Toy Runners, Children, Youth and Families community volunteers, City of Aurora, Clement Park Dental CONECT, Deer Creek Church, Echo Star, Foothills Community Church (Youth Group and Foothills Forever Families Small Group), Girl Scout, Troop #3432, Mount Carbon Elementary School, Hosana Lutheran Church, Jaycee's, Jefferson County Facilities,  Jefferson County Road and Bridge, Jefferson County Fleet Management, Jefferson County Community Services participants (through Justice Services), Jeffco Schools Indian Education Program, King Soopers @ Kipling and Florida, Lakewood Elks, Los Carboncitos, Macaroni Grill (Denver West), Needles and Associates, New Era Dental, Parker Friends of Jeffco kids, Portrait Gallery, Red Rocks Community College, Red Rocks Outreach Community Klub (R.O.C.K.), RMH Group, Sew and Sew Group (Golden Recreation Center), Starbucks (Hwy. 93 & Washington), The Old Blinking Light Restaurant,  Trinity Presbyterian Church, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, U.S. Office of Veteran Affairs, U.S. Office of Bureau of Reclamation Volunteers from Bear Creek High School and Lookout Mountain, WaterStone Church and Wheat Ridge Rotary Club.
In addition, we want to thank all the many volunteers who assist with our numerous programs throughout the year. Without your support, much of what we do would not be possible. Thank You! | |
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