Kathy Hartman,
Chairman, District Three

 

 

Faye Griffin,

Chairman, Pro Tem,
District One

 

 

Kevin McCasky,

District Two

 

303-271-8525

The Sixth Annual Colorado Heart Gallery is an exhibit of photographs that highlight the spirit of foster care children in search of loving homes.  The Heart Gallery is Colorado's most effective recruitment tool for locating adoptive families for older children and approximately 40 percent of the children featured in the exhibit find their "forever families" within one year of being featured. 

 

The exhibit will be available to view from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the month of August in the Atrium of the Jefferson County Administration and Courts Building, located in Golden at 100 Jefferson Parkway.

 

 The exhibit is a collaborative effort among the Colorado Department of Human Services, The Adoption Exchange, county departments of human/social services, and numerous professional photographers who donate their services in order to help Colorado children find adoptive families.
 
For more information on the Colorado Heart Gallery, contact Laurel Moore at 303-866-4306 or Laurel.Moore@state.co.us.  For more information about adoption in Jefferson County, contact Beth Cassese at 303-271-4038 or bcassese@jeffco.us.

 

Aging is significant to all citizens of Jefferson County because we have the largest number of folks age 60 and over in the state of Colorado, with that number expected to double by the year 2020.

 

What we know:
· The VERY OLD and POOR are populations of concern - mostly women in both.
· Most older adults would prefer to age in their communities, but there is a critical shortage of affordable housing and other services.
· Communities are not set up for successful aging.
· Aging of baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) will only make the shortages more severe.
· Funding for services has not kept pace with needs.

 

Understanding the changing landscape and the aging of Baby Boomers, Jefferson County Department of Human Services created a unit two years ago whose goal was to develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of the growing senior population through Aging and Adult Services. This unit is within the Community Assistance Division, which promotes stability and independence by providing financial and medical assistance to elderly and disabled adults.

 

These dedicated individuals, many representing organizations from areas of the aging arena, have been discussing and idea-gathering on the topics of transportation and mobility, housing, care-giving issues, supportive services, basic needs such as financial, medical, legal, social and civic engagement, physical and mental health, and wellness.  These topics were presented at the Jefferson County Summit on Aging on June 16. Open to the public, this summit brought the community together to explore how the aging population will affect everyone.

 

For more information on the Aging Well Project, please visit our website or call 303-271-4216.

August is National Child Support Month and Jefferson County Child Support Services is raising awareness about the importance of child support to assure that children are financially cared for and to let our community know what services are available through the Federal Child Support Program. Our goal is to partner with parents so that they can meet the financial and emotional needs of their children and to connect parents to community resources that will assist them to meet their children's needs. 
 
The Mission of the Colorado Child Support Program is to assure that all children receive financial and medical support from each parent. This is accomplished by establishing paternity and support obligations, modifying existing orders as appropriate and enforcing orders. Most program actions are conducted administratively without the need for court hearings. Any custodial or non-custodial parent can request services.  A one-time application fee of $20.00 will start the process.

 

"Parents who want more information on the services available, including the Fatherhood Initiative,  are encouraged to contact us," said Debbie Moss, program manager. 
 
Presently, with a staff of 50 and an average of five volunteers/interns at any time, about 12,000 families have active cases.  Recent accomplishments include 142 paternities established and almost 600 new child support/medical support orders established during the last six months.  Almost $16,000,000 has been collected during the same time period, most of which is passed through to families and the remainder reimburses public assistance costs.

 

For more information, visit www.jeffco.us/cse, call 303-271-4300 or visit us at the Laramie Building, 3500 Illinois Street, Suite 1300, Golden, 80401. We are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. No appointment required. Walk-ins welcome!

During the week of August 9, Jefferson County's contractor, B. Jackson Construction, will grind approximately 19 miles of centerline rumble strips on several mountain arterial roads. The road segments will be as follows:
 
1. Brook Forest Rd (CR 73/Blue Creek Rd)
2. Brook Forest Rd
(Brook Forest Dr/
Forest Estates Rd)
3. CR 73 (Wonderview Ave/Marshmerry Ln)
4. CR 73 (CR 64/US285)
5. Shadow Mtn Rd (CR 73/Shadow Mtn Dr)
6. Lookout Mtn Rd (Golden city limits/SH 40)
7. Golden Gate Canyon Rd 0.5 miles west of Jefferson County Central Shop
 
Work will not start until after 8:00 a.m. to accommodate morning commuters. The entire grinding work is expected to be finished by August 12. County crews will then stripe the yellow centerline later this summer.

 

Read the full release for all of the details.

There are several new videos available on the county's Media-on-Demand website. Topics range from how to fight fraud and identity theft to dog licensing to the Boettcher Mansion.

 

To take a look, click on the links below or simply go to the Media-on-Demand page, scroll to the "Jeffco Community Info" section, select the "General" section and find the video you'd like to watch. Select the "Video" link to view.

"Citizen participation is essential to effective government, and Jefferson County wants to encourage involvement," said Commissioner Kathy Hartman, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. "Jefferson County Insights offers citizens a new way to stay informed."

 

The first several Jefferson County Insights videos are available online, plus the Board of County Commissioner and Planning Commission hearings. Each meeting is posted with its agenda, minutes and other supporting documents.

 

Jefferson County, in partnership with the city of Arvada, launched the Jefferson County Insights series in March to help inform citizens about everything from how their tax bills are calculated to the importance of dog licensing. The videos are available at www.jeffco.us and will appear on Arvada's KATV Channel 8.

 

If you have ideas for topics to appear on Jefferson County Insights, please contact the Public Information Office at (303) 271-8512 or transparentjeffco@jeffco.us.

 

Incorporating sustainable practices into your business is one of the most powerful ways to make a difference, not just to your own bottom line (although it certainly helps), but also to your community - both now and for the future. Now is a great time to turn your business green, by adopting environmentally friendly business practices and more!
 
Come and learn about the new energy economy and how to finance and obtain advice on transitioning your business into a "green business."

 
Presenter: Emily Templin Lesh, Green Jobs Program coordinator, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. As the Green Jobs Coordinator, Emily collaborates with the Governor's Energy Office, and other state agencies to plan, implement and coordinate economic and workforce development initiatives related to Colorado's New Energy Economy. 
When: Thursday, September 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, 4005 Kipling Street
Cost: $15, includes lunch
Presented by: Jefferson County Workforce Center
Register Online: www.jeffcobrc.org/BusinessEducation
Need more information: Call 303-271-4745

 

Jeffco YouthWorks First Aid & CPR Training
Free One-Day Certification Course for Youth, Ages 14-21
 
Need First Aid & CPR certification to get a job? Want to become a lifeguard or child care worker? Trying to get into the health care field? Join our FREE one-day training and become certified in Heartsaver® First Aid & CPR.

 

The American Heart Association's Heartsaver® courses teach the lifesaving skills that will prepare you to respond to and care for someone in crisis until emergency help arrives. You can get certified in Heartsaver® First Aid with CPR and AED in a convenient one-day course.
 
Two Sessions Available:
Wednesday, August 18; 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
OR
Thursday, August 19; 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
 
Location:   
Jefferson County Workforce Center
Laramie Building
3500 Illinois Street, Golden, CO 80401
www.jeffcoyouthworks.org

To Register:

 
Call Today. Space is limited to 15 participants per training.

Lunch will be provided.
303-271-4613

 

Mark your calendars! Table Mountain Animal Center invites you to the grand opening of our brand new facility with a brand new name. Don't miss this family-friendly and free celebration.

 

Join us on Saturday, August 28 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the new location at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 580 McIntyre Street in Golden. There will be tours of the facility, giveaways, adoption specials, food, music and more.

 

For more information, visit our website at www.foothillsanimalshelter.org.

 

The District Attorney's Office is hosting an extraordinary Community Safety Awareness Fair on August 28 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
 
This free event is the first of its kind with a complete range of safety services including: free document shredding and electronics recycling; outdated prescription recycling; safety presentations all morning; many kids' activities, fast boats and cars for men of all ages; plus 50 booths with demonstrations, valuable information and giveaways.
 
District Attorney staff will run your credit report and a bank officer will review it with you.
 
"We don't believe anything like this has ever been done," said District Attorney Scott Storey. "There is something for everyone. Budgets are tight for people these days. We are proud to be able to bring all these services and resources together and provide them to the community at no cost."
 
We've added a wide range of kids' activities this year with a Bicycle Rodeo (free helmets for kids who participate), McGruff, craft tables, bouncy rides and more. 
 
This event provides a wide selection of safety information, far beyond the traditional crime prevention tips you might expect from a district attorney's office.
 
In 1996 Storey established a 501(c)(3) Community Partnership to defray the costs of crime prevention programs in the District Attorney's Office.

 

Good Things Are Happening at the Wheat Ridge Farmers' Market 
A visit to the Wheat Ridge Farmer's Market at 4252 Wadsworth Blvd. on any Thursday between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. through October brings more than the splash of red, green, purple and yellow fresh fruits and vegetables spilling over tables and bins.There is also a sense of community, and people from different backgrounds, incomes, and cultures sharing in the tastes and smells.

 

The Wheat Ridge Farmers' Market is embracing this diversity and taking steps to create a healthier and more sustainable Jefferson County by accepting food assistance benefits, also known as food stamps, at the market. The Wheat Ridge Farmers' Market food stamp acceptance program, coordinated by the Jefferson Conservation District, is funded by Jefferson County Public Health LiveWell Wheat Ridge Coalition and made possible through partnerships with the City of Wheat Ridge, Metro Denver Farmers' Market and the Colorado Farmers' Market Association. These organizations have partnered to ensure the benefits of a farmers' market are available to everyone in the community, including those on limited income who receive food assistance benefits.

 

The availability of an Electronic Benefit (EBT) machine at the Wheat Ridge Farmers' Market provides food stamp recipients another important source of nutritious foods. It also provides the local farmers more potential customers helping to stimulate the local economy.

 

Thanks to community interest, funding from LiveWell Colorado and coordination by the Jefferson Conservation District, this new EBT machine is up and running at the Wheat Ridge Farmers' Market.

 

Free Mobile Health Service Provides Health Tips to Pregnant Women and New Moms
In an effort to reduce the U.S. infant-mortality rate and improve maternal child health, public-health advocates are tapping an unlikely resource: the cell phone. Jefferson County Public Health is partnering with the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB) to promote text4baby - a new, free mobile information service.

Women who sign up for the service by texting BABY to 511411 (or BEBE for Spanish) receive three free SMS text messages each week timed to their due date or baby's date of birth through the first year of baby's life.

 

These messages focus on a variety of topics critical to maternal and child health, including birth defects prevention, immunization, nutrition, seasonal flu, mental health, oral health and safe sleep. Participating wireless carriers are voluntarily providing these text messages free of charge. Get more information and a list of carriers in the full release.

Ready for School?
Books, backpacks, clothes, pencils and IMMUNIZATIONS!
Parents are encouraged to take their children to their health care providers this summer to get check-ups and immunizations. The  Jefferson County Department of Public Health also has immunization clinics for families needing vaccinations. Be sure your child is up to date.

All JCPH Immunization clinics are by appointment only! Call 303-232-6301 to schedule an appointment in Arvada or Lakewood.
For more information on immunizations or schedules, log on to:
Jefferson County Public Health or

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

 

Alternatives in Birth Control Methods
Jefferson County Public Health reminds women that planning pregnancy is important. Families can plan for the best time to have their second, third or even their last child. The birth control pill has been available to women since the 1960's and millions of women of childbearing age have benefited from this once a day birth control method. However, today, women have different options than the daily pill.

 

For more information on the different options and to learn how to obtain these services in our clinics, see the full press release.

 

 

 

To create these nest boxes, Bryan Posthumus from the Natural Resource team used a chainsaw to cut a face plate off of the tree, plunge cut the cavity, drilled an entry hole into the face plate, and reattached the plate with hinges and a hook.  According to Bryan, "All in all, it takes less time to create than a typical plank bird box and looks more natural. These nest boxes don't work in live trees since the sap will close up the box," he added.

 

In the last two years, Open Space workers observed mountain and western bluebirds, mountain chickadee, pygmy nuthatch, white-breasted nuthatch, violet green swallow, and house wrens using the nests.
 
Another Natural Resource staffer, Sean Kluesner, documents avian activity with the help of volunteer observers and submits data from across the Open Space system to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, NY. The Ranson Edwards portion of Coal Creek Canyon Park provides exceptional opportunities to document bird nesting activity since the park is currently undeveloped and has minimal human disturbance.

 

 

The clinic will feature vaccinations by professionals from the Table Mountain Animal Center, as well as a dog-licensing station. Animal Control staff will be on hand to answer questions and share pet safety information. Cash or checks only -- no credit cards please.

 

Saturday, August 21, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Mountain Rental & Feed, 1342 County Road 65, Bergen Park/Evergreen

303-674-6980

North Table Mountain Park is a work in progress.  Work that has been done on the west side of the mesa to construct a formal parking lot and permanent restroom is currently underway.  Open Space erected a temporary kiosk to provide park map brochures at the trailhead, explaining what trails are available for public use at this time. 

 

Many of the old roads on the mesa will be formalized into designated trails, and yes, some of the social paths will be closed and reclaimed.  Some of the old roads are unstable due to spring storm erosion, and until they have been realigned and safely built, Open Space discourages use.  Also, without formal connections to designated trails, visitors scrambling at "dead ends" will create more disturbed areas.   

Some of the places where visitors have been walking onto the property are not legal public access points. Open Space continues to work on legalizing access particularly on the southeast portion of the property, including a ditch crossing.  The access referenced as Cottonwood Canyon is legitimate; however, the trails leading to the mesa top will be realigned to protect the riparian habitat and connect to the larger designated trails system.  Access from Golden's Tony Grampsas Park is a similar situation that until safe, well-constructed trails can be built, it is unwise to direct visitors to these areas. 

The North Table Mountain Park Concept Plan is a representation of the final Park development that will include a series of loop trails and access points on the southeastern side of the mesa; however, we aren't there yet. Today, North Table Mountain Park provides a parking lot, temporary kiosk and restroom on the west and designated trails on the north and west sides.  Sensitive and seasonal closure areas for habitat and wildlife protection have been delineated with signage.  

For additional information, contact Thea Rock, Public Information Manager, trock@jeffco.us or 303-271-5902.