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News from
Jefferson County
Want more news and information about Jefferson County? Subscribe to our monthly citizen newsletter that covers topics from all of the departments and divisions throughout Jeffco.
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Board Declares June 15 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day
The Board of County Commissioners at its June 14 meeting adopted a proclamation recognizing June 15 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Jefferson County.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of older persons are abused, neglected, and exploited. In addition, elders throughout the United States lose an estimated $2.6 billion or more annually due to elder financial abuse and exploitation, funds that could have been used to pay for basic needs such as housing, food, and medical care.
It is estimated that only about one in five of these crimes are ever discovered. Increasing public awareness of the need to ensure the safety and welfare of older adults led to the launch of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations.
Today, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is an opportunity for communities around the world to acknowledge the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day serves as a call-to-action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Prevention is the best hope for eliminating elder abuse and neglect, and improving the lives of older persons. Realization of this goal requires a shared commitment of individuals and organizations in every community.
Jefferson County Aging and Adult Services constantly strives to prevent elder abuse by providing the community with information on elder abuse and neglect, both as a method of providing education and as a way of challenging community members to take a stand against violence. The department works to promote stability and independence by providing financial and medical assistance to elderly and disabled adults.
Also working to protect Jeffco Elders is the
District Attorney's Elder Abuse Unit. It is the only one of its kind in Colorado and is leading the charge in this type of prosecution. The prosecution team works closely with local law enforcement agencies, Adult Protective Services, private organizations and professionals to locate and hold accountable those who commit these crimes
Through these offices, the Aging Well in Jefferson County Project, the Summit on Aging and the Aging Well in Jefferson County Report & Strategic Plans, Jefferson County is a community leader in elder abuse education, awareness and prevention.
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JEC Briefs BCC
At staff briefings, the BCC was visited by former commissioner Kevin McCasky. McCasky was there in his newest role as the president and CEO of the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation (Jeffco EDC). The Jeffco EDC was previously known as the Jefferson Economic Council or JEC.
The mission of the Jeffco EDC is to be "dedicated to preserving and enhancing economic vitality for the citizens of Jefferson County, through the retention and expansion of primary jobs."
This fits into the commissioner's Vision, Values and Goals, particularly its first listed goal which states "promote economic vitality" and "create and implement a Comprehensive Economic Development Plan, support job development, streamline regulations and partner with businesses and organizations."
McCasky also briefed the commissioners on the Jeffco EDC five-year Economic Development Strategic Plan that was implemented in 2007. The plan included goals such as the retention and expansion of 5,000 primary jobs, $200 million in new or retained capital investment in Jeffco and the attraction of 50 new primary employers.
For more information on the Jeffco EDC, visit www.jeffco.org.
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Short-Term Vacation Rentals Regulations to be Drafted
At staff briefings, the commissioners gave staff the green light to begin the public process of drafting and adopting regulations for short-term vacation rentals in Jefferson County. Currently the county does not have any regulations, so if a homeowner wishes to rent his or her home for less than 30 days, he or she has to apply to rezone their property.
The proposed regulations will have criteria to cover issues like parking, proof of adequate water and sewer and proof of fire protection. They also outline an annual permit process. If the applicant were to meet all of the proposed criteria, an administrative approval would be granted. If the applicant failed to meet any of the proposed criteria he or she could apply for relief from the Board of Adjustment, which includes community notification and public testimony.
The draft regulations will be posted for public comment on the Planning and Zoning website. It will then go before the Planning Commission and then the Board of County Commissioners. Both meetings are open to the public.
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County Moving Forward with Preliminary Development of North Service Center
At staff briefings, the BCC gave staff the OK to move forward with conducting feasibility studies and a preliminary development plan for a proposed North Service Center at the county's Russell School property.
In the fall of 2010, the county purchased the Russell School property located at 5150 Allison Street in Arvada and is now using it for its Head Start Program. The site is approximately 9.7 acres and contains a 38,260 square foot building and associated parking that is being used by Head Start.
However, there is about 3.5 acres on the property that are not being utilized by Head Start. The unused land could potentially work for a proposed North Service Center. The new building would help consolidate services by relocating the Arvada and Lakewood Motor Vehicle offices and Arvada Health. This option would also save the county money since land won't have to be bought for the service center and office space would no longer be leased, which is about $370,000 a year for the current space.
Since the site is located within the city of Arvada, the county will need to work with the city for required site development plans and associated reports and studies.
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County Receives Offer for Alameda and Kipling Property
At the June 14 staff briefings, the BCC gave the OK for staff to prepare a purchase and sale agreement for a piece of property the county owns at Alameda and Kipling. The Colorado Christian University has made an offer for $3.75 million, which is the appraised value.
Jefferson County purchased approximately 18 acres of property at the northeast corner of Kipling and Alameda in 1961. A 27,468 square foot building was built on the site in 1965 and 11,064 square feet building was constructed in 1970. Currently the offices are being used by the Public Health Department and Mental Health.
The county decided, after recommendations from a citizen budget panel, to sell the site to enable better use of it and consolidate the Public Health Department's clinics and offices at another location.
After the decision was made, the county, in April 2010, worked with the city of Lakewood, in which the property is located, and rezoned it to planned development. Some of the uses this zoning allows for include retail, general office and university uses.
In August 2010, the county held a meeting with potential developers to solicit offers. Although there was significant interest, no proposals were received by the deadline.
During the last few months staff has received several inquires about the property and two were deemed serious proposals. One was from a developer offering $2.8 million and the other offer was from the Colorado Christian University, which has campus buildings in close proximity to the site. Both staff and the BCC felt the offer from the university fit best and the county will now proceed with the purchase and sale agreement, which will be before the BCC for formal approval at an upcoming public hearing. |
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The Latest from Development and Transportation
Development and Transportation Director Jeanie Rossillon, along with her five division directors, gave a department update at staff briefings. Some highlights include: 
- The Airport Division has been in negotiations with Urban Frontier to develop and buy/lease approximately 400 acres of airport land on the southwest side of the airport.
- The Building Division continues to use and make improvements with technology that delivers services and information more efficiently. For example, real-time inspections results can be emailed automatically to the contractor/applicant as well as to the utility companies. This means the information is delivered almost immediately after an inspection instead a day or two it may have taken with older technology.
- Planning and Zoning is working on updating the county's Comprehensive Master Plan along with various community plans, such as the Central Plains Plan.
- Transportation and Engineering is working on several major arterial roadway projects. This includes work on the Quincy and Kipling intersection that is slated to begin in July.
- The Road and Bridge Division worked on the demolition of the old Table Mountain Animal Shelter. By having the work completed in-house, the county saved hard dollar costs that will be used for other projects such as additional paving work.
For more information on the Development Services Department, visit www.jeffco.us/devtrans. |
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Moving Forward with Storm Sewer System
The Board of County Commissioners approved a maintenance agreement between the county, the city of Arvada and the Cimarron Metropolitan District regarding construction and maintenance of a storm sewer system near Indiana Street and 96th Avenue. The storm sewer system will serve the Candelas Filing 1 Subdivision and its outlet will be into a tributary of Big Dry Creek that is in unincorporated Jeffco.
The agreement is needed since the storm sewer system crosses multiple jurisdictions and it sets forth the construction requirements and maintenance responsibilities. The Cimarron Metropolitan District will construct the system improvements and the city of Arvada will maintain after the construction is complete.
The Cimarron District will also be required to obtain permits to work in the county's right-of-way, a floodplain permit and an easement from any affect property owners prior to commencement of the project. |
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Grant Approved for Camp George
The BCC approved a grant contract between the Colorado State Historical Fund and the Pleasant View Metropolitan District. BCC approval was necessary since Jefferson County owns the Pleasant View Community Park/Camp George West property that is leased to Pleasant View.
Pleasant View was awarded a $146,245 grant for interior renovation of the historic Recreation Hall/Building 48. In February 2010, the district also received a $45,000 Open Space Joint Venture Grant for this project.
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View BCC Meetings Online!
Did you know Jefferson County records each County Commissioners Hearing for rebroadcast on its website? You can also find recordings of other county meetings, videos of events and Jeffco's video program, Jefferson County Insights. To learn more, visit the Jeffco Media-on-Demand site. |
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