 Colorado Department of Local Affairs News
Greetings!
The statewide effort to engage Colorado citizens in a shared discussion about Colorado's future -- dubbed "TBD Colorado" -- kicked-off with a launch event on February 10th and is being introduced in 40 communities around the state over the next four months. This non-partisan effort, which Governor Hickenlooper referenced in his recent State of the State address, is being administered by a newly-created non-profit organization and is intended to begin the process of seeking consensus recommendations for a pathway forward regarding some of our state's public policy challenges: providing for a great education, quality health care, an effective transportation system, sustainable fiscal policy, and an effective state government.
The statewide "TBD Colorado" conversation will take several shapes in order to provide a portal for all Coloradans to participate. The initial centerpiece will be a series of meetings amongst the diverse civic leaders within 40 communities across the state. These meetings will provide for an open facilitated dialogue to identify common values and possible consensus solutions to improve our quality of life. In addition to these initial meetings among community leaders, TBD Colorado will encourage additional public meetings and an interactive online discussion to expand this conversation to every citizen with an interest in shaping the future of our great state.
"TBD Colorado" will look and feel different. This effort is about empowering the citizenry to engage in constructive and coordinated non-partisan dialogue, not about advocating for any predefined policy solution. While some might question if the Governor is "leading" or "listening" through this effort, I would suggest that empowering others is the very essence of good leadership, and that it is the feeling of a lack of such empowerment that has made citizens weary of politics-as-usual.
The future of our state is in the collective hands of us all. The "TBD Colorado" effort begins the discussion of what we want that future to look like.
Sincerely,
Reeves Brown
Executive Director
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DOLA Can Play Key Partnership Role to Meet Communities' Needs
When fire destroyed the Green Mountain Falls Town Hall, DOLA's Clay Brown, regional manager for the Central Region, met with local officials the day after to identify their most immediate needs and to connect town staff with CenturyLink to restore communications and plan for vital network capacity for an interim facility.
This is just one of the many benefits of having field staff located throughout Colorado who are able to help empower communities in their day-to-day capacity as well as during more urgent times of need.
DOLA is proud to be a partner in helping communities of every size with services such as training and resources that facilitate and enhance daily operations and assists in emergency management and housing during the recovery period following a disaster.
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EPA Congratulates Colorado
Colorado received congratulations from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Region VIII this month for making the final draw from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund ARRA grant. This grant funded over $30 million in wastewater system improvements for 12 different projects in the state through Colorado's Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (WPCRF). The fund is jointly managed by DOLA, the Department of Public Health and Environment and the Water Resources and Power Development Authority.
Colorado also gained recognition in October 2009 when its WPCRF program was recognized by U.S. Representative James Oberstar, then Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Infrastructure for the speedy use of ARRA funds. In his letter, Oberstar pointed out that among all the states, Colorado ranked second in the nation in efficiently putting Recovery Act funds to use.
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Upcoming Events
Colorado Emergency Management Conference March 6 - 8
DOLA's Division of Emergency Management will be co-hosting the annual Colorado Emergency Management Conference March 6 - 8, in Loveland with the Colorado Emergency Management Association. A full and interesting agenda is planned for the three day conference.
The registration fee is $150. For speakers and those planning to attend the conference all three days, registration is $75.
To register and to find out more about the conference, go to the Colorado Emergency Management Association's website.
Developer's Toolkit Workshop
April 30 & May 1, 2012
Developer's Toolkit Workshop Join DOLA's Division of Housing (DOH) for an exciting two-day
workshop designed to enlighten participants about the art and science of affordable housing development. Through role-playing, participants will attempt to solve the housing challenge facing a typical Colorado community. Hands-on exercises will provide a working knowledge of the critical steps necessary to develop an affordable rental housing community.
DOH will be presenting the Developer's Toolkit on April 30 & May 1, at the Mile High United Way, Founder's Room, 2505 Eighteenth Street, Denver. Registrations are due on April 16th. This class often fills up quickly. So if you are planning to attend, register soon!
Registration form is on page 2 of the brochure. Contact Denise Selders (303-866-4650) or
Free energy code trainingSponsored by DOLA's Division of Housing and the Governor's Energy Office is being made available to provide comprehensive support to help jurisdictions successfully adopt and begin reaping the benefits of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
More trainings are being added. In addition, additional trainings may be arranged through Colorado Code Consulting at 303.400.6564.
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Kudos Corner
We take pride in our work with you, our partners.
We'd like to share some of the positive things we hear from you to celebrate the good work we accomplish together (and to boast a little bit).
Here's an item regarding Andy Hill of our Community Development Office: 
"...Her commitment to local government shows through all of her work. Too often, state and local government employees labor for the public good without any particular recognition. I know that for Andy, knowing that she is helping local government officials accomplish their main goal: making the lives of the residents and visitors of their communities better - is reward enough. Even so, it is important to me that you hear what an asset she is to DOLA."
-Gerald E. Dahl,
Marray Dahl Kuechenmeister Renaud LLP
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