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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.
Simply click the link above or the icon below, enter the email address you'd like the newsletter to be sent to and then choose the "Jeffco eNewsletter" option. |
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Missed an Issue?
Did you miss an issue of the BCC Actions or the Jeffco eNewsletter? Archived issues can be found online on the Public Information Office web page.
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Board Appointments
The BCC, at its Sept. 15 hearing, approved the appointments of Brooke DeGroat and Doreen Raad to the Tri-County Workforce Development Board. Virginal Arndt, Judy Jackson, Michelle Jansen, Sheila Lieder, Leigh Seeger and Terri Wager were reappointed to the board.
This board consists of decision-making individuals reflective of the business demographics in the region and leaders from the workforce system, education and economic development. It focuses on determining the near- and long-term needs of employers by providing oversight to the American Job Center serving Jefferson, Clear Creek, and Gilpin counties.
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Business Items
At the Sept. 21 hearing the board approved the following business items.
The first was a contract renewal with Eide Bailly, LLP for $286,000. The contract is for financial and compliance auditing services. Colorado Revised Statutes require that local governments have an annual audit of its financial statements and the statements must conform to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
The second item was a contract with Canterbury Construction Management Services, Inc. for $224,272 for replacement of the Old Time Ditch diversion structure. In 2014, the Old Time Ditch diversion structure, just west of the parking lot at Hildebrand Ranch Park collapsed. Funding will come from the Open Space Capital Improvement Project budget.
The third contract approved was with Computer Sites, Inc. This was for $106,140 for the replacement of the generator unit at the Human Services Building. The generator is 25 years old and nearing the end of its service life. Funding will come from the Capital Improvements Project budget.
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Ordinance Allowing Testing Facilities for Marijuana Gets Green Light
The Jeffco Board of County Commissioners at its Sept. 22 hearing and after many meetings, telephone town halls and citizen input, adopted an ordinance that provides guidance for marijuana establishments in unincorporated Jeffco. The new ordinance is entitled 3.3.4 Prohibition of the Operation of Certain Marijuana Establishments.
The ordinance will lift the current prohibition on marijuana testing facilities, effective January 1, 2016. Such facilities must still comply with existing zoning restrictions. Current prohibitions on the operation of marijuana cultivation facilities, marijuana product manufacturing facilities and retail marijuana stores with unincorporated Jefferson County will remain in effect.
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County Attorney's Staff Places in Colfax Marathon
At the Sept. 1 hearing, the commissioners recognized staff from the County Attorney's Office who placed fourth in the women's government cup relay division in the 2015 Colfax Marathon. The race was held on Sunday, May 17, 2015.
The team, Deputy County Attorney Jennifer Mullenbach and Assistant County Attorneys Kate Wilson, Jennifer Bryan, Sarah Oviatt and Stephanie Exner, was presented with awards from representatives from the Colfax Marathon and Kaiser Permanente. By placing fourth, the team won $1,000 for its charity, Family Tree.
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Helping Kids Thrive
The Jefferson County Commissioners proclaimed Oct. 8, 2015 as Helping Kids Thrive Day. The proclamation was presented at the Sept. 29 public hearing to Harriet Hall, president and chief executive officer for Jefferson Center for Mental Health.
Helping Kids Thrive was started in 1990 by a coalition of community organizations that were concerned about the high incidence of youth suicide in Colorado and the prevalence of other destructive behaviors, such as drug and alcohol abuse, and youth violence.
Helping Kids Thrive is a free annual parenting conference with hands-on practical information to help children and youth grow in positive ways. This year's event will be held on Oct. 8 at Creighton Middle School. It's for parents, families, teachers or anyone who works with children.
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Airport Receives Grants for Runway Improvements
The BCC, at its Sept. 1 hearing, approved two grants that will be used to rehabilitate Runway 3/21 at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport. Improvements include updating the signage, fog sealing the surface, and painting. The first is a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for $300,000. The second grant is from the Colorado Department of Transportation - Aeronautics Division and is in the amount of $8,333.
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More Open Space Purchased
Jefferson County is adding to its open space property inventory. The BCC, at its Sept. 29 hearing, approved the contract to purchase 36.80 acres for $365,000 plus closing and transaction costs.
The Pendleton property is located near Highway 285 and it is contiguous to Denver Mountain Park's Double Header property adjacent to the county's Meyer Ranch Park. This purchase will help to conserve natural and scenic resources and provide opportunities for trail connections between the two parks.
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| County Updates Sign Regulations
The BCC, at its Sept. 29 hearing, approved amendments to the county's sign regulations. The changes are due to a recent U.S. Supreme Court opinion in the case of Reed v. Town of Gilbert addressing the constitutionality of the town's sign code.
The changes to the county's regulations are in the Zoning Resolution section 9 (Home Occupation), section 10 (Special Events), section 11 (Signs and Outdoor Advertising Devices) and in the definitions section. The revisions eliminate any portions of the sign code that are based on the content of the sign. Instead, the sign codes will regulate signs on the basis of size, number of signs, location lighting, and material. |
County Applying for Grant for Slash Program
 The BCC, at its Sept. 1 hearing approved a grant application, and acceptance of the funds if the grant is awarded, to support the county's Slash Program. The program is estimated to cost $250,000 in 2016 and $100,000 of that is being requested from the 2015 Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant Program through the Department of Natural Resources.
The 2015 Slash Program was an expansion on previous programs. The county hosted a slash collection at various sites throughout the county most weekends from the end of May through the end of October. It is an inexpensive way for residents to maintain their properties and rid it of tree debris. For more information on slash, visit www.jeffco.us/slash.
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Proposed Changes Continued to Oct. 27
 In an effort to keep its regulations up-to-date, Jefferson County is working on amendments to its Transportation and Ancillary Regulations. This includes updates to the Roadway Design and Construction Manual, Land Development Regulation, Zoning Resolution and the Storm Drainage Design and Technical Criteria.
The proposed changes include integrating roadway, pedestrian and bicycle circulation as a unified transportation system; conforming to the adopted Fire Access Code; conforming to the County Major Thoroughfare and Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans; conforming to and state and federal regulations; and simplifying and clarifying certain provisions and requirements.
The changes went before the Planning Commission, which recommended approval. The BCC discussed the proposed changes at both its Sept. 1 and 29 hearings. However, the board decided to continue the item to its public hearing on Oct. 27 to allow more time to review the additional proposed changes brought forward by staff. Public hearings begin at 8 a.m. and are in Hearing Room one, located at the Administration and Courts Facility, 100 Jefferson County Parkway.
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Land Use Cases
The BCC approved the following land use cases at its Sept. 15 hearing.
The first was a Special Use for the applicant, Southwest Baptist Church, also known as The Rock of Southwest. The applicant would like to expand the church to 73,000 square feet and add pre-kindergarten through sixth grade to its school. Currently it has a 25,000 square foot church, which was constructed in 1925. The property is located on 8.6 acres on the south side of West Belleview Avenue between South Simms and South Alkire Streets.
The second was the Belleview Village Official Development Plan (ODP). The BCC approved amending the Planned Development zoning to allow for single-family detached and attached (including townhomes) and duplex dwelling units. There will be a maximum of 130 units. The property is located on 14 acres northeast of the intersection of West Belleview Avenue and South Simms Street.
In connection with the Belleview Village ODP, the commissioners, on a 2-1 vote, Commissioners Rosier and Szabo in favor, approved the Belleview Village Metropolitan District. This is a Special District Service Plan and its purpose is to finance public improvements and to provide post construction services for the residential development. It will be able to levy taxes on taxable property within its boundaries.
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View BCC Meetings Online!
 Did you know Jefferson County records the Board of County Commissioners' hearings 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 Video Gallery. |
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