FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 29, 2008

CONTACT:  Vivienne Jannatpour, Open Space Program Specialist, (303) 678-6277, www.BoulderCountyOpenSpace.org

Harney-Lastoka Community Gardens and Trails Grand Opening
3:30 p.m., Thursday, May 8

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at the Kerr Community Gardens at Harney Lastoka Open Space at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, May 8, with comments by the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners, Lafayette Mayor Chris Cameron and Louisville Mayor Sisk.

This project has been a collaborative effort between the cities of Lafayette and Louisville and Boulder County Parks and Open Space.

A short informative hike will immediately follow the ceremony, and staff will be on hand to talk about the Master Gardeners Program, Market Farms, the chicken-coop tool shed and the flora and fauna that can be found in the area. Boulder's non-profit Growing Gardens, the manager of the Kerr Community Gardens program, will also be on hand with garden plot applications and information about their programs.

Harney-Lastoka open space is located at the south-east corner of Highway 42 and South Boulder Road, entrance on the east side of Highway 42. Overflow parking is available in the Sports Complex parking lot.

For more information about the Harney-Lastoka Open Space Grand Opening, please call (303) 678-6277 or email Vivienne Jannatpour, vjannatpour@bouldercounty.org.

###

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 28, 2008

Contacts:

Jerry Tate, Office of Emergency Management, (303) 441-3390

Merrie Harper, Office of Emergency Management, (303) 441-3647

Office of Emergency Management to add evening flood siren warning test on May 5

(Boulder, Colorado) - On Monday, May 5, the outdoor warning sirens for Boulder County will be tested twice, once at approximately 10 a.m. and again at 7 p.m. 

The Boulder Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has ordered the two tests on May 5 in order to allow residents who are normally out of the test area on a weekday to be able to hear the sirens from their place of residence or any location in Boulder County where the sirens will be activated. The newly added evening test will also allow members of the public who are outside in the evening, such as restaurant goers in downtown Boulder, to hear the sirens and get a chance to recognize the audible test warning firsthand.

Since the evening test may be the first time that some residents, students and other members of the public hear the alarm, the OEM would like to get out the message in advance to businesses and local organizations to help spread the word that the warning sirens will be tested the evening of May 5.

The system warning tests are conducted on the first Monday of each month from April through August, and are intended to ensure that all systems and procedures are working properly during the season of peak flood danger. The tests also promote public awareness of the warning sirens that are activated by the Boulder County Sheriff's Communications Center for the communities of Boulder, Erie, Lafayette, Lyons and the University of Colorado campus.

The sirens have voice capability and will broadcast a spoken message, however, some residents may not be able to clearly understand the entire message. In the event of a true emergency, members of the public are urged to get information from other emergency alert sources such as television, radio and the National Weather Service whenever they hear the siren sound off outside of scheduled test sessions.

The Boulder Office of Emergency Management advises that four additional sirens will be added to the Boulder County warning system this spring, but they will not be ready for the May 5 test. The town of Lyons will receive two new sirens (one replacing the existing siren), and the townsite of Marshall and town of Jamestown will each receive one new siren.

Siren tests will take place on the following dates in 2008: May 5 (10 a.m. and 7 p.m.), June 2 (10 a.m.), July 7 (10 a.m.), and August 4 (10 a.m.). The first siren test of the year was conducted on April 7.

The public is not expected to take any action in conjunction with the testing.  For more information, visit www.boulderoem.com, www.boulderfloodinfo.net or contact the Boulder Office of Emergency Management at 303-441-3390.

Dear Amy:

Have you noticed how Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama's true liberal colors become more apparent with each Democratic Primary?

Barak Obama advocating raising taxes. This is no surprise since he was voted the most liberal Senator in 2007 (according to nonpartisan publication National Journal). Hillary Clinton proposing a government controlled national health care system and huge increases in spending and taxes. And both continuing to call for a cut-and-run policy in Iraq.

Have you noticed how their attacks against one another are becoming increasingly negative?

Even the liberal New York Times editorialized that the Democratic Primary in Pennsylvania "was even meaner, more vacuous, more desperate, and more filled with pandering than the mean, vacuous, desperate, pandering contests that preceded it."

But that won't be so easy, thanks to Obama's repeated statements that people seek refuge in religion only after Washington has failed to meet their needs, or that they cling to their guns because government has let them down. Elitist beliefs like Obama's are scaring away moderate Democrats in conservative congressional districts.

For all the hype about Obamamania, one thing remains true: America is NOT a left-of center country. We are a right-of center country that values tradition, religion, and all the rights bestowed upon us by the Constitution -- yes, Obama, even the 2nd Amendment

The choice for our next President and control of Congress is already becoming clear for America -- and that is why the Democrats are already running a negative campaign. Our nominee is leading in the polls because Americans are looking at the candidates and deciding that John McCain is most qualified to lead our nation.

And, Republicans have a fighting chance this election year to reclaim House seats that went Democrat in 2006. But in order to regain our Republican territory back, we need your help today.

Frankly, it doesn't matter who Democrats choose as their presidential nominee. Obama and Hillary are both out of touch with middle-class families in America.

There is too much at stake in this campaign to fall behind now. The future of our economy, our quality of life and our national security all depend on the outcome of the 2008 elections.

Unless we defeat them, the radical liberal Democrats in Congress will continue to raise your taxes, give amnesty to illegal immigrants, initiate a government takeover of health care, roll-back welfare reform, and push for passage of their entire special interest dictated laundry list of left-wing programs.

The Democrats have raised hundreds of millions of dollars to push their tax increases, national health care system and liberal agenda onto America. Your donation of $500.00 will help us elect Republicans who will stop this liberal agenda.

Thank you for your support of our party and our candidates.

Sincerely,

Of course, we know what Dean really means (but won't say) is that he wants those superdelegates to rally around Obama so they can push Hillary off the stage and avoid a complete catastrophe at their national convention in Denver. But that won't be so easy, thanks to Obama's repeated statements that people seek refuge in religion only after Washington has failed to meet their needs, or that they cling to their guns because government has let them down. Elitist beliefs like Obama's are scaring away moderate Democrats in conservative congressional districts.

For all the hype about Obamamania, one thing remains true: America is not a left-of center country. We are a right-of center country that values tradition, religion, and all the rights bestowed upon us by the Constitution -- yes, Obama, even the 2nd Amendment.

Stuart Rothenberg, a non-partisan political analyst who evaluates congressional races around the country has this to say about the Obama effect in congressional races this year:

Republicans have a fighting chance this election year to reclaim House seats that went Democrat in 2006. But in order to regain our Republican territory back, we need your help.

It doesn't matter who Democrats choose as their presidential nominee. Obama and Hillary are both out of touch with middle-class families in America.

There is too much at stake in this campaign to fall behind now. The future of our economy, our quality of life and our national security all depend on the outcome of the 2008 elections.

Unless we defeat them, the radical liberal Democrats will continue to raise your taxes, give amnesty to illegal immigrants, initiate a government takeover of health care, roll-back welfare reform, and push for passage of their entire special interest dictated laundry list of left-wing programs.

I hope you will make a contribution today.

Sincerely,

Pete Kirkham
Executive Director, NRCC

PS: Please join the fight and let's reassure Howard Dean that America is not a left-of center country. We are a right-of center country that values tradition, religion, and all the rights bestowed upon us by the Constitution. Please contribute to the NRCC today.

Amy has decided to drop out of the race for personal and professional reasons.  She will continue to use this blog to share Boulder County News and Information about the current political scene in Boulder County Republican circles.

Jenny Hatch

Blog Mistress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 23, 2008

Contact: Chana Goussetis, Boulder County Public Health, 303-441-1457

Spring cleaning can stir up Hantavirus risk in Boulder County

Residents advised to take caution in areas with possible rodent habitation

( Boulder County, Colo.) - Residents of Boulder County are beginning to enjoy the warmer weather and the outdoor activities that come with it. One activity, however, - spring cleaning - warrants information and planning in order to keep residents safe. Spring cleaning often unveils the foraging of deer mice, which are common carriers of hantavirus.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is a respiratory disease caused by a virus that is carried most often by a particular type of mouse, the deer mouse. The virus can infect humans when they inhale dirt and dust contaminated with the feces and urine of mice. People can have contact with contaminated dust particles while working in or cleaning out rodent-infested structures, such as barns; garages; storage sheds; trailers or cabins. Deer mice can be distinguished from common "house mice" by their characteristic light-colored stomach and relatively large ears.

Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) epidemiologist Nisha Alden urges people to be particularly careful when there is evidence of an active mouse infestation, such as the presence of mouse droppings or nests. Recent damage by mice activity may also be observed in and around the buildings or in nearby wood or junk piles. Historically relatively mild winters and wet springs, like we've had this year, result in larger rodent populations, which may increase the hantavirus activity within these populations.

Alden said, "The best way to reduce the risk of hantavirus infection is to avoid rodents, especially deer mice. The wet spring months have increased the vegetation in many parts of the state, which has led to an increase in the mouse population. If you are seeing rodents in or around your home, you need to do some rodent proofing and control."

There are four steps to hantavirus prevention: rodent-proofing homes and buildings to keep mice out; eliminating rodent hiding places and food supplies; conducting rodent control; and using special precautions when cleaning rodent-infested structures.

The following precautions are recommended to provide protection against hantavirus:

·       Before cleaning out rodent-infested structures, open doors or windows to provide good ventilation for 30 to 60 minutes. Avoid stirring up dust by spraying mouse droppings, nest materials, and carcasses with a mixture of bleach and water before clean-up. A bleach mixture of one cup of bleach per gallon of water is recommended.

·       Use rubber gloves to pick up saturated waste, including nesting materials or dead mice. Double-bag the waste using plastic bags, and bury or dispose of it in an outdoor garbage can or landfill. Disinfect gloves before removing them. Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water.

·       In cases of severe infestation, or when ventilation and dust suppression are not possible, use a rubber facemask equipped with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter.

·       Seal any holes or openings larger than 1/4 inch to prevent mice from entering a building.

·       Store food, including pet food and livestock feed, and garbage in rodent-proof containers. Rodent populations are determined by the availability of food sources; therefore, eliminating food supplies will reduce the number of mice.

·       Remove hiding places for rodents, such as wood, junk, and brush piles. Store firewood at least 100 feet from the house. Keep bushes and vegetation around structures well trimmed and grass cut short.

·       In rural areas or structures with mouse infestations, rodent control using traps and poisons should be conducted on a year-round basis.

·       When camping, avoid sleeping on bare ground. Instead, use tents with floors or cots.

Symptoms of hantavirus develop within 1-6 weeks after exposure, most commonly within 2-4 weeks. During the first 3 to 7 days of illness, symptoms typically include fever; chills; headache; muscle pain in the shoulders, lower back, and thighs; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; and dizziness. These symptoms are usually followed by an abrupt onset of respiratory complications characterized by cough and shortness of breath. Respiratory symptoms progress very rapidly and require prompt medical attention.

For more information, visit the BCPH web site at www.BoulderCountyVector.org or call the Health Alert Hotline at 303-441-1460.

Please note the following correction to a news release sent out by Boulder County yesterday concerning road closures on N. 63^rd Street:

The closures will last from 7 a.m. Mondays through 5 p.m. Thursday (i.e. continuous for approximately 80 hours).

The corrected news release is printed below in full.

Thank you for your understanding.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 22, 2008

CONTACT:  Pam Hanson, Project Design Engineer, Boulder County Transportation, 720-564-2652

Road improvement project on N. 63^rd Street will require closures through June 28

Boulder County Transportation installs culverts for road shoulder construction

(Boulder County, Colo.) - Throughout the months of May and June, the Boulder County Transportation Department will be replacing culverts in preparation for a road improvement project to construct paved shoulders on N. 63rd Street between Nelson Road and Niwot Road, and south of Monarch Road for 1700 feet.   The deep culvert installations will require temporary closures to through traffic of various portions of N. 63^rd Street from April 28-June 28 from 7 a.m. Mondays through 5 p.m. Thursdays (i.e. most closures will last approximately 80 hours at a time).

The need for improvements is based on several factors, including bicycle and vehicle safety, physical condition of the road surface and inclusion of this area in the Boulder County Bikeways plan.

When completed, N. 63rd Street will remain a two-lane road. Four-foot-wide paved shoulders will be added to improve vehicle and bicycle safety. This will require widening the paved portion of the road, but will not increase the number of lanes. The road is expected to be reconstructed later this summer and may also require road closures in sections north of Modena Lane to Nelson Road due to narrow areas in the corridor.

Boulder County would like to apologize in advance for the unavoidable delays and other inconveniences that residents may experience as a result of this project. We ask for your patience and understanding to maintain a safe road and construction zone.

For more information, call 720-564-2652 or visit www.bouldercounty.org/transportation.

-END-

Patricia Demchak
Boulder County Public Information Officer
pdemchak@bouldercounty.org
303-441-3399

"As trusted stewards of Boulder County's future, we provide the best in public service."

MEDIA ADVISORY:

April 23, 2008

CONTACT: Ann Livingston, Boulder County Sustainability Coordinator, 303-441-3517

Patricia Demchak, Boulder County Public Information Officer, 303-441-3399

Boulder County Consortium of Cities releases Sustainable Energy Plan April 24

Director of Governor's Energy Office will join celebration of visionary countywide plan

(Boulder County, Colo.) - On April 24, towns, cities and the county government of Boulder County will set forth on a bold mission to significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in Boulder County through the implementation of the Consortium of Cities Sustainable Energy Plan. The plan will be presented during a ceremony featuring the Director of the Governor's Energy Office, elected officials from throughout Boulder County and dozens of supporters of the visionary plan.

WHAT:   Public release and launch of the Boulder County Consortium of Cities Sustainable Energy Plan - A formal presentation of the plan, followed by a reception.

WHEN:           4-6 p.m., Thursday, April 24

LOCATION:       Boulder County Commissioners' Hearing Room, Boulder County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder

SPEAKERS:       Tom Plant, Director of the Governor's Energy Office

Heidi Van Genderen, climate change advisor for Gov. Bill Ritter

Will Toor, Boulder County Commissioner

Ann Livingston, Boulder County Sustainability Coordinator

Lisa Skumatz, Superior Town Board Trustee

Brian Hansen, Longmont City Councilman

Mark Ruzzin, Director of ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability)

Jim Stevens, Nederland Town Administrator

Ken Wilson, Boulder City Councilman

Frank Phillips, Lafayette City Councilman

OTHER NOTABLE PEOPLE: Elected officials, staff and advisory board members from municipalities in Boulder County; and representatives from the University of Colorado, Sierra Club,  Center for ReSource Conservation,  Econergy and Boulder Green Building Guild.

VISUALS:        There will be opportunities to photograph elected officials, members of the Governor's office and other VIPs speaking and celebrating together.

BACKGROUND:

Tom Plant, Director of the Governor's Energy Office, and Heidi Van Genderen, the climate change advisor for Gov. Bill Ritter, will join more than a dozen current and former elected leaders from throughout the county in formally releasing the Boulder County Consortium of Cities Sustainable Energy Plan during a ceremony starting at 4 p.m. in the Hearing Room of the Boulder County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder. 

"We have set ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for Colorado.  The measures to accomplish this literally will be implemented house by house, neighborhood by neighborhood, and city by city," Gov. Bill Ritter said. "Boulder county and its cities and towns are collaborating to implement real solutions and are striving for results that go above and beyond what's called for in the state Climate Action Plan.  I applaud and thank the County for its leadership and vision."

The Sustainable Energy Plan is a collaborative, countywide guiding document that recommends 35 actions for local governments and others in Boulder County to take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make our communities more sustainable.  Thus far, resolutions pledging to support and work towards implementing the plan have been adopted by Boulder County, the city of Boulder, Lafayette, Louisville, Longmont, Lyons, Superior and Nederland.  Following Thursday's launch of the plan, participants will begin collaborative implementation efforts.

R20;This is a pivotal moment in Boulder County as we move towards establishing a sustainable future for ourselves and for future generations. We must act now if we want to achieve the changes necessary to reduce our contributions to climate change - and this plan lays out the actions we will take," Boulder County Commissioner Will Toor said.

The Sustainable Energy Plan was forged by the Boulder County Consortium of Cities Energy Strategy Task Force, working in concert with subject-matter experts and representatives of local businesses, environmental organizations and communities.

 If implemented as laid out in the plan, the top 20 strategies, or key actions, outlined in the Sustainable Energy Plan will result in a reduction of emissions 40% below 2005 levels in the year 2020. This is a reduction nearly twice that called for by Gov. Ritter's Climate Action goal.

Key actions recommended by the plan include:

·       Conduct neighborhood energy awareness sweeps

·       Offer discounts on high efficiency light bulbs and residential energy audits

·       Develop green building codes and ordinances for new and existing residential, commercial and governmental buildings

·       Promote industrial combined heat and power technologies

·       Encourage statewide participation in the Western States Climate Initiative

·       Implement controls and policies to limit idling of municipal and county vehicles

·       Install light emitting diode (LED) traffic signals

·       Promote plug in hybrid vehicle-to-grid power connection

·       Implement a Clean Car Incentive program

·       Encourage adoption of a statewide Clean Car Standard

·       Develop a sustainable energy financing district

·       Maximize the use of rebate incentives for sustainable energy

·       Work with utilities to create energy budgets and rate structures

·       Create a revolving loan fund for sustainable projects

·       Offer "climate offsets credits" and use to build community renewable energy facilities

·       Implement Energy Performance Project for businesses

Boulder County and various municipalities have already implemented or begun implementing programs that embody some of the key actions, including energy awareness sweeps, discounts on efficient light bulbs, low-cost home energy audits, green building standards and solar installations for public buildings and green residential building codes. Some of the key actions call for change at a state level.

R20;While many communities across the nation have adopted greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals, Boulder County and the municipalities in the county are at the leading edge in terms of working together to implement meaningful strategies to reduce our impact on climate change," said Boulder County Sustainability Coordinator Ann Livingston. "Boulder County communities are proud to be leaders in this critical endeavor."

To view the final Sustainable Energy Plan in full, visit www.bouldercounty.org/sustain.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 18, 2008

CONTACT: Patricia Demchak, Boulder County Public Information Officer, 303-441-3399

Scott Reed, RTD Assistance General Manager, 303-299-2137 or 303-461-2015

Fred Diehl, Assistant to the Erie Town Administrator, 303-926-2764

Town of Erie to gain its first bus service into the heart of downtown

JUMP bus extension will connect Boulder, Lafayette, Erie Community Center & Library

(Boulder County, Colo.) - It's been a big year for Erie. First, this developing community in eastern Boulder County celebrated the opening of its new Erie Community Center and Erie Community Library, both green facilities built with state-of-the-art energy conservation measures and environmentally friendly materials. Now, Erie is about to gain an eco-friendly connection to the rest of Boulder County with the addition of the first-ever bus route to serve downtown Erie.

On Monday, May 5, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) will launch an expansion of the JUMP bus line, extending the service to a new terminus at the Erie Community Center and the Erie Community Library. The JUMP will now link Erie to Lafayette and downtown Boulder via Arapahoe Road, with opportunities to access additional bus service connecting throughout the region. The extension will make it easier for residents along the route to commute to work or take the bus to shopping, restaurants, school campuses, the library and the Erie Community Center.

R20;This is such a wonderful opportunity for our residents to leave their cars behind and take an easy, convenient, more sustainable form of transportation to do all the daily things they need to do - whether that's work or play," Andrew J. Moore, Mayor of the Town of Erie.

The public is invited to celebrate the debut of the new service during a launch party at 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 5, at the Erie Community Center. Refreshments will be provided and attendees will have a chance to receive free bus passes to try out the new service.

In addition to accessing the Erie Community Center and Library, the JUMP has stops that access the Erie Safeway at Arapahoe Road and Hwy. 287; the Lafayette YMCA; the BVSD Education Center; Naropa University; Boulder High School and the Boulder Transit Center in downtown Boulder. Riders can connect to the L bus into downtown Denver, or catch any number of the many other buses serving the central Boulder hub.

Buses will travel to and from Erie every 30 minutes Monday-Friday from 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m. The bus will run hourly from 6:30-8:30 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays.

The route extension was made possible by a $1.275 million Federal grant awarded to Boulder County in 2003 to create a new transit route serving eastern Boulder County. Boulder County is providing matching funds from a countywide transportation sales tax approved by voters in 2001.

R20;In Boulder County, we value the individuality and uniqueness of each of our communities. But when we talk about sustainability and quality of life, we truly are one regional community, and we are proud of our collaborative efforts to make it easier for all Boulder County residents to reduce their carbon emissions in their daily actions," Boulder County Commissioner Will Toor said.

For more information, maps and schedules, visit www.rtd-denver.com.

Visionary Sustainable Energy Plan launches in Boulder County April 24

Countywide plan outlining goals, key strategies has been adopted by County and 6 cities, towns

(Boulder County, Colo.) - On April 24, towns, cities and the county government of Boulder County will set forth on a bold mission to significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in Boulder County through the implementation of a countywide Sustainable Energy Plan.

Tom Plant, Director of the Governor's Energy Office, and Heidi Van Genderen, the climate change advisor for Gov. Bill Ritter, will join more than a dozen current and former elected leaders from throughout the county in formally releasing the Boulder County Consortium of Cities Sustainable Energy Plan during a ceremony starting at 4 p.m. in the Hearing Room of the Boulder County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder. 

"We have set ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for Colorado.  The measures to accomplish this literally will be implemented house by house, neighborhood by neighborhood, and city by city," Gov. Bill Ritter said. "Boulder county and its cities and towns are collaborating to implement real solutions and are striving for results that go above and beyond what's called for in the state Climate Action Plan.  I applaud and thank the County for its leadership and vision."

The Sustainable Energy Plan is a collaborative, countywide guiding document that recommends 35 actions for local governments and others in Boulder County to take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make our communities more sustainable.  Thus far, resolutions pledging to support and work towards implementing the plan have been adopted by Boulder County, the city of Boulder, Lafayette, Louisville, Longmont, Superior and Nederland.  The towns of Lyons and Erie are scheduled to vote on the plan on April 21 and 22, respectively. Following Thursday's launch of the plan, participants will begin collaborative implementation efforts.

"This is a pivotal moment in Boulder County as we move towards establishing a sustainable future for ourselves and for future generations. We must act now if we want to achieve the changes necessary to reduce our contributions to climate change - and this plan lays out the actions we will take," Boulder County Commissioner Will Toor said.

The Sustainable Energy Plan was forged by the Boulder County Consortium of Cities Energy Strategy Task Force, working in concert with subject-matter experts and representatives of local businesses, environmental organizations and communities.

 If implemented as laid out in the plan, the top 20 strategies, or key actions, outlined in the Sustainable Energy Plan will result in a reduction of emissions 40% below 2005 levels in the year 2020. This is a reduction nearly twice that called for by Gov. Ritter's Climate Action goal.

Key actions recommended by the plan include:

• Conduct neighborhood energy awareness sweeps
• Offer discounts on high efficiency light bulbs and residential energy audits
• Develop green building codes and ordinances for new and existing residential, commercial and governmental buildings
• Promote industrial combined heat and power technologies
• Encourage statewide participation in the Western States Climate Initiative
• Implement controls and policies to limit idling of municipal and county vehicles
• Install light emitting diode (LED) traffic signals
• Promote plug in hybrid vehicle-to-grid power connection
• Implement a Clean Car Incentive program
• Encourage adoption of a statewide Clean Car Standard
• Develop a sustainable energy financing district
• Maximize the use of rebate incentives for sustainable energy
• Work with utilities to create energy budgets and rate structures
• Create a revolving loan fund for sustainable projects
• Offer "climate offsets credits" and use to build community renewable energy facilities
• Implement Energy Performance Project for businesses

Boulder County and various municipalities have already implemented or begun implementing programs that embody some of the key actions, including energy awareness sweeps, discounts on efficient light bulbs, low-cost home energy audits, green building standards and solar installations for public buildings and green residential building codes. Some of the key actions call for change at a state level.

"While many communities across the nation have adopted greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals, Boulder County and the municipalities in the county are at the leading edge in terms of working together to implement meaningful strategies to reduce our impact on climate change," said Boulder County Sustainability Coordinator Ann Livingston. "We are proud to be a leader in this critical endeavor."

To view the final Sustainable Energy Plan in full, visit www.bouldercounty.org/sustain.

Obituary: Mr. Common Sense

Obituary: My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by.

Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance, for Common Sense had served us all so well for so many generations.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always
fair and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Aspirin, sun lotion or a Band aid to a student but did not need the parents approval to distribute condoms.

Common Sense lost the will to live when religions became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion, his daughter, Responsibility and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim.



Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 21, 2008

Contact: Hillary Hall, Boulder County Clerk & Recorder, 303-413-7700 or 303-884-0593

Boulder County conducts 10-day Mock Election to test new system

(Boulder County, Colo.) - Boulder County began conducting a 10-day Mock Election today with counties across Colorado to test the functionality of the new Statewide Voter Registration System, SCORE.

At a press conference today, Boulder County Clerk & Recorder Hillary Hall joined Colorado Secretary of State Mike Coffman and El Paso County Clerk & Recorder Bob Balink to announce the Mock Election and share Boulder County's goals for the Mock Election.

"The Mock Election is a critical step in testing all the components of the new voter registration system to ensure the system is accurate and reliable," Hall said.

SCORE is a voter registration system being implemented statewide. During the Mock Election, Boulder County will be testing SCORE's administrative components in a real election setting. This includes assembling ballot content, examining the system's election and poll worker set up, testing the system's registration component, and reviewing how the system functions in early voting and absentee voting scenarios.

"This election would not seem different to a voter; however, the system is new to our office," Hall said. "This Mock Election is meant to test everything that we would do leading up to ballot tabulating to ensure that every registered voter is identified in the poll books, that they receive their correct ballot, and they vote only once."

The system is expected to streamline Colorado's voter registration records. SCORE is designed to automatically verify a voter's identity through Colorado's driver license database, ensure voters are not registered in more than one county, and streamline ballot creation.

"Once we complete the Mock Election and have confidence in the system's functionality, the new registration system will be far superior to our current voter registration system," Hall said.

Boulder County converted to SCORE from its former voter registration system, Integrity, on March 31. Several pilot counties in Colorado began using the system in April of 2007. Under the Help America Vote Act, states across the U.S. were mandated to adopt statewide voter registration databases. 

GOP seeking candidates to serve Boulder County

By John Fryar
Longmont Times-Call

"LONGMONT -- The field of Republicans challenging Boulder County's three incumbent Democratic county commissioners' election bids has narrowed to one GOP candidate, for the time being.

County Republican chairwoman Marty Neilson said Ward-area resident Dean Thedos has decided against running for the District 1 seat on the Board of County Commissioners.

Party members attending the March 8 Boulder County Republican Assembly had designated Thedos, director of product development for Longmont-based Cornerstone Homes, Inc., to be their candidate in this year's contest with incumbent Democratic Commissioner Will Toor of Boulder."

 

...

"Still in the hunt for a commissioner's seat, however, is Amy Barnes Frey, a Louisville Republican running against incumbent District 3 Democratic Commissioner Cindy Domenico of Lafayette.

Barnes Frey told people attending a Wednesday Boulder County Republican Breakfast at Longmont's IHOP Restaurant that she's been doing her campaign homework by attending recent meetings at the Courthouse and reviewing archived videos of past commissioners' meetings.

Barnes Frey, owner of a Boulder business that designs devices for video and audio professionals, said that "right now," at least, her campaign slogan is: "Take Back Charge of Your County Government."

GOP assembly sets up races for county commissioners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 3, 2008

Contact:  Jeff Dwight, Boulder County Building Official, 720-564-2607, Michelle Krezek, Boulder County Land Use, 720-564-2623 or Barb Halpin, Public Information Officer, 303-441-1622

(Boulder County, Colo.) - The County Commissioners have scheduled a two-part meeting on Tuesday, April 8, to take public testimony and consider final recommendations for the Boulder County BuildSmart Program and the expanded Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program.

Date:      Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Time:      5:00 p.m.

What:     Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing on BuildSmart, followed immediately by a Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing on the Expanded TDR program

Where:   3rd Floor Hearing Room, Boulder County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder.

Boulder County BuildSmart

On January 8, the Board of County Commissioners approved the Boulder County BuildSmart program. On Tuesday, April 8, the Board will take public comment and consider the final adoption of amendments to the Boulder County Building Code to implement the Boulder County BuildSmart program.

Boulder County BuildSmart is a set of building code regulations whose primary purpose is to regulate the energy efficiency of the design and construction of residential buildings in unincorporated Boulder County as well as to reduce residential construction waste, reduce residential water use, and ensure proper indoor air quality within energy-efficient residential structures. See the County's Land Use web site at www.BoulderCounty.org/lu for a complete description of the program.

Expanded Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program

On Tuesday, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will consider a final round of draft proposals for an expanded TDR program. In March, Land Use staff compiled a set of revisions to the last round of draft proposals based on direction they received from the Board at two public study sessions on March 4 and March 10, and based on input from members of the public at a public hearing on March 6.

The expanded TDR program is intended to ensure a varied housing stock in unincorporated Boulder County by defining structure size thresholds, above which additional development rights must be obtained to offset the impacts of larger scale homes, and below which development rights may be sold to preserve smaller homes.

On April 8, the BOCC will take public comments on the revised sections of the draft and make final recommendations to the proposed program including amendments to the Site Plan Review standards and the designation of the Peak-to-Peak Scenic Corridor Area.

Materials for discussion at the April 8^th meeting are available on the CountyR17;s Land Use Web site.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

March 28, 2008

CONTACTS:        Longs Peak Energy Conservation -

Carlene Hatch-Linares, Outreach Coordinator, 303-441-1716

Jim Wilson, Housing Rehab Coordinator, 720-564-2646

Amy Hollander, Program Director, 303-441-3829

Longs Peak Energy Conservation, a division of the Boulder County Housing Department, has temporarily lowered their interest rates to 3 percent or less for their housing rehab loan program. The loans help qualifying homeowners improve their homes with upgrades or repairs that are necessary for health, safety and/or energy efficiency (including solar).  These programs are specially designed to support affordable housing in unincorporated Boulder County and the city and county of Broomfield. The loan rates are only available to new clients between April 1 and September 1, 2008. Your qualified application must be received between April 1 and September 1 to receive these rates.

The rehab program covers electrical, plumbing, roofing, and insulation upgrades; furnace replacements; window replacements; septic system upgrades; accessibility improvements; and solar retrofits where appropriate.

To qualify, household incomes must be below the following thresholds:

Household Size  Total Gross Household Income

1                       $43,050

2                       $49,200

3                       $55,350

4                       $61,500

In addition to this program, Longs Peak Energy Conservation also offers free weatherization programs to increase the energy efficiency of owner-occupied homes, rental units, and mobile homes when the occupants qualify based on their household income.

For more information, visit the Longs Peak Energy Conservation website at www.longspeakenergy.org.

-END-

Patricia Demchak
Boulder County Public Information Officer
pdemchak@bouldercounty.org
303-441-3399

"As trusted stewards of Boulder County's future, we provide the best in public service."

Boulder, Colo. - A sample of fleas collected by Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) on Friday, March 28 from prairie dog colonies located west of the intersection of Spine Rd and White Rock Circle have tested positive for plague. The surrounding area has been posted with signs, and pesticide will be applied into the prairie dog burrows to reduce the likelihood of plague exposure from fleas.

Plague occurs naturally in Colorado and, as Front Range communities expand into rural areas, particularly in the foothills, residents and their pets are in closer proximity to rodent populations. Plague is most commonly found in pinon-juniper habitat and ponderosa pine habitat which usually occur at elevations of 5,500 to 8,000 feet - consistent with the foothills along the Front Range.

This is the first time plague activity has been identified in Colorado this season and public health officials want to remind residents of how to protect themselves against plague.  "We want people to understand what steps are necessary to protect themselves, their family members, and their pets," said Nisha Alden, an Epidemiologist for BCPH.  "Because plague is most commonly transmitted by fleas, taking steps to avoid flea exposures will be most helpful in preventing this disease."

Public health officials recommend the following precautions to reduce the likelihood of being exposed to plague:

·          AVOID FLEAS! Protect pets with flea powder, and keep pets on a leash and out of wild rodent habitats.

·          STAY OUT of areas that wild rodents inhabit. If you enter areas with wild rodents, wear insect repellent and tuck pants cuffs into socks to prevent flea bites.

·          AVOID all contact with wild rodents, including squirrels; do not feed or handle them.

·          DO NOT TOUCH sick or dead animals.

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