Governor's Office of Information Technology Announces the Colorado Information Marketplace
The Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT) has debuted the Colorado Information Marketplace, a comprehensive data-sharing website of statewide information. The Colorado Information Marketplace can be found at data.colorado.gov
Find Farmers' Markets and Agritourism Activities in Annual Publication
To help consumers find farmers' markets, roadside stands,
u-picks, wineries and agritourism activities, the Colorado Department of Agriculture annually publishes the Colorado Farm Fresh Directory.
The directory is available for free at participating libraries, chambers of commerce, welcome centers, visitor centers, CSU Extension offices and other businesses. It is also accessible online at www.coloradoagriculture.com/farmfresh.
For more information or to find a location to pick up a free copy of the 2012 Colorado Farm Fresh Directory, contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture Markets Division at (303) 239-4115 or visit www.coloradoagriculture.com.
CHFA Launches New SmartStep Program for First Time Homebuyers
SmartStep will help Coloradans take advantage of Mortgage Credit Certificate tax savings and historically low interest rates.
To view the entire press release from CHFA visit http://bit.ly/MD7d3p
United Power Converts Landfill Gas to Energy
United Power, Brighton, will add landfill gas generation to its renewable resource portfolio with the Landfill Gas to Energy Project. By capturing the methane produced from three neighboring landfills in Erie, the distribution cooperative will be capable of providing a renewable power source that will energize more than 3,300 homes on United Power's lines per year.
Landfill gas generating systems are unique because they provide a renewable, baseload energy source. Unlike wind or solar renewable energy sources that are intermittent and only generate energy when the wind blows or when the sun shines, methane can be captured consistently 24 hours per day, providing a reliable energy source. The Erie landfill gas-to-energy site is estimated to produce renewable electricity for Erie residents served by United Power for at least 30 years.
United Power signed an agreement to purchase all of the output from the Erie Landfill for 10 years. United Power is a distribution cooperative, meaning the cooperative is not in the business to generate electricity, but the power agreement the co-op has with wholesale power provider Tri-State Generation and Transmission allows United Power to purchase a small portion of its energy needs from small, local generating sources.
The Erie landfill site is only the second site of its kind in Colorado - the first is located at the Denver Arapahoe landfill in Aurora. Landfill Energy Systems, the developer for the Erie site, operates 38 facilities in 16 states. It is estimated that the Erie Landfill Gas to Energy Project will prevent the equivalent of about 30,000-metric tons of carbon dioxide from reaching the atmosphere each year. That is equivalent to removing approximately 5,280 cars from the road.
The landfill Gas to Energy Project will capture methane, the byproduct of the landfill's fifteen million tons of decomposing waste, to produce an estimated 3.2 megawatts of capacity.
Governor Hickenlooper Announces Boards and Commission Appointments
Governor John Hickenlooper announced appointments to theEarly Childhood Leadership Commission; the Small Business Council; the Commission On Family Medicine; the State Board of Psychologist Examiners; the Transportation Commission; the State Board of Assessment Appeals; and the State Board of Parole.
To view the entire press release from the Governor's Office visit:
http://1.usa.gov/QsNHGG
Centennial Area Health Education Center presents "Citizen Soldier - the Invisible Wounds of War" a Workshop
A professional education workshop designed to share practical information about military culture and the needs and concerns of service members, veterans and military families.
Topics
include: Behavioral/Mental Health, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), TRICARE Overview, VA Overview, Military Culture, "Boots on the Ground" (personal stories), and a panel discussion on engaging Veterans in their care.
DATE: August 10, 2012
TIME: 0800 - 1630 (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
LOCATION: Centennial Area Health Education Center, 4650 W. 20th Street, Suite A, Greeley, CO, 80631
COST: $20 for refreshments including lunch and workshop materials
To download the flyer visit: http://bit.ly/MVOIX3
Governor Hickenlooper Names Pam Patton to PUC
Governor John Hickenlooper has appointed Pam Patton to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.
To read the entire press release from the Governor's Office visit:
http://1.usa.gov/MZ6Pdb
Open Burning, Private Use of Fireworks banned in Colorado
Governor John Hickenlooper has signed an Executive Order that bans open burning and private use of fireworks throughout Colorado because of very dry conditions and high fire danger.
To read the entire press release from the Governor's Office visit:
http://1.usa.gov/Lx4K5Q
Colorado Stronger Economies Together Round II Applications Now Available
In many counties - especially counties with smaller populations -- finding ways to create, attract, and retain jobs is a challenging process. Pursuing economic development as a single rural county in isolation from other nearby counties is becoming increasingly ineffective. In today's global market place, economic development progress is more likely to be realized when rural and metro counties work together as a multi-county region to
assess, design, and implement plans that build on their assets and comparative economic strengths. That's what the Stronger Economies Together (SET) project is all about.
For more information, and the application, visit:
http://bit.ly/MW3cpI
State Revenue Forecast Improves by $239.5 million
The Governor's Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) has announced that state general fund revenue is projected to be $239.5 million higher in the current fiscal year than was forecast in March.
To read the entire press release from the Governor's Office visit:
http://1.usa.gov/Lju5C7
Denver Olympic Exploratory Committee Endorses Bid for 2022 Winter Games
The panel of local experts and planners exploring a potential Olympic bid voted unanimously Wednesday in support of the City of Denver and the State of Colorado pursuing the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
For a copy, please contact Sue Baldwin at sue@denversports.org or visits www.denversports.org
New Procedure for Reporting Wildland Fires and Requesting Assistance
* Please Redistribute to All Interested Parties *
House Bill 12-1283 transfers the wildland fire prevention and suppression operations from Colorado State Forest Service to the Division of Fire Prevention and Control ("DFPC"), within the Colorado Department of Public Safety, effective July 1, 2012.
After June 30, 2012 the point of contact for counties to report wildland fires and/or request assistance with wildland fires, the Wildfire Emergency Response Fund, or for assistance with Emergency Fire Fund (EFF) analysis or designation for wildfire should call the State of Colorado Emergency Operations Line at:
303-279-8855
Upon request, the on-duty communications personnel of the Colorado Department of Public Safety will dispatch the closest available resource that is capable of providing rapid technical assistance and support to local agencies and facilitate the Emergency Fire Fund (EFF) assessment and application process. In addition to providing technical assistance and support to local authorities, the individuals will be qualified to assist in the completion of severity assessments on wildfires and assisting in the identification of resource needs, developing assumption of duty forms, completing delegations of authority, negotiating and signing cost share agreements, and providing direction and oversight to assigned Incident Management Teams.
While the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) will no longer be the point of contact or have responsibility and authority for wildfire in Colorado, the CSFS is committed to a seamless transition in order to ensure continuous and effective service to the county Sheriffs and other local authorities, as well as to the citizens of the State of Colorado.
Other Important Phone Numbers:
· Fire Equipment Shop: 970-491-8435 (after July 1, 2012, inspection and repair/maintenance requests for FEPP Apparatus will be reported directly to the shop)
· Fire Billing: 970-491-8538
Watch for more news concerning the Division of Fire Prevention and Control and its Wildland Fire Division in the coming days.
