The latest news, information and highlights from CDPS.
The Public Safety Post

Dear CDPS employees,

National Public Service Recognition Week is coming up May 7-13. It’s a time for us to say “thank you” for your commitment to a life of helping others -- of putting the greater good above selfish needs. In May we also pause to remember, thank, and commemorate those noblest of public servants: the individuals who gave their lives while serving the public.

You’ll find more information about these events in this month’s newsletter. I encourage you to take time out of your busy schedules to join us as we honor the memories of those who have given their lives. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the contributions each and every one of you makes day in and day out as you serve the public through CDPS. 

– Executive Director Stan Hilkey
Policy Update
May is International Audit Awareness Month. Find out how audits at CDPS are a good thing. Watch the overview video about compliance and how it benefits our organization.

Calendar

Finance Update
Do you have questions about how to make purchases? Does your team need help navigating the purchasing process? The CDPS Purchasing team can come to your Division, Office or Unit to deliver a Purchasing 101 presentation, answer your questions, and walk you through the process. E-mail [email protected] for more info.

HR Update
Every CDPS member must approve his/her time card at the close of each work period. Supervisors must approve employee time cards within five days of the close of the work period. Tips: 
  • Set a recurring calendar reminder to alert you to approve timecards on time.
  • The background of a timecard turns green when it has been fully approved. A red or yellow background means the employee or supervisor still needs to approve it. 
  • If you have any trouble or questions, HR is here to help! [email protected] or 303.239.4427.

Wildfire Outlook for 2017

On April 14, DFPC Director Mike Morgan joined the Governor to share the state’s Wildfire Potential for 2017 and provide updates on the level of state preparedness. Representatives from other federal and state agencies, including DHSEM, joined the briefing. 

The number, intensity, and complexity of wildfires in Colorado have been growing exponentially, and experts predict that it will continue to worsen. In the 1960s, Colorado averaged 456 wildfires per year that burned an average of 8,170 acres. Today, an “average” wildfire year for Colorado consists of more than 4,500 fires that burn more than 100,000 acres annually, resulting in $41.8 million in fire suppression expenses.

Each year, scientists and land managers produce coordinated outlooks for fire season across the western U.S. in order to help better prioritize resources.

Remembering & Honoring Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
Special Events Honor Law Enforcement Officers 

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as National Police Week. National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

Director Stan Hilkey and Deputy Director Bec Spiess will travel to Washington, D.C., along with other representatives from CDPS to pay tribute to fallen officers at a candlelight vigil  on May 13. 

Here in Colorado, the State Patrol and law enforcement partners are hosting a series of events to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers. On April  21, law enforcement agencies from throughout Colorado gathered at the State Patrol Academy to dedicate the newly remodeled Colorado Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. On May 5, Colorado law enforcement agencies will memorialize the individuals who lost their lives in the line of duty over the past year. Finally, on May 13, in conjunction with the national event, the State Patrol will host a candlelight vigil at the new Memorial site. Find out more about these events. 

Fallen Firefighters Memorial Slated for May 6

First responders and the public will gather at the Colorado Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Lakewood on Saturday, May 6, to remember the firefighters who gave their lives in service to the citizens of Colorado. Activities will include a fire apparatus parade beginning at 10:30 a.m. and ending at the memorial site on Allison Parkway. The memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. at the Lakewood Cultural Center at 470 S. Allison Pkwy. For more information and to RSVP, please see the event invitation.

DHSEM Launches 2017 Emergency Management Academy
DHSEM launched the 2017 Colorado Emergency Management Academy on April 11, 2017, with 36 participants from local and state agencies. 

The Academy is a seven-month program for new and existing emergency managers throughout the State. It provides training and courses that are  Colorado-specific and tailored to show Colorado processes. The program culminates with a week-long resident course with a final Emergency Operations Center based exercise. See Who's In the 2017 Emergency Management Academy Class. 
Burrito Event Raises Awareness & More than $800 for Child Abuse Prevention
Many thanks to the CDPS members who took part in the first-ever Breakfast Burrito Extravaganza to benefit Ralston House. Ralston House Child Advocacy Center provides a safe place to investigate child abuse, and ensures victim assistance for children who have been physically or sexually abused or have witnessed violence. 

The generous donations generated from the 201 breakfast burritos sold resulted in more than $800 being raised for Ralston House, and enabled CDPS to plant a pinwheel "garden" to raise awareness  about child abuse prevention. 
 
Thank you to the CDPS team who came together to donate the ingredients (and time) to make the event a tremendous success:   Jessica Anderson,  Chris Andrist,  Joy Fernandez,  Caley Fisher,  Ron Franz,  Ralph Gagliardi,  Rhonda Johnson,  Kirby Lewis,  Susan Medina,  Patti Penn,  Chivon Spears.  Honorable Mention: Miss Peepers (one of Patti Penn’s hens responsible for many of the farm-fresh eggs!)

CSSRC Hosts Rural School Safety Summits, Featuring Best-Selling Author
The Colorado School Safety Resource Center (CSSRC) secured New York Times best-selling author Rosalind Wiseman to headline a trio of Rural Safe Schools Summits in April and May. Wiseman’s book, Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence, formed the basis for the movie Mean Girls.

Safety in schools is an increasingly complex challenge for those tasked with keeping Colorado’s children safe. Today’s children face a range of safety concerns including cyberbullying, sexting, legalized marijuana, suicide, sexual abuse and more. 

The one-day Rural Colorado Safe Schools Summits took place in  Durango and Grand Junction in April, with the third event planned for May 11 in La Junta. The summits feature a series of workshops designed to bring together school staff and students to learn together and work towards making their schools safer for all.   Find out More About the Rural Safe Schools Summits.  
DCJ Staffer Played Pivotal Role in Adoption of Colorado Victim Rights Act
On April 3, 2017, Division of Criminal Justice staffer Tony Tilger joined Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, numerous victims' services representatives, and the daughter of Dave Sanders (the teacher slain in the Columbine High School shooting) to commemorate 25 years of Victim Rights in Colorado.  The event was part of national Victim Rights week.

Tilger shared his recollections of  what it was like for victims 25 years ago, prior to Colorado's adoption of the Victim Rights Amendment (VRA). Tilger played an important role in Colorado's adoption of the groundbreaking amendment, which enumerates the rights that victims of crime are entitled to in Colorado. The difference between then and now is shocking.
Read his story and the story of what it was like for victims before the VRA. 

State Patrol Recognizes Excellence at Annual Awards Ceremony
On April 7, 2017, the Colorado State Patrol family gathered at the Colorado State Patrol Annual Awards Ceremony to recognize excellence in service and celebrate acts of heroism, selflessness and life-saving. The event recognized members from all areas of the Patrol, across all of Colorado: Troopers, port of entry, communications, civilian members and supervisors.

Chief Scott Hernandez and CSP leaders bestowed Distinguished Service Awards, Lifesaving Awards, and the Purple Heart before presenting awards at the Troop and District levels. The ceremony concluded with awards for Civilian, Port of Entry Officer, Communications Officer, Supervisor and Trooper of the Year.

CDPS Shows Support for Sexual Assault Survivors by Donning Denim April 26

CDPS members showed their support for survivors of sexual violence in our state by participating in “Denim Day” on April 26. CDPS employees donated $5 each to join the department's team and earn the right to wear jeans on Denim Day. The nearly $600 raised will go to the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA) to support justice and healing for sexual assault survivors in Colorado.

Denim Day is a worldwide event that takes place on the 4th Wednesday in April every year. Wearing jeans is a conversation starter and visual sign of your support of survivors. Why wear denim? Find out on our blog and see photos of Denim Day!
CBI Holds Coloring Contest, Events in Honor of Missing Children
Each spring, CBI and the US Department of Justice (DOJ) sponsor a National Missing Children’s Day campaign that includes a nationwide poster contest and local events.

CBI will honor the top three Colorado poster winners at two separate events to mark Missing Children’s Day: in Aurora on May 25, 2017, and at the CBI Pueblo Regional Office on May 31, 2017. The DOJ will feature the national poster contest winner at an event in Washington DC on May 25, 2017.

During National Missing Children day, we also  commemorate the valiant and unselfish acts of the many organizations and individuals who bring our missing children home. Colorado law enforcement received nearly 9,000 reports of missing children in 2016, and t ens of thousands of children are reported missing in the U.S. each year. 

Find out who won the Colorado contest and read more about the event...

CDPS Green Team Hosts Earth Day Lunch and Learn 
The CDPS Green Team provided a presentation on climate change and Colorado's Greening Government initiatives in honor of Earth Day on April 24. The presentation included simple, everyday steps that you can take to reduce our impact on the environment and save money, water and energy. 

The event kicked off a series of efforts that the Green Team is planning to help CDPS meet the goals of the Greening Government Executive Order and to reduce our collective impact. 


People on the Move
Jeanne Smith Retired as Director of DCJ at the end of March after more than a decade of leadership that was characterized by effectiveness as well as poise, compassion and kindness.
Marilyn Alvarez Retired in April after nearly 31 years of state service! Marilyn started with the state in 1985. She came to CDPS in 1995 and was managing Payroll when she retired. 
Do you have ideas for good-news stories, events, "People on the Move", or other content to share with all CDPS employees? Submit your story ideas, details and photos by the 10th of the month to your Division PIO or to [email protected].