by Tina Wise, Benefits Manager, Jefferson County Human Resources
comments open from September 1 until September 20

The House of Representatives passed the Senate health care bill and a reconciliation bill on March 21, 2010. Health Care Reform broadly refers to changes in the managed care medical insurance system, in the United States.

With so many mixed messages in the media about Health Care Reform, it has left many of us confused. So what does it all mean? At Jefferson County, we are constantly keeping an eye on these changes and how they will affect our employees. Some of these changes listed below are already in effect here at the county, and some will be removed.

The health-care overhaul will change the way millions of Americans get health insurance and require nearly everyone to have health insurance or face penalties. A number of factors - including income, age, location and family size - will determine how it specifically impacts your life. While the health care reform in its entirety won’t be completely enacted until 2014, there will be some immediate changes for 2010 and 2011.

• An End to Pre-existing Condition Denial
Health Insurers cannot deny children health insurance because of pre-existing conditions. A ban on denying adults will take effect in 2014.

• Small Business Tax Credits
Businesses with fewer than 50 employees will get tax credits covering up to 50% of employee premiums.

• More Young Adults Covered On Parent Plans
The cut-off age for young adults to continue to be covered by their parents' health insurance increases to age 27.

• No Lifetime Caps
Lifetime caps on the amount of insurance an individual can have will be eliminated. Annual caps will be limited, and banned in 2014.

• Flexible Spending Accounts
Over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin or medical-related items such as bandages will require a prescription in order to qualify as expenses for FSA purposes. And, in 2013 the annual limit will be reduced to $2,500.00 per year.

• Adults With Pre-Existing Conditions Covered
A temporary high-risk pool will be set up to cover adults with pre-existing conditions. Health care exchanges will eliminate the program in 2014.

• New Insurance Plans Must Include Preventative Care
New plans must cover checkups and other preventative care without co-pays. All plans will be affected by 2018.

• The End of Recessions
Insurance companies can no longer cut someone's coverage when he or she gets sick.

• Transparency in Insurance Companies
Insurers must now reveal how much money is spent on overhead.

• Customer Appeals Process
Any new plan must now implement an appeals process for coverage determinations and claims.

• Enhanced Fraud Abuse Checks
New screening procedures will be implemented to help eliminate health insurance fraud and waste.

• Medicare Expansions to Rural Areas
Medicare payment protections will be extended to small rural hospitals and other health care facilities that have a small number of Medicare patients.

• Nutrient Content Disclosure
Chain restaurants will be required to provide a "nutrient content disclosure statement" alongside their menu items. Expect to see calories listed both on in-store and drive-through menus of fast-food restaurants sometime soon.

The enactment date for these items can vary from employer to employer. Factors include the employer's annual plan year when Open Enrollment occurs and whether an employer may be 'grandfathered in' from having to make specific changes. As expected, many details of this legislation continue to change as decision-makers iron out the specifics, but we expect that for the most part these items should remain constant.

by Wade Yates, Special Projects Coordinator, Jefferson County Facilities and Construction Management
comments open from August 26 until September 14

More and more companies are going green everyday. So what is Jefferson County doing? A lot actually…With funds received from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act and rebates from Xcel Energy, Jefferson County is changing the way we use energy.

The Facilities and Construction Management Division has concluded the lengthy process of evaluating county buildings for energy efficiency and construction is set to begin to initiate the changes. The county can leverage longer payback from renewable energy technologies into the project by a combination of rebates, grant funds and low interest financing. The net affect is a robust energy conservation project to save money for years to come that includes renewable technologies, all within a 10-year payback.

Evaluation of our buildings showed us that taking steps like switching to a more energy efficient lighting system reduces our utility cost. This monthly utility savings can then be used to pay for the new lighting system over time.

New lights are just part of the story. Solar photovoltaic arrays will be installed at the Laramie Building on the Jefferson County Government Campus, the Evergreen Road & Bridge shop, Central Road & Bridge/Fleet facility north of Golden, the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport and the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Additionally, new parking lot lighting for the campus overflow lot will consist of off-grid solar poles with small wind turbines. The Laramie Building will also receive two small wind turbines located on the northwest side of the building.

The Administration and Courts Facility will be home to a demonstration solar photovoltaic array which can be viewed up close and personal by residents and visitors. Additionally, there will be a kiosk in the main atrium which will monitor and provide feedback on the systems installed so you can see the renewable energy being produced in real time.

Beyond the financial benefits, the county can expect to see a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (CO2) roughly equivalent to 4,000,000 lbs/year. It makes compelling, realistic business sense to go green in the office and also helps in our battle to save our environment.

From recycling to renewable energy, Jefferson County is uniquely positioned to play a key role in the community by enhancing our facilities – leading by example and embracing a sustainable work place.

by Public Information
comments open from August 25 until September 13

Early this summer, Young Adult Librarians at Jefferson County Public Library issued a challenge to teen readers: help us meet our Summer Reading Club goals, and we’ll dye our hair the color of your choice. They kept that promise! JCPL Young Adult Librarians started Tuesday, August 24, looking like stereotypical librarians, and now they look like the rock stars they are – with blue, green, mauve and purple hair!

Young Adult Librarians at JCPL came up with this idea to motivate teens to sign up for – and complete – Summer Reading Clubs. It also helped the librarians meet their own goal: to increase the number of teen readers at their respective libraries who complete the Summer Reading Club program.

“We’re passionate about helping kids gain solid reading skills,” said Jenny Butler, Young Adult Information Services Librarian, Golden Public Library. “Reading is a foundational skill that sets the stage for life-long learning; it’s good for kids to get an early start.”

“It’s important for kids to keep up their reading skills during the summer months,” added Arra Katona, Young Adult Information Services Librarian, Lakewood Public Library. “Studies have documented a 'summer slide' in reading skills once school lets out each spring. Kids who don’t read over the summer can lose the equivalent of about two months of school during the summer, and the loss compounds every year.”

Six Young Adult Information Services Librarians met their goals, including:
• Amy Denniff, Edgewater Public Library
• Arra Katona, Lakewood Public Library
• Jenna Obee, Standley Lake Public Library
• Jenny Butler, Golden Public Library
• Rene Yaws, Evergreen Public Library
• Shelly Belleau, Arvada Public Library

When asked about having blue, purple, green and mauve hair for the next four to six weeks, the librarians were united in their response: “If purple hair helps kids to read more, then we should all have purple hair.”

Thanks to the Jefferson County Library Foundation for its support of Summer Reading Club, and thanks to Paul Mitchell The School Denver for donating their stylist skills.

BEFORE

JCPL Librarians Rene Yaws, Arra Katona, Shelley Belleau and Jenna Obee

AFTER

JCPL Librarians model their new rock star look: Jenny Butler, Arra Katone, Amy Denniff, Rene Yaws, Jenna Obee, Shelly Belleau

by Public Information
comments open from August 24 until September 12

On a single day this summer, county governments across the country could dramatically slash energy consumption costs with the flick of a switch! On Friday, August 27, the National Association of Counties is encouraging all county organizations to power down computers, monitors, printers and any other electronic devices at the end of the workday in an effort to reduce consumption and cut energy costs. Jefferson County has joined the effort and is challenging their employees and citizens to do the same.

Last year, more than 5,600 government and industry employees pledged to power down their computers, printers and monitors on Power IT Down Day – a savings of 73,000 kilowatt-hours in just one night.

Many major IT companies, such as Citrix, Hewlett-Packard, Intel and GTSI, have committed to switching off personal computers and peripherals for this third annual Power IT Down Day. This year, with Power IT Down Day falling on a Friday, the energy savings achieved can be greater than ever.

Power IT Down Day encourages government to embrace responsible energy usage at the individual level. We can all make a difference, not just on August 27, but every day.

by Public Information
comments open from August 19 until September 7

As the summer winds down, work on the West Corridor continues to progress. By the end of summer, strands of rail will be welded along the guideway for placement at a later date.

Current and Ongoing Activities in Area 1 (Jeffco Government Center to Denver Federal Center):
>> The retaining wall at the Jeffco Government Center expands every day and what was once a hillside now resembles a concrete hedge. When the wall is completely constructed, the final finish will be applied to blend the structure into the existing landscape. You can watch the construction project on the campus of the Jefferson County Government Center live through our Media-on-Demand page. Just click the link at the top of the page.

>> Work is in full throttle on Ulysses Street, with retaining wall construction moving at a rapid pace. A new storm sewer system will also be built under Ulysses and the final activity will be rebuilding Ulysses Street to match back to 6th Avenue.

>> The 6th Avenue westbound off-ramp has been relocated to eastbound Colfax. The new ramp sits under the Colfax light rail bridge. The traffic configuration on Colfax is now final and future traffic impacts should be minimal.

>> There’s light at the end of the tunnel! Crews have excavated about 15 feet of the tunnel under I-70 and the approach walls are in place. Crews continue to work under I-70 to complete the excavation and install the final wall panels for the future light rail tunnel.

>> The concrete deck on the light rail bridge over Indiana Street is being poured in sections. To accommodate equipment and manpower, this will require lane closures on 6th Avenue and Indiana. Watch for updates on the latest closures related to this portion of the project. Eastbound and westbound traffic on 6th Avenue will be detoured off the highway at Indiana, but will be able to cross Indiana and get right back onto 6th Avenue. Once the entire deck is in place, crews will begin installing the emergency sidewalks, curbs and fencing.

>> Preliminary work on the Red Rocks passenger station has begun with electrical and communication conduits in place and stem walls taking shape.

Upcoming Activities
All activities in Area 1 will continue through the summer, as well as grading, slope reconstruction and sub-ballast installation. Construction of the parking garage at Jeffco could begin in early September.

To get the latest information on construction and road closures, connect to the West Corridor Web site.

Information contained in this post adapted from the FasTracks newsletter.

by Becky Baker, Building Safety Director
comments open from August 18 until September 6

Jefferson County’s Division of Building Safety has implemented the Amanda Mobile Pal, a new inspection feature for roofing inspections. Inspectors can log in via a wireless laptop in their vehicle that is able to transmit inspection results real time.

Amanda Mobile Pal also enables inspectors to enter their inspection results at the job site, which can then sent automatically via email to contractors. This allows the county to push information to the contractors immediately after the inspection is done.

Receiving inspection results from the Mobile Pal allows contractors to proceed to the next building step hours sooner if the inspection is accepted. When an inspection is rejected, the contractor immediately knows what course of action to take to correct the issues – saving valuable time. Mobile Pal also has the ability to research past history of a particular job site and the ability to schedule inspections in the field if needed.

If an inspection is in a remote area where there is no wireless connectivity, the unit retains the information and is downloaded when connectivity resumes.The units also are equipped with a GPS system that contains the inspector’s daily inspection list allowing voice activated directions to each site at the touch of a button. This capability is very valuable in a county as large as Jeffco, a large portion of which is mountainous terrain, and enables inspectors to locate job sites in a timely manner.

The current inspection results that can be emailed to contractors will include address, permit number, permit type, inspector name, inspection date, inspection type, inspection results and inspection comments. Building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing inspection results will be available via email in the near future.

The online system, Jeffco Permit Search, which allows contractors to pull information off the website using permit numbers, addresses or contractor information and is updated four times daily, is another option for citizens and contractors to learn inspection results. Registered eNtraprise users will receive emails and are also able to look up inspection results off the eNtraprise site immediately after the inspection is completed in the field.

For more information or to register for eNtraprise, contact Ed Peck at 303-271-8258 or epeck@jeffco.us.

by Lynn Johnson, Human Services Director
comments open from August 11 until August 30

Being young is a magical time. The world is new with endless possibilities and a child’s imagination takes them on adventures where anything is possible. We should all experience this wonderful time in life, free of responsibility and worry. As adults, it becomes our duty to provide for our children. We make every effort to create a loving and supportive environment. However, in some circumstances, families lose the ability to provide and children often experience the difficulties. Since children cannot stand up for themselves, adults must work for them. That is what we do here at the Jefferson County Department of Human Services.

One of our programs is Child Support Services and August is National Child Support Month. For Jefferson County, it’s a time of opportunity to reach out to more citizens in need. The mission of the program is to assure that all children receive financial and medical support from each parent. Locating each parent, establishing paternity and support obligations, and enforcing those obligations are the focus. We partner with parents to meet the financial and emotional needs of children. The ultimate goal is to work for the benefit of children and to make sure that their childhood is a magical time, like it should be.

This month, Child Support Services is raising awareness about the importance of child support, how it works, and available resources. We are focusing on establishing new paternities, launching new and modified orders, assisting dads to get the resources they need to fully support their children, making phone calls and holding mediations to solve child support issues. The Child Support Services Team wants to meet with parents who need additional information on how to pay child support as well as parents who need additional information about available services.

Presently, with a staff of fifty and an average of five volunteers/interns at any time, about twelve thousand families have active cases. Recent accomplishments include 142 paternities established and almost 600 new child support/medical support orders established during the last six months. Almost $16,000,000 in child support payments has been collected during the same time period. These great accomplishments will only continue.

Please come and visit us. Child Support Services is located in the Laramie Building at 3500 Illinois Street, Suite 1300, Golden. We are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For questions please call 303-271-4300.

by Mark Danner, Jefferson County Fairgrounds Director
comments open from August 4 until August 23

What: Jefferson County Fair - "A County Fair with an Urban Flair!"

When: Friday, August 13
Saturday, August 14
Sunday, August 15

Where: Jefferson County Fairgrounds
15200 West Sixth Avenue
Golden, CO 80401

Times: Events and activities run all day; check the website for the daily schedule

Features:
* CPRA Rodeo Saturday Night
* Mutton Bustin'
* After Rodeo Dance and Live Music
* 13 local bands throughout the weekend
* Chili Cook Off
* Beer Garden
* Food Vendors
* 4-H Animal Projects and Showing
* 4-H Project Viewing
* Dog Show
* Cattle Show
* Junior Livestock Sale Auction
* Petting Zoo
* Carnival Attractions
* Education Vendors
* Skateboard Demonstrations
* Team Roping and Westernaires Demonstration
* Ice Cream Social

For More Information,
Contact:
Barbie Garnett, 4-H Agent, Jefferson County CSU Extension, 303-271-6649
Jude Terrill, 4-H Support Staff, Jefferson County CSU Extension, 303-271-6620
or visit the website:
www.jeffcofairinc.org.

by Public Information
comments open from August 2 until August 21

Table Mountain Animal Center (soon to be Foothills Animal Shelter), one of metro Denver’s largest animal shelters, will be moving to a new facility with an official new name of Foothills Animal Shelter. The current Table Mountain Animal Center will be permanently closed starting August 9.

The new facility will remain closed August 9-10 for moving, transporting of animals and training of staff and volunteers. The brand new Foothills Animal Shelter will open its doors to the public starting August 11. There are two big events happening in conjuction with the move and opening:

Adoption specials on all animals prior to the big move!
The 300+ animals that are currently residing at Table Mountain Animal Center will need to be moved to the new facility. In an effort to reduce the number of animals that need to be transported, Table Mountain Animal Center will be running a 50 percent off adoption special on all adoptable animals prior to the move.

Specials continue now through Sunday, August 8. Adoptions taking place at the current facility at 4105 Youngfield Service Road in Golden.

Two Grand Opening Events
Table Mountain Animal Center is looking forward to a spectacular grand opening of its brand new facility with a brand new name! It is one of the most exciting times in the organization’s history! Two very special grand opening events are both planned for Saturday, August 28, with the shared theme of Raise the WOOF!

There will be a daytime community event open to the public that is happening between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the new facility located on the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. There is also a special evening VIP gala planned at The Mathews Collection in Arvada. Tickets are $150 per person and are limited. For more information and to reserve tickets, call 720.407.5226.

For all of the details on these events, see the full release.

Jefferson County is proud to support the new Foothills Animal Shelter (formerly TMAC), set to open its doors in August at the Jeffco Fairgrounds. Check out the new website to see all that the new shelter has to offer.

by Jennifer Fairweather, Human Resources Director
comments open from July 28 until August 16

As you may have noticed, Jefferson County often uses supplemental questions along with the application process for many of our positions -- and so do many other organizations. These questions are used like interview questions to better assess the knowledge, skills and abilities of the candidates within the applicant pool.

Unfortunately, many candidates don’t completely answer the questions. This makes it difficult to assess these candidates, especially compared to others who do provide very thorough answers.

For the best results, provide concise yet detailed answers, draft the answers in another document before submitting the application, read them aloud and double check your spelling.

It may seem like a lot of work, but the extra effort is definitely worth it.

by Lynn Johnson, Human Services Director
comments open from July 13 until August 1

Growing up comes with greater responsibilities – a house, a mortgage, children. These can be both rewarding and stressful aspects of life. In a similar sense, aging often involves unique and different rewards and stresses – there is the wisdom that comes with experience as well as the frustration that might come with thicker glasses.

Aging is significant to all citizens of Jefferson County because we have the largest number of folks age 60 and over in the state of Colorado, with that number expected to double by the year 2020.

What we know:
• The VERY OLD and POOR are populations of concern – mostly women in both groups.
• Most older adults would prefer to age in their communities, but there is a critical shortage of affordable housing and other services.
• Communities are not set up for successful aging.
• Aging of baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) will only make the shortages more severe.
• Funding for all services has not kept pace with needs.

Understanding the changing landscape and the aging of Baby Boomers, Jefferson County Department of Human Services created a unit two years ago whose goal was to develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of the growing senior population through Aging and Adult Services. This unit is within the Community Assistance Division which promotes stability and independence by providing financial and medical assistance to elderly and disabled adults.

These dedicated individuals, many representing organizations from areas of the aging arena, have been discussing and idea-gathering on the topics of transportation and mobility, housing, care giving issues, supportive services, basic needs such as financial, medical, legal, social and civic engagement, physical and mental health and wellness.

These topics were presented at the Jefferson County Summit on Aging on June 16. Open to the public, this summit brought the community together to explore how the aging population will affect everyone.

According to a summit participant, “The summit was extraordinary! I learned so much more than I thought I knew about aging.” Another participant expressed, “There was such great information available. It was fun to see so many people this passionate about seniors, our community and our future.”

Jeffco Human Services hopes to further collaborate with citizens in order to know what we can be doing to make Jefferson County the best place in which to age. Our next steps involve bringing community partners to Jefferson County to further train and promote these resources to Jeffco Human Services staff and other county employees.

For more information on the Aging Well Project please visit our web page.

by Kenneth Maenpa, Airport Director
comments open from July 9 until July 28

It was the year that the 50-star American Flag debuted, the Civil Rights Act was signed into law and Ben-Hur won the Best Picture Oscar. That year also saw the first flights of the Piper Cherokee and the Beechcraft Baron. And, most shockingly, a gallon of gas was $.25 cents. This all happened 50 years ago, in 1960.

Closer to home, on July 30, 1960, opening ceremonies were held for the new Jefferson County Airport. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was on hand to give his “presidential blessing." The Airport opened with one-6000 foot runway, a 600 square foot hangar and 17 t-hangars.

There are been a lot of changes over the years. Here is a brief timeline of the Airport's History:
• 1964 – Crosswind Runway 2/20 constructed
• 1965 – US Forest Service opens a Tanker Base
• 1967 – Air Traffic Control Tower opens
• 1969 – National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) builds hangar
• 1980 – Rocky Mountain Energy locates headquarter at Airport – Later this becomes Ball Corp.
• 1984 – Air Show featuring the Thunderbirds
• 1987 – Air Show featuring the Blue Angels
• 1993 – Terminal Building opens
• 1995 – Airport gets a US Customs Office
• 1996 – Pilatus Business Aircraft established US Headquarters at Airport
• 1998 – Airport becomes a division of Jefferson County
• 2006 – Airport name changes to Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport
• 2011 – New Air Traffic Control Tower is scheduled to open
• You can see more on the Airport's history on the website.

Today, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport has three runways (the longest is 9,000 feet), over 50 businesses, and 240 hangars. The Airport generates 3,701 jobs and produces $129,447,900 in wages annually. With an economic impact of over $363 million, Metro Airport is a vital component to the surrounding communities and the regional transportation system.

Come help us celebrate 50 years at our Air Show on August 28 and 29. This event is fun for the entire family with aerial demonstrations by the Viper West F-16 Demo Team and the West Coast F-18 Hornet. Also, watch the excitement of Team Choas as two Planes and a Jet Truck race to Show Center with a surprising Explosive Ending that will BLOW YOU AWAY! And, don't miss the exciting fireworks show that will take place on Saturday evening. For more information please visit www.cosportaviation.org.

by Lise Melbye, LiveLife Wellness Coordinator, Human Resources
comments open from June 22 until July 11

It has happened to all of us. You have had a stressful day and you want a little comfort from your food to get you through the mid-afternoon slump. But instead of picking up a piece of fruit, you reach to that inviting Snickers or bag of chips. Though tasty, you soon find yourself still tired and feeling a little bit guilty. So how do you beat these urges and stay healthy?

Here are a few tips to help you stay healthy and energized throughout your day:

>> Eat breakfast. Having breakfast will help you eat more sensibly throughout the day and have a better chance of resisting the call of the candy bar. If you skip breakfast and think you are helping yourself by eating fewer calories, you are in fact likelier to end up eating more later on in the day. Ease yourself into eating breakfast if you are not used it. You can start slowly by having a glass of milk or a piece of fruit.

>> Keep healthy snacks available. Maintain a healthy snack box. If you already have the food there, the easier your decision is. Healthy and convenient snacks such as whole wheat crackers, pretzels, apples, oranges, bananas and nuts can last several days or longer without refrigeration.

>> Make a game of it. Are you getting bored of eating the same healthy snack or think they all taste the same? Make it a challenge to find a new healthy snack or try a new fruit or vegetable each week. It will expand your horizons and you will see that eating healthy does not mean you need to lose the flavor!

>> Be mindful and portion it out. The more aware we are of what we are eating, the less likely we are to overeat. Instead of bringing a large bag of chips with you, portion the bag into smaller Ziploc bags that will limit the amount you eat.

>> Be a trendsetter. How many meetings or parties have you walked into and there are donuts, chips, cookies and soda for your choices? Bring in some seasonal produce or Kashi Bars to your next meeting . . . your peers/friends and their waistlines will thank you!

by Public Information
comments open from June 21 until July 10

Join the nearly 30,000 riders from 2009 and use pedal power to get to work on Wednesday, June 23 -- Bike to Work Day. We think if you try it once, you'll like it. Bike to Work Day celebrates commuters getting out of their cars and trying their bikes as an alternative way to commute.

Safety tips, biking resources and frequently asked questions can be found on the Bike to Work Day website. And, if you jump on your bike and head to work Wednesday morning, stop by the county's breakfast station in the atrium of the Administration and Courts Facility at 100 Jefferson County Parkway.

Find more information and how to get your free tune-up and t-shirt in the full release.

by Jennifer Fairweather, Human Resources Director
comments open from June 11 until June 30

The Jefferson County Human Resources office has moved from the Laramie Building, to the Administration and Courts Facility at 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 4530. This move will provide convenient access to Human Resources for current employees, future employees and visitors to the County.

Employment opportunities with Jefferson County are always available on our website. Using our convenient web-based application system, you can create an account to build your application and resume.

You can also sign up for “job interest alerts” so that you are notified right when away when positions of interest are available for application. Jefferson County offers a variety of exciting opportunities; visit our site today!