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

Dust off those running shoes, grab your kids and register for the annual Edgerunner 5K hosted by Jefferson County Human Services and The City of Edgewater to be held May 8, 2010, from 8:00 a.m. until noon at Jefferson High School, located at 2305 Pierce St. Edgewater, CO 80214. Due to popular demand, the Edgerunner 5K will be hosted in conjunction with the Community Resource Fair offering participants the chance to support Foster Care and gain tremendous knowledge about valuable community resources.

The Edgerunner 5K raises awareness about the need for foster care homes in local communities and supports efforts to keep foster care children connected to their schools, culture and families. After the race there will be a rich variety of foster care and adoptive resources available to the community. This is an excellent opportunity to learn how you can support children in Jefferson County. The Edgerunner 5K will begin with the kid run at 8:15 a.m. and the adult run at 8:30 a.m. The Edgewater Fire Department pancake breakfast follows at 8:30 a.m.

The Community Resource Fair will begin at 9:00 a.m. and is coordinated by the staff of Jefferson County Department of Human Services as well as other community agencies. The Community Resource Fair provides a one-stop opportunity for residents and businesses to learn about, and take advantage of, the quality community resources available within Jefferson County. Community agencies and businesses from in and around Jefferson County will provide information and answer questions regarding their services. Services are diverse and include: senior services, mental health services, disability services, cultural services, family centered services and basic needs.

The fair is free to everyone and is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the businesses within the local community. In addition, there will be cultural performances, free food, refreshments and door prizes. This is a family-friendly fair that includes a Kids Corner featuring face painting and other interactive activities for parents to do with their children.

We aim to root our community with resources and awareness. Please mark your calendars for a day of connecting, learning and having fun. Visit www.edgerunner5K.com to register as a volunteer, to sponsor a youth, to run in the race or to register as a business vendor for the fair.

by Public Information
comments open from February 19 until March 10

Adams, Arapahoe and Jefferson Counties are honored and proud to serve the needs of military families through Family Tree, a not-for-profit agency. Family Tree Military Family Assistance Programs provide military families with community services, resources and limited financial assistance.

This support includes employment services, housing, food, clothing, counseling and education to aid in the stabilization of these families.

Program participants must reside in Adams, Arapahoe or Jefferson County and meet one of the following criteria:
>> Veterans and active duty personnel with children
>> Spouses and ex-spouses with children of active duty personnel or veterans
>> Widows/widowers with children of veterans
>> Active duty personnel and veterans who are non-custodial parents

For more information, see the full press release.

by Public Information
comments open from February 17 until March 8

Need a little caffeine to get you going? Maybe just a little snack? Jefferson County has a brand new coffee bar to help you out there with a great story and an even better purpose.

"Training Grounds" is a collaboration between Jefferson County Human Services, Warren Tech Culinary Arts, Jefferson County Workforce Center and Jeffco Public Schools Transition Services.

Jeffco transition students, with special needs partner with TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) employees, develop customer service skills, learn to operate a cash register, serve lattes, breakfast burritos, brownies and snacks – all with a smile.

Training Grounds is not in it for the profits. Their prices are lower than Starbucks and the training for Jeffco students is invaluable.

"This is a great example of how true partnerships work and a wonderful opportunity to help our citizens improve their work skills,” said Lynn Johnson, executive director, Jefferson County Human Services. “This initiative helps people from all walks of life better their situation."

This is a win-win-win for everyone involved and you are invited to be part of this wonderful partnership. Training Grounds is open for business in the Laramie Building, 3500 Illinois Street on the Jefferson County Government Campus in Golden. The coffee bar is located on the first floor, behind the elevators. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Please note that they are continuing to add items and expand their offerings over time, and not all food items on their menu are available yet.

Come and support this wonderful operation and witness the team "Brewing Bright Futures."

by Public Information
comments open from February 4 until February 23

This month, Jefferson County elected officials and staff are launching a countywide collaboration with cities and organizations to encourage more than 225,000 households to participate in the 2010 Census.

In 2000, about 73 percent of households in Jefferson County returned their questionnaires by mail. When households do not return their surveys, Census workers attempt to reach residents at their homes, increasing the cost of the Census. About $85 million is saved for every 1 percent increase in mail participation.

Census data will affect how more than $400 billion per year in federal funding is distributed to local governments, including Jefferson County. Information from the census helps determine locations for child care and senior centers, new roads, hospitals, schools and community centers.

Jefferson County is coordinating with a variety of entities, including the Public Health Department, Sheriff’s Office, Human Services Department and the cities and towns within Jefferson County, on a variety of efforts. Those efforts include:
>> A new Web site where citizens can find the latest information about the Census and how they can participate
>> Safety information from the Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney
>> Job opportunities with the U.S. Census Bureau through the Jeffco Workforce Center
>> Questionnaire Assistance Centers located throughout the county to help citizens fill out their forms

To find this information and more about the 2010 Census, go to www.jeffco.us/2010census.htm.

by Open Space Administration and Education Services
comments open from February 2 until February 21

"Yielding is sometimes the best way of succeeding."--Italian proverb

Through a process involving many of our trail users, staff proposed a new Open Space Yielding Regulation C.25 that was approved by the Board of County Commissioners last week. Regulations, by their nature, are unable to address every possible scenario. In working with the Trail Use Task Force (a volunteer group of hikers, bikers and equestrians) and other members of the public, staff compiled a list of Trail Use Etiquette principles that identify "successful" behaviors in our parks.

• Expect and respect other trail users
• Use a friendly greeting when approaching another trail user and gain their attention
• At approximately 50 feet of encountering horseback riders, communicate to allow safe passage
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times
• When using ear phones, turn down the volume and keep one ear free to hear others on the trail
• Step off the trail when using a cell phone
• When appropriate, voluntarily yield the trail
• Move to the side to allow passage
• Stay right, pass left
• When possible, yield to trail users traveling uphill
• Acknowledge communication attempts
• Slow down and use caution when approaching corners, switchbacks and blind spots

Common sense and courtesy are always the better choice for park visitors in every situation. Although most users are cooperative, cordial and compliant, conflicts on the trails occur when one user passes another at a different pace or where trail width or line of sight was limiting. The Open Space Yielding Regulation C.25 was expanded to describe desired passing movements for trail users.

Find the new regulation on the Open Space Web site under "Rules and Regulations."

by Open Space Volunteer Services
comments open from January 8 until January 27

Attend the Open Space New Volunteer Recruitment Open House on Saturday, February 6, at Hiwan Homestead Museum in Evergreen from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Learn which Open Space program fits your interests and experience by visiting with staff and volunteers from all of our available opportunities. Browse through displays about the experiences awaiting you as an Open Space volunteer. Begin a new adventure by attending this recruitment Open House!

Opportunities for volunteering range from guiding tours at Hiwan Homestead Museum to welcoming visitors to the parks, patrolling, bird surveying or working behind the scenes in many of our programs. Whether you like to be indoors or outside – working with people or alone – there’s an Open Space program that’s just right for you. Become part of the Jefferson County Open Space volunteer program by attending this once-yearly recruitment event.

Hiwan Homestead Museum is located at 4208 S. Timbervale Drive in Evergreen. To get there, take the Evergreen Parkway-SH 74 from the west or take Meadow Drive directly from SH-74 on the east side of Evergreen and follow the brown highway signs, posted from either direction, to the intersection of Timbervale Drive and Meadow Drive.

If you need additional information, contact Jana Johns, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at 303-271-5922 or visit the Open Space Web site.

by Jim Everson, Jefferson County Assessor
comments open from December 28 until Febraury 27

My staff and I will be conducting a series of Business Property Tax Forums across Jefferson County early in 2010. These forums are designed to let the business community in Jefferson County know about a new online business personal property tax reporting option we are offering for 2010 and to help business owners better understand business property taxes in general.

When businesses receive their business personal property tax declaration in January 2010, it will be the first time they will have the option of filing their declaration online. Each declaration sent will contain instructions for online filing, however, these forums are being made available to business owners to answer questions they may have. We also plan to present information on how we value business real and personal property and facts about the specific geographic marketplace in which the forum is being presented.

The four Business Property Tax Forums will be held in library community rooms beginning at 7:00 p.m.:

• For Arvada, Westminster and North area: Wednesday, January 13, at Standley Lake Library in Arvada.

• For the Mountain Area: Wednesday, January 20, at the Evergreen Library.

• For the Lakewood and Wheat Ridge Area: Wednesday, January 27, at the Belmar Library in Lakewood.

• For the South Area: Wednesday, February 10, at Columbine Library in South Jeffco.

I hope business owners and their tax service providers will take this opportunity to find out more about their property taxes and how to deal effectively with the Assessor's Office in addition to learning about the new on-line personal property system.

The Jefferson County Assessor's Office is responsible for valuing all property in Jefferson County for property tax purposes. Our Web site(http://assessor.jeffco.us) offers information about the assessment process and property valuations. Our office is located in the Jefferson County Administration Building at 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, Colorado, Suite 2500. Property owners may also call 303-271-8600 or email the office.

We would love to hear comments from those who attend the forums and get ideas for future property tax forums.

by John Wolforth, Planning Director
comments open from December 21 until January 9

The mission of the Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Division is to preserve the quality of life by providing services that are responsive to the needs of residents and businesses and are reliable, efficient, and fiscally responsible.

In order to ensure that our services are responsive and that adequate resources are provided and placed appropriately, Jefferson County Planning and Zoning is soliciting residents’ comments through a countywide Public Outreach Survey.
The Public Outreach Survey can be found on the Planning & Zoning Web site. The survey will be open until January 31, 2010.

For more information, please contact John Wolforth, Planning Director via email or by phone 303-271-8713.

by Lynn Johnson, Human Services Director
comments open from December 17 until January 5

During the holiday season, we see so much joy; yet there can be so much sorrow too. In the Human Services Division we see the human side of suffering every day. Those families and individuals who come to our doors are not here because they want to be, and we do our best to give a smile and hope to those who come to us for help to obtain food, receive medical care or obtain other financial help when nothing else is available.

Our mantra at Jeffco Human Services is that government cannot do it alone. We know that food assistance, Medicaid and other financial programs can only go so far. So we cultivate and nurture relationships with non-profit and business organizations in the community. As a community we are all in this together for citizens in need.

One such example of selfless giving by one of our community partners are the 463 beautifully hand sewn holiday stockings, each filled to the brim with various items, delivered to us. These stockings were lovingly filled by area churches Trinity Presbyterian, Applewood Community and Morrison Community churches, destined to be delivered to Human Services’ many clients! They were hand-sewn by a like-minded group of 50-something women in Golden who are part of the Sew ‘n Sew Club.

The filled stockings will brighten the days of our many home-bound seniors and disabled adults, and the children in our foster care program. Stockings will go to non-custodial parents who are participating in our Fatherhood program, for their children. I found out later that these groups have also made tote bags to hang from walkers used by our disabled and senior clients, and blankets and quilts.

How selfless. How caring.

Because Jeffco Human Services partners with many other organizations in the community to further our mission of self-reliance and protection of individuals and the community from harm, I thought I might ask anyone out there who is in a giving mood to support them.

Supporting our community partners supports the mission of Jeffco Human Services too: give to organizations such as the Jeffco Action Center, Family Tree, Tennyson Center for Children, STRIDE, Seniors Resource Center, or your favorite charity. Their efforts help our efforts. We work together to complement each other’s missions to help those in need.

Of course, working directly with Jeffco Human Services is a great option – and there are some incredibly important ways you can: adopt a family for Christmas (or all year), mentor a family, become a foster parent. There are always children in need.

The gift you give - be it your time or your handiwork in a stocking – can change a life.

Human need knows no season. Happiest of Holidays from me and everyone at Jeffco Human Services.

by Nancy Braden, Jefferson County Public Health
comments open from December 3 until December 21

Jefferson County Public Health, in partnership with Visiting Nurse Association announced today a couple of changes in locations and times for the upcoming series of H1N1 Flu vaccination clinics in Jefferson County. The H1N1 vaccine is currently available in limited quantities and these clinics are intended for those in the priority groups for receiving vaccine who have been unable to access vaccine through their healthcare provider or who do not have a healthcare provider.

Please check our Web page at prior to day of clinic as it is possible that enough vaccine will be available to open clinics up to general public. You may also download consent forms there.

Vaccination is the best way to protect against this potentially serious disease. While we recommend people be vaccinated against the H1N1 virus, these and future public health H1N1 clinics are voluntary. The following clinics are free of charge.

Clinic Information (Changes are in bold type)
>> Alameda High School: 1255 South Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood 80232
December 12 & December 19 (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

>> Arvada High School: 7951 W. 65th Ave., Arvada 80004
December 12 & December 19 (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

>> Columbine High School: 6201 South Pierce St., Littleton 80123
December 12 & December 19 (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

>> Evergreen High School: 29300 Buffalo Park Rd., Evergreen 80437
December 12 & December 19 (10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

2009 H1N1 School-Located Vaccination Clinics for Priority Groups Only:
>> All children between 6 months and 24 years of age
>> Adults 25 years to 64 years of age with underlying risk conditions
>> Pregnant women
>> Household contacts and caretakers of children under 6 months of age
>> All health-care workers

For more information or to read the full press release, visit the Public Health Web site.

by Kenneth Maenpa, Airport Director
comments open from December 1 until December 19

Santa Claus is flying into Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport on Friday, December 4 at 6:00 pm. Come enjoy treats, seasonal music and holiday movies, while waiting to share your wish list with Santa.

This event is open to the public. Admittance and parking are free, but expect a line to see the big guy. Mr. Claus will arrive via helicopter, provided by Rotors of the Rockies.

All festivities will take place in the Terminal Building located at 11755 Airport Way, Broomfield, CO 80021. Please call airport administration at 303-271-4850 for more information. We hope to see you there!

by Lynn Johnson, Human Services Director
comments open from November 18 until December 6

Parenting is an immensely satisfying experience…involving smiles, giggles, lessons-learned, wisdom and most of all love. It takes commitment, persistence and sometimes a leap of faith. And, in Jefferson County, 13 families are planning to take that leap of faith by formalizing adoptions on National Adoption Day, November 21, at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

National Adoption Day in Jefferson County is a time when courts, judges, attorneys, clerks, adoption professionals, child welfare agencies and advocates all come together to finalize adoptions and find permanent, loving homes for children in foster care.

We celebrate the joys these families bring into children’s lives and the life long journeys they are about to embark upon. While we finalize adoptions all year long National Adoption Day is an opportunity for families to rejoice. All of the county staff in attendance donate their time to be part of this special day and family members of the adoptive families come from all over the country to share in the celebration. Court rooms fill with emotion as parents commit to love and care for the children as if they were their own. Judges make the adoptions official while children and parents hug tightly thankful that they have found their forever family.

Children, Youth and Families a Division of Human Services works with families all year long who are interested in adoption or foster care. There are over 30 children in Jefferson County and over 550 throughout Colorado that are still waiting to find permanent homes. If you are interested in learning more about being a foster parent or a foster adopt parent please call 303-636-1KID or visit Jefferson County’s Adoption Services Website at http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/adopt.

Adoption Quick Facts

• Nationwide, there are 129, 000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent homes.

• In Colorado, there are over 700 children waiting. And, in Jefferson County alone there are 30 in need of permanent homes.

• The majority of children needing permanent homes are between the ages of 8 and 18.

• 80% of the adoptive parents are married couples. 20% are single parents.

• The latest adoption trends include: 5% increase in single parent adoptions in the last 3 years in Jefferson County.

• Traits that Jefferson County is looking for in prospective foster adoption families include:
o Desire to have more children
o Patience
o Good sense of humor
o Commitment to be good parents
o Flexibility
o Realistic expectations
o Willingness to seek out resources and help
o Enjoy seeing children grow and thrive

• Free services offered by Jefferson County for those considering local adoptions include an 8-week training class for potential adoptive parents.

• Local adoptions are fairly inexpensive compared with international adoptions. The average local adoption costs less then $300. The average international adoption costs $15,000.

• If you’re considering adopting a child in foster care and would like more information, please call 303/636-1543 or visit Jefferson County’s Adoption Services Web site.

by Mark Danner, Jefferson County Fairgrounds Director
comments open from November 10 until November 29

Did you know that winter is a great time to bring your family to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds? Everyone can find something to do. Celebrate the season, shop for crafts, watch the bucking bulls, donate toys for Christmas and much more!

You can:

• Host your Holiday family and/or work parties at the Fairgrounds. We have space for groups of 10 to 1,000. Plan now to attend or coordinate.
• Shop at our annual Christmas Craft Fair for that one of a kind homemade gift.
• Be part of the one the largest “Toys for Tots” toy drives in the Denver Metro area
• Bring the whole family out to watch some of the most highly ranked bulls strut their stuff at our pre-Christmas bull riding.
• Come out in January to several of the free National Western Stock Show events. You can even watch the top PRCA Cowboys do their thing at our heated Event Center!
• Buy/sell/trade remote control airplanes.
• See the latest model train equipment and operate your own.

We have all of these events and much more going on this winter. Check out all the events on the Jefferson County Fairground Web site.

To find out more, please call, check out our web site, or even better, come out to see us!

Jefferson County Fairgrounds
15200 West 6th Avenue (6th and Indiana)
Golden, Colorado 80401
Tel: 303-271-6600
E-mail: Mark Danner

by Kevin McCasky, Jefferson County Commissioner
comments open from November 4 until November 23

Everyday, your Jefferson County Commissioners and staff members are working on ways to improve and simplify your interactions with the county. This year, through the Transparency Initiative, we have added a variety of new information to the Jefferson County web site, including credit card purchases, this blog, and on-demand video recordings of county meetings and events.

This fall, we are offering even more opportunities for you to see how your County Commissioners come to their decisions and to meet with them to discuss the issues that matter most to you. We hope to hear from citizens about what services and programs are most important, and we'd like feedback on significant issues affecting your county. We hope you can join us at one of these meetings. Read the county Hot Topic release for more information.

We have also launched two e-newsletters -- 'BCC Actions,' a summary of the Board of Commissioners' decisions from Hearings and Staff Briefings, and 'News from Jefferson County,' a monthly round-up of stories about what is happening in Jefferson County. You can subscribe to both of these or view past issues at www.jeffco.us/enews.htm.

We have also debuted a new page at www.jeffco.us where you can view email conversations among your three Commissioners. You can find this on the Board of County Commissioner's page.

As we prepare the County’s 2010 budget, we are planning new ways to be an accessible government that fosters communication, accountability and trust. With your help, we can shape the future of our County for the benefit of all County residents.

by Kathy Hartman, Jefferson County Commissioner
comments open from November 3 until November 22

Cedar Dog, an eleven-year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and a rescued dog herself, today announces her candidacy for Mayor. Cedar will make a formal announcement at a press conference to be held at the JeffCo Fairgrounds on Thursday, November 5 at 10:00 a.m.

The Cedar4Mayor campaign (www.cedar4mayor.com) hopes to raise $25,000 to support Table Mountain Animal Center’s new animal shelter project, Foothills Animal Shelter, slated to open by Fall 2010. Table Mountain Animal Center is the second largest animal shelter in the Denver-metro area — taking in 10,000 animals each year.

Cedar has a big mission and needs the help of voters everywhere. Her candidacy is not bound by a single jurisdiction, rather, she is running anywhere and everywhere which gives animal lovers an opportunity to be part of her incredible grassroots movement. Every vote cast at cedar4mayor.com means a $1 donation to the shelter fund, which in turn means supporting the happiness and welfare of all companion animals and the environments in which they live.

See the full press release or go to the Cedar4Mayor site for more information.