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 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 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 Lynn Johnson, Human Services Director
comments open from May 10 until May 29

Through Child Support Services, a program in the Human Services Department, the Fatherhood Initiative is enhancing customer service for fathers who are unable to pay child support. Research indicates that lack of access to direct services for low-income, non-custodial fathers contributes to inconsistent financial support and poor social outcomes for children without fathers.

The Fatherhood Initiative is promoting responsible fatherhood by improving availability and delivery of services to non-custodial fathers. Some of the services offered include job opportunities, parenting and employment skills, access or visitation with children, and alternative sanctions through the Child Support Services Problem Solving Court.

The results are impressive. To date, the program has accomplished increased access to dads for over 100 children, conducted over 60 classes at the jail and facilitated 100 weekly group support sessions in addition to multiple workshops and training classes. Over $400,000 was collected in 2009 for children who were not receiving financial support from their fathers before.

Through the Fatherhood Program, we are able to strengthen the family unit and help fathers and children alike grow and develop into better people. The children win, the moms win, the fathers win and ultimately, the community wins.

To see what services, classes and resources the Fatherhood Program offers, please see our website. For more information, you can also contact Ray Washington, 303-271-4654 or rwashing@jeffco.us.

by Public Information
comments open from May 5 until May 24

You can register your VOIP phone line(s) or mobile phone(s) to receive "reverse 911" alerts from the Sheriff's Office during breaking emergencies affecting your neighborhood. This is especially important for residents of our mountain communities susceptible to wildfire. If you have a traditional land-line phone, you are already in the system to receive these calls.

Go to the Sheriff's Web page to read more about the Jeffco e911 Target Notification system, watch a video on how the system works or to see a list of frequently asked questions.

by Public Information
comments open from May 4 until May 23

A wildland fire is burning in the Conifer Meadows area of Jefferson County. As of almost 3:00 p.m. the fire was holding at 5-10 acres in size. Crews are stationed at the houses in the immediate area of the fire.

Fire crews are on scene from Platte Canyon Fire, Elk Creek Fire, the US Forest Service and the Jeffco Sheriff's Office fire mitigation team. Firefighters from West Metro Fire Rescue and North Fork Fire are sending crews. The fire is being fueled by grasses and bushes.

Deputies are going door-to-door among the homes that received the e911 phone calls to ensure that no residents missed the call. They are also looking for those who may be unable to evacuate on their own. Residents may call 303-271-4930 for fire updates.

The Jefferson County Fairgrounds is available for large animal evacuations. Jeffco Animal Control is also on site to help with animal evacuations.

Please see the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Emergency blog for the latest information and updates.

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.