by Tim Carl, Development & Transportation Director
comments open from March 18 until April 6

At Jefferson County Planning & Zoning, we have been looking to find ways to further improve our front-counter service for building permit review and zoning permit issuance. To that end, we have installed new digital signature pads that, along with our permit and development application software, can now assist customers more efficiently.

The days of handwritten applications will soon be coming to a close at Jefferson County. Instead of filling out that handwritten application, a customer checks in with a receptionist at our front counter and explains what they want to obtain. We ask for essential information specific to the permit (i.e. property address, type of request, zoning, snow and wind load, etc.) and fill in specific fields on the electronic application. Once completed, the county employee can generate a finalized application and the applicant can sign the document – inserting his or her signature onto the electronic application. The document can then be stored electronically and printed out for the applicant, along with a permit number and receipt associated with any applicable fees.

The current way of doing business requires a citizen to fill out a one- to two-page form with multiple boxes and questions and then wait to be assisted by a planner or permit technician. As a result, these applications can have fields that have incorrect responses and result in potential delays during the permit review process.

How about an efficiency savings? Customer’s wait times have been cut in half and applicants can be assured that their application will be filled out correctly and processed accordingly. With the old process, customers would have to spend several minutes completing an application and then may have to wait an additional five to seven minutes before being helped.

Our new paperless application system makes us the first county in the Denver Metro area to offer such a service and we look forward to improving customers’ experiences at Jefferson County. For more information, please contact Planning & Zoning at 303-271-8700 or through our Web site.

by District Attorney Scott Storey
comments open from March 17 until April 5

Jefferson County District Attorney Scott Storey is warning parents that there is a new way for predators to meet kids online.

What is ChatRoulette? If your teen has web cam and they visit the Web site, all they need do is say that they are 16-years-old (whether they are or not). Their Web cam is connected to a Web cam of a random stranger. Either person can decide to chat and watch the other, or hit the “next” button. The wheel spins again to reveal another stranger. As a parent, imagine your child sitting in the perceived safety of his/her bedroom while an infinite number of strangers are lined up in the hall to go into the room and meet with your child face-to-face. That’s ChatRoulette in a nutshell.

This new “web cam-based” social networking site can be far more dangerous and addictive than more popular sites like Facebook and MySpace.

The District Attorney’s Child Sex Offender Internet Investigations (CSOII) Unit takes a proactive approach to online predators. “Kids are our best source of intelligence,” says Investigator Harris. "We learned about this site from students at a presentation we did at Jefferson Academy."

Investigator Harris says, “Our biggest concern is that you never know who is capturing your video at the other end. When any information – video, text or photo – is sent into cyberspace, it is gone forever.”

Read the full release for more information on this technology. To learn more about Internet safety, see the District Attorney Web site.

by Public Information
comments open from March 16 until April 4

Jefferson County, in partnership with the city of Arvada, is launching a new series of short online videos called “Jefferson County Insights” to help inform citizens about everything from how their tax bills are calculated to the importance of dog licensing. The videos are available at www.jeffco.us and will appear on Arvada’s KATV Channel 8.

Through the partnership, Jeffco staff generate ideas for videos and then work with KATV staff to produce, write, film and edit the videos, which will average about five minutes in length. Wendy Brockman, former KWGN-TV news anchor, hosts the program.

“Citizen participation is essential to effective government, and Jefferson County wants to encourage involvement,” said Commissioner Kathy Hartman, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. “Through KATV’s excellent and professional production, Jefferson County Insights offers citizens a new way to stay informed.”

The first three videos are already available on the county’s Media-on-Demand Web site and are about the county in general, the Board of County Commissioners and an explanation of tax bills from Jeffco Treasurer Tim Kauffman. New videos will be available throughout the year.

Jefferson County Insights is part of a broader effort by Jefferson County to bring more information to citizens online. Since early 2009, the Board of County Commissioners has rebroadcast its hearings on the Jeffco Web site. Each meeting is posted with its agenda, minutes and other supporting documents. Recently, the Planning Commission also began to rebroadcast its meetings and make them available at the same location. In addition to commission meetings and episodes of Jefferson County Insights, visitors to the Jeffco Media-on-Demand page can find videos of groundbreakings, news conferences and other community events.

If you have ideas for topics to appear on Jefferson County Insights, please contact the Public Information Office at 303-271-8512 or transparentjeffco@jeffco.us. For more information, contact Citizen Involvement Coordinator Jennifer Kostka at jkostka@jeffco.us or 303-271-8521.

by Mark Danner, Jefferson County Fairgrounds Director
comments open from March 3 until March 22

Wow - I can do that at the Fairgrounds! The Fairgrounds is open 7 days a week? These types of questions and reactions are things that the Fairgrounds' staff hear regularly. The fact is that the Fairgrounds hosts over 5,500 event days annually, 7 days a week from 7:00 am – 10:00 pm. Clydesdales to conferences, bulls to banquets, rodeos to receptions, RV’s to rallies, picnics to parties . . . we do it all!

A few of the upcoming events for March:

March 3: Republican Central Committee Meeting
March 6: Team Penning/Sorting
March 6: Children’s Clothing Consignment Sale
March 10: Dog Agility and Obedience Training
March 11: Bridge Tournament
March 13: Wilderness First Aid Training
March 19: Doll and Antique Show
March 21: Colorado Walleyes Show
March 27: Jefferson Action Center, Beautiful Junk Sale
March 27: Your Horse in the Backcountry Seminar
March 31: FEMA Training
March 31: Team Roping

Check out our Web site for over 100 other offerings in the month of March (click on “Events Calendar" in the red bar on the left).

Call us to inquire about your event needs. Class reunion? Family birthday party? RV site? Corporate picnic? Job fair? Car show? You get the picture . . . bring your event idea to life at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds! See you soon!

You can find us at 15200 West 6th Avenue (6th and Indiana) in Golden; call us at 303-271-6600; or on the Web.

by Public Information
comments open from February 24 until March 15

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is updating information on their Web site as it is available.

Also, school and counseling information is available on the Web site for Jeffco Public Schools.

by Pam Anderson, Clerk & Recorder
comments open from February 23 until March 14

In a public hearing today, the Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution presented by the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder to conduct the August 10, 2010, Primary Election as a mail ballot election. Although Jefferson County has conducted all mail ballot elections in every odd-numbered year since 1993, this marks the first time the county will conduct an even-year election by mail ballot.

Legislation passed by the Colorado General Assembly in 2009 allowed for this move, which will save Jefferson County between 40-50 percent of the cost of conducting a polling place election in August. The change also closely reflects voter preference in Jefferson County over the past several years.

“Ninety-four percent of the people who voted in the 2008 Primary Election chose to cast their ballot by mail, even when polling places were available,” said Clerk and Recorder Pam Anderson. “Based on that information, the potential cost savings to the county’s taxpayers and the public comments we’ve received over the last few weeks, we are very pleased to be able to use this model for our Primary Election.”

Between January 29 and February 12, the County Clerk & Recorder received public comment on whether to conduct the Primary Election by mail ballot. Ninety-six percent of public feedback submitted to the Clerk and Recorder’s Office was in support of this election model.

“It was important to hear from Jeffco citizens before making this decision,” said Anderson. “We also met with the county chairs of both major parties as well as representatives from the League of Women Voters, and all responded positively,” she added.

Mail Ballot Elections provide a convenient means for voters to participate in elections and has increased voter participation in elections. Seventy percent of active registered voters in Jefferson County have already declared a preference to permanently vote by mail ballot.

Ballots for the Primary Election will be mailed to voters beginning the week of July 19 in advance of the August 10 Primary.

Please visit www.votejeffco.com for more information.

by Tim Carl, Development & Transportation Director
comments open from February 22 until March 13

The Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. Established in 1960, the Airport provides a unique geographic location that serves urban, rural and mountain communities. Metro Airport averages over 180,000 operations a year. An amazing milestone for one of Colorado’s busiest general aviation airports. In fact, the Airport ranks as the fourth busiest airport in Colorado, behind Centennial and Colorado Springs.

Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport™ has the unique distinction of being owned and operated by Jefferson County, Colorado. More importantly, the airport essentially exists as a self-funded enterprise that relies on revenue from leases and fuel sales among other things. The Airport does not receive any general tax revenue, nor is airport revenue used for county purposes. The airport has been a part of the Development & Transportation Department for over three years.

To improve overall efficiency of air traffic, the Airport began construction on a new Air Traffic Control Tower in March 2009. Completion of the new, 132-foot-tall tower is expected in October 2010. In addition, the Airport continues to provide many benefits to local business and industry, and supports economic development throughout the County and region.

This year, we will be holding a wonderful Air and Aviation Show along with special events that coordinate with the Airports 50th Anniversary. We continue to look forward to serving our many customers and hope that you will celebrate with us this coming year. Look for more blog postings and articles over the coming months.

by Public Information
comments open from February 18 until March 9

Interested in how Jefferson County forms policies and procedures at Open Space parks? Want to have input into where the county’s scientific and cultural grants go? Have ideas about what 4-H, horticulture and environmental educational programs should be offered at Jeffco’s CSU Extension Office?

Apply to join one of the county’s boards and commissions that help to make these and other important decisions.

The Board of County Commissioners appoints more than 300 citizens to serve on 15 boards and commissions. Members study issues in depth, oversee and make recommendations regarding specific county functions, and assist in governing Jefferson County.

The county is accepting applications through March 1, and new appointments are planned for March 31. The current openings are:

Board of Adjustment - 4 openings
Board of Health - 1 opening
Board of Review - 2 openings
Citizen Review Panel - 3 openings
Community Service Advisory Board – 1 opening
CSU Extension Advisory Board - 6 openings
Developmental Disabilities Resource Center - 1 opening
Fair Advisory Board - 2 openings
Historical Commission – 1 opening
Library Board - 3 openings
Open Space Advisory Committee - 4 openings
Planning Commission - 3 openings
Scientific & Cultural Facilities District - 1 opening
Tri-County Workforce Investment Board - 5 openings

Help shape your county’s future. Join a Jeffco board or commission!

For more information or to apply, e-mail the commissioners.

by Public Information
comments open from January 20 until February 8

Be sure to check your mailboxes this week. If you live in unincorporated Jefferson County, you may be one of 3,000 residents who will receive Jeffco’s 2010 Citizen Survey.

Your feedback on this survey is very valuable. Commissioners plan to use the 2010 results to evaluate services and programs, assess community needs and help with strategic planning. The survey, which will be available in Spanish upon request, asks citizens a variety of questions that address quality of life, safety, county customer service and more.

Only one person per household is requested to respond. If you receive the survey, National Research Center (NRC), of Boulder selected your household based on geography and demographics.

In March, NRC will deliver results to Commissioners. The county is paying $24,700 to NRC for creating, administering and reporting. The county conducted its last citizen survey in 2004.

For more information, contact Citizen Involvement Coordinator Jennifer Kostka by email or 303-271-8521.

by Todd Leopold, Administrative Services Director
comments open from January 11 to January 30

As many citizens are adapting their budgets to the changing economy, so is Jefferson County. On January 1, Jefferson County started its 2010 fiscal year with a budget that reflects an increased focus on meeting the social services needs of families within the county, such as food stamps, housing assistance and workforce development opportunities.

Jefferson County has experienced a 25 percent increase in child-care assistance and a 28 percent increase in food stamp needs over the past year. Although the county receives state and federal funds for these programs, the county is a primary financial contributor to these programs as well.

On December 8, Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the $412.3 million operating and capital budget for 2010, which is a 6.5 percent increase over the previous year. Most of that increase is attributed to intergovernmental expenditures, which are mostly offset from revenues received through federal and state grants. Human Services, particularly the Workforce and Community Development areas, is the county’s largest benefactor of those grants.

In an effort to address the ongoing facility maintenance needs of the county, Commissioners approved the creation of a Building Maintenance Reserve. This was in response to a 2009 Citizen Budget Review Panel recommendation to create a reserve to ensure that adequate funding is available for major building maintenance needs into the future.

Some other notable expenses in the adopted budget included:

• $2.9 million for mid-term election expenses;
• $1.3 million to maintain the county’s pavement management program;
• $6.8 million in annual debt service payments to cover the county’s Certificates of Participation that were issued in 2009;
• $20.2 million in various road and bridge construction improvement projects;
• $5.1 million to fund the county’s overall fleet replacement program;
• $5 million for Open Space land acquisitions.

The Commissioners also supported the addition of three full-time equivalent positions – two in the Open Space division and one in the Public Trustee’s Office. This brings the total approved FTE count to about 2,926 for 2010.

Learn more by viewing the entire 2010 Adopted Budget.

The county building will be closed on Friday, December 25, for the holiday. The County Administration offices also will be closing at noon on Thursday, December 24.

To view other closures or important dates, please see the Jefferson County Public Meeting Calendar.

by Jefferson County Public Information
comments open from December 15 until January 3

The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners today named Ralph Schell to the position of Jefferson County Administrator. Schell had been appointed Interim County Administrator December 10, 2009, following the termination of the county’s contract with the previous administrator, Jim Moore. Schell has been director of the Jefferson County Community Resources Department and Open Space Division for 11 years.

Schell’s appointment as County Administrator was made by resolution during the December 15 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners. As the top executive, Schell’s responsibilities will include implementing the policies and priorities of the Board of County Commissioners, balancing an annual operating budget of more than $488 million, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of one of Colorado's largest counties. With nearly 3,000 employees, Jefferson County provides programs and services to more than half a million residents.

Schell was hired by Jefferson County in March of 1998 as director of the Community Resources Department, which includes Boettcher Mansion, CSU Extension, the Jefferson County Fairgrounds and the Open Space Division.

Amy P. Ito, Manager of Planning and Development for Open Space, has been appointed Acting Community Resources and Open Space Director, effective Monday, December 14.

Read the full release for more information and Schell's bio.

by Cynthia Shaw McLaughlin, Boettcher Mansion Director
comments open from December 10 until December 29

Want to end 2009 with a bang? If you host a special event between now and the end of December, the Boettcher Mansion staff will help you “wrap up” the year with 50% off our regular hourly rates. Whether it’s a holiday gathering for employees and clients or a get-together with friends and family, you’ll be giving your guests a gift to enjoy and remember!

The Mansion’s Gift Shop is bursting with an array of unique decorative items: Christmas cards, ceramic mugs, handcrafted tiles, jewelry, metalwork, prints and textiles (many by renowned artisans). We even have some embossed copper ornaments to hang on your tree and some inviting welcome mats to decorate your door. Come take a look (and enjoy a complimentary hot beverage as you rest your laurels by the fire)!

For more details, contact us at 720-497-7630 or visit our Web site for more information on our gift shop and some of the items we carry.

The county will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, for the Veteran's Day holiday. Regular business hours will resume on Thursday, November 12. To view other closures and important dates, please see the Jefferson County Public Meeting Calendar.

by Jefferson County Public Information
comments open from November 9 until November 28

What will be done:

• On Tuesday, November 10 and Wednesday, November 11, the roadway contractor will be closing the southbound lanes of Johnson Road, just north of Jefferson County Parkway. The closure is required to repair an existing storm manhole in the street.
• Message boards, barrels and temporary lane switches will be used to guide drivers through the work zone. Traffic will be shifted to the northbound lanes of Johnson Road, where there will be one lane open for both directions.
• Crews will repair the manhole on north side of the intersection on Tuesday; and then repave in the area on Wednesday.

Please be aware that no left turns will be allowed at the Johnson Road & Jefferson County intersection during the repair. Please find alternate routes to your destinations.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.