US Census Bureau releases the 2010 counts for the US and its states

Today the US Census Bureau released the 2010 counts for the US and its states.

The count for the US was 308,745,538.  This represents a 27.3 million increase over the decade.  The change in percentage terms was 9.7 percent.

In percentage terms, this was the second slowest growing decade -- second to the decade of the 30s. In absolute terms however, the 27.3 million ranks third fastest behind the decade of the 90s and the 50s.

For Colorado, the population count came in at 5,029,196 which is a 727,915 or 16.92 percent increase since 2000 and ranks our state as no. nine in percentage change over the decade.

Colorado will not gain or lose a US congressional seat.  All other states being equal, we would have had to have a population count of approximately 5.309 million to get an eighth seat.

American Community Survey Estimates 5 – Year (2005-09) and Census 2010 data to be released in December 2010

American Community Survey Estimates 5 – Year (2005-09) and Census 2010 data to be released in December 2010.

As many of you are aware, the US Census Bureau will be releasing American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year data on December 14th. This is the first time ACS data, characteristic information, has been made available for every county, city, town, and place, as well as for census tracts and block groups since the Census 2000 data was released in 2001.  The ACS has taken the place of the Decennial Census Long Form that asked the detailed social, economic, housing and demographic questions.

Also, the first Census 2010 state counts will be released December 21st to the President for reapportionment purposes.  It could be confusing that the two Census products are being released in the same month but it is fairly easy to learn how they are different and when to use each source.

The 2010 Census shows the number of people who live in the U.S. and the American Community Survey shows how people live.   Use data from the American Community Survey to obtain demographic, social, economic, and housing characteristics.  Use numbers from the 2010 Census to obtain counts of the population and their basic characteristics (sex, age, race, Hispanic origin, and homeowner status). For more information on Census 2010 please visit Census 2010 Main

ACS 5-year Data 2005-09

What does this mean for you, the data user? When is it appropriate and beneficial for you to use this data? We’ve compiled the following list of FAQs to help you understand the 5-year data. If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office: 303-866-3120 or barbara.mason@state.co.us or Elizabeth Garner at 303-866-3096 or Elizabeth.garner@state.co.us.

Q: Where do I find the ACS 5-year (2005-09) estimates?

A: The Census Bureau American Fact Finder site is the best place to start.   American Fact Finder.  From here, in the center area under “Getting Detailed Data”, select detailed data under the American Community Survey title, then select the ACS 5-year (2005-09).  A series of drop downs will help you to select your geography and variable.  You can also go to the American Community Survey website for more information and user guides.

Q: How accurate is the data?

A: The ACS is a survey, not a 100% enumeration (such as the 2010 Census, for example). Because only a percentage of the US population is actually surveyed, each data result has an associated Margin of Error (MOE). We encourage data users to consider the MOE and to take it into account when analyzing the 5-year data, as we do with all ACS products.

Q: How recent is the data?

A: The 5-year data being released in December 2010 was collected from 2005 through the end of 2009. This means that, of all the ACS data products, the 5-year data is the least current. As stated above, though, it’s the only ACS data available for the small geographies and populations.

Q: Can I use the ACS data to write a paper/report/article about recent economic, labor market and housing market changes?

A: No you cannot. Because the survey was conducted over such a long period of time, this data is not appropriate for analysis of recent trends, or for time-series analysis. We recommend the 1-year data for purposes of time-series analysis, and the most recent data.

Q: What is the data good for, then?

A: The 5-year data is a powerful and very useful tool for analysis of small areas- counties, towns and neighborhoods that previously only had access to new data every 10 years. It also allows us “wall-to-wall” data coverage across the state.

Q: How often will 5-year data be released?

A: All ACS products are released annually, on a rolling basis. For the 5-year data this means that in 2010 the 2005-2009 data will be released. In 2011, the 2006-2010 data will be released.

Q: What are other good resources for understanding the capabilities and limitations of the ACS 5-year data?

A: Start with the main American Community Survey web page and then click on the tab for “Guidance For Data Users”.  From this page there are several resources including an e-tutorial about the ACS and how to download and use the data.  There are also “Handbooks for Data Users” depending on your area of interest.  You can also contact our office for more information:  DLG.HelpDesk@state.co.us or Elizabeth Garner 303-866-3096 or Barb Mason 303-866-3120.

Sustainable Main Streets Initiative Event a Success

Gov. Ritter addresses the audience at the Nov. 30 event celebrating the Sustainable Main Streets Initiative

The Sustainable Main Streets Initiative celebrated an important milestone for the four pilot communities and partnering state agencies at an event held November 30 at the Denver Art Museum.

DOLA executive director Susan Kirkpatrick joined Gov. Bill Ritter, Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien and OEDIT executive director and initiative co-chair, Don Marostica, for the event to highlight the accomplishments of this initiative that was launched just a short time ago in April.

The Five Points neighborhood in Denver, Town of Fowler, City of Monte Vista and City of Rifle, were able to share their accomplishments, goals and next steps.

Gov. Ritter praised the communities for their hard work and extended his appreciation to DOLA's staff for laying the groundwork for this new and improved way of doing business to help communities gain better access to state and other resources.

To read more about the Sustainable Main Streets Initiative, be sure to check out the web page. To read Gov. Ritter's announcement, click here.

DOLA Regional Manager, Elyse Ackerman-Casselberry, joins representatives from the City of Rifle

DOLA Executive Director Susan Kirkpatrick (center) joins representatives from the Five Points community

Susan Kirkpatrick presents an award to Fowler's Mayor, Pat Christensen (center), and representatives from the Town of Fowler

Susan Kirkpatrick and representatives from the City of Monte Vista celebrate their Sustainable Main Streets Initiative award

Colorado Sustainable Main Streets Initiative Report - 11/30/10

Sustainable Main Streets Initiative available on YouTube

Town of Red Cliff Celebrates New Water Treatment Facility at Ribbon Cutting

Red Cliff Mayor Ramon Montoya, left, and Charles Unseld, deputy director of Colorado's Department of Local Affairs, share the ribbon cutting responsibilities for the new Red Cliff $4.2 million wastewater treatment plant Friday in Red Cliff. Federal stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act covered a majority of the project's cost. State and local grants paid for the rest. R.N. Civil Construction based in Centennial started work on the plant in 2009. The town's old treatment plant dated back to the '70s and had long been considered a scourge to the environment.

Dominique Taylor/dtaylor@vaildaily.com

Tuesday: Town of Boone to Celebrate Groundbreaking of Wastewater System Improvements Funded through ARRA

On Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, at 1 p.m., DOLA executive director Susan Kirkpatrick, Town of Boone Mayor Bill Baker, project contractors and other local and state representatives will gather for a groundbreaking celebration for the town's wastewater treatment facility.

Location: Town of Boone Wastewater Treatment Facility 

Directions to Site:  Drive east on Highway 50 from Pueblo to Highway 96, continue 6 miles east to downtown Boone, turn left (north) in middle of town, cross railroad tracks, and first intersection is Railroad Avenue - turn right, and proceed east to edge of town, where it becomes a one lane trail.  Continue .25 miles to wastewater lagoon.

Sustainable Main Streets Initiative Receives a Boost from HUD

Gov. Bill Ritter at Oct. 20 event announcing
HUD's award of $1.28 million to Colorado
for the Sustainable Main Streets Initiative

Wednesday, October 20, marked an important event for the Sustainable Main Streets Initiative (SMSI).  Colorado was awarded nearly $1.3 million toward the initiative, which was launched in April by Governor Bill Ritter (to read more about SMSI, see "Sustainable Main Streets Initiative" below).

The announcement, held at the Blair-Caldwell Library, celebrated a $1.28 million Challenge Planning Grant that will help renovate historic buildings and improve downtown walkways in the Five Points neighborhood of Denver, the City of Rifle on the West Slope, the City of Monte Vista in the San Luis Valley and the Town of Fowler in the southeast.

About the grant, Governor Ritter said, "Vibrant downtown business districts are the mark of successful communities.  These funds will help Colorado communities improve their central business districts and create a brighter and more sustainable future. Thank you to the federal government for supporting Colorado communities."  To read the Governor's announcement about the HUD grant, click here.

                                  

REMINDER: Annual Demography Meeting, November 5 - Arvada, CO

Presented by the Department of Local Affairs’ State Demography Office and the Northwest Council of Governments, the 2010 Annual Demography Meeting will be held from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm on November 5, 2010 at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities.

Understanding demographics is critical for local governments, city planners and nonprofits. The 2010 Annual Demography Meeting will focus on Colorado-specific population and economic trends and forecasts, provide an update on the 2010 Census and demonstrate hands-on tools to access and use data from the American Community Survey. The DU Strategic Issues Panel will also present on international immigration and the effects of this public policy challenge.

The meeting will be an opportunity for local government and nonprofit personnel to directly connect with demography and economy experts to understand how forecasts and estimates are made and how these trends will facilitate or complicate planned services and programs.

Registration is $65 per person. For registration information, download the 2010 Annual Demography Meeting. Remember to register early, as they tend to sell out.

Community Development Block Grant Application Announcement

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) will be accepting applications for the Small Cities (Non-entitlement) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Facilities Program. Funding for these projects will not be available until approximately April 1, 2011.

The CDBG application deadline is December 1, 2010.

Prospective applicants for public facility projects are strongly encouraged to consult with the department's regional field manager in their area prior to submitting an application. Regional field manager contact information can be obtained at: http://dola.colorado.gov/dlg/fs/index.html 

Applications can be obtained at http://dola.colorado.gov/dlg/fa/cdbg/index.html

Please send three (3) copies of the applications to:

Becky Murray-Calomino 

Department of Local Affairs

Division of Local Government Services

1313 Sherman Street, Room 521
Denver, CO 80203

Should you have any other questions about the program or application process, please contact the assigned regional field representative for your area.

Colorado population is expected to reach 5.3 million by July 1, 2012

The population of Colorado, which is estimated at 5,074,528 for July 1, 2009, is expected to increase an average of 80,000 per year or grow at an annual rate of 1.6% over the next two years to reach 5.3 million by (July 1,) 2012.  This is compared to the average annual growth of 2.0% during the first five years of the decade and 1.7% per year over the past five years.  The state is expected to return to higher growth rates after 2015, as job growth is expected to increase to an average of over 60,000 per year.  This is compared to the average job growth of 10,000 per year this past decade.

These forecasts have been revised downward on the basis of new information regarding lower than expected job growth through 2010.  Data and information about the population and the factors that lead to population change are critical for program and local area planning.  Our office updates the population forecasts annually as new information about expected growth within a county is learned.  These forecasts are based on the updated 2009 final population estimates and a job forecast prepared in September of 2010. 

The revised population forecasts are available on our website at http://dola.colorado.gov/dlg/demog/pop_totals.html, select geography, and then select forecasts.  Job forecasts are also available at https://dola.colorado.gov/dlg/demog/economy_worksheets.html.

We expect net migration to exceed natural increase (births – deaths) between 2009 and 2010.  However, natural increase is forecast to nearly equal net migration in the two years following 2010.  Natural increase has exceeded net migration in only two other periods in Colorado’s recent history and those include the natural resource bust of the late 1980’s and the tech bust of the early 2000’s.  Similar to the tech bust of the early 2000’s, Colorado is not expected to experience net out migration.

For the ten year period thereafter, Colorado is forecast to grow at an average annual rate of 1.8% through 2025, and then gradually slow to 1.1% reaching 8.1 million by 2040.

Colorado's rate of growth is expected to slow down over time is due to the expected slowdown in the rates of growth of the U. S. population.  The current average annual growth rates of the U. S. population are just above one percent -- 1.1% -- and are expected to slow by 0.1% each decade.  This national slowing results from the fact that fertility rates have been barely above the replacement level (of 2 children per woman) since the late 1960's. 

A major demographic factor affecting Colorado’s growth over the forecast period will be the aging of the baby boomers, the first of whom will turn 65 this next year.  As a result, Colorado’s median age is expected to increase from its current 36.3 to 37.7 over the next 30 years.  The total population ages 65 and over will increase an average of 6% per year over the next 10 years slowing to 3% per year from 2020 to 2040.  Colorado’s population age 65 and over will be nearly 20% of the total population by the year 2040 as compared to 10.5% today. 

The aging of the population will also affect the growth rates of the labor force.  Colorado total labor force participation rates will decline as a result of an increased share of labor force participants aging into lower participation rate age groups, and although participation rates for older persons are expected to increase, they are still well below that of prime working age participation rates.  In addition, the increases in labor force participation of women appear to have peaked and are not expected to increase to higher rates in the future.  As a result, growth in Colorado’s labor force is expected to decline from an annual average of 2.2% over the next ten years to 1.3% for the 20 year period following 2020.   As the state’s own labor force growth slows, a higher proportion of new net migrants to the state will be needed to meet job forecasts.

As Colorado’s population ages, it will become more diverse.  The share of Colorado’s population that is minority will grow from 27.1% today to 32.6% in 2040.  The fastest growing race and ethnic group will continue to be Hispanics.  The current median age of White non-Hispanics in Colorado is 40.3 as compared to the median age of Hispanics in Colorado which is 26.9.

Annual Demography Meeting Nov. 5 - Arvada, CO

STATE'S 28^TH ANNUAL DEMOGRAPHY MEETING TO BE HELD ON NOV. 5 IN ARVADA, CO

The 28^th Annual Demography Meeting will be held on Friday, November 5^th at the Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities.

This informational event will focus on economic and demographic data and issues affecting businesses and organizations across the state of Colorado.

Specific areas to be covered include:

• Population and economic trends affecting the state
• A "behind the scenes look" at how the State Demography Office produces our population estimates and forecasts
• Hands-on training demonstrating how to access and understand information from the American Community Survey
• An update from the US Census Bureau on the 2010 Census
• A presentation by the DU Strategic Issues Panel on international immigration, a very important public policy challenge.

We invite you to join us as we explore the issues affecting your organization!

Registration and other additional information is available at http://dola.colorado.gov/demog/annualmtg.html

Rifle Citizen Telegram Article (Oct. 7): Lt. Gov. O'Brien visits Rifle

JOHN GARDNER
CITIZEN TELEGRAM STAFF
Rifle, Colorado

Walking and talking

Colorado Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien (left) talks with Rifle Mayor Keith Lambert (right) and Rifle Downtown Development Authority manager Helen Rogers (center) while taking a walking tour of Rifle, Tuesday. O'Brien visited Rifle to talk with community leaders about the town's participation in Governor Bill Ritter's Sustainable Main Street Initiative program.

John Gardner Citizen Telegram

Colorado Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien visited Rifle on Tuesday to see firsthand the impacts of the Governor Ritter's Sustainable Main Street Initiative program.

The Sustainable Main Street Initiative program is headed by the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), and Rifle was one of four Colorado communities chosen for the pilot program, which was announced by Gov. Ritter in May. The program's mission was to identify needs and seek solutions to strengthen Colorado communities in partnership with state and federal agencies such as, the Department of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, the Environmental Protection Agency and DOLA.

“We really appreciate what smaller communities are up against and what incredible strength they also bring,” O'Brien told a group of community leaders and members at Rifle City Hall after a walking tour of the downtown.

Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien

The initiative helped with projects such as development of the Health and Wellness Center, the Ute Theater renovations, and also formation of a combined revolving loan fund and downtown business incubator to improve and promote the downtown area.

O'Brien accompanied Rifle Mayor Keith Lambert, city councilors, downtown business owners and city staff on a tour of downtown projects including the new Rifle branch of the Garfield County Library District, the Ute Theater renovation, Centennial Park and the site of the proposed Rifle Health and Wellness Center on east Second Street.


The premise of the visit is to gather input on the effectiveness of the program so to pass along any valuable information to the future administration. Gov. Ritter is not seeking re-election and the program is in jeopardy of being discontinued under a new administration.

“We just thought, can one of us get out to all of these four communities to see how it's going and see if there are lessons to be learned that we can pass on to the next administration,” O'Brien said.

“Because if they decide to go forward with this (program), or something similar, that is totally their call, but we were hoping to show that if it's possible to get enough momentum and to get state agencies talking to each other in a new way to benefit a community, that this might really become a tradition,” O'Brien said.

Rifle was selected along with Five Points Neighborhood in East Denver; the town of Fowler and the city of Monte Vista. The program helped bring people to the table with ideas and solutions who perhaps would not have been involved in the process, according to Lambert.

“We've got new faces in a sense,” Lambert said. “This brought them into action with a cooperative event and I think that has been beneficial.” Overall, O'Brien was impressed with the projects Rifle has been able to work on through the program. And she praised Rifle for the work, of which all involved have contributed.

“What you have been doing for a long time, what you are doing now, and the execution of it, it's just really impressive,” she said.

Division of Local Government has a variety of mailing lists to fit your needs

DOLA's Division of Local Government has a variety of mailing lists available that provide updates on Budget and Finance, Demography and Planning.  Be sure to stop by our website and sign up to receive updates about upcoming training opportunities, hot topics and valuable information or click on the links below.

• Local Government Budget/Finance Mailing List

          Receive periodic email notifications regarding local government finance and budgeting issues, including
          statutory deadlines, upcoming training opportunities and other update.

• Office of Smart Growth

          Keep up to date with the latest information on conferences, workshops, grant programs, position
          vacancies, RFQs and RFPs, and more.

• State Demography Office

          The State Demography Office is the primary state agency for population and demographic information.
          Its data are used by state agencies to forecast demand for facilities and services.

•  Special Districts Mailing List

           To receive information regarding rules updates, statutory changes, compliancy filing deadlines, and
           other important notices.

July 2009 Population Estimates for the state, counties and municipalities available

The Department of Local Affairs' State Demography Office has completed its Vintage July 2009 Population Estimates for the state, counties and municipalities. 

The new data has been posted on DOLA's website at:  http://dola.colorado.gov/dlg/demog/index.html, select "Population" and "Population Totals" and then the geography you are interested in.  Please note, there have been revisions to the data series 2001-2008 based on revised migration and housing unit data. 

Also take a look at our information release link:  http://dola.colorado.gov/dlg/demog/presentations/2009estimatesinforelease.pdf

State Demographer weighs in on census data connecting economic climate to increase in school enrollment

In today's Denver Post article, "In tough economic times, Coloradans go back to school," DOLA's State Demographer, Elizabeth Garner, comments on census stats showing a connection between the tough economic climate and increased enrollment in higher ed.

You can read more about it in: In tough economic times, Coloradans go back to school, census stats show - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_16200855#ixzz10wr1D2FO

Resources and information for those impacted by the Fourmile Canyon and Reservoir Road fires

Below are links to resources and information related to the Fourmile Canyon Fire in Boulder County and the Reservoir Road Fire in Larimer County.

http://www.coemergency.com/ 
http://www.coemergency.com/2010/09/behavioral-health-resources-for.html
http://www.coemergency.com/p/incident.html

Link to Four Mile Fire Info

For  information on the Boulder Fourmile Canyon Wildfire, go to the Boulder Office of Emergency Management website at:

http://www.boulderoem.com/component/content/article/5

Monte Vista Journal Article: State officials take look at Main Street, discuss ways to revitalize core

Monte Vista Journal
Posted: Wednesday, Sep 1st, 2010
BY: SYLVIA LOBATO

MONTE VISTA — Two top state officials took Monte Vista’s pulse Friday and said its heart is good and its main street progress is showing.

  Colorado Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien addressed a group of citizens and town officials in 

Central Auditorium  Friday, Aug. 27.

Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien and Susan Kirkpatrick, executive director of the Colorado Dept. of Local Affairs (DOLA) as they visited the community, took a walking tour, talked with businesspersons and residents and held a brief public meeting in the historic gymnasium at Bill Metz Elementary.

They visited as part of the Sustainable Main Streets Initiative (SMSI), which is directing state agencies to share information about and coordinate their relationships with participating communities such as Monte Vista, which is one of four Colorado communities tapped for the program.

DOLA, while working with representatives of communities participating in Phase One of the Governor’s Sustainable Main Streets Initiative, will report to the governor, the lieutenant governor and members of the General Assembly.

Standing in front of a series of drawings showing community plans and ideas, both women spoke about the initiative, in which state agencies are coordinating their relationships with participating communities so that more collaborative approaches with local stakeholders can be undertaken to build sustainable communities across Colorado.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Office is providing assistance relating to early childhood services, a P-20 approach to education, citizen engagement in community service and the building of a healthier community.

Kirkpatrick shared her knowledge about downtown deterioration and said Monte Vista appeared to be fending off that problem, for the most part.

She shared the “broken window” theory of downtown disintegration, noting that when one window is broken downtown, it’s easier to break the next window and the next and the next, but when a community avoids the first broken window, it is on its way to recovery.

Successful places concentrate on local assets first, she said, noting that “Monte Vista has fantastic assets,” such as historic structures, a state/U.S. highway and people with creativity and commitment.

O’Brien speaks

O’Brien said the visit to Monte Vista was her second stop in a town with an SMSI. The other town had boarded up businesses all along its main street, save for a couple of stores and a bar.

“The governor and I believe that, if you are to keep what’s special about Colorado, you need to keep the small towns viable,” she said, speaking for Gov. Bill Ritter. “Every town has its own character.”

“Monte Vista is a living, breathing community,” she observed.

DOLA Distributes $37 in Severance Tax and Federal Mineral Lease Revenue to Local Governments

DOLA Executive Director Susan Kirkpatrick has announced $37 million in annual state Severance Tax and Federal Mineral Lease Direct Distribution payments are being made to 506 Colorado counties, municipalities and school districts. The distribution comes from revenue from the Local Government Severance Tax Fund and Federal Mineral Lease Fund.

“These funds come at a critical time when many local governments and school districts are struggling to maintain quality services. This is a boost for local economies and allows local officials to decide where the funds are needed most,” said Kirkpatrick.

Ken Parsons, chairman of the Board of Rio Blanco County Commissioners and member of the State’s Energy and Mineral Impact Advisory Committee said, “This is an important source of funding for communities impacted by energy and mineral production. These funds help communities address the impacts of development, processing, or energy conversion on their infrastructure and capacity to improve the sustainability of their communities.”

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs distributes revenue derived from energy and mineral extraction statewide. These revenues come from state severance tax receipts and federal mineral lease non-bonus payments.

Last year’s distribution to Colorado communities was an unprecedented $80 million and in 2008 it was $32 million. This year’s distribution brings the dollar amount more in line with the historical trend characteristic of these funds. The decrease for 2010 is largely attributable to lower commodity prices, particularly natural gas.

The 2009 distribution was the result of high commodity prices as well as the passage of legislation in 2008 changing the distribution formula.

In 2008, the legislature passed SB08-218 and HB08-1083. This legislation established a new method and formula to determine the direct distribution of energy impact dollars from the severance tax and federal mineral leases. The 2010 annual distribution is the second conducted as directed by these two laws.

Prior to the passage of the 2008 legislation, direct distribution was based on the number of employees in the energy impacted communities in which they resided. The new legislation added the following factors: permits, production, employee residence, population and highway user miles (HUTF).

For a report listing distributions by local government recipients, go to:
http://dola.colorado.gov/directdistribution

# # #

Alamosa News Article: Lt. Gov. O'Brien & Director Kirkpatrick visit Monte Vista

MONTE VISTA - Monte Vista’s downtown energy impressed both Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien and Susan Kirkpatrick, executive director of the Colorado Dept. of Local Affairs (DOLA) as they paid a quick visit to the community Friday.

Working with representatives of the Phase One participating communities, DOLA reports to the governor, the lieutenant governor and members of the General Assembly.

Meeting with community members at Metz Elementary School during the afternoon, both women had good words for the community.

They were in the San Luis Valley as part of the Sustainable Main Streets Initiative, which is directing state agencies to share information about and coordinate their relationships with participating communities such as Monte Vista, which is one of four Colorado communities tapped for the program.

Standing in front of a series of drawings showing community plans and ideas, both women spoke in support of the initiative, in which state agencies are coordinating their relationships with participating communities so that more collaborative approaches with local stakeholders can be undertaken to build sustainable communities across Colorado.

Kirkpatrick shared her theories about downtown deterioration and said Monte Vista appeared to be fending off that problem, for the most part.

She shared the “broken window” theory of downtown disintegration, noting that when one window is broken downtown, it’s easier to break the next window and the next and the next, but when a community avoids the first broken window, it is on its way to recovery.

She said the Sustainable Main Streets Initiative matches the capability of state and agency partners with designated communities, creating a partnership between local energy and the state.

Successful places concentrate on local assets first, she said, noting that “Monte Vista has fantastic assets,” such as historic structures, a state highway and people with creativity and commitment.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Office is providing assistance relating to early childhood services, a P-20 approach to education, citizen engagement in community service and the building of a healthier community.

She said the visit to Monte Vista was her second stop in a town with a sustainable main street.

“The governor and I believe that, if you are to keep what’s special about Colorado, you need to keep the small towns viable,” she said, speaking for Gov. Bill Ritter. “Every town has its own character.”

To view the article, visit the Alamosa News.

Department of Local Affairs Announces $6.1M for Communities

Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Executive Director Susan Kirkpatrick announced that $6.1 million has been awarded for construction, infrastructure and other community projects that will help improve public facilities and services such as roads and water systems in communities throughout the state.

Kirkpatrick said, “These grants will allow communities to make key investments in projects that will put people to work and strengthen local economies in the short-term, while making communities more livable and economically healthy in the long-term.”

Funding for the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Grants is derived from state severance tax and federal mineral lease revenues. The Department of Local Affairs has awarded $1,548,381 toward Tier I projects and $4,641,032 toward Tier II projects. Tier I grants fund projects up to $200,000 and Tier II grants fund projects greater than $200,000 up to $2,000,000.

Tony Hernandez, director of DOLA’s Division of Local Government said, "Communities that are impacted by energy and mineral development throughout the state will benefit from these grant awards. The competition for the severance and federal mineral lease grant dollars is stiff. Projects that meet basic needs like water, sewer, drainage, and local roads received highest priority. Projects that demonstrated a strong energy conservation or renewable energy component also received priority.”

The program’s grant process was revamped and refined in 2008 to make it more transparent, accountable and strategic. DOLA worked with legislators, local officials and the energy industry to enhance the effectiveness of the application, review and award process. The grant program was created by the legislature in 1977.

These grants come from revenue from FY 2009 - 2010, and are not impacted by the Governor’s announcement of budget balancing actions for 2010.

Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Grants - Tier I Grants List

Tier I Grant Projects:
Bennett Sewer Line Improvements
Adams County
$99,057

Bennett Sewer Line Improvements - Loan
Adams County
$99,057

Deer Trail School Pool Bldg Renovation
Arapahoe County
$82,500

Empire Water System Improvements
Clear Creek County
$45,826

Red Cliff Attorney/Planner Assistance
Eagle County
$20,000

Florence-Frazier Ave & State Highway 115 Improvements
Fremont County
$148,037

Carbondale Wastewater Admin Building Energy Efficiency Plan
Garfield County
$20,705

Kit Carson County DTR System Upgrade
Kit Carson County
$91,199

Ridgway Water Pump Station/Transmission Line
Ouray County
$150,000

Montrose County Road II-35 Retaining Wall
Montrose County
$194,000

Moffat Town Hall/Community Center
Saguache County
$200,000

USJHSD Rural Indigent Care Clinic
San Juan County
$130,000

San Miguel County Treasurer Collection Software
San Miguel County
$100,000

Ault Council Chambers Upgrade
Weld County
$40,500

Yuma County Building Construction & Improvements
Yuma County
$127,500

TIER I TOTAL: $1,548,381

Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Grants - Tier II Grants List

Tier II Grant Projects:
Gunnison Downtown Ditch System Improvements
Gunnison County
$75,000

Mesa County W&S Dist Water Transmission/Storage Tank
Mesa County
$491,000

Mesa County 33 Rd/Railroad Crossing Improvements
Mesa County
$250,000

Palisade WW Treatment Interceptor
Mesa County
$600,000

Grand Junction 800 MHZ Radio Tower
Mesa County
$600,000

Alamosa Municipal / Public Safety Complex
Alamosa County
$500,000

Idaho Springs Sewer Line Improvements - Phase III
Clear Creek County
$325,032

Haxtun Childcare Center
Phillips County
$300,000

Wiggins Water Project
Morgan County
$100,000

Durango Recycling Facility Expansion
La Plata County
$500,000

La Plata County Oxford Intersection Reconstruction
La Plata County
$600,000

Montrose Facilities Upgrades/Renovation Projects
Montrose County
$300,000

TIER II TOTAL: $4,641,032

TIER I & TIER II GRANTS TOTAL: $6,189,413

Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) Grant Program is Suspended as of August 23, 2010

Tough decisions impacting Colorado’s budget, modify the timeline and grant funds available through the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) as outlined in a letter from Governor Bill Ritter to the Joint Budget Committee on August 23, 2010.

Funding for EIAF grants are derived from state severance tax and federal mineral lease revenues. The volatile nature of the Impact fund combined with revenue declines means the grant program is suspended for FY 2010 - FY 2011. However, the EIAF program will continue and DOLA anticipates grant making once the state’s economy recovers from the worst recession since the Great Depression. Dollars for Direct Distribution to cities and counties will be available.

The following outlines the proposed reallocation that will immediately impact the grant program:

• Transfer of $5 million in Severance Tax revenue from the Energy Impact Assistance fund to the General Fund.  This will permanently reduce the fund by $5 million and will be directed to the state’s General Fund.

• Transfer of $15 million in Federal Mineral Lease revenue from the Energy Impact Assistance fund to the General Fund.  This will permanently reduce the fund and dollars will be directed to the state’s General Fund.

• An additional $30 million from the Energy Impact Assistance fund has been reserved for use in FY 2010/2011 in the event additional budget balancing measures are necessary.

The results of the reallocation of the Severance and Federal Mineral Lease dollars are as follows:

1. Suspend 2010 applications - no grant awards after Aug. 2010.  No additional Tier I or Tier II applications will be considered.
2. The recent award of $6.8 million for Tier I and Tier II projects that had been suspended from 2009-2010, are not affected by this action. These awards will be announced on August 25, 2010.

Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien's Visit to Monte Vista to be Rescheduled

Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien's visit to Monte Vista with DOLA Executive Director Susan Kirkpatrick will be rescheduled as the City of Monte Vista and State of Colorado mourn the loss of Faith Hinkley, who was killed while serving in Iraq.  A funeral service has been schedule for August 17 at 1 p.m. in the Monte Vista High School gym.

http://www.montevistajournal.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=2461

Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien to Visit Monte Vista Aug. 17

MONTE VISTA - Members of the community are encouraged to join Lt. Gov. O’Brien on Aug. 17 at 2 p.m. for a community forum at the Central Auditorium.

Lt. Gov. O’Brien will be joined by Susan Kirkpatrick, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), and Don Marostica, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade OEDIT).Kirkpatrick and Marostica serve as co-chairs of the Governor’s Sustainable Main Streets Initiative.

Monte Vista is one of four pilot communities participating in the Sustainable Main Streets Initiative. The community forum will include information on the several efforts being undertaken by the local committee, including the proposed arts center, downtown development and economic blueprint.

Prior to the community forum, Lt. Gov. O’Brien will tour Main Street and receive an update on the community’s progress toward its goals from the Monte Vista Sustainable Main Street Steering Committee.

The Sustainable Main Streets Initiative, which is being led by DOLA, directs state agencies to identify and target specific resources to support community projects, ranging from increasing disaster readiness plans to improving energy efficiency in downtown areas to preserving the cultural integrity of the community’s core.

On April 28, Gov. Bill Ritter launched the Initiative and signed an executive order directing multiple targets for state resources to help communities overcome their unique challenges and achieve long-term stability and prosperity.

In addition to Monte Vista, the other communities are the Five Points Neighborhood in Denver, the Town of Fowler, and the City of Rifle.

DOLA's Division of Local Government is Hiring a Land Use Planner

The Department of Local Affairs, Division of Local Government is hiring a land use planner. Please visit the department's employment website at: http://dola.colorado.gov/employment.html  (you may have to copy and paste this link into your browser). Click "Employment opportunities" and then choose "Department of Local Affairs" from the listing of departments. This General Professional III will work in the downtown Denver office.

Please note:  close date is August 13th

Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien joins DOLA Executive Director for Fowler Visit

Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien and Department of Local Affairs Executive Director, Susan Kirkpatrick visited the Town of Fowler – one of four Colorado communities taking part in the state’s Sustainable Main Streets Initiative. They visited on August 3, to talk with residents and local leaders about their ideas for economic development and redesigning their downtown.
 

Fowler is a rural community of just over 1,100 people located in the Arkansas River Valley in southeastern Colorado, about 30 miles east of Pueblo.

Lt. Gov. O’Brien and Director Kirkpatrick visited the Fowler Senior Center, took a walking tour of downtown and participated in a community forum to advance the state’s Sustainable Main Streets Initiative. Along with Fowler, Rifle, Monte Vista and Denver’s Five Points neighborhood are also taking part in the Main Streets pilot program, which aims to enhance the sustainability of downtown corridors.

Communities to Benefit from Tier I and Tier II Energy Impact Grants

Energy Impact Tier I grants were recently awarded by DOLA Executive Director Susan Kirkpatrick.   A total of 15 projects were awarded $1.5 million for improvements ranging from water and wastewater to public facilities.  Under Tier I funding, projects can receive up to $200,000.

Members of the State Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Advisory Committee met on Monday, August 2, to review the most current round of applications for Tier II funding.  Under the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund, Tier II projects are intended to support a wide variety of community development projects to improve quality of life in communities with awards greater than $200,000 and up to $2,000,000.

A total of $4.74 million in funding is available this grant cycle with more than $15 million in requests submitted.  There were 19 applications reviewed by the Committee.

Decisions on Tier II projects will be announced later this month.

Click here for more information about the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund.

DLG Welcomes Shawn Wright

DLG proudly welcomes Shawn Wright, who joins the team as the new Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Coordinator.  Wright, who will coordinate CDBG's Public Facilities, Housing and Economic Development programs, brings a wealth of valuable and varied experience with her.

Prior to becoming CDBG Coordinator, she was an Asset Manager with DOLA's Division of Housing.  She served 17 years as a Neighborhood Support Supervisor and Neighborhood Liaison, providing organizational and development assistance to neighborhood associations.

Early in her career, she was as a First Grade teacher in Opheim, Montana, and became a stock broker in Denver.

The Wyoming native enjoys mountain biking, gardening, hiking and horses and is a former volunteer coordinator for Colorado Horse Rescue.  She currently serves on DOLA's Employee Quality Team (EQT), where she provides a generous dose of enthusiasm and energy to wide variety of fund raising activities throughout the year.

Welcome, Shawn!

DLG Director Tony Hernandez Visits Solar Installation Project in Carbondale

During a recent visit to the Crystal Meadows Senior Housing Complex in Carbondale, DLG's director, Tony Hernandez, was treated to a firsthand look at solar paneling that will help generate 15 percent of the electricity to power Crystal Meadows' electrical needs.

The project was funded in part by a $86,929 Energy and Mineral Impact grant to Garfield County through the New Energy Communities Initiative.  The Initiative was launched in 2008 by Governor Bill Ritter and is designed to maximize energy efficiency and conservation, enhance community livability, promote economic development, and address climate change by reducing carbon emissions.  Garfield County is one of 14 recipients that received nearly $10 million toward regional, collaborative efforts to save money, save energy and create jobs.

Hernandez joined Joani Matranga of the Governor's Energy Office, Scott Ely of Sunsense, Jeff Dickinson Mike Ogburn and Rob Morey of the Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative (G-NECI), Patrick Johnson of Solar Flair and Alice Laird of Clean Energy Economy for the Region, for a tour of the solar array that will be powering the complex.

About his visit, Hernandez said, "I really appreciate the opportunity to see firsthand how DOLA's investments are improving people's lives.  I am honored that I was able to meet with our partners in this important endeavor.  Garfield County is a great example of a community committed to sustainability and I look forward to hearing about their future progress and accomplishments."

DOLA's Greg Winkler Working with Town of Minturn to Stimulate Downtown Business

Greg Winkler, DOLA Regional Manager for the Northern Mountains, has been working with the Town of Minturn’s citizens, local officials and business community to identify strategies for stimulating its downtown business corridor.

Winkler has been working with the community as part of DOLA’s Colorado Revitalization Partnership (CRP) program, which helps communities identify the best steps to implement to invigorate their downtowns. The CRP program is a partnership between DOLA and Downtown Colorado, Inc. (DCI).

About his experience working with Minturn, Winkler said, "Minturn is going through what many Colorado communities are experiencing in their downtown areas. I've really enjoyed working with the citizens as they map out a plan that will help their downtown businesses thrive. The CRP process is a great tool DOLA can offer to communities ready to move forward with their downtown economic development efforts.”

While funding is key to helping communities reach many of their goals, the technical assistance DOLA offers throughout the CRP process is critical to making sure communities have identified their strengths, their challenges and the resources available to them.

To read more about Minturn’s downtown revitalization efforts:

BusinessBriefs.net (Vol. 4, Number 8, May 27 - June 24, 2010)
“Minturn trying to kick-start events”


Town of Minturn’s Downtown Planning presentation

Department of Local Affairs Announces more than $3 Million Awarded to Communities Impacted by Gaming

Susan Kirkpatrick, executive director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, announced that $3,201,002 in Local Government Limited Gaming Impact Funds has been awarded to projects located in nine counties throughout the state. The counties that received funding are Boulder, Clear Creek, El Paso, Fremont, Gilpin, Jefferson, La Plata, Montezuma and Teller.

Kirkpatrick said, “The Colorado Department of Local Affairs is committed to assisting local communities that have seen dramatic impacts caused by gaming. The impact of gaming on local law enforcement, healthcare systems and roads is clear. I am pleased we are able to participate in this state and local partnership to ensure services vital to these communities receive funding.”

The Local Government Limited Gaming Impact Program, administered by the Division of Local Government, was created in statute in 1997 to provide financial assistance to local governments in addressing documented gaming impacts stemming from limited stakes gaming in the communities of Cripple Creek, Black Hawk and Central City. Limited stakes gaming has been in existence in these communities since voter approval in 1990. The Program is financed with a portion of state taxes on limited gaming activities in these municipalities.

Click here for information about the funded projects.

For more information about the Gaming Impact program, click here.

Budget 101 Trainings Offered Throughout the State and Online

DLG staff members Jarrod Biggs and David Keyser will be working in conjunction with the Colorado Government Finance Officer's Association (CGFOA ) to provide a Budget 101 course in a number of locations throughout the state (and via the web!).

The workshops are designed primarily for any first, second, or third year local government budgeters, but are open to all. The workshops will cover the basic statutory budget requirements, deadlines, certification of mill levies, revenue limitations and more. A CGFOA member also will be on hand to discuss their experiences in the context of budgeting. The workshops also will feature a presentation from the State Demography Office on state economic and demographic trends and their impact on budgeting.

Workshops are being held in Montrose, Frisco, Greeley, and Colorado Springs.

DOLA will be providing a Basic Statutory Requirements and Demography workshop via webinar on August 24 and 26 at 10 a.m. If you would like to take part in the webinar please contact Jarrod Biggs of DOLA’s Division of Local Government at jarrod.biggs@state.co.us, or (303) 866-4493.

Windsor Town Hall Renovation Celebrated

Governor Bill Ritter recently visited Windsor to help celebrate the completion of the Town Hall renovation. The $3,058,243 project was made possible through a collaborative effort that included an Energy and Mineral Impact grant from DOLA for $859,402 and a grant through the New Energy Communities initiative for $75,000.

The Windsor Town Hall is a great example of re-use of an existing building. Damaged in the Windsor tornado that struck on May 22, 2008, the building has gone through repairs to its roof, construction of an elevator, renovation of its third floor and energy efficiency improvements.

Coverage of the event can be found at:
Town Hall renovations unveiled
Windsor Now
07.25.10

Windsor christens town hall
The Coloradoan
07.23.10

Windsor town hall renovations unveiled; Gov Ritter attends ceremony
Windsor Tribune
07.23.10

DOLA's Clay Brown Key to Victor Revitalization

If you have not had an opportunity to read the May 29 article highlighting DOLA's own, Clay Brown, for his instrumental role in working with the City of Victor, please be sure to take a look at the Colorado Springs Gazette article at:

Victor revitalization is an act of "godsend"

Great job, Clay!

Planning Commissioner Training, Saturday, August 7th (8:30 a.m. - 3p.m. in Denver)

Time is running out! Register as soon as possible at http://www.drcog.org/training/dsp_viewClasses.cfm
(you may need to copy the URL and paste it into your browser)

The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), in conjunction with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and the Colorado Chapter of the American Planning Association, is offering an exclusive workshop for local government planning commissioners. This day-long workshop is committed to providing both newly appointed and seasoned planning commissioners with information to help them in the essential job they perform in their communities. Following a plenary session on new federal sustainability initiatives, workshop attendees have the opportunity to choose between two diverse tracks: (1) Planning Commissioner Training - providing information on the roles, responsibilities and fundamentals of being a planning commissioner, and (2) Special Topics - including one session on regional planning and a second session introducing and highlighting the relationship between public health and planning. See you there!

(more information on upcoming workshops will be coming soon... until then check APA Colorado's website for training opportunities for planners and planning commissioners at http://www.apacolorado.org/?q=content/events
(and don't forget the APA Co annual conference, October 6-9th in Steamboat!).

Sustainable Main Streets Initiative Update

Since Governor Ritter signed Executive Order D2010-007 on April 28, the Sustainable Main Streets Initiative has been making good progress. The Initiative outlines a collaborative, integrated process among state agencies, local communities, non-profits and the private sector to leverage technical and existing financial resources to help communities enhance the sustainability of their downtowns. Four Colorado communities are participating as pilots for the Initiative: Five Points Neighborhood of Denver, Town of Fowler, City of Monte Vista and City of Rifle.

Pilot community members, state agencies and foundation partners met July 1 at a workshop focused on identifying financial and technical resource opportunities. Governor Ritter also met with pilot community Champions and others to discuss progress on their efforts and listen to their experiences so far. Each of the pilot communities has identified specific sustainable outcomes they are working toward, such as increased use of renewable energy, reduced number of vacant storefronts, disaster-readiness enhancement and increased volunteer opportunities, to name a few.

New Faces at DLG

Meet Dianne Rogers

For some, Dianne Rogers may be a familiar face.

Mom to12-year-old Sevé (sounds like “Sev-ay”), Dianne is a former employee of DOLA where she worked 13 years in various divisions; Housing, Executive Director’s Office and Field Services. Her final six years with DOLA were with the Economic Development Commission (EDC).

She left EDC to become a stay-at-home mom, volunteering at her son’s school and with the March of Dimes. She also is a part-time massage therapist at the Colorado Athletic Club.

Dianne and her husband, Ken, have called southeast Denver home for about 15 years.

DOLA is fortunate to have Dianne back lending her expertise and her knack for great customer service to DLG’s reception area.




Meet Doug Foreman

Doug Foreman will be with DOLA until November 10 on temporary assignment helping out with the Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG).

Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Doug has lived in Colorado since 1985.

A classically trained pianist, Doug teaches piano and writes classical- and jazz-inspired music in his spare time. He is a creative writer and has sold a couple of plays and is currently working on his third.

His travels often take him to New York and to Florida, where his parents reside.

Rural Health Care Gets $1M Boost

On June 7, Gov. Bill Ritter announced that the Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Council has awarded $1.075 million in its third round of grant funding to strengthen healthcare delivery in rural communities. The Council awarded 28 grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to physical, mental and oral health care providers in 24 counties.

The Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Council is co-chaired by Colorado’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ned Calonge and UnitedHealthcare’s Vice President of Health Care Strategies, Dr. Jacqueline Stiff and includes health care consumers, rural health care providers, and representatives from the Governor’s Office, Division of Insurance at the Department of Regulatory Agencies, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, and Department of Local Affairs.

DOLA is proud to be a participant on the Council and to help improve access to health care servcies in rural Colorado.

Governor Bill Ritter Kicks Off Sustainable Main Streets Initiative

Governor Bill Ritter Kicks Off Sustainable Main Streets Initiative

On April 28, Gov. Bill Ritter announced four communities around Colorado will pilot a new Sustainable Main Streets Initiative, which will target state resources to help communities overcome their unique challenges and achieve long-term stability and prosperity. Gov. Ritter signed an executive order directing multiple state agencies to partner and concentrate on creating more livable local communities.


“One of the greatest things about Colorado is that we are bound together by a fabric of distinct cities, towns and communities,” Gov. Ritter said during a news conference in Denver’s historic Five Points Neighborhood. “Each of these places has a center or a heart or a Main Street that reflects the community’s unique character and personality.

The Sustainable Main Streets Initiative will direct state agencies to identify and target specific resources to support community projects, ranging from increasing disaster readiness plans to improving energy efficiency in downtown areas to preserving the cultural integrity of the community’s core.

DOLA is leading the initiative to help communities achieve their desired outcomes.

The four pilot communities are Five Points, the Town of Fowler, City of Monte Vista and the City of Rifle. The communities are geographically distributed throughout Colorado with demonstrated management capacity and readiness to move forward with specific strategies to achieve sustainable outcomes for their downtowns.

To read more about the Sustainable Main Streets Initiative, go to DOLA's Sustainable Main Streets Initiative page or the Governor's website.