GOV. RITTER PROCLAIMS THIS WEEK 'INSULATE COLORADO WEEK'

 

Gov. Bill Ritter today proclaimed this week the first-ever "Insulate Colorado Week" to highlight residential energy efficiency as a key element of the New Energy Economy and the best way for homeowners to prepare for the upcoming winter heating season.

 

The Insulate Colorado program provides homeowners with a rebate to insulate and air seal their home to address rising energy costs. The available rebate is equal to 20 percent of job cost, up to $300 per home, and the insulation must be installed by a participating Coloradocontractor.

 

The Governor's Energy Office (GEO) is partnering with municipalities and communities to support the proper installation of insulation and air-sealing measures in single family homes. The Insulate Colorado program also aims to increase consumer awareness of residential energy efficiency options and actively promote the installation of additional whole-house energy saving measures.

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that homeowners can typically save up to 20 percent of heating and cooling costs, or up to 10 percent of total energy costs, by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces and accessible basement rim joists.

 

"Natural gas prices are expected to rise 10 percent to 30 percent this heating season," GEO Director Tom Plant said. "Homeowners with properly insulated homes can save money during both the heating and cooling seasons. "This week, we encourage homeowners to take advantage of this rebate and to install whole-house energy saving measures that will benefit them for years to come."

 

GEO will kick off "Insulate Colorado Week" today at a home in Denver. Several statewide community celebrations are scheduled for the rest of the week, including:  Boulder, Chaffee County, and the Town of Salida, San Miguel County, and the Roaring Fork Valley. Colorado Springs Utilities and Crested Butte also will promote their programs with events later this month. 

 

Xcel Energy is also supporting this event by donating energy efficient light bulbs to participating homeowners. 

 

GEO also offers a free program for income qualified residents, Energy $aving Partners. Services may include receiving high efficiency refrigerators and furnaces, insulation installation and air leakage reduction, compact fluorescent light bulbs, as well as a comprehensive energy audit. To learn more, call toll-free 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435).

 

Here is the complete text of Gov. Ritter's proclamation:

 

INSULATE COLORADO WEEK

September 15 – 21, 2008

 

WHEREAS, the cost of energy, including natural gas, propane, and electricity, continues to rise, and the people of Colorado seek cost effective means of heating and cooling their homes; and

 

WHEREAS, energy efficiency is the foundation of Colorado's New Energy Economy, and as citizens of this great state we can take simple steps, such as insulating and sealing homes, to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions; and

 

WHEREAS, consumers from all corners of the state and of all socio-economic levels will be impacted by rising energy costs this winter and into the future; and

 

WHEREAS, during the week of September 15 – 21, 2008, the State of Colorado will join with the Governor's Energy Office to promote Insulate Colorado Week, and educate the public about the benefits of insulating homes with the goal of reducing energy costs, improving energy efficiency and the comfort of our citizens homes, and ensuring a better future for our future generations;

 

Therefore, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim September 15 – 21, 2008, "Insulate Colorado Week" in the State of Colorado.

 

Given under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado, this fifth day of September, 2008,

 

Bill Ritter, Jr.

Governor

 

 

GOV. RITTER MAKES APPOINTMENTS TO AUTISM, CIVIL RIGHTS & PARKS BOARDS

Gov. Bill Ritter today announced appointments to several boards and commissions, including the Board of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Civil Rights Commission and Autism Commission.

 

Board of Parks and Outdoor Recreation

 

James C. Pribyl of Boulder, for a term expiring June 30, 2012

Gary A. Butterworth of Colorado Springs, for a term expiring June 30, 2012

Laurie A. Mathews of Denver, for a term expiring June 30, 2012

 

Appointments to the five-member board are for four years and require Senate confirmation. The board is responsible for maintaining a system of state park and recreation areas, planning, and distributing available recreation funds on a matching basis to political subdivisions of the state.

 

Colorado Civil Rights Commission

 

Isaiah "Ike" Kelley Jr. of Denver, for a term expiring March 13, 2012

Diann L. Rice of Fruita, for a term expiring March 13, 2012

 

Appointments to the seven-member commission are for four years and require Senate confirmation. The Commission investigates complaints and conducts hearings concerning alleged discrimination in employment and other areas, and promotes good will and cooperation among different racial, religious and ethnic groups across the state.

 

Colorado Autism Commission

 

Larry B. Beckner of Grand Junction

Heidi Bimmerle of Golden

Michelle B. Cason of Westminster

Bruce H. Cline of Littleton

Stephen D. Fretz of Vail

Jessica N. Frost of Parker

Liz C. Fuselier of Denver

Kathy. O. Grant of Denver

Chris M. Habgood of Lakewood

David B. Hatfield of Monument

Sharon S. Jacksi of Lyons

Barry L. Jackson of Highlands Ranch

Nathan P. Johansen of Westminster

Elizabeth R. Lehman of Denver

Kathleen Leszcynski of Lafayette

Barbara D. Ramsey of Denver

Janet L. Rasmussen of Boulder

Ann M. Reynolds of Denver

Cordelia R. Rosenberg of Denver

Kathleen D. Watters of Englewood

Peter J. Weinberg of Denver

Christina H. Wu of Greenwood Village

 

Terms for the 24-member commission expire Oct. 1, 2009, and do not require Senate confirmation. The commission was created pursuant to Senate Bill 08-163 to examine gaps in services and devise a 10-year strategy to serve those with autism, their caretakers and their families.

 

For additional information about the Governor's Office of Boards and Commissions, including details about how to obtain an application, please contact the office by clicking here, emailing boards@state.co.us, or calling 303.866.6380.

 

 

 

GOV. RITTER DIRECTS PUBLIC SAFETY CHIEF TO TACKLE ISSUES HIGHLIGHTED BY AURORA CASES

 

Gov. Bill Ritter today directed Colorado Department of Public Safety Executive Director Peter Weir to undertake an immediate review of systemic gaps in local, state and federal law enforcement efforts exposed by two cases involving illegal immigrants in Aurora this past week.

 

Gov. Ritter asked Executive Director Weir to convene law enforcement officials, policymakers, community stakeholders and other experts to identify solutions that can be enacted at the local and state levels.

 

In a phone call Thursday to Assistant Secretary Julie Lyn Myers of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Gov. Ritter invited ICE to actively participate in this effort.

 

"Immigration enforcement is ultimately the responsibility of the federal government," Gov. Ritter said. "And clearly, Washington has failed to fix a broken system. But at the local and state levels where we are on the front lines, we have a responsibility to identify and help solve problems.

 

"We have done that in the past and continue to do so today," Gov. Ritter said. "But these two cases in Aurora tragically highlight the need to constantly review gaps and make changes to close them." 

 

Here is the complete text of Gov. Ritter's directive to Executive Director Weir:

 

September 12, 2008

 

Peter A. Weir

Executive Director

Colorado Department of Public Safety

700 Kipling Street

Denver, CO  80215

 

Dear Director Weir:

 

As you are aware, two recent incidents in Aurora involving local law enforcement contacts with illegal immigrants have once again highlighted the challenges surrounding these issues. In one of these cases, three innocent people are dead. 

 

During the past week, I have spoken with many people who are concerned, frustrated and angry about these issues, including community members, law enforcement officers and elected officials.  You and I have previously discussed the complexity of immigration issues and the ability of the state to effectively support law enforcement. 

 

These two most recent cases demonstrate two main difficulties that local and state law enforcement officers encounter every day when they contact offenders:  1) determining the immigration status of the individual, and 2) ensuring that those who are not lawfully present in the United States can be turned over to federal authorities for appropriate action, including detention and deportation.

 

State and local law enforcement officers continue to experience frustrations due to a lack of federal resources and a clear federal response. However, these federal challenges should not prevent state and local agencies from seeking solutions.  In fact, because we are on the front lines, we must constantly seek to identify shortcomings in the system, particularly where federal, state and local enforcement agencies intersect, and recommend solutions.

 

This approach has led to successful implementation of SB 06-225, which created the State Patrol's unique relationship with Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) and the agreement that provides federal 287(g) authority to the Patrol's Immigration and Enforcement Unit.  This state-federal partnership has provided the Patrol with the ability to utilize federal immigration databases and to work closely with local ICE officers.  We have taken important steps to collect and share data relative to that Unit's efforts to interdict and apprehend smugglers and traffickers. 

While our relationship with ICE is an important tool to stop smuggling, many resource gaps remain. 

 

We have also listened to concerns expressed by members of the General Assembly, and partnered with state legislators in devising strategies to bolster Colorado's efforts.  As part of this collaboration, at my direction, you convened an Immigration Summit on April 25, 2008 at the Capitol, which drew more than 85 attendees.  Presentations were made by representatives from the United States Attorney's Office, the Colorado State Patrol's Immigration Enforcement Unit, the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, the County Sheriffs of Colorado, the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Colorado Network to End Human Trafficking.  This Summit provided information about efforts underway to identify and prosecute human smugglers.  Unfortunately, local ICE officers were restricted from participating in any meetings that included policy discussions.  We need to reengage the federal authorities in this process.

 

As noted above, the recent cases in Aurora underscore the need to continue our efforts to identify problems, measure system gaps, and offer proposals for solutions.  Therefore, I am asking that you convene a working group of community stakeholders, including law enforcement, policymakers and legislators, to: 

 

• Identify the problems faced by local and state law enforcement relative to the enforcement of the state and municipal criminal laws involving illegal immigrants.

 

• Identify information gaps and barriers to sharing criminal justice and immigration status information among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

 

• Discuss whether there are specific statutory or other changes that might address some of the problems.

 

• Facilitate a discussion of policy recommendations to the federal government to address the problems identified by local and state law enforcement.

 

This effort should begin as soon as possible.  We can consult further over the next week to determine the group's membership.  A report of the working group's findings and recommendations should be prepared for review by me and the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate, no later than December 31, 2008.  I understand that we cannot expect that this working group will solve the complex immigration problems that must be addressed in Washington, D.C.  However, I believe it is important that Colorado law enforcement work together to identify people who commit crimes, determine immigration status of offenders, and demand that the federal authorities are provided the resources to do their jobs to deal with those who are not legally present in our country. 

 

Thank you, in advance, for your work on these issues.  I look forward to receiving your report and findings.

 

Bill Ritter, Jr.

Governor

 

 

GOV. RITTER SCHEDULE FOR TODAY & SATURDAY

Friday, Sept. 12, 2008

 

Noon to 1 p.m.           Gov. Ritter will host a "brown bag" discussion with Arapahoe Community College students to discuss Amendment 58 and college affordability.

 

                                    Location: Arapahoe Community College, 2^nd floor student lounge, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton.

 

7 p.m.                         Gov. Ritter will deliver remarks at the Arkansas River Double Hall Celebrity Flyfishing Tournament banquet.

    

Location: Salida Steam Plant, 220 W. Sackett Ave., Salida.

 

Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008

 

8:30 to 9:30 a.m.        Gov. Ritter will deliver keynote remarks to the Colorado Medical Society at the organization's annual meeting.

 

                                    Location: Keystone Conference Center, Red Cloud/Shavano Peak Room, 0633 Tennis Club Road, Keystone.

 

                                   

Public Health Summit Set for Dec. 1 & 2, 2008

Following a process set in motion by Gov. Bill Ritter's signing of
Senate Bill 194 in June, Colorado public health officials will gather
at the Colorado Public Health Summit: From Vision to Action, December
1-2, 2008, at the Marriott Denver West, 1717 Denver West Boulevard in
Golden. The Summit will be co-hosted by the Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment (http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/), the
Public Health Alliance of Colorado (http://
www.publichealthalliance.org/) and the Caring for Colorado Foundation (http://www.caringforcolorado.org/
).

Senate Bill 194, the Colorado Public Health Reauthorization Act,
requires identified boards, agencies, and public officials to
collaboratively develop state and local public health plans that set
priorities for the public health system in Colorado. The primary
purpose of the Act is to assure that core public health services are
available to every person in Colorado.

The Summit will convene health professionals to begin the process of
developing the state public health improvement plan required by the
Act. Groundwork for this process was laid in 2007 when a series of
meetings were held across the state to begin identifying gaps and
barriers to providing essential public health services. The meetings
were sponsored through a partnership of the same organizations hosting
this summit.

Under SB194, each county must establish - or be part of - a local or
district public health agency organized under a local/district board
of health with a public health director and other staff necessary to
provide public health services. In addition, the state of Colorado
must have a comprehensive public health plan by Dec, 31, 2009, that
outlines how quality public health services will be provided.

Colorado is one of several states nationwide revamping its public
health system, in part recognizing the evolution of issues that
challenge the public health workforce. Today's public health issues
include the safety of food and water, emerging diseases such as West
Nile Virus, obesity and childhood immunizations.

Online registration for the Summit will begin in mid-September on the
Public Health Alliance website, www.publichealthalliance.org. Public
health directors, public health nurses, environmental health
directors, other public and environmental health professionals, public
health partners, county commissioners, other elected officials and
representatives of other public health stakeholder groups are
encouraged to attend.

About the hosts: The Caring for Colorado Foundation is a non profit,
health grant-making foundation focused on improving the health and
health care of the people of the Colorado. The Foundation places an
emphasis on strengthening the existing health care system, building
additional capacity within that system and finding ways to link people
to care. Contact: Renee Rockford, Director of Communication,
720-524-0770.

The Public Health Alliance of Colorado is a collaborative of ten
public health organizations joining together to share resources,
administrative support, and communications. The mission of the
Alliance is to strengthen public health in Colorado by building
capacity within the participating organizations as well as connecting
its members. Contact: Amanda Bosworth Hensley, Communications
Coordinator, Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials,
303-861-4995.

The mission of the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment is to protect and improve the health of Colorado's people
and the quality of its environment. The department works closely with
local public health and environmental health partners toward its
mission of making Colorado the healthiest place to live. Contact:
Mark Salley, Deputy Director, Communications, 303-692-2028.

COLO. SELECTED FOR $400K GRANT TO EXPEDITE RENEWABLE ENERGY ONTO TRANSMISSION GRID

 

Gov. Bill Ritter announced today that the Governor's Energy Office (GEO) has been selected to receive a $397,700 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance renewable energy in Colorado. GEO will use the grant to develop technical, financial and policy frameworks to expedite the construction of an additional 1,000 megawatts of renewable resource capacity onto the Colorado electricity grid.

 

One thousand megawatts of renewable energy will provide enough power to serve 330,000 homes.

 

"This DOE grant is another important step forward for Colorado's New Energy Economy," Gov. Ritter said. "It will help us connectColorado's abundant solar and wind resources to our transmission grid. It's also an acknowledgement of the great work we are doing here, and of the amazing potential and opportunities ahead of us."

 

"We plan to work closely with our utility, industry, research institutions, and community partners to identify approaches to expedite a full build-out of Colorado's renewable energy capacity," said GEO Director Tom Plant.

 

The objectives of the nine-month grant are to prepare a set of concrete policy recommendations that will:

 

·         Directly address major permitting, siting and environmental barriers to the integration of renewable energy development and transmission expansion;

 

·         Connect several gigawatts of renewable energy from the 10 Renewable Resource Generation Development Areas identified in a 2007 "mapping" report conducted for the Governor's Office and state legislature;

 

·         Support both regulated and public utilities to expand the current level of planned transmission investments to the Generation Development Areas;

 

·         Be replicable in other states to substantially expand and create an aggregated, regional, renewable energy market.

 

GOV. RITTER ISSUES PROCLAMATION MARKING RETURN OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL TO CSU-PUEBLO

GOV. RITTER ISSUES PROCLAMATION IN HONOR OF

RETURN OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL TO CSU-PUEBLO

 

Gov. Bill Ritter today issued a proclamation heralding Saturday's return of college football to Colorado State University-Pueblo after a 24-year hiatus.

 

The Division II CSU-Pueblo ThunderWolves host Oklahoma Panhandle State University at the home opener in the new Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at 7 p.m. Saturday.

 

"This is a proud day not just for CSU-Pueblo and southern Colorado – but for all of Colorado," Gov. Ritter said. "Through the hard work of countless individuals and organizations, this long-held dream is now a reality. It is my privilege to proclaim Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, in honor of this significant accomplishment."

 

The complete text of the Governor's proclamation:  

 

RETURN OF COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY-PUEBLO

THUNDERWOLVES FOOTBALL

 

WHEREAS, Colorado State University-Pueblo (CSU-Pueblo) is celebrating its 75^th anniversary as an institution of higher education, an establishment that has served southern Colorado with distinction throughout its history; and

 

WHEREAS, CSU-Pueblo has a strong and celebrated athletics past, beginning as Pueblo Junior College, Southern Colorado State College, and the University of Southern Colorado, and after a 24-year hiatus, is bringing back collegiate football to Pueblo to continue that proud tradition; and

 

WHEREAS, in May 2007, the Colorado State University System Board of Governors unanimously approved the expansion of the CSU-Pueblo athletics program, bringing the number of men's and women's intercollegiate sports offered by the University to 15, and incorporating the new sports programs into the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC); and

 

WHEREAS, members of the Pueblo community, including the Friends of Football organization, have donated time, energy, and funds to the rebirth of football at CSU-Pueblo, including $12 million contributed to the construction of the Neta and Eddie DeRose Thunder Bowl – the new home of the ThunderWolves and one of the finest Division II athletic facilities in the nation; and

 

WHEREAS, through the partnership of University officials and community representatives, the ThunderWolves program has recruited more than 100 players and an elite coaching staff; and

 

WHEREAS, the State of Colorado honors the return of football to the CSU-Pueblo campus, and thanks the University and community members for facilitating this dream for the players, coaches, and fans devoted to the program;

 

Therefore, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim September 6, 2008, in honor of the return of Colorado State University-Pueblo ThunderWolves football in the State of Colorado.

 

GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado, this fifth day of September, 2008.

 

Bill Ritter, Jr.

Governor