Monday, March 31, 2008

GOV. RITTER SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY


 
Tuesday, April 1       
 
9 a.m.                          Gov. Ritter will deliver opening remarks to the new Colorado Jobs Cabinet during the group's first meeting. Gov. Ritter has convened the Cabinet to ensure that Coloradomeets the 21st century workforce needs of the state's industries and businesses today and into the future. Location: Governor's Residence, Carriage House, 8th and Logan streets (enter through gate on Logan Street).
 
1 p.m.                          Gov. Ritter will sign into law House Bill 1075 (Kefalas/Schulteis), "Peer ReviewAmbulatory Surgical Care Center." Location: Governor's Office, State Capitol.
 

GOV. RITTER APPLAUDS USOC DECISION TO STAY IN COLORADO SPRINGS


Gov. Bill Ritter today applauded the United States Olympic Committee's decision to remain headquartered inColorado Springs.
 
"This is a great day for Colorado Springs, all of Colorado and the United States Olympic Committee," Gov. Ritter said. "We are extremely pleased the USOC has chosen to stay in Colorado Springs, and the state is proud to have worked alongside the city of Colorado Springs and many, many others to keep the USOC here inColorado. With this decision now made, we must focus on making Colorado Springs the most comfortable and effective long-term home for the USOC and our American athletes."   
 

GOV. RITTER SIGNS ADDITIONAL LEGISLATION INTO LAW TODAY


 
In addition to House Bill 1117 (Juvenile Restorative Justice), Gov. Ritter today signed several other pieces of legislation into law:
 
Bill #
Short Title
Sponsors
Date Action
Action
HB08-1045
Obsolete & Collector's License Plates 
RICE / HAGEDORN 
3/31/2008
Signed
HB08-1062
Medication Therapy Management 
GREEN / BOYD 
3/31/2008
Signed
HB08-1074
Nonconforming Advertising Devices On Hwy 
BORODKIN / HAGEDORN 
3/31/2008
Signed
HB08-1102
Liq Enf Div & State Lic Auth Cash Fund 
LABUDA / JOHNSON 
3/31/2008
Signed
HB08-1117
Juvenile Restorative Justice Programs 
MERRIFIELD / MORSE 
3/31/2008
Signed
HB08-1166
DUI Offense Administrative Revocation 
JUDD / HAGEDORN 
3/31/2008
Signed
HB08-1205
Increase Higher Ed CDC Exceptions 
RIESBERG / WINDELS 
3/31/2008
Signed
HB08-1217
Sexual Assault Victim Protections 
ROBERTS / SHAFFER 
3/31/2008
Signed 
HB08-1266
Filing Of Notices On Statutory Liens 
WITWER / VEIGA 
3/31/2008
Signed 
HB08-1320
Eliminate Cash Fund Exempt Designation 
BUESCHER / KELLER 
3/31/2008
Signed 
 

GOV. RITTER ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS


Gov. Bill Ritter today announced appointments to a variety of statewide boards and commissions:
 
Colorado State Fair Board
 
Mark Arndt of Fort Morgan and Patty Shaw Castilian of Denver for terms expiring Nov. 1, 2011.
Paul Bernklau of Rifle and Edward B. Cordes of Littleton for terms expiring Nov. 1, 2010.
Gregory J. Kolomitz of Denver for a term expiring Nov. 1, 2008.
 
Collaborative Scopes of Care Advisory Committee
(for terms expiring at the pleasure of the Governor)
 
Dr. Ned Calonge of Greenwood Village, to serve as the committee chairman
Cody Belzley of Denver
Dr. Luke J. Casias of Hesperus
Dr. Steven C. Holt of Broomfield
Barbara Hughes of Denver
Helen E. Lester of Alamosa
Shirley B. McKenzie of Centennial
Susan T. Miller of Littleton
Mark S. Patterson of Rangely
Dr. Jeanne M. Salcetti of Colorado Springs
Dr. Alex V. Slucky of Highlands Ranch
Karen J. Tomkey of Olney Springs
Susan F. Townsend of Greenwood Village
Sandeep Wadhwa of Denver
Douglas E. Warnecke of Conifer
 
Air Quality Control Commission
 
Robert A. Arnott of Greenwood Village for a term expiring Jan. 31, 2009.
Dr. Radford Byerly of Boulder, Ashley Lee Campsie of Littleton and Cynthia S. Peterson of Littleton for terms expiring Jan. 31, 2011.
 
Fire Service Training and Certification Advisory Board
(for terms expiring July 1, 2011)
 
Mark Campagnola of Aurora
Christopher A. Cross of Fort Lupton
Thomas N. Farber of Aurora
Patrick J. Laurienti of Hudson
Robert E. Leigh of Arvada
Richard E. Lewis of Parker
Joseph "Jay" A. Ruoff of Highlands Ranch
 
Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission
 
Stephanie Foote of Denver, B. Stephens Parker of Durango and John N. Schler of Grand Junction for terms expiring Jan. 1, 2011.
 
Colorado Aeronautical Board
 
Joseph H. Thibodeau of Denver for a term expiring Dec. 19, 2008.
Harold W. Patton Jr. of Greenwood Village, Louis A. Spera of Pueblo West and David A. Ubell of Olathe for terms expiring Dec. 19, 2009.
Debra K. Wilcox of Centennial and Dale E. Hancock of Colorado Springs for terms expiring Dec. 19, 2010.
 
Cover Colorado Board of Directors
 
John P. Hopkins of Grand Junction and Leo Tokar of Englewood for terms expiring July 1, 2010.
Susan McIntosh-Hutton of Littleton and Donald L. Shovein of Fort Collins for terms expiring July 1, 2011.
 
Utility Consumers Board
 
Jennifer Gremmert of Denver for a term expiring July 1, 2009.
Dian P. Callaghan of Denver, Cameron R. Graham of Greenwood Village and William J. Martin of Denver for terms expiring July 1, 2011.
 

GOV. RITTER SIGNS RESTORATIVE-JUSTICE BILL INTO LAW


GOV. RITTER SIGNS RESTORATIVE-JUSTICE BILL INTO LAW
 
Gov. Bill Ritter today signed into law House Bill 08-1117, which is designed to help keep youthful offenders from turning into hardened adult criminals by allowing them to participate in restorative justice programs in certain circumstances.
 
The legislation was co-sponsored by Rep. Mike Merrifield and Sen. John Morse. It allows – when appropriate – for juvenile offenders to meet with their victim and court officials to agree to some type of service work that would repair, repay or restore the harm they have caused.
 
"By making juvenile offenders take responsibility for the consequences of their actions, we can teach them that the decisions they make, both good and bad, will affect the course of their life," Gov. Ritter said. "Repairing the harm that someone has caused can be the thing that matters most in the criminal-justice system. As a former prosecutor, I've seen too many people start out committing minor crimes as juveniles and escalate to committing serious crimes as adults. We must do everything we can to intervene early and break this cycle."
 
"As a public school teacher for over 30 years, I've been committed to making a positive difference in the lives of young people," Rep. Merrifield said. "The restorative-justice process is a great opportunity to not only cut recidivism but to also give kids another chance, a second chance, to turn their lives around. It also gives victims a chance to have closure. It's another tool in the criminal-justice tool box."
 
HB 1117 passed with overwhelming bi-partisan support – 63-1 in the House and 33-0 in the Senate. It was supported by the Colorado District Attorneys' Council and the Colorado Department of Public Safety.
 

GOV. RITTER SCHEDULE FOR TODAY & TUESDAY (MARCH 31 & APRIL 1)

GOV. RITTER SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY & TUESDAY
 
Monday, March 31
 
9:30 to 9:45 a.m.        Gov. Ritter will be joined by state Rep. Mike Merrifield for the signing of House Bill 08-1117, concerning the use of restorative-justice practices as part of the state's juvenile diversion criminal-justice efforts.
Location: Governor's Office, State Capitol.
 
Tuesday, April 1       

 

9 a.m.                          Gov. Ritter will deliver opening remarks to the new Colorado Jobs Cabinet during the group's first meeting. Gov. Ritter has convened the Cabinet to ensure that Colorado meets the 21st century workforce needs of the state's industries and businesses today and into the future. Location: Governor's Residence, Carriage House, 8th and Logan streets (enter through gate on Logan Street).

 


Friday, March 28, 2008

GOV. RITTER CONGRATULATES DENVER ON RECEIVING $200K SOLAR AWARD


Gov. Bill Ritter today congratulated Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and the city for receiving a $200,000 U.S. Department of Energy "Solar America Cities" award. Denver will receive technical and funding assistance for developing solar electric projects.
 
"I applaud Mayor Hickenlooper and Colorado's capital city for being selected as a 2008 Solar America City," Gov. Ritter said. "This national award recognizes Denver's greening efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and incorporate clean, renewable sources of power. The Solar America grant will further stimulate our renewable energy industry, protect our natural environment, increase our energy security and advance Colorado's New Energy Economy."
 
The announcement comes on the heels of several other major New Energy Economy achievements in recent weeks, including:
·         The opening of Vestas Blades in Windsor;
·         The announcement that ConocoPhillips is opening an alternative-fuel research hub in Louisville;
·         The relocation of RES Americas from Texas to Broomfield;
·         Xcel Energy's decision to make Boulder the nation's first Smart Grid City; and
·         This week's signing of a historic "homegrown energy" or net-metering bill into law by Gov. Ritter.
 
DOE Secretary Samuel W. Bodman made the announcement today that $2.4 million will be available to 12 cities across the country. These cities were chosen for their commitment and comprehensive approach to the deployment of solar technologies and the development of sustainable solar infrastructures.  The Solar America Initiative (SAI) aims to make electricity from solar photovoltaics cost-competitive with conventional electricity by 2015.