I am writing to you because your email address is on a list of people affected by the Four Mile Canyon fire.

I am sponsoring House Bill 12-1057 to address problems many fire victims had in settling their claims for a complete loss of their home and its contents.  The main goal of the bill is to be sure the policy limits on a replacement value policy is enough to rebuild. The bill also addresses concerns I’ve heard about the adjustment process. I have attached the version of the bill that was introduced.

The Committee on Local Government will take testimony on the bill on February 6 at 1:30. THIS HAS BEEN CHANGED TO WEDNESDAY,  FEB 8, AT 9:30 Aa.m.. The hearing will be in House Committee Room 0111 at the State Capitol in Denver.

I have the strong impression that the committee chair and her fellow party members would like to kill the bill.  In conversations with several committee members, they have questioned why fire victims had not requested additional insurance if they believed the amount proposed by the insurance company was inadequate.  Most of the committee members are unaware of the extent to which fire victims were under-insured, and other difficulties with settling their claims. Therefore, if you are among those who experienced these problems, your presence at the capitol to give testimony on the need for this bill is crucial.

If you support this bill but are unable to attend committee hearing, I hope you can send an email to members of the committee expressing your support.  If would be helpful if you can share information with the committee members about your experience and how this bill might have helped you.

The members of the Committee on Local Government and their e-mail addresses are as follows:

Laura Bradford, Chair                        laurabradford55@nullgmail.com

Libby Szabo, Vice Chair                        libby.szabo.house@nullstate.co.us

David Balmer                                    david.balmer.house@nullstate.co.us

Kathleen Conti                                    kathleen.conti.house@nullstate.co.us

Rhonda Fields                                    rhonda.fields.house@nullstate.co.us

Bob Gardner                                                bob.gardner.house@nullstate.co.us

Jeane Labuda                                    jeanne.labuda.house@nullstate.co.us

Pete Lee                                                pete.lee.house@nullstate.co.us

Sal Pace                                                sal.pace.house@nullstate.co.us

John Soper                                                john.soper.house@nullstate.co.us

Keith Swerdfeger                                    keith.swerdfeger.house@nullstate.co.us

I hope to see you on Feb. 6 at 1:30.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Claire Levy
State Representative
House District 13
303-866-2578 (capitol)

From: Karen Simmons [mailto:Ksimmons@nulllasp.colorado.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 11:06 AM
To: Debra Yeager
Subject: Re: soup party

Eggs Benedict Sunday Brunch on March 4th at 11 am. 18 people. Theme
to be announced.

I’m looking out at the snow (about 1.5 inches now) and thinking if
it’s a “normal” March in the mountains then the roads could be bad,
maybe snowing, blowing, cold – let’s pick Sunday Brunch on the 4th so
folks will have a chance to get down to  Boulder and then back up if the weather
is bad.  My house in town is at the corner of 9th and Dellwood Ave in Boulder – that’s across from North Boulder Park and near Community hospital. The town phone (with answering machine) is 303-447-8607.

Sounds like fun, Karen

During the short days, and cold winter months, kurtis leverentz’s will be hosting an “outdoor adventure film series” at his residence (620 Gold Run Street). This will be an ongoing event all thru winter into early spring. Starting on 01.14.12 thru 04.14.12, Every other Saturday night, starting at 7pm-930pm. Seating is very limited (15) and will be on a reservation basis only. Our first film of the season is “The Art of Flight” A snowboarding movie shot at 1054 fps HD in never before seen areas of the world. Runtime: 120 minutes. (www.theartofflightmovie.com) There will be no beverages or goodies served, please supply your own goodies/beverages (Thanks). For more information or reservations, please contact kurtis at kurtisleverentz@nullgmail.com. Hope to see you there.

This information will change on a bi-weekly basis, and I will try my best to include URL’s for more movie info so that you may look up details at your preference. Sorry for the short notice.

The Fire Board meets the third Thursday of each month, 8:00 p.m. at the Community Center

BAKED POTATO NIGHT- FRIDAY JAN 20 at 6:00 PM at John and Cherry’s house.
We will bake both white and sweet potatoes – you bring a salad or dessert and something to put on your potato.  We will have butter, sour cream and chives available but you could bring bacon, sausage, cheese, broccoli, peas, salsa, cilantro – whatever you like on your potato.  The more toppings the better – and the more exotic flavors the better.  We will limit this to 20 people so please reserve soon.

See you then, John and Cherry

To reserve, call or e-mail us:  jocher_sand@nullhotmail.com   or    303-443-2543

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASe  December 13, 2011  Contact: Barb Halpin, 303-441-1622

 Commissioners to consider Cropland Policy at Dec. 20 public meeting

Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Commissioners will deliberate on public testimony and comments received concerning the Cropland Policy Advisory Group’s (CPAG) policy recommendations for Boulder County Open Space croplands on Dec. 20 from 1-3 p.m.

What: Public meeting for the Board of County Commissioners to consider the proposed Cropland Policy for Boulder County Open Space agricultural lands

When: Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m.

Where: Commissioners’ Hearing Room, Boulder County Courthouse, third floor, 1325 Pearl St.

Alternative viewing: Watch the meeting live online the day of the deliberations

The meeting on Dec. 20 is open to the public, but no further public testimony will be taken. All comments submitted to the commissioners via regular mail, electronic mail, phone calls and in-person testimony leading up to the Dec. 20 meeting date will be taken into consideration.

The meeting will be Web streamed live on Dec. 20. Members of the public can view the meeting online at: www.bouldercounty.org/government/pages/hearings.aspx. A taped version of the meeting will also be posted on the website as part of the commissioners’ video archive.

Background

The CPAG, consisting of nine members appointed by the commissioners, held meetings over a nine-month period to create a comprehensive Cropland Policy for Boulder County Open Space agricultural lands. The policy recommendations address soil health, economic sustainability, pest management, program administration, water, livestock, recreation and natural resource protection on agricultural lands. Through a consensus process, CPAG developed more than 80 policy recommendations. Three areas failed to achieve consensus: genetically engineered crops, use of certain pesticides, and experimental farming practices.

On Dec. 8, the county commissioners held a public hearing attended by more than 500 people, many of whom signed up to speak. At the hearing, the commissioners and attendees received a staff presentation on the county’s existing practices and programs, an overview of CPAG’s recommendations and a summary of input from the Food and Agriculture Policy Council (FAPC), the Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC), and Parks and Open Space staff. The presentation was followed by 8 ½ hours of open public comment.

Members of the public have been providing input over the nine-month period, and all comments have been recorded as part of the public record. In addition to the many open meetings and hearings held by CPAG as they formed their recommendations for the cropland policy, several subsequent public meetings have been held to consider the draft policy: a staff presentation and joint public hearing on Nov. 15 to FAPC and POSAC, FAPC deliberations on Nov. 16, POSAC deliberations on Nov. 17, and the public open comment hearing with the Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 8.

For a copy of the Cropland Policy provided to the commissioners and information about the policy, please visit the Cropland Policy website or contact Resource Planner Jesse Rounds at 303-678-6271 or croplandpolicy@nullbouldercounty.org.

-BoulderCounty.org-

The next MMM meeting is to be held at Bill Patterson’s home at 6.30 pm on 8 December.  All are welcome.

For those not familiar with MMM, we have a monthly meeting (usually the first Thursday) at the home of one of the group. The idea is two-fold: (1) is that we do some writing (for 15-20 minutes) in response to a loose stimulus provided by John Latham., followed by a non-critical read-around of what has been written. This takes about 45 minutes, followed by short break and then: (2) a read-around, led by Edie Eilender, involving all people who care to read [for about 6 minutes per person maximum] some of their already-written prose or poetry, or writing by someone else. If, instead of reading, someone offers a song or two, that is welcomed. There is no pressure on people to actively participate. Most attendees do, but some come simply to listen. The host provides some limited drink & snackies, and if attendees care to bring along a modest contribution to the drink or food, that is welcomed, too.

Bill lives in the Dome in the grounds of the Morning Sun, about 2 miles West of downtown Gold Hill. If people need further directions please phone him at (303-459-0108  – leave a message if he’s out, and he’ll respond).

The next Town Meeting is Monday, December 12, 2011, 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center

Gold Hill Fire Protection District Board Meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of each month (except December, usually), at 8:00 pm at the Community Center.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  November 7, 2011  Contact: Barb Halpin, 303-441-1622

Open House scheduled for Boulder County Comprehensive Plan

Community invited to provide input into future direction of county planning at staff-hosted event on Nov. 15 in Boulder

Boulder County, Colo. – From late August to early October, Boulder County Land Use staff hosted a series of six community meetings around the county to gain public input into the first steps for updating the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan (BCCP).

An open house hosted by the Boulder County Land Use Department is scheduled for Nov. 15 to provide feedback from those community meetings and to further solicit input from county residents on the BCCP.

When: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Boulder County Courthouse, Commissioners’ Hearing Room, third floor, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder

The goal of the open house is to help attendees leave with a better understanding of the BCCP (what it is for and how it is used), contribute to the scope and content of the draft Guiding Principles, and become engaged in the broader plan update effort.

The open house is expected to last for two hours and will include:

• Land Use staff available to answer questions and provide information;
• A viewing of two videos, one on the BCCP and one on growth and planning in Boulder County since 1950;
• An introduction of a new set of draft Guiding Principles that aim to incorporate established goals and objectives currently found in the plan, including land use and sustainability;
• The solicitation of participants’ reactions, questions, response, and feedback on the draft Guiding Principles;
• An opportunity to discuss with staff the next steps and information on how to stay informed and involved.

All residents of Boulder County are encouraged to attend, and it is hoped that diverse perspectives from around the county (including rural, mountain and urban communities) are well-represented at the open house and throughout the formal public process for adopting a revised plan.

For more information, visit the county’s website at: Boulder County Comprehensive Plan Update or contact: Peter Fogg or Bill Davidson, Long Range Policy Team, at the Boulder County Land Use Department, 303-441-3930.

BCCP background

Originally adopted in 1978, the BCCP helps shape Boulder County land use regulations and provides direction to programs and plans administered by the county’s Parks and Open Space and Transportation departments, among others. It further helps promote strong relations among the county, its municipalities, all residents, and other jurisdictions.

The established goals in the BCCP help direct urban development into urban areas and maintain the agricultural, environmental resources, and rural character of the unincorporated areas of the county. Sections of the BCCP have been amended incrementally since 1978, but the plan has not had a full review, major revision or update since it was initially adopted.

-BoulderCounty.org-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     October 24, 2011

Contact: Barb Halpin, Public Information Officer, 303-441-1622 

Boulder County Commissioners to hold public hearing on Oct. 27 to solicit input from residents

 Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27 to solicit input from residents on suggestions and recommendations for the 2012 county budget.

 The hearing will take place in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room on the third floor of the Boulder Courthouse at 1325 Pearl St. in Boulder, and members of the public are invited to provide input on 2012 funding for county services and programs.

During the months of September and October, each county elected office and department, along with representatives from local nonprofit human services agencies, presented their 2012 budget requests to the commissioners at a series of public hearings.

Those funding requests, which can fluctuate up until the time the County Commissioners make their recommendations to budget staff for inclusion in the 2012 budget package, can be viewed in-person Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Commissioners’ Office, also on the third floor of the Courthouse.

The Board of County Commissioners will review all budget requests and public input at the 2012 Budget Work Session to be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3 in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room. The public is invited to attend the work session, but no public testimony will be taken.

 Members of the public may provide comments about 2012 county funding at Thursday’s hearing, by email tocommissioners@nullbouldercounty.org, by mail to Boulder County Commissioners’ Office, P.O. Box 471, Boulder, CO 80306, or by phone at 303-441-3500. A final public hearing on the budget will be scheduled in mid-November.

 Information about current and prior year’s budgets is available on the county’s website at:www.bouldercounty.org. Search for “budget” in the search field at the top of the page.

 By state law, the Board of County Commissioners must adopt a final 2012 budget by Dec. 15.

 -BoulderCounty.org-

If you haven’t heard us enough….we, Susan Fernalld, David Brigham, R.C. Wittenbaugh, Janilee Chapin, Leslie Finn, Karel Starek, John Latham, and Debra Yeager will be performing “The Insecta Invasion” yet again at REI on Thursday evening, November 10^th for the Colorado Native Plant Society of Colorado.  You are all invited and it’s free.  We begin promptly at 6:30 pm at REI, just north of Canyon on the west side of 28^th street.  The show is one hour long.  This may be our final performance of this repertoire.  We hope to see you there.

Debra Yeager <deb@nullmountainvisions.net>

In both Gold Hill and Sunshine Canyon, residents have brought up important questions regarding the resolution listed below.  These folks have invited county officials and county wide CWPP members to attend a meeting to try to thoroughly understand this resolution that affects all of us in the mountains. There is an informational meeting scheduled and the details are below.  

Attention Mountain Residents 

There will be a Town Hall meeting on October 24 at 7:00 pm at

Fire Station #1, 311 County Road 83 in Sunshine to discuss some questions and concerns about Resolution No. 2011-94

RESOLUTION NO. 2011-94

CONCERNING THE CREATION OF THE BOULDER COUNTY MOUNTAINS FOREST IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, REFERRING TO THE VOTERS OF THE PROPOSED DISTRICT A BALLOT ISSUE CONCERNING ITS CREATION, AND APPROVING A BALLOT TITLE FOR THE ISSUE.

The Forest Improvement District (FID) emerged as the administrative entity of a countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), a document created by a group of hardworking people that outlines the need for fire mitigation in the mountains of Boulder County. Some questions, however, surround the resolution. For instance:

• Why are incorporated areas like Nederland and Ward excluded from the plan?

• Incorporated areas (like Nederland and Ward) within Boulder County, however, can opt-in to the communitywide CWPP. What would be the advantage/disadvantage for them to do so?

• Beside the creation of the FID, what else did the Citizen Advisory Team recommend?

• The FID proposes the possibility of future sales and/or property taxes. Will all Boulder County residents be taxed? Or only those who live in the mountainous boundary of the FID?

• Some communities have created and are supporting their own CWPP through property taxes. Will they be double taxed?

• The FID excludes incorporated municipalities such as Nederland and Ward. If Resolution No. 2011-94 is passed and later property taxes are approved during a future election, will the residents of these incorporated areas be excluded from taxation?

These are only some of the questions that mountain residents are asking.  This is an opportunity to invite county officials to the mountains and get a better understanding of this ballot initiative.  There will be at least one county official as well as a core member of the countywide CWPP present to help clarify questions and give us a more thorough understanding of Resolution 2011-94

If you have questions, please e-mail bocomountainresidents@nullgmail.com

Fourmile Fire report  – Public open house 

Just days after the Fourmile Fire began in September 2010, Sen. Mark Udall requested a study of the fire similar to the one he requested after the Hayman Fire in 2002.

 The preliminary findings of that study will be presented to Boulder County residents and any interested members of the public at an open house this Friday afternoon in Boulder.

 What:     Public open house to discuss findings presented in the preliminary report of the Fourmile Canyon Fire Assessment

 When:      Friday, Oct. 14, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. A presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the assessment researchers

 Where:     Commissioners’ Hearing Room, Boulder County Courthouse, third floor, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder

 Light refreshments will be provided.

 Researches will be available to answer specific questions regarding the report and representatives from Sen. Udall’s office, Boulder County, the U.S. Forest Service, Colorado State Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management will also be available.

Background

USFS agencies collaborated with the CSFS and assembled a team to conduct the study in December 2010. The study was led by scientists with the USFS’ Rocky Mountain Research Station.Issues on which the study focuses include the:

• •         Existing on-the-ground conditions and how they influenced fire behavior

            •         Success or failure of specific aspects of firefighting activiti

            •         Factors that influenced how and why structures burned

            •         Existing science related to restoration and protocols in place to learn about recovery.

Dan Rowland | Communications Specialist      Boulder County | Board of County Commissioners      Office: 303.441.3399 | Mobile: 303.579.7573