fbpx

The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Blog

  • Eastern Colorado Truck Parking Workshop – April 30th — CDOT Headquarters in Denver

    Eastern Colorado Truck Parking Workshop – April 30th — CDOT Headquarters in Denver

    The Ports-to-Plains Alliance urges you to consider attending the Eastern Colorado Truck Parking Workshop scheduled for Tuesday April 30th from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm in the East Auditorium of the Colorado Department of Transportation located at 2829 W. Howard Place, Denver, 80204. Whether you are involved in freight movement, part of a local government team, an economic development professional, a business leader or and interested individual, please consider participation.

    One does not have to look very far to see this growing issue.  What are the solutions and opportunities that those solutions may create for your community?  Attached are an event flyer and the agenda.

    The purpose of this workshop is to identify current truck parking challenges and develop an action plan for strategies, policies, and projects that will address our challenges. The workshop will be facilitated by FHWA’s Resource Center.

    Please come prepared to brainstorm around the following key questions:

    • What – What solutions and actions are needed?
    • Where – Where are the greatest needs and opportunities in Eastern Colorado?
    • How – How can technology, policy, and infrastructure solutions address parking needs? How can public and private organizations help move solutions forward?
    • Who – Who should be involved to implement solutions? Which public and private partners and organizations can help champion local actions?

    The workshop will be held on Tuesday April 30th from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm in the East Auditorium of the Colorado Department of Transportation located at 2829 W. Howard Place, Denver, 80204. Parking is available in the surface lots or garage behind the building. Please plan on arriving early to check in with the front desk as we have a hearty list of attendees and join us for coffee and rolls.

     

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • Secretary Griswold Releases Quarterly Economic Indicators Report

    Secretary Griswold Releases Quarterly Economic Indicators Report

    Colorado’s business entity filings and job growth are on the rise, according to the latest Quarterly Business and Economic Indicators report released by Secretary of State Jena Griswold today.

    During the first quarter of 2019, 35,838 new business entities were filed with the Secretary of State’s office, contributing to a 5% increase over the past 12 months. There were 159,746 business renewals, which is more than a 7.6% increase over the prior year. There are over 718,000 Colorado businesses in good standing, a record for Colorado.

    The Business Research Division at the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business compiles the report using data from the Secretary of State’s central business registry. The report looks at a variety of factors, such as energy costs, the labor market, and inflation.

    “I am encouraged by the gains in existing entity renewals and continued gains in new business formations, which have led to a record number of Colorado businesses in good standing,” said Griswold. “This indicates that the business environment in Colorado remains stable, and we are well-positioned to maintain our status as one of the leading state economies nationally.”

    From March of 2018 to March of 2019, Colorado added 44,800 jobs. Employment growth is projected to continue to grow over the next two quarters of this year. Data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that Colorado personal income increased by 1.5%, totaling nearly $331 billion.

    “Annual growth in filings aligns well with the overall growth we continue to see in the Colorado economy,” said Richard Wobbekind, executive director of the Business Research Division at University of Colorado Leeds School of Business. “As well, the slowing growth of new filings registered in Q1 is consistent with other slowing economic variables.”

    Last quarter, business leaders expressed confidence looking ahead two quarters. This increased slightly after the growth in business entity filings, renewals, and employment all went up over the first quarter of 2019.

    The full report is available here and previous reports can be found here. 
     

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • Colorado PUC and potential rules to protect rural ratepayers

    Colorado PUC and potential rules to protect rural ratepayers

    The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is revamping its entire rulemaking process. And one of the most important issues it is considering – how to incorporate more protections for rural electric cooperatives and their customers into the oversight process – could impact one of the biggest and most influential co-op G&Ts in the country.

    Currently, much of rural Colorado, from the Eastern Plains to the West Slope, is served by rural co-ops that are under long-term contracts to buy all but 5 percent of their power from Tri-State Generation and Transmission.

    Despite its monopoly on rural electricity, however, unlike investor-owned utilities such as Xcel Energy, Tri -State is not subject to any sort of oversight to ensure that the nearly 1 million customers of rural co-op customers it serves in Colorado are getting a fair deal for the electricity they buy. One New Mexico co-op has already left Tri-State after determining that even after paying a $37 million fee to buy out its contract, it would still achieve lower rates and lift major restrictions on local development of clean energy projects. Another co-op in Colorado is proceeding down the same path because of dissatisfaction with Tri-State and a lack of any oversight to address issues.

    What the PUC will be considering is whether it should exercise its authority and no longer exempt Tri-State from its jurisdiction, the argument being that without a watchdog to oversee things like the rates it charges and its resource planning, Tri-State will continue to operate in a way that harms rural Colorado. Without checks and balances to Tri-State’s stranglehold on power generation, sales and transmission, the gap between what rural co-ops and urban areas pay for electricity will only grow wider and opportunities for developing local wind and solar projects will be lost. Without expert oversight and pressure to adapt to changing energy markets, Tri-State will continue to be overly reliant on coal and rural parts of the state will miss out on the benefits of participating in the booming clean energy economy.

    The PUC will begin hearing testimony on its proposed rules revisions on Monday, April 29. It has scheduled a day for public comment on Wednesday, May 1. There will be a number of member-owners from rural co-ops served by Tri-State attending, testifying that the PUC should subject Tri-State to the same rules as other Colorado utilities. The hearings start at 9 a.m. MDT in Hearing Room A at the PUC, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, in Denver. The docket number is: 19R-0096E Amendments to Electric Rules.

    If you cannot attend in person, the PUC livestreams its hearings. You can access the webcasts here: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/webcasts

     

    Tri-State serves the following 18 rural electric cooperatives in Colorado:

    1.     Delta-Montrose Electric Assoc. based in Montrose

    2.     Empire Electric Assoc. based in Cortez

    3.     K.C. Electric Assoc. based in Hugo

    4.     Gunnison County Electric Assoc. based in Gunnison

    5.     Highline Electric Assoc. based in Holyoke

    6.     La Plata Electric Assoc. based in Durango

    7.     Morgan County REA based in Fort Morgan

    8.     Mountain Parks Electric based in Granby

    9.     Mountain View Electric Assoc. based in Limon

    10.  Poudre Valley REA based in Fort Collins

    11.  San Isabel Electric Assoc. based in Pueblo

    12.  San Luis Valley REC based in Monte Vista

    13.  San Miguel Power Assoc. based in Nucla

    14.  Sangre de Cristo Electric Assoc. based in Buena Vista

    15.  Southeast Colorado Power Assoc. based in La Junta

    16.  United Power based in Brighton

    17.  White River Electric Assoc. based in Meeker

    18.  Y-W Electric Assoc. based in Akron

     

     

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • E-470 Road Widening, City of Aurora and Arapahoe County Neighboring Projects Joint Open House

    E-470 Road Widening, City of Aurora and Arapahoe County Neighboring Projects Joint Open House

    E-470 Road Widening Project/Joint Open House on April 30

    Learn about the E-470 Road Widening, City of Aurora and Arapahoe County Neighboring Projects

     

    Aurora, CO — Aurora and neighboring residents are invited to attend a joint public open house being hosted by E-470, the City of Aurora and Arapahoe County on April 30 to learn more about area roadway and infrastructure improvements. Representatives from each organization and jurisdiction will be available to speak one-on-one with community members on how the local projects described below support regional connectivity.

     

    Joint Community Open House

    WHEN: Tuesday, April 30, 2019

    4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

    WHERE: E-470 Public Highway Authority Headquarters

    22470 E. 6th Parkway, Suite #100, Aurora, CO 80018

    FORMAT: The public meeting is an open house with no scheduled presentations. Interested stakeholders may arrive at any time to receive project information.

    PROJECTS COVERED: Information will be provided on the following projects:

     

    E-470

    ·       E-470 Road Widening: Currently in the design phase, the eight-mile road widening project will add a third lane in each direction on E-470 between Quincy Avenue and I-70. Additional project elements include the widening of 14 bridges and the extension of the High Plains Trail. 

    ·       Quincy Northbound On and Off-Ramp Relocations: As part of the road widening project, the northbound E-470 on and off-ramps at Quincy Avenue will be relocated. The ramp relocations are a joint effort and are being co-funded by E-470, the South Aurora Regional Improvement Authority (SARIA) and Arapahoe County. Upon completion this improvement will greatly enhance safety and traffic flow in the area.

     

     

    City of Aurora

    ·       I-70/Picadilly Interchange: This project will create a new interchange along I-70 at Picadilly Road. The new interchange will address growing traffic demand in the area, improve safety on Tower Road, replace older roadways and provide easier access to area development. The project will connect Picadilly Road between Colfax Avenue and Smith Road to further improve mobility in the area.

    ·       Stephen D. Hogan Parkway: Currently under construction, this project includes a new parkway extension that will close a two-mile gap in the current system and will connect East 6th Avenue to the E-470 Tollway. The project is designed to improve access to residential communities east of E-470 and to simplify access to Buckley Air Force Base from the E-470 Tollway. 

     

    Arapahoe County:

    ·       Quincy Avenue and Gun Club Road New Interchange Improvement: The project will occur along Quincy Avenue from the western E-470 ramps to the east of Gun Club Road. The new intersection, a Partial Continuous Flow Intersection (PCFI), will address congestion by allowing motorists to continuously flow as they bypass the intersection and enter onto Quincy Avenue.

     

    E-470 is the 75-mph toll road running along the eastern perimeter of the Denver metropolitan area. E-470 is a user-financed roadway, receiving no local, state or federal funds for financing, construction, operations or maintenance. E-470 is a political sub-division of the state governed by the E-470 Public Highway Authority Board composed of eight local governments including Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties, and the municipalities of Aurora, Brighton, Commerce City, Parker and Thornton. E-470 also operates ExpressToll, the all-electronic toll collection system available on E-470, Northwest Parkway, and Colorado’s Express Lanes. 

     

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • Anythink unveils latest collaborative art piece

    Anythink unveils latest collaborative art piece

    DENVER, Colo.–April 19, 2019–On Saturday, April 27, the public is invited to the unveiling of Anythink’s latest collaborative art piece, “The Singing Tree.” Created by Denver-based Alt Ethos, “The Singing Tree” is an outdoor installation that uses light and sound to create an interactive experience. Using an integrated MIDI keyboard, “The Singing Tree” operates as a musical instrument for people to play and can be programmed to include a variety of different sounds and effects. At the unveiling, attendees will have the opportunity to be a part of The Singing Tree Orchestra by participating in a live group performance led by musician Adam Green. Green will play “The Singing Tree” and conduct participants to join in song – no previous music experience needed.  

    In their 2018 report, “Why Public Art Matters,” Americans for the Arts points to the importance of public art as it relates to five distinct areas: economic growth and sustainability; attachment and cultural identity; artists as contributors; social cohesion and cultural understanding; and public health and belonging. Findings in this report conclude that public art is a tool for cities to retain and attract residents, as well as draw in new business and development. It also finds that public art also has clear public health impacts like decreased stress, and that 70 percent of Americans believe that the arts improve the image and identity of their community. “The Singing Tree” will be the first public art piece in the Perl Mack community.

    “One of the outcomes of Anythink’s strategic plan is that ‘people are enriched by learning and culture,’” says Anythink Director of Innovations & Brand Strategy Stacie Ledden. “Sharing public art with our community is one way that we do this. ‘The Singing Tree’ will embody all of the whimsy, imagination and informal learning that we celebrate at Anythink. Providing an opportunity for our community to meet the creators from Alt Ethos, hear about their creative process and the technology that powers it, is another way for us to extend that learning.” 

    “We are honored to be in collaboration with Anythink Libraries,” says Alt Ethos CEO Ethan Bach. “Our goal is to build communities through memorable experiences that are creative and fun. And I must admit that ‘The Singing Tree’ is my new favorite activation.”  

    “The Singing Tree” is the latest addition to Anythink’s This is Who We Are project, which partners community members with local artists to create public art pieces that represent the fabric of the community. “The Singing Tree” will honor former Anythink Board of Trustees President Ray Coffey. This project is made possible through the support of the Anythink Foundation.

     

    – Event Details – 

    “The Singing Tree” Public Art Unveiling and Celebration

    Saturday, April 27, 1-3 pm

    Anythink Perl Mack

    7611 Hilltop Cir., Denver, CO 80221

    303-428-3576

    Celebrate the unveiling of Anythink’s latest collaborative public art installation, “The Singing Tree,” on Saturday, April 27, from 1-3 pm. Enjoy food, art and music while getting an up-close look at this outdoor installation that uses light and sound to create an interactive experience. Created by Denver-based Alt Ethos, “The Singing Tree” operates as a musical instrument for people to play and can be programmed to include a variety of different sounds and effects. Attendees will have the opportunity to be a part of The Singing Tree Orchestra by participating in a live group performance led by musician Adam Green. Green will play “The Singing Tree” and conduct participants to join in song – no previous music experience needed. The event is free and open to the public. All ages and families welcome. Refreshments will be served.

     

    About Anythink™

    Anythink is a new style of library – a place of unlimited imagination, where play inspires creativity and lifelong learning. Anythink serves the residents of Adams County, Colo., with seven libraries and a bookmobile. With a focus on innovation, Anythink’s award-winning approach to library service is recognized by industry leaders and organizations across the globe. For more information, visit anythinklibraries.org.

     

     

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • Bennet Statement on Release of Special Counsel Mueller’s Report

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement:

     “The redacted report makes clear that the president’s behavior, and that of his team, should deeply concern every American. The report documents the president’s failure to cooperate with the special counsel, efforts to mislead the American people, and troubling interactions with Russia, a foreign adversary. To exercise its constitutional responsibility to provide oversight, Congress should have access to the full report and all underlying materials.

    “In the meantime, the Attorney General of the United States should refrain from using his office to shape the Mueller report in a partisan, self-interested manner.”

  • Gardner Statement on Mueller Report

    Washington, D.C. – Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) today released the below statement following Attorney General William Barr’s release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and related matters.

    “Special Counsel Robert Mueller led a fair and thorough investigation, and I have continuously supported ensuring this investigation reached its conclusion. I look forward to reviewing the report and hearing answers from the appropriate personnel regarding the process and contents of the report,” said Senator Gardner. “The Special Counsel report made public today includes the release of as much information as is consistent with U.S. law. Now that the report is public, it’s time for Congress to move forward and get to work on behalf of the American people. The report also confirms what we already know, Russia interfered in our election. I will keep up the pressure on the Putin regime and pursue additional sanctions – they cannot go unpunished.”

    Senator Gardner has been an outspoken critic of Russia and President Putin and has been a leader in Congress on punishing Russia for their efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election and other illegal activities around the world. He is the author of S. 2780, a bill to require a determination on designation of the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism. Gardner and a bipartisan group of Senators have reintroduced a Russia sanctions package that has been called the “sanctions bill from hell” by the lead sponsor. He has also introduced legislation to provide new tools for the United States to combat malign Russian influence and create economic opportunities at home and abroad. 

    In addition to Gardner’s service on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he is a member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission. The Helsinki Commission consists of 21 Commissioners, 18 from the United States Congress and one each from the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce. Senator Gardner is also a member of the Senate NATO Observer Group, which has an expanded mission to closely monitor and inform Senators outside of national security committees about defense spending commitments of Alliance members, the process of upgrading military capabilities, the Alliance’s counter-terrorism capability, NATO enlargement, and the ability of NATO member states to address non-conventional warfare.

     ###

    Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.

  • school threat

    school threat

    This is a message to provide clarity on an evolving situation. While the FBI and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office continue to take the lead on investigating a credible threat, CDPS and the Colorado Department of Education alerted schools in the Denver-metro area to the threat. 

    CDPS recommended that schools in the Denver-metro area complete a controlled release this afternoon related to a credible school threat. This means that students should be released using heightened safety protocols. CDPS has sent clarification to schools that they may release students if they have not done so already. 

    There is a credible threat pertaining to one individual who has been identified and is considered armed and dangerous. This is the same individual being sought by the FBI and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Out of an abundance of caution, we have chosen to alert all Denver-metro area schools so that they can enact heightened safety protocols. 

    CDPS will continue to monitor this situation and coordinate with the FBI and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office as information is available. We will be establishing a Joint Information Center to manage information flow as this issue develops. 

    In the meantime, please continue to follow Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI for more information. 

  • Colorado lawmakers send $30.5 billion state budget to Polis

    Colorado lawmakers send $30.5 billion state budget to Polis

    DENVER (AP) _ Colorado’s Legislature has approved a $30.5 billion state budget for the next fiscal year.

    The Colorado Sun reports that the document includes $300 million for transportation, $175 million to guarantee full-day kindergarten and a 3% salary hike for state workers.

    The House and Senate approved the budget on Friday. It awaits Gov. Jared Polis’ signature.

    To balance the budget, lawmakers used $40 million from two reserve accounts and $20 million in unspent funds and accounting tweaks.

    Those funds help support an extra $70 million for roads agreed to by Democratic and Republican leaders to boost sector funding to $300 million.

    The 2019-2020 fiscal year begins July 1.

     

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • Investigators looking for man who tried to sexually assault woman in Centennial for Arapahoe County CO

    Investigators looking for man who tried to sexually assault woman in Centennial for Arapahoe County CO

    The subject is described as a white male wearing black jeans, a black jacket with a hoodie, and a black mask that hid everything but his eyes. The victim describes him as a white male, approximately 6-foot tall and weighing around 200 pounds. 

    Anyone with information about this attempted assault or activity in the area is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867) or the ACSO tip line at 720-847-TIPS (8477). Calls to Crime Stoppers are anonymous.

     

     

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US