Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans require applicants to have a satisfactory credit history. A credit report is requested for all FSA direct farm loan applicants. These reports are reviewed to verify outstanding debts, see if bills are paid timely and to determine the impact on cash flow.
Information on your credit report is strictly confidential and is used only as an aid in conducting FSA business.
Our farm loan staff will discuss options with you if you have an unfavorable credit report and will provide a copy of your report. If you dispute the accuracy of the information on the credit report, it is up to you to contact the issuing credit report company to resolve any errors or inaccuracies.
There are multiple ways to remedy an unfavorable credit score:
Make sure to pay bills on time
Setting up automatic payments or automated reminders can be an effective way to remember payment due dates.
Pay down existing debt
Keep your credit card balances low
Avoid suddenly opening or closing existing credit accounts
FSA’s farm loan staff will guide you through the process, which may require you to reapply for a loan after improving or correcting your credit report.
For more information on FSA farm loan programs, contact the Adams County USDA Service Center at 303-659-0525, extension 2, or visit fsa.usda.gov
To determine the places where Social Security lasts longest, SmartAsset compared Social Security income in each county against the local cost of living. Counties where the average Social Security funds greatest exceeded living expenses were the places which ranked highest in the study.
For a look at the top counties in Colorado, check out the table below:
Rank
County, State
Cost of Living
Annual Social Security
Social Security Taxed?
Social Security Goes Further – Index
1
Custer, CO
$19,211
$24,317
Yes
92.95
2
Grand, CO
$21,123
$22,833
Yes
79.22
3
Rio Blanco, CO
$20,574
$22,170
Yes
78.87
4
Ouray, CO
$21,870
$23,283
Yes
77.91
5
Sedgwick, CO
$18,836
$19,618
Yes
76.00
6
Gilpin, CO
$24,028
$24,817
Yes
75.05
7
Chaffee, CO
$19,722
$20,102
Yes
74.25
8
Huerfano, CO
$19,962
$20,098
Yes
73.24
9
Pitkin, CO
$26,418
$26,619
Yes
72.28
10
Phillips, CO
$19,647
$19,477
Yes
72.09
The full study results, methodology and interactive map can be found here: [LINK]
According to a new report from Safewise, Coloradoans worry less about their safety than the average American. But in what Colorado cities can state residents feel the most safe?
This year’s safest city in Colorado—Severance—was in fourth place last year.
Severance, Milliken, and Cherry Hills Village reported zero violent crimes for the 2023 reporting year.
With the exception of Lamar, which reported 2, each of Colorado’s safest cities reported zero murders.
Of the cities that were repeats from last year’s rankings, only 7 experienced a decline in both violent crime and property crime rates: Milliken, Eaton, Cherry Hills Village, Erie, Firestone, Castle Rock, and Avon.
7 cities reported 50 or fewer property crimes: Severance, Milliken, Frederick, Eaton, Gypsum, Estes Park, and Carbondale.
Frederick also ties for thirteenth place in our latest report on the 100 Safest Small Towns in America and landed in forty-fourth place in our list of the 100 Safest Cities in America.
Use these resources to help your coverage on web and on air:
A media kit with infographics available upon request.
SafeWise security and safety expert Rebecca Edwards will be available for interviews and to provide quotes
Who is SafeWise?SafeWise is the leading online resource for all things safety and security. We are real people seeking the best products to help you live your safest, smartest life. We believe simplifying home security and safety helps bring peace of mind to you and your family.
Issued for the eastern plains of Colorado and the San Luis Valley Issued at 10:00 AM MDT, Thursday, March 30, 2023
Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Affected Area: Alamosa, Lincoln, Kit Carson, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Prowers, Otero, Baca, Bent, Huerfano, Crowley, Las Animas, eastern Pueblo and southern Elbert Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Alamosa, Lamar, Limon, Cheyenne Wells, Burlington, Hugo, Springfield, La Junta, Eads, La Veta Pass, Trinidad, Boone, and Las Animas.
Advisory in Effect: 10:00 AM MDT, Thursday, March 30, 2023 to 8:00 PM MDT, Thursday, March 30, 2023.
Public Health Recommendations: If significant blowing dust is present and reducing visibility to less than 10 miles across a wide area, People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children in the affected area should reduce prolonged or heavy indoor and outdoor exertion.
Outlook: Strong and gusty winds will produce areas of blowing dust on Thursday. The threat for blowing dust will gradually diminish by Thursday evening.
For the latest Colorado statewide air quality conditions, forecasts, and advisories, visit:
Recent data suggests that efforts to tame inflation are starting to have an effect. After nearly a year of steady interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve, year-over-year growth in the Consumer Price Index slowed to 6.0% in February 2023. This figure was the lowest since September 2021.
While inflation might have finally reached its peak, many Americans continue to struggle with high prices. Nominal wages have grown since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic amid the Great Resignation and ongoing labor market tightness, but this rate of growth has trailed the rate of price increases for most workers. This cuts into household budgets and makes it more difficult for consumers to maintain their standard of living.
One of the factors that has made the recent run of inflation especially challenging is the fact that the spending categories with the greatest price increases are necessities. Inflation has taken place throughout the economy, but over the last three years, the biggest spikes have occurred in the categories of transportation (+23.8%), food and beverages (+21.5%), and housing (+16.4%). These categories are difficult for households to cut back on, and the rate of inflation for each has exceeded the average 16% price increase across all items.
Faced with these circumstances, U.S. households are feeling the pressure of inflation. More than 90% of adults in every age group express that they feel stressed about recent price increases. The most stressed age group is people aged 18 to 24, who are early in their careers and may not have savings, investments, or credit to fall back on. Inflation-related stress is also a widespread concern across income levels. In every income bracket below $75,000, more than 95% of people report feeling stressed about inflation. Even among the highest earners making above $200,000, more than 80% feel stress about recent price increases.
Consumers are adopting a variety of strategies to cope with the effects of inflation. Most commonly, shoppers look to cut costs: more than two-thirds of adults say they look for lower prices or discounts when making a purchase, more than half are eating out less and delaying major purchases, and nearly half are switching from name brand to generic products.
Inflation has also pushed 21% of adults to use credit cards, loans, or pawnshops to help pay their increased costs. Reliance on credit can be a quick way to help make ends meet in the short term, but doing so can be a risky move financially. People who carry balances on their credit cards or pay off loans slowly will ultimately pay more in interest—a risk exacerbated by the fact that interest rates have risen dramatically.
U.S. households are not turning to credit cards in equal measure, however, as there are geographic differences in where adults have started using cards more frequently. States in the Midwest, like Wisconsin and South Dakota, and in the South, like Georgia and Mississippi, have the fewest adults reporting an increased reliance on credit cards to cope with inflation. In contrast, Western states like Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California have all seen nearly one in four adults using their cards more often. But one New England state—Maine—sits at the top of the list, with 24.6% of adults reporting an increased reliance on credit cards due to rising prices.
To find the states where inflation is driving increased reliance on credit cards, researchers at Upgraded Points analyzed data collected in early January 2023 from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Census Household Pulse Survey. Researchers ranked states according to each state’s share of adults that increased their use of credit cards, loans, or pawn shops to cope with price increases.
The analysis found that 40.8% of adults in Colorado relied on credit cards to meet their spending needs, and 23.4% have increased their credit card usage due to recent price increases. Out of all states, Colorado experienced the 6th highest rate of increased credit card reliance due to inflation. Here is a summary of the data for Colorado:
Share of adults that increased their use of credit cards due to prices: 23.4%
Share of adults that relied on credit cards to meet spending needs: 40.8%
Share of adults stressed about recent price increases: 93.3%
Share of adults concerned about future price increases: 94.9%
For reference, here are the statistics for the entire United States:
Share of adults that increased their use of credit cards due to prices: 20.9%
Share of adults that relied on credit cards to meet spending needs: 37.3%
Share of adults stressed about recent price increases: 94.4%
Share of adults concerned about future price increases: 95.8%
DENVER – In an effort to help communities co-exist with bears, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will continue its Human-Bear Conflict Reduction Community Grant Program, providing local Colorado communities with financial resources to support efforts that reduce human-bear conflicts.
CPW will be offering up to $1 million that it will distribute through a competitive grant process this spring to be used on projects that reduce conflicts with bears in local communities. This grant program strives to foster innovative solutions to human-bear conflict that can be replicated in other parts of the state and bolster those efforts in all communities in Colorado.
Last year, funding for the program was made available through House Bill 21-1326, which passed the General Assembly and was signed by Governor Polis in 2021. This program was so successful that CPW decided to continue the program and fund it themselves.
Local governments, NGOs, HOAs, community groups, businesses, tribes, universities and individuals are all eligible to receive funding. Applicants can apply for grants between $50,000 and $500,000.
“Human-bear conflict measures cannot be successful without collaboration between local communities, wildlife managers and individuals,” said CPW Grant Manager Travis Long. “Fortunately, CPW saw success with this grant program last year with many communities taking advantage of the opportunities this funding provided and implementing projects to help reduce conflicts with bears.”
Eligible Projects The goal of the Human-Bear Conflict Reduction Community Grant Program is to reduce conflicts between local communities and black bears. Characteristics of projects that help meet this goal include:
Reducing the availability of attractants to black bears in communities experiencing human-bear conflict or disincentivizing black bears from entering areas of high conflict (i.e. hazing).
Have local community support or detailed plans to build local support.
Are cost-effective investments that have the potential to last beyond the funding time frame.
Utilize proven techniques for preventing conflict or explore an innovation with promise to prevent conflict.
How to Apply Applications are available on CPW’s website and are due by May 5, 2023 at 5 p.m. For questions or application assistance, please contact CPW Grant Manager Travis Long at . Successful grant recipients will be announced in June, 2023.
Click here to view the 2022 grant recipients to see what types of projects were selected during the competitive grant process.
Bears activity in Colorado Wildlife managers estimate that Colorado has between 17,000 – 20,000 bears and the population is stable and growing.
“Bear behavior is consistent and predictable,” said Area Wildlife Manager Tim Kroening. “They spend all day looking for food and most conflicts with humans can be traced back to a human provided food source like trash and bird seed. That is why humans are the focal point for wildlife managers when trying to reduce conflicts with bears.”
From 2019-22, CPW received over 18,000 reports of sightings and conflicts with bears. Nearly one-third of those reports involved trash cans and dumpsters as an attractant, which will be a target area CPW looks to address when awarding grants.
Other constant sources of conflict include birdfeeders, livestock, bears accessing open garages and other human originated items that are left unsecured.
Increasing human-bear conflicts can lead to property damage and increased demands on time and effort to respond to the conflicts by CPW and local government personnel. Expanding existing conflict reduction efforts or developing new approaches will help reduce impacts on bear populations and community resources, and improve public safety.
The Cycle Effect heads out on a ‘fat biking’ session. A ‘fat bike’ is an off-road bicycle with oversized tires that are capable of traversing snow, sand, mud, pavement and traditional mountain biking trails.
Sharing the Outdoors: The Cycle Effect, a Story of Empowerment from an Outdoor Equity Grant
By Ryan Jones, CPW visual content specialist
DENVER, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Outdoor Equity Grants are investing in Colorado community organizations. By investing in programs that offer outdoor opportunities for underserved communities, CPW’s Outdoor Equity Grants help create more equal access to the benefits of spending time outside.
The Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Program was created for outdoor organizations focused on creating opportunities for youth and their families from communities who have been historically excluded, so that they have equitable opportunities to get involved in recreational activities and experiencing Colorado’s open spaces, state parks, public lands and other outdoor areas. The program is funded through a redistribution of lottery money that is allocated to CPW’s general fund.
Programs or projects given grants help solve some of the challenges that Colorado youth face while trying to explore the outdoors, whether youth are from an urban, inner-city environment or a rural community. The goal of CPW’s grants are designed to reduce barriers for all Coloradans and make valuable strategic investments that improve the lives and well-being of our local youth and their families.
In 2022, The Cycle Effect received $25,000 from CPW which was used to help bolster their junior coach positions, expand their coaching staff, cover equipment expenses and provide scholarship opportunities. The Cycle Effect’s mission is to provide young women equal opportunity and access to the sport of mountain biking, and they aim to foster 70 percent of participants who identify as Latinx and/or Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) while working to remove financial barriers and supporting their social-emotional well-being.
Most would never guess it from my given name, but I’m half Vietnamese. Growing up and finding a place of acceptance in the world’s eyes, let alone my own as a young person, was a challenge that I’m only now learning to truly process. It’s a challenge that I know so many others — particularly young people of color — are facing day to day.
In February, a coworker and I were able to witness the positive impacts of the Outdoor Equity Grant funding firsthand. After coordinating and comparing schedules since early January with CPW’s Outdoor Equity Grant Program Manager Andrea Kurth, the two of us set out for an afternoon of fat biking in Frisco, a session put together by staff from The Cycle Effect. We joined The Cycle Effect’s Summit County Manager, Isidra “Isi” Luna, and four other participants for a ride around Rainbow Lake.
While it had been some years since riding any type of bike, this was my first time on a fat bike and, having grown up mostly in the Florida panhandle, certainly my first time riding anything in the snow. Although a couple of more practice sessions wouldn’t hurt, I’m glad to say muscle memory kicked in and I was able to avoid any major accidents — only having to lay the bike down once in a pile of snow before a conveniently placed pine tree at one of the trail’s sharper downhill corners.
While in attendance that afternoon, we asked staff and participants to share some of their stories and experiences with us.
Isidra Luna / Summit County Manager, The Cycle Effect
“I find myself getting lost in the abundance that surrounds me, knowing that everything around me is alive. Whether I am on my bike or just taking a walk, being outdoors brings me gratitude for being alive. As I explore, I like to be mindful of how much nature nurtures my mind, spirit, and wellbeing.
Improving access to the Colorado outdoors for young women of color is important for them to truly familiarize themselves with the place they call home. Changing the narrative for them to believe that they belong in these beautiful spaces and empowering them to take up the space. There is nothing more valuable than the gift of experience. Creating accessibility to normalize people of color outdoors is something that will take time but worth all the effort.”
“My name is June. I’m 15 years old and live in Frisco, Colorado. I’ve been a member of The Cycle Effect for almost a year after joining in May of 2022.
My parents found out about TCE when they saw the bike van in the middle school parking lot. The program appealed to me because it was a good way to get better at mountain biking and to meet other girls with similar interests.
The program is meaningful to me because it’s taught me not only to be a better mountain biker, but has also made me a better person in other aspects of life. I’ve faced fears on my bike, and because of the support and kindness of my coaches, I’ve found confidence and happiness in other activities when I’m off my bike.
One of my favorite memories with the group was going on a ride at Keystone Ranch in a light rain. We had climbed a massive hill and I remember going down this mountain with mud beads sticking to my skin and thinking it was so amazing that I got to ride in the rain while biking with my friends. My favorite memory of a person was when I talked to Coach Kristen about music when we went snowshoeing and her giving me advice on pursuing my passion. It was so cool to talk to a fellow music lover and to gain some insight and advice.”
After spending the afternoon with The Cycle Effect’s crew and hearing the passion and motivation behind the work they’re doing, it was impossible to get back on the road home to Denver and not feel uplifted. There’s something special happening at The Cycle Effect. They’re making room for people. They’re making room for change. They’re making room for the future.
The management of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Outdoor Equity Grant program falls under the direction of the Outdoor Equity Grant Board, composed of 11 members who are tasked with overseeing the program. The board is authorized to allocate funding to eligible applicants with the objective of reducing barriers to Colorado outdoors and promoting engagement among eligible youth and their families. The next Outdoor Equity Grant Cycle will open in August 2023. Organizations interested in applying for the 2023 Outdoor Equity Grant should review the grant guide for instructions on how to apply.
Board of County Commissioners proclaims the week of April 3-9, 2023, as National Public Health Week
ARAPAHOE COUNTY – Mar. 28, 2023 – Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners, in recognition of the numerous contributions of public health professionals within the county, will proclaim April 3-9, 2023, as National Public Health Week, with this years’ theme being “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health.” The proclamation comes as the county’s Public Health Department begins its fourth month of operation.
Arapahoe County Public Health Department opened its doors Jan. 1 with 180 employees ready to serve the county’s diverse community. The department provides a full scope of programs, including nurse home visitation, family planning, restaurant, childcare inspection, water quality, communicable disease prevention, emergency preparedness and response. protect our environment and prevent disease.
Who:Arapahoe Board of County Commissioners
What:National Public Health Week Proclamation
When:9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Where: 5335 South Prince Street, Littleton, CO 80120
January marks the ninth straight month Colorado’s unemployment rate has been below 3.0%
DENVER – Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) announced Colorado’s unemployment rate has continued to decline and has returned to pre-pandemic levels at 2.8% in January.
“With Colorado’s unemployment rate dropping below three percent, it is clear that Colorado is the best place to live, work, and do business. More entrepreneurs are starting businesses in our state and we are outcompeting other states for businesses and jobs,” said Governor Polis. “As we continue to grow our strong economy, I am committed to saving people money, cutting red tape, and expanding opportunities to help support our workforce.”
Colorado’s labor force participation rate (LFPR) increased to 68.1%, just under the pre-pandemic level of 68.6%. Annually, Colorado had the 4th highest LFPR in 2022. Under the Polis administration, Colorado recently outcompeted Georgia and Texas for company expansion.
LAKEWOOD, Friday March 17, 2023 — A new law aims to streamline various vehicle registration and title processes in an effort to simplify the vehicle registration process for Coloradans.
Under the Vehicle Registration And Certificate Of Title Act (HB22-1388), vehicle owners who have more than one vehicle can now register one of the vehicles for less than a year so that all the owner’s vehicles can expire at the same time. This optional process will help better serve Coloradans by allowing them to have only one expiration date to remember.
The new law also allows vehicle owners to keep their specialty license plates when transferring to another vehicle. A previous law which went into effect December 2021, made license plates expire upon transferring the vehicle to another owner. Specialty license plates are now exempt from the previous law.
The Vehicle Registration and Certificate of Title bill also includes these changes:
Lowers the weight on vehicles for recreational registration fees that are based on weight from 10,000 to 6,000 pounds.
Removes language that says that vehicle lien filings are public records and removes the requirement that a lienholder must certify the copy of lien documents.
New documents accepted in lieu of scale tickets. Authorizes a vehicle owner to present a manufacturer’s certificate of origin, certificate of title, certified scale ticket, or other documents (instead of a scale ticket) or systems as determined by rule (previously they could only present a certified scale ticket showing the weight for trucks 4,500-10,000 pounds).
Dealer title fee increase. Increases the dealer title fee at the counties from $7.20 to $25; if paid to the county clerk, the county retains $21.80 and the rest goes to the division.
Notarization change for specific vehicles. The bill of sale is no longer required to be notarized when obtaining a title in lieu of a bonded title on a collector’s item, street-rod vehicle or horseless carriage of 25 years or older.
Clarifies that surcharges are pro-ratable.
A one-time late registration fee of $10 for utility trailers, trailers with an empty weight of 16,000 or less, camper trailers, multipurpose trailers and trailer coaches that have not been registered since before July 1, 2010.
Creation of an inoperable decal. Any owner of an inoperable vehicle undergoing maintenance, repair, restoration, rebuilding or renovation must pay an annual specific ownership tax. When the taxes are paid, the owner will receive a decal as proof of registration. No surcharges or fees will be charged if the owner keeps the vehicle on private property for the purposes of maintenance, repair, restoration, rebuilding, or renovation.
Trailer coach surcharge change. The road safety surcharge is set at $16 for trailer coaches (minimum of 26 feet long used for temporary living quarters).
Bridge safety surcharge change. Sets the bridge safety surcharge at $13 for trailer coaches.
