Headlines — March 01, 2022

Headlines March 01, 2022

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CU Boulder Campus To Go Mask-Optional Beginning March 7th

Masks will become optional on the University of Colorado Boulder campus as of next Monday morning. 

University officials said they based the decision on encouraging trends in the decline of COVID-19 transmission and a significant decrease in COVID-19 related hospitalizations. Monday’s announcement did note masks will continue to be required at the Wardenburg Health Center.

University leaders are also asking everyone to show respect towards those who choose to continue to mask.

Colorado AG Sues PFAS Manufacturers 

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has sued 15 manufacturers of a firefighting foam that contains toxic chemicals 

The complaint, filed on Monday, alleges that companies including Dow DuPont, Inc. manufactured, distributed, marketed and sold firefighting foam that contained PFAS, knowing, or should have known, that PFAS chemicals harm the environment and human health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PFAS chemicals, known as “forever chemicals” don’t break down in the body of living organisms and high levels of these chemicals can cause serious diseases and increased risk of cancer. The Denver Gazette reports that Weiser’s office announced that the manufacturer’s foam allegedly contaminated water throughout the state. 

The attorney general’s lawsuit seeks to require manufacturers of the chemicals to pay for all costs to investigate, clean up, restore and monitor contamination of all locations in the state affected by the use, release, spill, storage or disposal of PFAS. 

This is the first lawsuit brought by Attorney General Weiser during this ongoing investigation, and there may be more legal action to come.

Former Governor Owens Resigns From Supervisory Board Of Russian Bank

Former Colorado Governor Bill Owens has formally resigned from his role as chair of the supervisory board to the Credit Bank of Moscow, one of Russia’s largest banks.

Owens told the Colorado Sun he resigned from the position several days ago, but delayed the announcement until he had spoken with other board members. Owens’ involvement with the Russian investor-owned bank began in 2012 with his chair post beginning in 2013.

Although the bank was not on the recent formal sanction list by the Biden Administration, the administration did bar it from issuing shares and debt in the United States.

Denver Seeking Service Providers To Run Safe Parking Program

Denver’s Department of Housing Stability is seeking a service provider to run a safe parking pilot program for people maintaining the use of a personal vehicle while experiencing homelessness. 

The city issued the request for proposals yesterday and has set aside $150,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to pilot the temporary program. According to a city news release, the service provider will manage a safe parking site and provide on-site services.

The future site will either be city-owned or controlled or have evidence of site control under permitted use. 

The Department of Housing Stability is accepting proposals through March 21st and will also host a virtual pre-proposal meeting this Friday.

Louisville Marshall Fire Residents Protest Energy Conservation Building Codes

A group of about 300 people gathered outside Louisville City Hall on Sunday to call on city officials to ease building codes that require new homes to comply with the latest International Energy Conservation Code. 

Demonstrators included Louisville residents who lost their homes in the Marshall Fire. 

According to The Daily Camera, many Louisville residents in recent weeks have spoken up against the new building code requirements because of the high costs of meeting the energy efficient standards. Fire victims say the new codes will add thousands of dollars to rebuilding costs and will be an additional burden for those underinsured. 

The Louisville City Council is meeting this evening to discuss the codes. Boulder County will host a virtual meeting Wednesday evening starting at 6:30 PM to provide details about the upcoming coordinated debris removal program which is slated to begin this month. 

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