Headlines — October 25, 2022

October 25, 2022

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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Approves Community Development Block Grant

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has agreed to allow the state to administer a $6 million dollar Marshal Fire Community Development Block Grant.

Rep. Joe Neguse, Sen. Michael Bennet and Sen. John Hickenlooper wrote letters on behalf of the state asking the federal agency to waive a rule requiring Boulder County to administer funds. The letters said overseeing the money would strain the county and delay recovery for many families.

Senator Bennet said in a press release, “We greatly appreciate HUD’s flexibility and support on this matter…Every dollar we save by streamlining the process is another dollar for the survivors of the Marshall Fire as they continue to rebuild.”

Energy Regulators Take Up Rulemaking Petition

Lede: The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission will consider changes to regulations to better address the cumulative impacts of oil and gas operations.

The state body that regulates oil and gas operations in Colorado has set a December 14 hearing date for a rulemaking petition that calls for rules to better protect Coloradans from cumulative impacts of oil and gas development.

Six environmental groups submitted the rulemaking petition on August 30, formally asking the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) to move forward in making the new rules. 

The COGCC has a mandate to evaluate and address potential cumulative impacts of oil and gas development. 

According to the environmental groups, in the more than three years since the senate bill passed into law, the Commission has adopted rules to evaluate cumulative impacts, but enacted only a handful of rules that address a small subset of local cumulative impacts such as dust, noise and light.

The petitioners are demanding that the COGCC make rules to address the regional and state cumulative impacts of ozone and climate change and to increase local protections against air pollutants, especially in disproportionately impacted communities. 

Any individual or entity who wishes to provide comments on the rulemaking petition may file with the Commission no later than December 2.

Eldora Mountain Resort Is Beginning Its Snowmaking Operation 

As temperatures drop, Eldora Mountain Resort is ramping up snow production. The ski resort plans to open Nov. 18 or even earlier, if they get enough snow. 

Eldora Marketing Director Sam Bass told the Daily Camera, “We’re so excited to be gearing up for another winter of fun here at the backyard mountain for greater Boulder County and Colorado’s northern Front Range.” 

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area is currently the only open resort in the region. It began operating lifts Monday.   

Boulder Valley School District To Have More Security After Threat

The Boulder Valley School District is stepping up security and police presence at and around Fairview High School, after a man made threats against the school.

The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office charged 18-year-old Esteban Yegian with felony menacing, inciting destruction of life or property, and interfering with an educational institution. 

Police released Yegian after he posted a 100 thousand dollar bond. He must have no contact with Fairview High School nor any named victims in the case, possess no weapons, not travel outside the state, and continue mental health treatment.

BVSD did not provide specifics on how security will look in the coming days but said that their priority is to ensure the safety of both students and staff.

Denver City Council Investing in Small Business

The Denver city council will invest $15 million of marijuana sales tax revenue in an effort to support 1000 minority and women-owned businesses by the end of 2025. 

Officials told the Denver Post that the funds are meant to combat historically racist discriminatory practices in the finance industry that have prevented minority-owned business from growing and thriving.

The money from the tax will add to private venture capital funding from Fund-Denver, a fledgling venture capital firm that  supports underserved communities across Colorado. 

Councilwoman Stacie Gilmore said in official communication, “We’re looking forward to kicking this off and seeing how well it helps out our small businesses.

E Bike Rebates Suspended

Denver’s climate office is suspending its e-bike rebate voucher program for the remainder of this year, but officials say it will be back in 2023.

The program lets approved applicants buy an e-bike at participating bike shops for an upfront discount. It’s been a huge success: more than forty-four hundred vouchers have been redeemed in Denver, as of October 24th. As a result, available funding has been all used up.

Once it starts again next year, applicants can register at http://denverclimaterebates.com/. No word yet on a specific date for the program to resume.

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