Jefferson County Public Information, in partnership with the city of Arvada, has launched a new series of short online videos called “Jefferson County Insights” to help inform citizens about everything from how their tax bills are calculated to the importance of dog licensing. The videos are available at www.jeffco.us/videos.htm and will appear on Arvada’s KATV Channel 8.

The videos already completed and available online on the county’s Media-on-Demand page cover a wide variety of topics:

• Sheriff’s Office Public Rose Garden
  The garden, at the northeast corner of the county complex in Golden, is the only public rose garden in the United States to be planted at a jail and maintained by inmates. It provides valuable on-the-job training for the inmate workers.
• Internet Safety for Kids
  As technology evolves, we must try to stay ahead of the learning curve. The District Attorney’s Child Sex Offender Internet Investigation Program focuses not only on personal computer safety, but cell phone technology and educates kids on the safest way to use these tools.
• Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit
  The District Attorney’s Elder Abuse Protection Unit is the only one of its kind in the State of Colorado and is leading the charge in this type of prosecution. Working closely with public and private organizations, this unit locates and holds accountable those who commit these crimes.
• Rabies Awareness
  Recently, more ground-based animals such as fox, coyote and skunk, have tested positive for Rabies, making the disease more of a threat as they inch closer and closer to Metro Denver. See how to vaccinate your pets.
• Pet Licensing
  A dog license is a truly a ticket home for the animals, and anyone whose pet has been lost can greatly appreciate that. They enable us to track dangerous dogs and also are a key part of the funding for the new Foothills Animal Shelter facility.
• Lookout Mountain Nature Center
  Experience exhibits on birds and forest, see how trash can be the ultimate treasure or stroll trails winding through forest and meadow – all at the Lookout Mountain Nature Center.
• Boettcher Mansion
  The Boettcher Mansion, an Arts & Crafts-style mansion offers a rare combination of historic authenticity and modern convenience, is open to the public as a unique venue for weddings and meetings. Nestled on top of Lookout Mountain, it should be on your must-see list of historic places.
• Treasurer Talks Tax Time
  Ever wonder what your tax dollars are used for? Treasurer Tim Kaufmann explains how those taxes are collected, distributed and invested to provide the vital county services that Jeffco citizens need.
• Meet the Board of County Commissioners
  See how the vision and leadership of commissioners Faye Griffin, Kevin McCasky and Kathy Hartman shape Jefferson County now, and in the future.
• Intro to Jefferson County
  A place where the great plains meet the Rocky Mountains with rolling grasslands and craggy rock formations, natural foothills, rugged mountains and tumbling mountain streams. Find out about all of the services and facilities we offer citizens and visitors.

New videos will be available throughout the year. Jeffco's Public Information team is working to produce about 2 videos a month.

“Citizen participation is essential to effective government, and Jefferson County wants to encourage involvement,” said Commissioner Kathy Hartman, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. “Through the excellent and professional production of these videos, Jefferson County Insights offers citizens a new way to stay informed.”

Jefferson County Insights is part of a broader effort by Jefferson County to bring more information to citizens online. The Board of County Commissioners has rebroadcast its hearings since early 2009, and more recently the Planning Commission, on the Jeffco website. Each meeting is posted with its agenda, minutes and other supporting documents. Watch for Board of Adjustment meetings launching at the end of this month!

In addition to commission meetings and episodes of Jefferson County Insights, visitors to the Jeffco Media-on-Demand page can find videos of groundbreakings, news conferences and other community events.

For more information on these topics or to view the videos, visit the Media-on-Demand page of the Jefferson County website.