Energy Accomplishments & Changes

Grant Funding Opportunities

The county continues to find funding opportunities to promote energy efficiencies through the use of clean-energy alternatives, research and prioritization. Our accomplishments include the following:

FY 2005 Appropriations Request - $2,000,000
Congressional Districts:
Rep. Bob Beauprez, 7th Congressional District
Rep. Thomas Tancredo, 6th Congressional District
Rep. Mark Udall, 2nd Congressional District

Notification of award 2/13/2006 - $990,000 with a $247,500 match
Award: 5/31/2006
Purpose: To assist in the site preparation for a biomass facility.

FY 2007 Appropriations Request - $500,000
Congressional Districts:
Rep. Bob Beauprez, 7th Congressional District
Rep. Thomas Tancredo, 6th Congressional District
Rep. Mark Udall, 2nd Congressional District

Notification of award 3/4/2008 - $492,000 with a $492,000 match
Sponsor: Ed Perlmutter
Award: 8/08/2008
Purpose: Additional funds to aid in renewable energy and alternative fuels facilities in the County

Allied Waste Systems of Colorado, LLC donated $100,000 to Jefferson County for specific projects related to forest management and defensible space through a Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) as specified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Award: $63,000 for the purchase of an S-330 Bobcat skid steer with forestry attachment and root grapple.
$37,000 to supplement current grant funds to create a full time funded FTE position for a Fuels Crew Foreman (Foreman).

Grant Management
Development & Transportation Department staff manage funds applied for and received by the county including quarterly reporting and the draw down of funds. Coordination between other internal agencies such as Accounting, Budget and Purchasing also occurs as part of the management of any federal or state dollars received by the county.

Policy Changes

Smoking Policy
Jeffco's smoking policy was recently updated and clarified for persons working within the county as well as citizens and others visiting county buildings. Based the new C.R.S. §25-14-105 "Colorado Clean Air Act," the new policy provides clarification to employees and the visiting public on smoking locations and distances from buildings. The effort has been aimed at promoting the health, safety and welfare of County employees and all other individuals utilizing County facilities and equipment.

View the updated smoking policy (pdf)

Energy Policy
Jeffco's expanded and improved the energy policy to respond to changes in energy use, consumption and alternatives. In December 2007, staff briefed the Board of County Commissioners on strategies for updating energy conservation at the county level. The Board adopted an Energy Resource Conservation Policy and sought input from staff on possible implementation strategies. The policy language contains broad language and can be utilized with flexibility. This allows for new strategies and initiatives to be incorporated without having to continually modify the policy as new and innovative energy conservation initiatives occur. This administrative policy establishes the guidelines for cost-efficient and sustainable energy resource usage and allows Jefferson County to implement Board approved decisions, including the specifics of this policy. Jefferson County has an opportunity to be at the forefront of energy efficiency in the workplace.

A variety of components exist within the Energy Resource Conservation Policy. As new solutions and opportunities present themselves we will continue to work with the Board to update the policy and develop new strategies for the future. The previous policy dated back to 1978. The new policy is meant to provide clarification and direction with regard to energy conservation and alternative and renewable energy initiatives.

View the Energy policy (pdf)

Sustainability Initiatives

Rooney Road Slash Collection Program
The Board approved will allows Golden to enter into a license with the Rooney Road Recycling Center Authority that will authorize the Authority to contract for slash operations on a portion of property Golden leases from the County. This provides a flexible alternative to dumping tree limbs and related debris associated with defensible space programs and other slash efforts.

Slash Collection Program Briefing Paper (pdf)

Recycling
Board of County Commissioners agreed to expand the current recycling program in a phased approach and over time include plastic and aluminum. The county has begun to recycle bin development public service information in coordination with its Public Information Office to communicate the Weyerhaeuser All Paper Recycling Program via the county intranet to employees so that they understand what can and cannot go into the existing containers. Working with our Weyerhaeuser Account Manager and Property Management staff we plan to identify an appropriate county facility to further this recycling effort in the near future.

Recycling Program Details (pdf)

Performance Contracting
Jefferson County has begun to explore opportunities for energy efficiency by working with the Governor's Energy Office local performance contracting specialist to determine if its changes in facilities operations can provide dollar savings to the county. The county has developed a Request for Proposal (RFP) and will begin to evaluate an Energy Service Company (ESCO) to perform a campus wide energy audit.

Based on the projected savings the Governor's Energy Office local performance contracting specialist and county staff believe that opportunities exist to utilize other technologies and initiatives to further reduce energy consumption at the county government level. Upon completion of the audit the county will evaluate proposed solutions. If the County chooses to move forward with the contract it will work with the Board to determine the term and recommend projects to include and finance through savings in the contract.

Performance Contracting Briefing Paper (pdf)

Last Modified: Sep 9, 2010 04:55 PM