Colorado

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and Colorado Community Managed Care Awarded Grants to Boost Use of Electronic Health Records

September 29, 2009 -- Mark Udall and Michael Bennet, U.S. Senators for Colorado, applauded the announcement of $2 million for two health information technology initiatives in Colorado. The funds are part of $27.8 million in grants announced this week by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless received $1,865,625 to support electronic health records (EHR) implementation. The Coalition's Stout Street Clinic has been delivering healthcare for the homeless in downtown Denver for almost 25 years, seeing more than 12,000 patients last year.    » read more »

Sept. 30, 2009 -- LAKEWOOD -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter was joined today by leaders in education and energy to announce two new educational tools that will help strengthen Colorado's clean energy workforce: a community college green jobs certificate and a green jobs guidebook.

"Colorado's New Energy Economy is leading America toward a new energy future, and Colorado's community colleges are leading the way," Gov. Ritter said during an announcement ceremony at Red Rocks Community College. "This new certificate program and guidebook will serve as a national model as we provide students and the workforce with the skills, knowledge and opportunities they need in order to succeed in the New Energy Economy."    » read more »

Sept. 29, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced today he has directed more than $7 million in federal Recovery Act funds to support nearly 10 different K-12 education programs to help reduce the dropout rate, enhance teacher compensation, and improve Colorado's chances of winning a federal "Race to the Top" competitive grant next year.

"These investments reflect my ongoing commitment to the promise that all Colorado students be given an equal opportunity to succeed," Gov. Ritter said. "Using Recovery Act funds to grow innovative programs will strengthen Colorado's education system and maintain the momentum for education reform we've created over the past few years."    » read more »

September 14, 2009 -- Following numerous town hall meetings and conversations with Coloradans in every county in the state, Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, continued to push for strong health care reform late yesterday.

Bennet brought the stories and concerns of Coloradans to Washington in a presentation that laid out the need for an aggressive health care reform bill with a public option, that puts an end to double digit cost increases; devotes less of a percentage of our GDP to health care than we do today, allowing us to compete more effectively in the global economy; and puts us back on the path of fiscal sustainability in Washington.    » read more »

Sept. 15, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today applauded U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's Climate Change Response Strategy to address the issues and impacts of climate change on America's land, water, wildlife and other resources.

"Colorado and the Interior West are particularly susceptible to the consequences of climate change," Gov. Ritter said. "The Department of Interior is in a unique position to monitor regional effects and implement long-term strategies to protect our water, forests and wildlife. Colorado very much appreciates our strong partnership with the Obama Administration and Secretary Salazar on this and many other major issues. It will take all of us working together to address the global challenges posed by climate change."    » read more »

Aug. 27, 2009 -- FORT COLLINS -- At a regional energy and climate forum co-hosted by the White House, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today encouraged the federal government to follow Colorado's New Energy Economy model when considering comprehensive national legislation.

"Colorado isn't just a mile high state -- we're miles ahead of the rest of the country when it comes to creating a New Energy Economy," Gov. Ritter said during the forum, attended by hundreds of energy and climate stakeholders and business and civic leaders at Fossil Ridge High School.    » read more »

August 28, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today announced this year's homeland security grant awards to state agencies and communities across Colorado, providing $19.3 million to be administered by the Governor's Office of Homeland Security.

Over 80 percent of the funds awarded will go to counties and local jurisdictions throughout Colorado to support local first responders and homeland security initiatives. The funded projects will improve the state's preparedness for man-made or natural disasters.    » read more »

August 5, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today congratulated Frederick-based UQM Technologies for securing a $45.1 million Recovery Act grant to advance the research and production of the company's electric and hybrid-electric vehicle propulsion systems.

UQM (NYSE Amex: UQM) was the only Colorado company to land any of the $2.4 billion in competitive grants awarded today by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the Recovery Act's Advanced Battery Manufacturing Initiative. The awards are going to 48 companies and research institutions working on the manufacturing and deployment of electric vehicles, batteries and components.

"Congratulations to UQM Technologies," Gov. Ritter said. "All of Colorado is proud of the company's tremendous accomplishment.    » read more »

July 7, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced today that his Energy Office, in partnership with Clean Energy, a major supplier of compressed natural gas for transportation, and the Southern and Northern Colorado Clean Cities Coalitions, has applied for a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to dramatically expand the use of compressed natural gas as a fuel source for industry, transit and public vehicles in Colorado.

The grant would help fund a $27.6 million project to deploy 68 heavy duty natural gas vehicles in key industry fleets - such as those employing waste disposal trucks and transit buses - as well as construct five new compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations across Colorado. The remaining cost would be picked up by project partners.    » read more »

Transportation Secretary LaHood, Gov. Ritter and U.S. Rep. Perlmutter kick off recovery project

June 30, 2009 -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Gov. Bill Ritter and U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter today broke ground on Colorado's largest American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project to date, a $32 million C-470 highway and bike path project. The project will give drivers and bicyclists a smoother trip, offer more transportation options, and help put people back to work.    » read more »

June 22, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter's Climate Change Advisory Panel, a diverse 30-member committee with representatives from industry, academia, government, law and other sectors, is beginning its work to identify the critical steps needed to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals set forth in the Colorado Climate Action Plan.

The panel is intended to take advantage of Colorado's rich pool of expertise in diverse areas to seek opportunities to address climate change and review potential climate adaptation strategies in Colorado.

Gov. Ritter will appear at the panel's first meeting this afternoon. The panel meeting begins at 3 p.m. at the Governor's Energy Office, 1580 Logan St. Gov. Ritter will deliver remarks at 3:30 p.m.    » read more »

June 22, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter issued the following statement today regarding the June revenue forecast:

"A couple hours ago, we received new revenue figures, and while they weren't unexpected, they do mean we have more work to do. Available funds will come in below budget for the current fiscal year and for the next fiscal year. Fortunately, we took steps in the 2009 legislative session that will help us deal with this for the remainder of 2008-09 without impacting services.

"For 2009-10, we will be taking immediate steps to determine the exact amount of the shortfall, and then crafting a plan to close that shortfall. I will be meeting with the JBC, legislative leaders and my budget staff in the coming days to put together that balancing plan.    » read more »

June 18, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced seven Colorado organizations have been awarded almost $1.4 million in AmeriCorps*State grants from the Corporation for National and Community Service. These awards are funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Bill signed in April by President Barack Obama.

The funding means communities around Colorado will have 612 AmeriCorps members working on projects to assist in areas impacted by the economic downturn. The funds will be used to expand existing community activities such as tutoring, building affordable housing, environmental restoration, after school programs, teaching computer skills, responding to disasters, improving health services and others.    » read more »

June 16, 2009 -- The United States Department of Homeland Security today announced this year's Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) awards and that the State of Colorado will be receiving approximately $19.2 million, which will be administered by the Governor's Office of Homeland Security.

More than 80 percent of the funds awarded will go to counties and local jurisdictions throughout Colorado to support local first responders and homeland security initiatives. The funded projects will improve the state's preparedness for a man-made or natural disaster.    » read more »

June 16, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Ritter took part in a conference call yesterday with Colorado media after wrapping up participation in the Western Governor's Association's Winter Meeting in Park City, Utah. During the call, Gov. Ritter stressed the point that Colorado is on the right track focusing on the further development of the New Energy Economy as a means for leading Colorado forward and through these challenging economic times.

"This was a very productive couple of days," said Gov. Ritter. "My time here demonstrated that Colorado is absolutely on the right path with job creation, protecting our natural heritage, and leading Colorado forward on energy and climate issues."    » read more »