Colorado

May 9, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today thanked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for securing more than $250 million in federal Farm Service Agency loan funds for farmers affected by the failure of New Frontier Bank in Northern Colorado.

The announcement of the new funds was made by Sens. Michael Bennet and Mark Udall and Rep. Betsy Markey. The three federal lawmakers, Secretary Vilsack and Gov. Ritter will appear together at a rural community forum in Brush on Monday, where they will discuss the New Frontier Bank situation and what is being done to help those who have been impacted by the bank failure.    » read more »

Stresses Vigilance During Wildfire Season

May 8, 2009 -- Ample spring moisture may have dampened fire risk along the Front Range and Eastern Plains, but lower-elevation areas of northwest Colorado will likely see an elevated risk of large wildfires this summer, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter said at his annual wildfire briefing today.

The mountain pine beetle infestation sweeping across Colorado's high country also will continue to create large stands of dead and dying trees that are particularly susceptible to large fires during the hot and dry spells typical of Colorado summers, Gov. Ritter said.    » read more »

May 7, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today joined members of Colorado's congressional delegation in applauding the announcement of $40 million to the FastTracks' West Corridor Light Rail project from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

"This is a key investment because it supports a project that is vital to Colorado's economic recovery," Gov. Ritter said. "These funds will help create jobs and move the West Corridor Light Rail project toward a quicker completion. One of the most important ways we will regain our economic footing and lead Colorado forward is by building a modern transportation infrastructure."    » read more »

May 6, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has certified a fifth round of transportation projects to be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The 29 projects are estimated to cost $44.5 million and include a number of RTD and transit upgrades and construction as well as bike trail construction in Pueblo and highway work in the northern Front Range.

Gov. Ritter has now approved $415 million of recovery funding for more than 80 transportation and transit projects around the state.

Click here for a complete list of certified projects; projects in the newest round are shaded in gray.    » read more »

May 6, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter Jr. said today that the Department of Public Safety received a record-high number of nearly 200 applications for $16.4 million in public-safety funding from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, the landmark federal law that is designed to energize the economy, create jobs and invest in communities and infrastructure.

Gov. Ritter said he was heartened to see such tremendous interest from law enforcement agencies around the state for these funds.

"The Recovery Act will help our law enforcement agencies expand their efforts to crack down on drugs and protect our communities, said Gov. Ritter. "These funds will keep police officers on the street and help grow the economy and stabilize neighborhoods."    » read more »

May 4, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today signed into law a measure that will encourage construction of "solar ready homes" as part of a long-term strategy to make the New Energy Economy more accessible to more people and to create new jobs all across the state.

House Bill 1149, sponsored by Rep. Mike Merrifield and Sen. Morgan Carroll, requires that homebuilders offer prospective homeowners the option of having their home pre-wired for solar and provide homeowners with a list of contractors.    » read more »

May 4, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today signed into law landmark legislation that will help companies create new jobs, allow Colorado to compete against other states for new businesses, and strengthen community college job-training programs to better meet the workforce needs of emerging industries of the future.

"The two bills I signed today mark a key step toward our long-term vision of creating a modern, knowledge-based economic ecosystem in Colorado," Gov. Ritter said during an outdoor signing ceremony on the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver. "This ecosystem depends on controlling healthcare costs, reforming education and building a 21st-century transportation system.    » read more »

April 28, 2009 -- U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu is scheduled to visit the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden on Wednesday to announce funding for the agency from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Gov. Bill Ritter is scheduled to tour the facility with Secretary Chu.

"Secretary Chu could not have selected a better location to mark the first 100 days of the Obama Administration," Gov. Ritter said. "Not only is Colorado where President Obama signed the Recovery Act into law, but it's also the home of NREL and the New Energy Economy. NREL is a key partner in Colorado's New Energy Economy, and this funding will help create sustainable jobs and allow NREL to continue spurring innovation as we transform America's energy future."    » read more »

April 26, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced today that in response to the rapidly changing swine flu outbreak he had taken the precautionary measure of requesting Colorado's allotment of antiviral medication from the federal national stockpile. There still have been no documented or reported Colorado cases associated with the swine influenza outbreak.

"We are keeping in constant contact with federal authorities, particularly officials at the CDC," Gov. Ritter said at a news conference this afternoon at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. "We continue to monitor the situation and to be in contact with all of the local public health agencies in the state, as well as medical providers and pharmacies."    » read more »

April 25, 2009 -- LITTLETON -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today signed into law a measure that allows insurance companies to offer discounts and incentives to small business and their employees who participate in health and wellness programs. Insurers are currently prohibited from offering incentives even to small businesses that want access to health plans with financial and health rewards.

The signing ceremony for House Bill 1012 took place at the Douglas H. Buck Community Recreation Center in Littleton. Gov. Ritter was joined by two of the bill's prime sponsors, Rep. Joe Rice and Sen. Linda Newell.    » read more »

April 22, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter applauded the announcement today that $20.4 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds will go toward restoring and protecting Colorado's national parks. These projects will benefit Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Dinosaur and Great Sand Dunes national parks, among others.

The projects announced today are part of $750 million in recovery act funds dedicated to more than 750 projects at national parks across the country. The funds are being distributed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, led by Secretary Ken Salazar.    » read more »

April 22, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today ushered in a new era of energy development in Colorado, signing into law a bill that implements new oil-and-gas drilling guidelines.

"House Bill 1292 and the new guidelines will allow the industry to grow in a way that is sustainable and compatible with our entire economy," Gov. Ritter said. "These rules were shaped with valuable input from people all across the state and unanimously adopted by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. They strike the right balance, a balance that recognizes the importance of a healthy industry and the importance of healthy communities, water supplies and wildlife.    » read more »

April 22, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today increased finance options for residential and commercial New Energy Economy projects throughout Colorado by signing the Renewable Energy Finance Act, sponsored by Sen. Morgan Carroll and Rep. Claire Levy.

The sponsors joined Gov. Ritter and Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei for the Earth Day signing ceremony in Denver's Civic Center Park.

"The New Energy Economy is leading Colorado forward by developing sustainable energy industries that provide clean power and good jobs," Gov. Ritter said. "With broad support, this legislation will expand the ways in which Coloradans can finance solar and other efficiency projects, regardless of income levels."    » read more »

April 21, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today signed into law the historic Colorado Healthcare Affordability Act, which will provide health coverage to more than 100,000 uninsured Coloradans and reduce uncompensated care and cost shifting.

House Bill 09-1293 is the most significant health reform legislation in Colorado in four decades.

"At no increased cost to taxpayers, the Colorado Healthcare Affordability Act will allow us to provide critical health services to people who need those services the most," Gov. Ritter said. "This historic legislation will significantly address the crisis of the uninsured while also reducing uncompensated care and cost-shifting in our healthcare system.    » read more »

April 18, 2009 -- At 1:30 this morning, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, in coordination with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs' Division of Emergency Management, activated the Colorado National Guard to support emergency shelter operations in Clear Creek County.

Hazardous weather conditions closed I-70 and other roads along the mountain corridor between Morrison and Vail. The severe weather forced numerous stranded motorists to seek emergency shelter in Idaho Springs and Georgetown.

I-70 is now open in both directions, although travel is still discouraged at this time.    » read more »