Colorado

April 17, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today voiced his support for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed finding that emission of greenhouse gases are endangering public health and welfare.

"This is a welcome and long overdue step by the Environmental Protection Agency. I am convinced that climate change is not only real but one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time. We must begin putting in place a sound and thoughtful national policy to address this problem, and today's announcement is an important step in that direction.    » read more »

April 15, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today thanked the Obama administration for dedicating $10 million to $25 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for cleaning up the Summitville Mine Superfund site, an investment Ritter had sought to help clean up one of Colorado's worst environmental disasters.

"These funds will serve the dual purpose of accelerating the cleanup of a hazardous waste site in Colorado while also creating jobs and strengthening the southwest Colorado economy," Gov. Ritter said. "The funds should be made available within a matter of weeks and construction could begin as early as this summer."    » read more »

April 14, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Ritter showcased Colorado's New Energy Economy today, taking part in ribbon-cutting and factory openings for Abound Solar and GE Energy Control Solutions in Longmont and keynoting the Rocky Mountain New Energy Markets Summit in Denver.

The Abound Solar and GE Energy facilities will employ roughly 600 workers. Nearly 200 energy-industry stakeholders attended the New Energy Summit, focusing on market, investment and other opportunities in the New Energy Economy and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.    » read more »

April 13, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter said today that massive funding cuts to higher education are not an option because Colorado would forfeit $760 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

In a letter to the legislature's Joint Budget Committee, Gov. Ritter said new guidelines make it clear that a previous proposal to cut higher education by $300 million would have dropped the state below the $555 million level of FY05-06.

Going below that level would make Colorado ineligible for all $760 million in State Stabilization Funds from the Recovery Act.    » read more »

April 10, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today applauded the receipt of $8.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to fight poverty in communities around the state. The funds will be made available through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program and administered by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.

"I want to thank our congressional delegation for its support and advocacy of these dollars on behalf of Colorado," Gov. Ritter said. "We appreciate these efforts to improve funding for Colorado communities in these difficult times. This will provide a much-needed boost to critical services for our citizens in greatest need."    » read more »

WESTMINSTER -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today thanked Westminster-based Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association for its leadership in advancing Colorado's New Energy Economy and developing the state's solar, wind and natural-gas resources.

"Since I've been governor, you've always demonstrated a desire to move ahead," Gov. Ritter told an audience of more than 200 Tri-State officials and rural electric co-op leaders at Tri-State's annual board meeting.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, DC, Wednesday, April 8, 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today announced that airports around the country will receive $258 million under the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

“Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act we are creating jobs across the country while investing in the long-term safety and economic vitality of our airports,” said Secretary LaHood.    » read more »

March 26, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has issued a disaster declaration due to today's blizzard, activating the National Guard to assist with rescue operations and authorizing up to $200,000 in state funds for emergency assistance.

"Our first and foremost concern is the health, safety and welfare of Colorado's citizens," Gov. Ritter said. "We have activated the State Emergency Operations Center to monitor conditions, coordinate the state's resources and respond as needed. We are also asking residents to limit their travel and encourage employers to consider releasing employees in a phased manner to alleviate heavy traffic this afternoon."

Here is the text of Executive Order D 005 09, "Declaring a Disaster Emergency Due to a Severe Blizzard":    » read more »

March 25, 2009 -- BRIGHTON - Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today joined Vestas executives, the crown prince and princess of Denmark and local leaders at a ground-breaking ceremony for two Vestas manufacturing facilities here that will create 1,350 new jobs.

"Today marks the third straight day of new-job announcements this week, resulting in 1,650 new jobs for Colorado," Gov. Ritter said. "Vestas was one of Colorado's earliest visionaries and pioneers in our New Energy Economy. Thank you, Vestas, for helping to lead Colorado forward and for working with us to develop a sustainable energy future and a sustainable economic future."    » read more »

March 24, 2009 -- Surrounded by friends and relatives of recent victims of carbon monoxide poisoning, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today signed the Lofgren and Johnson Families Carbon Monoxide Safety Act into law.

The act is named after Parker and Caroline Lofgren and their children Owen (10) and Sophie (8), all of whom died while vacationing in Aspen over Thanksgiving, and Lauren Johnson, a 23-year-old University of Denver graduate student who died in her apartment in January.    » read more »

March 24, 2009 -- THORNTON - Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and local officials celebrated the grand opening of Ascent Solar's new world headquarters and manufacturing facility in Thornton today -- the second of three straight days of new-job announcements the Governor is taking part in this week.

Ascent Solar, the developer of flexible thin-film solar modules, plans to add 180-200 new jobs over the next two years.

"Thanks to companies such as Ascent Solar, we're creating a sustainable energy future, sustainable opportunities for new businesses and sustainable jobs for citizens all across Colorado," Gov. Ritter said at today's ribbon-cutting ceremony.    » read more »

March 23, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Ritter today announced that the Department of Regulatory Agencies' Division of Insurance has launched a new online guide designed to protect and educate consumers on insurance choices and to help them save money during this economic crisis.

"Rep. Primavera's 2008 House Bill 1385 called for this web guide, which is a part of our 'Building Blocks for Healthcare Reform' plan," said Gov. Ritter. "As we face this global economic crisis, we know that every penny counts and this website provides easy-to-use information to consumers so they can make the best choices for their budget."    » read more »

March 20, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has certified a third round of transportation projects to be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, many of them in the Fort Collins and Greeley areas.

Gov. Ritter has now OK'd $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.

"We are moving quickly to get shovels in the ground in order to create jobs and get Colorado's economy moving again," Gov. Ritter said. "These projects will provide an immediate economic boost to communities around the state, and they will help us rebuild our economy and transportation infrastructure for the long-term."    » read more »

March 18, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter issued the following statement today applauding Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki's decision to move forward with a standalone veterans hospital at the Anschutz medical campus at Fitzsimons in Aurora:

"This is great news not just for the more than 400,000 military veterans who live in Colorado, but for the entire state. I applaud Secretary Shinseki's decision to move ahead with a standalone hospital so that we can begin to properly repay the debt we owe to Colorado's veterans. This will allow us to honor them and serve their needs in a state-of-the-art medical center.    » read more »

Shell Oil Co. Wants Nearly One-Tenth of Water for Dirty Oil Shale Development

February 27, 2009 -- STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO - The Sierra Club is fighting to protect a key river in northwestern Colorado from a water grab by the oil industry.

In December, Shell Oil Co. applied to state water court for rights to divert nearly one-tenth of the Yampa River's water into a massive reservoir, where it would be kept for future development of oil shale, an unproven fossil fuel that requires tremendous quantities of water and energy to produce.

In an effort to protect the Yampa River and the fish, wildlife, and communities that depend on it, the Sierra Club filed a statement of opposition in Colorado Water Court today to block Shell's request.    » read more »