Regional Government Affairs Update
January 12, 2010
Apply Now for the 2010 Transit Alliance Citizens Academy
Metro Denver is emerging as THE learning laboratory for revitalizing our communities through the development of a multi-modal transportation infrastructure. NO ONE else in the nation is doing what we are here in Denver. Thanks to voter support of FasTracks in 2004, we will have more than 90 transit stations in the metro region in just 10 short years.
The program includes 7 weeks to discuss the complexities of combining transportation and community development to support the regional success of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in the Metro Denver area.
The cornerstone of this unique program is that participants will take their new knowledge and put it in action. Each session will be designed to be very interactive and participants will be asked to follow-up each session with a homework assignment. In addition, participants will spend a portion of each class designing their personal action plan that they will implement upon completing the academy.
PROGRAM LOCATION
All sessions will be held at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce in Downtown Denver, 1445 Market Street, 5th Floor beginning on March 3rd. Applications are due by Friday, February 14th, 2010. More information about the program and an application can be found at www.transitalliance.org/Academy.
Commerce City to Hold Business and Development Summit
Commerce City will hold a Business and Development Summit on Tuesday, January 19th from 8-10 AM in City Council Chambers. This summit is designed to provide businesses and developers the opportunity to help direct the city’s future business and development efforts. As their promotional material for the Summit suggests, this is your time to speak and their turn to listen to your ideas about things such as factors promoting or prohibiting business success, growth, and expansion in Commerce City and types of improvements or incentives you would like to see the city implement to jump start business and development growth in 2010.
To RSVP send an email to rsvp@c3gov.com or call 303-289-3772.
Arapahoe County to hold open house to get citizen feedback on Land Development Code
Arapahoe County will hold two meetings to invite citizens to provide feedback on the upcoming rewrite of the county’s land development code. The Jan.14 Open House will be held at Koelbel Library, Room B, 5955 S. Holly St., Centennial, and citizens can stop by anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. The Jan. 28 Open House is scheduled 5 to 7 p.m. at Byers High School, 444 E. Front St., Byers, for citizens in the eastern Arapahoe County.
The County’s Land Development Code, adopted in 2001, is a set of rules, regulations and ordinances that govern how and where certain types of development may occur. The code is being updated to help the County address future needs for zoning and land development, such as in-fill and redevelopment which will help the County integrate land that is under utilized in the urban areas, as well as changing needs within the rural area.
Register Now for CAR REALTOR® Day at the Capitol
Each year over 250 Colorado REALTORS® meet at the state capitol to learn about the government, issues affecting the real estate industry, and to network with fellow REALTORS® and legislators from around the state. REALTOR® Day at the Capitol is a great chance for you to:
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See government in action at the state capitol;
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Get up to date on issues pertaining to the real estate industry;
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Network with fellow REALTORS® and Legislators; and
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Hear from Senate and House Leadership on issues surrounding the 2010 Legislative Session and other issues relating to REALTOR® interests.
You may pre-register by Tuesday, January 26, 2010 for $50, which includes lunch, materials, and transportation to and from Capitol. Click here to register and for more information: http://coloradorealtors.com/car_events_main.asp?EventID=RDAC2010
Governor Ritter Ends Reelection Bid
In a surprise move, Governor Bill Ritter reversed his decision to run for another four years in office, creating speculation concerning other potential names for the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in November 2010. In a prepared statement, Ritter said he made the decision to devote more time to his family. But he also said, “While this decision allows me to make my family a priority, it also allows me to focus on keeping the state budget balanced and keeping Colorado on the road to recovery. The Colorado economy is getting better, but we still have budget-cutting to do … By not running for re-election, I'll be able to make the tough and unpopular decisions that simply need to get made -- free and clear of the sometimes bitter partisan politics of an election year.” Note: Republican Scott McInnis was leading Ritter in early polling, however the Governor said this played no part in his decision. Most observers are predicting Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper will be the nominee although he has yet to announce his intentions.
