News and information for Board directors and alternates.
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Hello directors.
The Denver Regional Council of Governments provides a forum for regionwide approaches so no one member government has to go it alone. I invite you all to be part of the conversation — whether that's through sharing relevant insights at Board meetings and work sessions, attending the annual Board Retreat, your representation on regional committees and advisory groups, or your city or county manager's participation in Quarterly Managers Forums.
Our collaborative is successful because of your willingness to lean into the issues with respect and determination. Don't ever change!
Oh, and just a reminder — whether you're new to the Board or a longtime director or alternate, you can always reach me directly at 720-545-7717 or by email.
Cheers,
Douglas W. Rex
Executive Director
P.S. Today's Board Work Session has been canceled.
Transportation Improvement Program spotlight
Boulder rolls out North Broadway improvements
The Fourmile Canyon Creek greenway now passes below North Broadway in Boulder. (Photo courtesy of the City of Boulder.)
The City of Boulder has completed improvements to the section of North Broadway between Violet Avenue and U.S. Route 36. The project repaved the existing street in all new concrete pavement, implemented several storm drainage enhancements, modified the existing on-street bike lane to a raised bike lane and widened existing sidewalks to create a new multiuse path to provide a low-stress facility for pedestrians and cyclists. The project also upgraded wet and dry utility mainlines and service connections, added a traffic signal at Yarmouth Avenue for safer pedestrian crossings and created a safer and wider underpass at the crossing Fourmile Canyon Creek greenway.
Total funding for the project was $11 million, including $6.2 million in DRCOG-administered Surface Block Transportation Grant funding and $4.8 million in local match.
For more information, visit DRCOG’s Transportation Regional Improvement Projects and Survey database.
Vehicle, bike and pedestrian users above the underpass benefit from concrete pavement, wider bike lanes, a multiuse path, buried power lines and a new traffic signal. (Photo courtesy of the City of Boulder.)
Board recognition
Longmont mayor Joan Peck honored for Board service
At the January 15 Board meeting, Chair Jeff Baker presented Joan Peck, mayor of the City of Longmont, with an award commemorating her many years of service on the DRCOG Board of Directors. (Photo by Melinda Stevens/DRCOG)
Area Agency on Aging
State Health Insurance Assistance Program staff help hundreds of residents navigate Medicare benefits
State Health Insurance Assistance Program staff marked another productive year helping hundreds of Medicare beneficiaries navigate open enrollment.
Staff received 1,107 calls from 674 Medicare beneficiaries in an eight-week period from October 15 through December 7. Staff provided crucial assistance with reviewing coverage options and comparing plans. The average call time was 45 minutes.
A big thank you to program manager Desiree Boelte, program staff and volunteers, and other Area Agency on Aging staff who jumped in to help.
COG Cares
Staff help the region's less fortunate with food donations
Before the staff holiday party on December 17, Communications and Marketing division assistant Sheila Martinez, left, and email marketing and events communications specialist Maddie Bjornholt, right, prepare employee-donated food items to deliver to the Bienvenidos Food Bank. (Photo by Keona Gardner/DRCOG.)
Way to Go
Show your love for bike commuters this Valentine's Day
Residents of the Denver region celebrated cold-weather commuting during last year's Winter Bike to Work Day on Friday, February 9, 2024. The event returns this year on Friday, February 14. (Photo by JR Goodwin/DRCOG.)
This year, Winter Bike to Work Day again coincides with Valentine's Day, so how about showing your community's intrepid bike commuters some love?
On Friday, February 14, organizations throughout the region will sponsor stations to provide breakfast, giveaways and water to the region's hardiest commuters. Some host bike parties during the evening commute. In the Denver region, the annual event is organized by Way to Go, a program of DRCOG.
More than 1,000 riders have already demonstrated their commitment to winter bike commuting by pledging to ride. Your community can celebrate their tireless support of better air and less congestion by hosting a station, or encouraging local businesses to get in on the fun as participants or sponsors!
Visit Way to Go or email its staff for more information.
Climate pollution reduction grant
Spotts appointed building decarbonization manager
In case you missed it, Robert Spotts (pictured), who has, for the past year, led the Denver Regional Council of Governments efforts to secure the $199 million building decarbonization grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and kick-off activities related to it, has been appointed to manage the program.
"I’m incredibly excited about this opportunity and am committed to giving it my all," Spotts told his colleagues. "I definitely feel the weight of this responsibility but knowing I have so many of you helping me carry it gives me great confidence."
Spotts addresses attendees at the July 22, 2024, grant announcement. (Photo by JR Goodwin/DRCOG.)
The $199 million federal grant will enable DRCOG to reduce climate pollution and promote sustainability across the region by funding an ambitious and comprehensive regional program to transform the building sector in the Denver area, with focused investment in underserved low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Calendar
Wednesday, February 5
3 p.m.
Tuesday, February 11
Thursday, February 13
Friday, February 14
All day
Monday, February 17
Presidents Day
closed
Tuesday, February 18
8:30 a.m.
10 a.m.
Wednesday, February 19
4 p.m.
5 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Monday, February 24
1:30 p.m.
Friday, February 28
9:30 a.m.
11 a.m.
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