COUNCIL OK’S PET BILL: The Denver City Council Monday evening approved a bill that is likely to lead to increased fees and fines related to pets. The ordinance change does two things: First it gives the Department of Environmental Health authority over animal-related violations, taking the power out of the hands of the court system and placing it into the hands of Environmental Health. The second component of the bill allows Environmental Health to set animal-related fees instead of requiring the City Council to make changes though an ordinance process. Environmental Health is now allowed to set fees through a public rulemaking process under the department’s board. The department already has a proposal to raise fees and fines.
GROCERY CONTRACT TALKS CONTINUE: Contract negotiations between Safeway grocery workers and the chain are expected to continue this morning. Safeway presented a new proposal yesterday, which the grocery workers are reviewing. Sticking points remain pension funding, health care benefits and a “modest” wage increase. The current contract extension expires Saturday at midnight.
BENNET: HALT F-22 PRODUCTION: U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., urged Congress yesterday to not spend taxpayer dollars on additional funding for the Air Force’s F-22 program — the relatively new stealth fighter with thrust vectoring, considered by far to be the best fighter in the world. However, some have wondered if such an advanced and expensive fighter — costing an estimated $140 million a piece — is needed in today’s asymmetrical battlefields against the likes of the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents armed with AK-47 assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices. Others, however, believe the U.S. should always keep its eyes on potential future threats that may be able to match America’s military technology one day. The Department of Defense (DOD) has 187 F-22 fighters and has asked that Congress eliminate funding for additional planes and phase out production by 2011. Bennet yesterday voiced his support to eliminate $1.75 billion in additional funding for the F-22 program from the Defense Authorization bill. The move would allow DOD to redirect the funding to meet other defense needs and eliminate what the Senator believes is wasteful, unnecessary spending. An amendment to the bill to eliminate the funding was introduced by Senate Armed Services Committee chair Carl Levin and Ranking Member John McCain and will likely be voted on in the Senate this week.
REBATES FOR ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES: U.S. Sens Mark Udall and Michael Bennet, both Colorado Democrats, announced yesterday that $4,739,253 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is available for Colorado’s rebate program to encourage people to purchase new ENERGY STAR qualified home appliances. The funding will be awarded to Colorado through its energy office, and the state will determine how to structure the rebate program. For more information on this and other Recovery Act related funding opportunities, visitwww.energy.gov/recovery.
PETS AND PALS PHOTO CONTEST: Time is running out to enter photos in American Humane’s 2009 Pets & Pals Photo Contest to compete for two $1,000 grand prizes and four $500 category prizes. This popular annual competition encourages photographers of all skill levels to send in shots of companion animals and farm animals, as well as photos portraying the bond between people and animals. For more information including deadlines, visit www.americanhumane.org/petsandpals.
AVS/NUGS RE-UP WITH AM 1510: The Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche games will be on AM 1510 KCKK again this year, it was announced on air yesterday.
TIPS TO GET FRUGAL WITH PETS: Colorado State University veterinarians have come out with a list of ways to bring down the cost of dogs or cats. The advice includes being frugal with treats and rotating old toys instead of buying new ones. Additionally, the veterinarians also recommend for some of the estimated 1.5 million pet-owning households in Colorado to consider pet health insurance. “A few bucks a month may save hundreds if there were to be an emergency or surgery,” they said in a press release.
FARMERS MARKET OPENS: Tiri’s Garden Farmers Market is sprouting to life today on the corner of 15th and California. The farmers market will provide Denverites with a fresh, locally run weekday market experience from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. every Wednesday. According to a press release, each participating market vendor has agreed to donate portions of their proceeds to Concerts for Kids, which will then donate the funds to the Denver Public Schools Foundation’s A to Z Fund.
KAISER FINED: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado has been fined $201,000 and Kaiser Permanente Insurance Company has been fined $166,000 for “market conduct violations affecting consumers.” An investigation by the Department of Regulatory Agencies Division of Insurance of the 2007 calendar year found violations on a number of issues for both companies, according to a press release. The companies have responded to the final agency orders and submitted payment of the fines on July 6, 2009.
TASTE OF THE NATION: Taste of the Nation 2009 is happening this Sunday from 4-7 p.m. at Mile High Station. The event features 30 Denver-area restaurants and a variety of wine, beer and spirit purveyors, as well as a silent auction, live entertainment and mixology competition. All of the money from the ticket sales will go to the Food Bank of the Rockies, Weld Food Bank, Volunteers of America, Operation Frontline Colorado and Colorado Anti-Hunger Network. Ticket prices start at $75 and are available at DenverTaste.org.
NEW LOGO: Secretary of State Bernie Buescher yesterday unveiled the state’s new online campaign finance filing system’s new name and logo. Through a partnership with the Community College of Denver, students were asked to design a logo for the new filing system called TRACER, short for Transparency in Contribution and Expenditure Reporting. Buescher chose the logo designed by Stacy Kadota. The design is similar to Colorado’s state flag.
NEW METRO CHAMBER BOARD MEMBERS: The Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation has inducted nine new members onto its board of directors. Inducted were: Luella Chavez D’Angelo, president of the Western Union Foundation; GG Johnston, president of JohnstonWells Public Relations; Stephen Jordan, president of Metropolitan State College of Denver; Katie Kramer, vice president and assistant executive director of the Boettcher Foundation; Ken Lund, managing partner of Holme Roberts & Owen LLP; Shelly Moreschini, director of the President’s Leadership Program at Colorado State University-Pueblo; Gloria Neal, commentator and special assignment reporter at CBS 4 News; Craig Umbaugh, partner at Hogan & Hartson and C. Travis Webb, managing partner at BKD LLP.
STAPLETON RAISES $138K: Setting a record fundraising quarter for a non-incumbent candidate for state treasurer, Republican businessman Walker Stapleton raised $138,211 – with two-thirds of donors being Colorado residents. The three-month effort leaves the Stapleton campaign with more than $126,000 cash on hand as Stapleton prepares to take on the incumbent Democrat, Cary Kennedy.
