IMPOUND MEASURE DEFEATED

Denver Daily News staff report

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

IMPOUND MEASURE DEFEATED: A ballot initiative that would have forced police officers to impound the vehicles of unlicensed drivers was soundly defeated yesterday. The initiative, I-300, was a follow-up to an initiative passed last year that allowed police officers to impound vehicles of unlicensed drivers but did not require it. Among others, the Denver City Council opposed the initiative, saying it would cost the city too much to impound the vehicles, among other concerns. But the initiative’s founder, Daniel Hayes, told the Denver Daily News earlier that the initiative was about public safety, arguing that unlicensed drivers and undocumented immigrants are responsible for a large share of traffic accidents and crimes, and that taking their cars off the streets would make the city safer. As of 8:30 p.m. yesterday, 44,078 had voted against the initiative and 20,516 had voted for it.

KEYSTONE TO OPEN THURSDAY: Keystone Resort announced yesterday that they are kicking off the ski season earlier than planned with top-to-bottom skiing and the largest terrain park in North America. The resort will now open this Thursday.

STRESSED-OUT DENVERITES: More Denver residents say that their work, money and job stability are significant sources of stress than Americans nationwide, according to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Stress in America survey. More than 75 percent of city residents report significant stress from work and money Ń a cause of concern for psychologists who worry about the effects of long-term stress and how it can contribute to chronic health disorders. The survey released yesterday reports that the number of Denverites who said their average stress level is in the extreme range is higher than those nationally. More than one-third (35 percent) rated their average stress levels as an eight, nine or 10 on a 10-point scale (compared to 24 percent nationally). And nearly half (48 percent) said their stress has increased over the past year. Residents of Denver also more commonly report a variety of stress-related physical symptoms than others in the nation, such as muscular tension, which was reported by 37 percent of Denver residents vs. 24 percent nationally. Such high and long-lasting levels of stress can contribute to serious physical health problems. Diabetes, heart disease, obesity and high blood pressure are just a few of the diseases linked to chronic stress. In the APA survey, nearly two-thirds (67 percent) of Denver residents said they have been told by a health provider that they have a chronic health condition. Conditions reported by Denverites include high blood pressure (31 percent), overweight or obesity (28 percent) and high cholesterol (23 percent).

FURLOUGH DAYS ANNOUNCED: Mayor John Hickenlooper announced yesterday the dates next year for five scheduled furlough days. Each furlough day will save the City approximately $1 million. Here are the scheduled 2010 furlough days:

Ą Friday, April 2. This is a Denver Public Schools holiday and a state furlough day. Also, April is a three-paycheck month.

Ą Friday, May 28. This is the Friday before Memorial Day, a Denver Public Schools holiday and a state furlough day.

Ą Friday, Sept. 3. This is the Friday before Labor Day.

Ą Friday, Oct. 15. This is a Denver Public Schools early-release day. Also, October is a three-paycheck month.

Ą Friday, Nov. 26. This is the Friday after Thanksgiving Day and is a Denver Public Schools holiday.

CDOT STARTS INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has begun an intersection improvement project on Parker Road (State Highway 83) at Orchard Road. The project will widen northbound Parker Road to accommodate a third through lane at the intersection of Orchard Road. Throughout the project, the right lane of northbound Parker Road at Orchard Road will be closed weekdays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Delays are possible.

CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK TORCH RELAY: The Denver Marriott Tech Center is hosting the first-ever Denver stop for the Children’s Miracle Network Torch Relay today. The fundraising walk/run will start and finish at the hotel, with donations supporting Children’s Miracle Network of the Rocky Mountains and Denver’s Children’s Hospital, which is part of the network. Participants, volunteers and event officials will visit with local celebrities and, after the race, enjoy food and refreshments from local sponsors. Hotel employees participating in the event are expected to raise approximately $15,000. Since 2005, the nationwide torch relay of athletic events has raised more than $5 million. The event starts at 9 a.m.

RITTER PROPOSES FUNDING FOR NATIONAL GUARD: Gov. Bill Ritter yesterday announced he is proposing new state funding that will help build Colorado National Guard armories and readiness centers in Grand Junction, Alamosa and Windsor. The state funds will draw down a larger federal match for construction of the facilities. Ritter submitted the Fiscal Year 2010-11 funding proposal to the Legislature’s Capital Development Committee on Monday. The plan calls for using $6.4 million from the Colorado Veterans Trust Fund and Real Estate Proceeds Fund to draw down $1.3 million in federal matching funds and to secure an additional $10 million in federal funds. The armories will accommodate a new 800-soldier infantry battalion assigned to Colorado in 2007 as part of the Army’s “Grow the Force” initiative. The guard is currently recruiting for these battalions.

DPS RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF CHARTER SCHOOL: Denver Public Schools has recommended approval of an all-girls charter school focused on developing leadership skills through athletics. If approved by the Board of Education, the Girls Athletic Leadership School would open in the fall of 2010 and serve students in grades six and seven, eventually growing out to a full 6-12 school. The school’s leadership is currently exploring facility options.

DPS EXPO: Families with students entering middle and high schools next year will have an opportunity to review the dozens of options available to them in the Denver Public Schools at the district’s annual expo today. The event, which is free and open to all Colorado residents, runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will be held at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard.

FASTRACKS GOLD LINE PROJECT APPROVED: After more than three years of in-depth alternatives screening, detailed impacts analysis and extensive community outreach, the RTD FasTracks Gold Line project has been approved by the Federal Transit Administration. The FTA’s approval marks the end of the Gold Line Environmental Impact Statement process, and the beginning of a new phase for the project Ń final design and construction.

AUDIT BLASTS SEEDCO: Denver Auditor Dennis Gallagher on Monday released a highly critical and much anticipated audit of Seedco Financial Services. The audit reviewed the performance and contract compliance of Seedco over the last three years. The audit found several performance deficiencies, including failure to meet job-creation goals and a failure to comply with the terms of the contract. It also found that Seedco made at least one questionable loan that may not be in compliance with federal requirements. Seedco was first retained by the city’s Office of Economic Development in 2007 to provide affordable funding and technical assistance to small businesses, non-profit organizations and major commercial projects in low-income and economically distressed communities in Denver. The Seedco contract is scheduled for consideration next Tuesday in City Council’s Neighborhood, Community & Business Development committee.

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