WEBB

State Senate and one Republican. e House of Representatives also have two Democrats and one Republican on it. It is chaired by Je co’s own Sen. Rachel Zenzinger of Arvada. e vice chair is Rep. Shannon Bird from Adams County. e purpose of the Joint Budget Committee is “studying the management, operations, programs and scal needs” of the Colorado state government. eir role is very important. In fact, at one place a few panels because of vandalism but not weather.

Solar panels can last up to 30 years, and a solar-powered electric system typically pays for itself in seven to nine years, she said. e solar panels on the city’s buildings generate 650 kilowatts, and Golden installed the bulk of them in 2014.

Right now, seven of the city’s buildings are net-zero, so it can be done.

Colorado School of Mines also has time, it was said that the Chairman of the Joint Budget Committee was the second most powerful person in state government with only the Governor exercising more power. e Joint Budget Committee holds hearings and discussions on the state budget throughout the year even when the legislature is out of session. e committees work is that important because of all sorts of entities and individuals ought to have some input regarding government expenditures. A wonderful feature of the internet and government transparency is that documents and explanations about di erent features of the state budget numerous solar panels on its campus, including a relatively new solar canopy over the parking lot near Stermole Soccer Stadium. By the end of this year, Mines o cials estimate all its solar panels will generate 5-6% of the university’s total electric usage.

As cities around Colorado and the United States look to become more sustainable, Worsham said a lot of communities are discussing similar net-zero construction policies. Gold- are online for perusal by the public. e narrative of the Long Bill provides an excellent example of what you can discover online. It provides year over year changes in appropriations (spending) in various subject areas. One area, Early Childhood, received an 1,841% increase in spending for FY2022. is, of course, is due to Gov. Polis’ initiative to establish universal pre-K education within the state of Colorado. at initiative is above and beyond the constitutional requirement that Colorado must provide K-12 education. Reading these documents, which can be found through any internet search, can be en and several neighboring cities are going to have to draft their own plans on when and how to implement these goals, she described. enlightening. e governor’s initiative re: early childhood education is but one part of the state budget even though an entire new department was created to oversee it.

After the community meetings this spring, Worsham said city o cials will continue drafting the ordinance language. ey’ll likely bring it before City Council in the last few months of 2023, she estimated.

For more information, visit guidinggolden.com/net-zero-buildings.

My intent is to examine the budget in more detail. Future articles will include information from state agency heads about their annual budget work, interviews with current and former JBC members, as well as an analysis of what makes up the budget on both the revenue and expenditure side.