December 25, 2014 VOLU M E 9 1 | I S SUE 1 9
LakewoodSentinel.com A publication of
J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Energy groups focus on supporting oil, gas New study reveals significant revenue for state, cities By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com In Colorado, the oil and natural gas industry supported 110,000 jobs, contributed $29.6 billion to the economy and generated $1.6 billion in public revenues in 2012, according to a recent study by the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business. The study also showed school districts collecting $202 million in property tax revenue in 2012, produced from activities in oil and natural gas, with the industry providing local funding for roads, parks, police and fire departments. Figures such as these are not widely discussed, and it’s why a new organization called the Jeffco Energy Action Project (JEAP) has taken shape. “The organization is not about trying to convince anybody about a ballot issue,”
said Joni Inman, chairperson for JEAP and former deputy city manager of Lakewood. “We are just trying to raise awareness about the great contributions the industry (oil and gas) has made.” JEAP is less than two months old but has acquired more than 20 members that sit on the organization’s steering committee, including CEO’s of regional and local chambers of commerce, graduate students from the Colorado School of Mines including one professor, as well as financial advisers, business owners and former state Sen. Bill Schroder, R-Morrison. In Jeffco, figures from 2012 show 142 firms, sole proprietors to larger companies, who were directly related to oil and gas. Severance taxes and federal mineral lease distributions to Jeffco and its municipalities show an annual return of $225,182 for Jeffco government and $98,538 in Lakewood, with Arvada receiving a little over $89,000 and Golden collecting $19,241. Overall, Jeffco ranks No. 7 among Top 10 counties in Colorado for oil and gas related wages. “Some people think that if you are pro oil and gas that you are anti-alternative
PARTIAL LIST OF PRODUCTS MADE WITH PETROLEUM One 42-gallon barrel of oil creates 19.4 gallons of gasoline. The rest is used to make things such as: Bicycle Tires Shampoo Life Jackets Aspirin Heart valves Soap Footballs Golf Balls Parachutes Paint brushes Telephones — Source: Jeffco Energy Action Project
energy and that’s simply not the case,” Inman said. “It doesn’t have to an `us versus
SANTA IN THE SQUARE
them’ situation in energy,” she said. Encouraging discussion and collaboration between both industries could result in low cost energy and products, Inman said. Either way, the oil and gas industry isn’t going away anytime soon, said Rob Bender, chief executive officer at Well Master Corporation in Golden. Operating for 30 years, Well Master continues to manufacture plunger lift systems that are used to remove liquid from oil and gas wells. “The oil and gas industry actually is very, very good at regulating itself and keeping things clean,” Bender said. Medium sized companies tend to have scientists on staff, putting them way ahead of regulators. “The regulations that come out usually have been put in place and are being abided by the oil and gas industry long before they become law,” he said. “I don’t think people need to be fearful of fossil fuels.” JEAP is hosting public forums and discussions on oil and gas, beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 6 p.m. at the Community Room at the Lakewood Cultural Center at 470 S. Allison Pkwy., in Lakewood.
Finding forgiveness By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com Louis Zamperini’s tale of surviving a vicious Japanese prisoner of war camp during World War II was unknown to many. Even when Donna Miller, a Golden native and history enthusiast, was asked nearly eight years ago if she had ever heard of Louis Zamperini — she was unaware of his story. But her lack of familiarity would not last long. Miller, an American Airlines pilot and history lover, met Zamperini through a mutual friend during a layover in Los Angeles. After hearing about his story and meeting him in person, a friendship kindled, and she would spend a handful of years traveling with Zamperini to numerous public appearances where he discussed his journey in finding faith and forgiveness after surviving years of abuse at the hands of Japanese guards. “In his forgiveness he was able to let everything go,” Miller said. “He had this very burden free, happy life.” Zamperini passed away in July 2014 at Finding continues on Page 11
Just in time for the holiday, Wheat Ridge residents, Elouise and Curtis Sturtevant, whisper their Christmas wish lists to Santa Claus during Olde Town Arvada’s newest holiday attraction, Santa in the Square, Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Crystal Anderson
Donna Miller and Louie Zamperini Courtesy photo