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7 North Jeffco Westsider 7

April 19, 2013

eProgram helps students connect with work world

lot of tive.” meme are t the Law-County business/education oradoalliance is in start-up phase arole

By Glenn Wallace

ents’ gwallace@ourcoloradonews.com mmitng to Oh, kids these days. walk Dot Wright, the Arvada Chamber of ns. Commerce President ran a business for xpectyears, that employed around two-dozen sup- teenagers o the “It was often their first job, and I saw

that many of them weren’t ready for it, on Hull- the interview side, workplace attire side, opesthe importance of showing up to work on t shetime,” Wright said. cenes Speaking with other business owners,

she quickly realized that the issue of young the people entering the workforce without timesome basic business skills was widespread. posi- Nearly three years ago Wright and othhopeer Arvada business owners launched the ble to Arvada Business Education Alliance, and it quickly gained traction, with successlookful projects such as a business education whyprogram being formed at Pomona High School. ither Wright said that a year ago, the group ority, decided to expand the program, and take that it to a countywide level with the support of o getthe Board of County Commissioners. That marked the start of the Jefferson press County Business Education Alliance (JCBEA). In its first year of operation, a full-time director has been hired, entrepreneur mentorship relationships have been created at Red Rocks Community College and Regis

University and helped host a youth job fair. “That is our mission, that students are workforce ready. The business community understands that need and have been very willing to help,” Wright said. Getting those two things together — educators and business community resources — is a primary focus for Annie Mosbacher, the JCBEA Program Director. She said one of the new organization’s key roles will be in serving as a “one-stop shop” nexus for all education and business resources in the county. “We want to create a better, more skilled work force,” Mosbacher said, adding that educators and students have been happy to receive real-world input. “It’s really an investment for the future, because something like 80 percent of young people who receive educations here, stay here.” At Red Rocks Community College, the JCBEA has already helped match local business leaders with students enrolled in Donna Armelino’s entrepreneur class, with what she calls “phenomenal results.” Initial funding for the JCBEA came largely from the Jefferson County Workforce Center, which runs out in June. To sustain the program Mosbacher said she hopes to gain 501c3 status and use a combination of private business sponsorship, fundraising, and public funding to sustain the program. In future years, the plan for JCBEA includes an awards banquet, regular job skill boot camps, teacher training courses, and expanded mentoring and job shadowing opportunities.

Please join Children’s Outreach Project:

4th Annual Breakfast Meeting Friday, May 3rd 7:30-8:30 a.m.

8000 Pecos St. Denver, CO 80221 Keynote Speaker:

Dr. Jamie Van Leeuwen

$25 million price tag ause not easy to swallow unity

f the By Vic Vela hn F. vvela@ourcoloradonews.com on. e for A bill that could lead to the creation of nstian aerial firefighting fleet in Colorado has s for cleared its first legislative hurdle. ealth The Colorado Firefighting Air Corps ional would form under state Senate Bill 245, a bold undertaking that carries with it a visit price tag of about $25 million. 303The bill’s sponsors say the fleet is needed in an effort to combat wildfires that continue to wreak havoc across the state. Last year alone, six lives were lost and more than 600 homes were destroyed during a particularly devastating fire season. The bill passed the Senate’s Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee on April 11 with unanimous support. But it will be up to the Appropriations Committee to determine funding. Alex Schatz, a Legislative Council staff-

$25.00 per person $250 per table To purchase tickets: (303) 429-0653 development@cop-denver.org 100% of proceeds benefit High Quality Early Childhood Educational Programming!

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er, pulled no punches about the cost of the bill when he testified before the committee. “The fiscal note is a piece of work,” Schatz said. “It’s a big fiscal note.” The bill’s cost takes into account the purchase and associated costs of firefighting aircraft, such as large air tankers, single-engine air tankers, tactical planes and helicopters. Some of the costs could be mitigated through federal reimbursement and grants. The bill’s sponsors — Sen. Cheri Jahn, D-Wheat Ridge, and Sen. Steve King, RGrand Junction — also said the fleet could lead to new economic opportunities in the state. Jahn acknowledged to committee members that the bill’s cost “may make your eyes pop out,” but that it’s worth it. She said that “it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when” Colorado is hit with another devastating wildfire season. “This could very well be a more significant season for fire than last year,” Jahn said.

Every patient is different and patient results may vary. Only a physician can determine the best treatment for you. Ask your doctor to explain the benefits and risk to see if the INBONE™ Total Ankle System is right for you.

Free Ankle Replacement Seminar Join Dr. Gregg Koldenhoven as he presents ”The Latest Innovations In Ankle Replacement Surgery” WHEN: Monday, April 29, 2013 @ 6 p.m. WHERE: Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center COST: $0 RSVP by sending an email to abulinski@frocmd.com or call 303-772-1600 Visit us online for more information & videos about the INBONE Total Ankle System www.FrontRangeOrthopedics.com

WESTMINSTER NEWS IN A HURRY

Join Rep. Tracy KraftTharp and Sen. Evie Hudak for a town hall focusing on the state budget with an emphasis on school finance and the legislative session. Joining them in this discussion will be Senator Pat Steadman (D-Denver), Chair of the Joint Budget Committee and Vice-Chair of the Senate Appropriations committee. This is an opportunity for constituents to openly share their ideas, questions and comments with their local citizen legislators in a dynamic discussion about state and school finance and the legislative session. The town hall is from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 20 in the community meeting in the Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St. in Arvada.

Apartments/townhomes approved near Orchard Town Center On April 9, the Westminster planning commission approved the development of a for-rent, multi-family development on approximately 28 acres on the northeast corner of Huron Street and 148th Avenue. The development, called McWhinney Apartments, will consist of 356 apartments and 38 townhomes. A waiting list will be available at Arbour Commons (southeast corner of 148th Avenue and Orchard Parkway) during construction and pre-leasing is anticipated to begin late summer. The first apartment homes are anticipated for move-in starting January 2014.

Free shredding opportunity

Bellco is hosting a complimentary community shredding event in an

effort to address the threat of identity theft and protect the environment by recycling all of the shredded materials. All community members are welcome to attend and bring their confidential documents such as tax returns, credit card statements, bills or any documents that contain personal and sensitive information from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 27 at the Westminster Bellco location, 8851 Harlan St. Individuals are invited to bring two boxes equivalent to 100 lbs. maximum of sensitive documents to be shredded confidentially and securely at no cost. Individuals do not have to be a Bellco customer to attend. All shredded materials will be securely disposed of and recycled by Iron Mountain, a third-party shredding company

Dr. Gregg Koldenhoven 1551 Professional Lane, Ste. 200 • Longmont, CO 80501 303.772.1600 • FrontRangeOrthopedics.com MI332-608 PO

VOTE NOW

Discussion on the Colorado State Budget and School Finance