CITY LAUNCHES ENERGY PROGRAM

4 Pikes Peak Bulletin

August 4, 2022 City launches energy-efficiency rebate program for Manitou homes

In partnership with the Housing Advisory Board, the city’s Planning Department is providing $10,000 in funding toward the Energy Efficiency Rebate Program, which will give rebates to homeowners or residents via their water bills.

The funds can pay for insulation, air sealing, heat pumps, water heaters, high-efficiency toilets and irrigation equipment. This program will continue through the end of 2022, or until the budgeted amount runs out.

“Through the Energy Efficiency Rebate Program, we are incentivizing the health of our environment and the importance of combating unnecessary energy waste first,” said Hannah Van Nimwegen-McGuire, Manitou Springs planning director.

Potential applicants must apply for a property improvement permit and have receipts of purchased equipment to be eligible. The city is allowing residents to retroactively apply for a rebate, as long as they follow the above rules and the fixture was purchased and installed on or after Jan. 1, 2022.

Information: bit.ly/MSRebates.

Chief Forsett rescinds fire restrictions for Manitou

Manitou Springs Fire Chief John K. Forsett ordered that the Stage 1 fire restrictions be rescinded as of noon Monday, July 25.

“Through continued efforts by members of the Pikes Peak Region Wildfire Preparedness Group, current fuel moisture sampling, resource availability, and short-term weather predictions, heightened wildfire awareness through restrictions is no longer warranted,” Forsett said.

However, Forsett has continued the order that Stage 2 burn bans will be in effect during any period of red flag conditions the National Weather Service issues for any area including Manitou Springs.

A red flag warning means high temperatures, very low humidity and strong winds are expected to combine, increasing the risk of fire danger.

Stage 2 burn ban orders are:

1 Open burning ban, defined as the prohibited use of any outside fire. This includes all campfires and warming fires, all solid fuel-burning fireplaces (such as fire pits, fire tables and chimineas) and cooking appliances (such as barbecue grills and pellet smokers).

This ban excludes liquid propane-fueled or gas-fueled open-flame cooking devices, (such as propane barbecue grills or camping stoves) with a 10-foot separation from combustible materials, (clearance not applicable to single-family homes). This ban does not apply to compliant fireplaces and wood-burning stoves within private residences. 2 Outdoor smoking ban, defined as the prohibited use of any tobacco product or similar material in cigarettes, cigars or pipes outdoors. This excludes smoking in enclosed buildings or structures, and along Manitou Avenue. Discarding a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe tobacco products is strictly prohibited. 3 Prohibited sale and use of fireworks and explosives, defined as sale of any and all types of fireworks, and use of any explosives not limited to fireworks, fuses or blasting caps and rockets. 4 Dangerous equipment use, defined as operating any equipment outdoors that emits sparks (such as grinder, chain saw) or open flame (welding or operating an acetylene or other torch) without a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher equal to or exceeding a rating of 2A 10BC readily available to the operator.

CITY BRIEFS

Additional dates released for free grocery distributions

Care and Share’s free groceries distributions will continue at the Pool & Fitness Center, 202 Manitou Ave. It is a shopping experience, meaning everybody is welcome to receive as much, or as little, of groceries as they want.

Distributions take place noon-1 p.m. Tuesdays. Upcoming dates are Aug. 16 and Sept. 6 and 20.

Heat, drought lead to Level 1 water restrictions

Manitou Springs moved to Level 1 water restrictions on June 17. They are: • Even-numbered properties can water Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; • Odd-numbered properties can water Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays; and • Maximum of two hours per day, 5-8 a.m. or 7-10 p.m.

Violators are subject to a minimum fine of $100, per Municipal Code 13.28.030.

Information: bit.ly/MSWaterWise.

City sending woodchipper to Manitou neighborhoods

The city is mobilizing the woodchipper to individual neighborhoods to pick up piles of tree branches near the road. Visit bit.ly/ MSChipping for rules and guidelines.

All dates are on Wednesdays.

Aug. 17 — Zone 5 (El Paso Boulevard area)

Aug. 31 — Zone 6 (the Via streets)

Link to a zone map: bit.ly/MSChippingZones.

Slow the Flow program will evaluate sprinkler systems

The city has partnered with Resource Central to offer free Slow the Flow sprinkler audits. Trained professionals will identify problem areas and perform tests to help you create the most efficient schedule for your yard.

Audits show that 99 percent of the sprinkler systems evaluated are inefficient. That not only leads to a higher water bill, but also wastes Manitou’s most precious resource: water.

This program is for residential properties only.

Register at resourcecentral.org/slowtheflow.

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the Bulletin reserves the right to edit for clarity and space. If you have more to say, please inquire about writing a guest column of 600 to 800 words. We’ll need to know about those by noon Monday of the publication week. Since columns take up a full page, we may have to hold them for a week because we don’t have space. Send letters and inquiries about guest columns to editor@pikespeakbulletin.com or mail them to: Pikes Peak Bulletin, attn. editor, 513 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs 80829. Letters and the actual columns are due noon Tuesday of the publication week.