Business
Business News from companies in Boulder, Colorado
Boulder comes out swinging against climate change
Mar 19th
City of Boulder provides $300,000 in Climate Action Plan funds for EnergySmart commercial rebates
The City of Boulder is providing $300,000 in Climate Action Plan (CAP) funds to enable more Boulder businesses and commercial property owners to make energy efficiency improvements through the EnergySmart program. The rebates will only be available for energy efficiency upgrades to existing commercial buildings in Boulder.
Nearly $900,000 in EnergySmart rebates have already helped to fund 450 commercial energy efficiency projects throughout Boulder County since the program began in November 2010.
EnergySmart rebates, in addition to utility rebates, significantly reduce the out-of-pocket expense to businesses and commercial property owners, making energy efficiency upgrades more cost-effective. EnergySmart rebates may be applied to qualified upgrades for commercial building lighting; heating and cooling systems; refrigeration equipment; and more. These limited-time EnergySmart commercial rebates will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis through Dec. 31, 2012 or until the available funds have been allocated – whichever occurs first. Commercial rebate applications are available at: www.energysmartyes.com/business.
In addition to providing rebate assistance, EnergySmart services include expert advisors to help businesses and commercial property owners assess energy-saving opportunities, utilize all available financing, and find qualified contractors to complete the work. For more information, contact an EnergySmart Advisor at 303-441-1300.
W.W. Reynolds Companies leading by example
The W.W. Reynolds Companies, Inc. is one of many Boulder County businesses taking advantage of EnergySmart commercial rebates to improve its bottom line through energy efficiency upgrades.
W.W. Reynolds Companies, one of the largest commercial property owners in Boulder, has leveraged EnergySmart and Xcel Energy rebates and services to retrofit nearly one million square feet of its commercial properties throughout Boulder County.
“This has been an amazing effort on everyone’s part,” said Aaron Schlagel with W.W. Reynolds. “Our green building team is always looking for ways to save energy and this ended up being a great public-private partnership with Xcel, the City of Boulder and Boulder County. These retrofits will help our tenants reduce overhead costs, while also improving our buildings systems’ performance. We couldn’t have made these investments without the support of the EnergySmart Advisor, Xcel and our lighting supplier, Summit Lighting.”
During the past 18 months, W.W. Reynolds Companies has completed upgrades for more than 30 of its commercially leased properties, including 60 lighting projects and 18 rooftop heating and cooling equipment replacements. These lighting and equipment upgrades are estimated to save W.W. Reynolds’ tenants more than two million kilowatt-hours per year and prevent 1,137 tons of annual greenhouse gas emissions1. The upgrades are also estimated to save enough energy to power 235 Colorado homes for one year2. Several tenants have reported that they are saving an estimated 20 to 25 percent on their utility bills as a result of these upgrades. With the help of EnergySmart and Xcel Energy rebates, and equipment from Summit Lighting, W.W. Reynolds was able to reduce its out-of-pocket costs by more than 75 percent.
To learn more about the W.W. Reynolds Companies, visit: wwreynolds.com.
EnergySmart
EnergySmart services are available to businesses and residents in all Boulder County communities. EnergySmart is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) through the Department of Energy’s BetterBuildings Program and is sponsored in partnership with Boulder County, the City of Boulder, the City of Longmont, Platte River Power Authority and Xcel Energy. For more information, visit www.energysmartyes.com.
Climate Action Plan
In November 2006, Boulder voters passed the Climate Action Plan (CAP) tax, the nation’s first tax exclusively designated for climate change mitigation. City businesses and residents are taxed based on the amount of electricity they consume. CAP tax revenues are used to promote energy conservation and assist Boulder businesses and residents with implementing energy efficiency upgrades. For more information on the City of Boulder’s Climate Action Plan, visit: www.bouldercolorado.gov/lead/climateaction.
#CU cops: Serial bank robber is busted
Mar 15th
The suspect was dubbed the “Face Off Bandit” by FBI investigators because he used fake beards as disguises, which he discarded as he fled.
The suspect who law enforcement officials believe is the so-called “Face Off Bandit” was arrested this afternoon as he was leaving a Wal-mart store in Thornton. The “Face Off Bandit” is believed to be responsible for six bank robberies in four jurisdictions, including Boulder, Golden, Thornton and Louisville.
Mark Steven Edwards (DOB 9/19/1961) faces three felony Robbery charges in connection with the Boulder bank robberies. Forensic evidence linked him to the robberies, and he was arrested on a Boulder Police Department warrant.
In Boulder, the first robbery occurred on Dec. 16, 2011 at Great Western Bank, located at 1900 9th St.
The second robbery took place at First Bank, located at 4770 Baseline, on Jan. 19, 2012.
Chase Bank, located at 603 S. Broadway, was robbed on Feb. 15, 2012.
The “Face Off Bandit” is also suspected of robbing a Wells Fargo Bank in Golden, Key Bank in Thornton and First National Bank in Louisville. These cases are still under investigation by police agencies in those jurisdictions.
In each of the Boulder robberies, the suspect entered the bank and walked directly to the teller, demanding money. Tellers complied with the suspect’s demand. No one was hurt.
The suspect fled on foot after each robbery, and police found discarded beards and other items believed to belong to the suspect.
Edwards is in custody at the Boulder County Jail. His bond has been set at $100,000.
The case numbers are: 11-16250, 12-858 and 12-2138.
The Boulder Police Department is grateful for the assistance that other law enforcement agencies provided during the investigations. Those agencies include: FBI-Denver, the Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, the Louisville Police Department, the Thornton Police Department, the Golden Police Department and the Adams County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team, which executed a search warrant in unincorporated Adams County on behalf of the Boulder Police Department.
Anyone with information about these robberies is asked to contact Detective Heather Frey at 303-441-3369. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.
Boulder’s Elevations Credit Union robbed
Feb 25th
Credit union robbed in Boulder
Boulder police are working with the FBI on a robbery that took place at Elevations Credit Union, located at 611 S. Broadway that took place at 11:30 a.m. today.
Witnesses say that the suspect walked into the credit union, approached a teller and demanded money. The teller complied with the suspect’s demand. No weapon was displayed, and no one was injured.
The suspect fled the bank on foot. Police believe he may have used a getaway car that was headed eastbound on US 36 toward Denver, traveling at high rates of speed. A vehicle description isn’t available. Anyone who may have been traveling on US 36 between 11:30 a.m. and 11:50 a.m., and who may have seen a vehicle traveling at excessive speeds or driving aggressively is asked to contact the Boulder Police Department.
The suspect is described as:
- A white male
- 5’6” to 5’8” tall
- 25 to 30 years old
- Clean shaven
- Wearing a gold University of Colorado sweatshirt.
- Wearing a black jacket over the sweatshirt. The black jacket was made of two different fabrics, and had shiny sleeves. There is an unknown, two-line logo on the back of the jacket
- Wearing aviator-style sunglasses
- Wearing a black baseball cap
Photos of the suspect, taken from the credit union’s security cameras, are attached.
Police are asking the public for assistance in identifying the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call the Boulder Police Department’s Tip Line, at 303-441-1974. Those who have information but who wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.
