City News
This is news from the city of Boulder, about the city or any of its departments
Boulder has enough water for now
May 11th
The City of Boulder’s water supply is expected to meet community water use needs throughout 2012, despite below-average mountain snowpack levels. However, given this year’s dry weather pattern and low snowpack, the city will continue to monitor for drought conditions through 2012 and beyond to assure that water demand projections are on target. In addition, Boulder’s water customers are asked to continue to use water wisely.
Snowpack measurements on May 1, 2012, in the city’s Silver Lake Watershed averaged about 50 percent of what is typical for this time of year. As a result, peak spring streamflow levels will be lower than average.
However, last spring’s exceptionally high snowmelt runoff completely filled the city’s reservoirs on upper Boulder Creek, and the reservoirs stayed full longer, leaving storage levels above average at the beginning of this year. Current measurements indicate that the city’s reservoirs are still projected to fill as the snowpack melts. Additionally, Boulder will have access to an above average amount of water from its western slope supplies, through the Colorado-Big Thompson (CBT) system.
The city compared the evaluation of the current water supply conditions with its Drought Response Plan, which factors in water reserve needs in the event of a multi-year drought. While it was determined that a drought declaration and water use restrictions are not necessary at this time, water customers are still encouraged to continue using water wisely as they have for the past decade. The community’s water conservation efforts have kept water use at least 15 percent below 2000-2001 levels, since the 2002 drought.
The city recommends water-wise practices by sticking to the following outdoor watering guidelines:
- Water your lawn in the evenings or early mornings, after 6 p.m. or before 10 a.m., and water your lawn every three days.
- Do not over water. Do not water when it is raining or when the soil is already wet.
- Trees, shrubs and vegetable gardens can be watered more effectively with a hand-held hose or low-volume non-spray irrigation, after 6 p.m. or before 10 a.m.
- Check your sprinkler system and make sure it is working properly and that you are only watering landscaping and not the surrounding areas like streets or sidewalks.
For information about the city’s water conservations program, including rebates, strategies and tips, visit www.bouldersaveswater.net.
Boulder cops arrest one of their own
May 3rd
Boulder police have issued an arrest warrant for Boulder police officer Christian McCracken, who has been in custody at the Broomfield County Jail since he was arrested last weekend on domestic violence-related charges.
McCracken had previously sustained a head injury at the hands of Trevan Hunter, a CU student who’d refuse to to leave The Sink, a popular Boulder restaurant, or pay his $3 bar tab.
McCracken was arrested by Broomfield police in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 28 after allegedly stalking and harassing his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend, both of whom are dispatchers at the Boulder Police Department.
At the time of McCracken’s arrest, Boulder police began a criminal investigation into information that he may have planned and taken a significant step toward committing a homicide against the new boyfriend. After consultation with the District Attorney’s Office, it was agreed that probable cause existed to obtain an additional arrest warrant.
- Trevan Hunter caused McCracken to sustain a head injury during his arrest.
“While we are concerned and saddened by the need to arrest one of our own officers, we are primarily focused with the safety of our employees and members of the community,” said Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner. “As information became available, it became increasingly apparent that we needed to act quickly. Our detectives, in partnership with the District Attorney’s Office, did a great job in putting this case together.”
McCracken was arrested at the Broomfield County Jail this morning on new charges of suspicion of Attempted First Degree Murder (one count), two counts of Stalking and one count of Harassment.
The case number is 12-5679.
At this time, McCracken will remain in custody at the Broomfield County Jail. His bond has been set at $500,000. Boulder police are also conducting an internal personnel investigation into the case.
Boulder grabs the gold ring on energy merry-go-round
Apr 26th
The City of Boulder’s SmartRegs ordinance and the EnergySmart service were presented with the J. Robert Havlick award for Innovation in Government by the Alliance for Innovation at its annual conference in Kansas City, MO, on April 18.
Innovation Awards are chosen from the 70+ applications received by a multi-member selection committee consisting of city and county managers from across the United States and Alliance staff. The selection committee looks for local governments that have shown a dedication to stretching and improving the boundaries of day-to-day government operations and practices, implementing creative business processes, and improving the civic health of the community.
These programs “won the 2012 J. Robert Havlick Award for Innovation in Local Government for demonstrating a pragmatic and progressive approach for long-lasting energy savings in their community,” said Karen Thoreson, president of the Alliance for Innovation. “The work combined the successful and innovative approach of utilizing a regulatory platform, financial incentives and technical assistance tools for homeowners and renters in order to achieve measurable and meaningful results.”
In September 2010, Boulder City Council adopted three ordinances requiring all of Boulder’s rental housing – approximately half of the city’s housing stock – to meet energy efficiency standards by 2019. The new “SmartRegs” requirements went into effect in January 2011, and are part of the Climate Action Plan’s (CAP) “Reduce Use” strategy area, which was established to promote energy-conserving behavior in homes and businesses throughout Boulder.
To help homeowners, landlords and tenants navigate the new SmartRegs ordinance, the city and Boulder County created a SmartRegs path through EnergySmart. EnergySmart services provide efficiency solutions for homes, whether rental or owner-occupied, commercial businesses, and property owners in all Boulder County communities, resulting in permanent improvements to the existing building stock. The EnergySmart service provides people with an energy assessment, as well as an expert Energy Advisor who recommends upgrades specific to each property, helps with rebate and financing applications, and even helps collect bids from contractors to perform energy upgrades.
Some of the key results in the City of Boulder from 2011’s SmartRegs and EnergySmart efforts include:
- 678 owner-occupied units participated in the EnergySmart services, with 67% completing upgrades.
- 2,081 renter-occupied units participated in the EnergySmart service as a result of the SmartRegs policy, with 33% completing upgrades.
- Owner-occupied units that participated saw an average annual energy savings of 714 kWh of electricity and 226 therms of natural gas (equivalent to $219 per year).
- Renter-occupied units that participated saw an average annual energy savings of 217 kWh of electricity and 72 therms of natural gas (equivalent to $63 per year).
- 1,687 services were provided to 960 individual businesses.
- Commercial property owners and businesses receiving quick installs saw an average annual energy savings of 421 kWh of electricity (equivalent to $52 per year), and 14,930 kWh of electricity for businesses receiving upgrades (equivalent to $1,318 per year).
The results achieved through both EnergySmart and SmartRegs demonstrate an innovative approach to complementing a policy requirement with assistance and funding to ease the burden of compliance.
EnergySmart aims to reach at least 10,000 homes and 3,000 businesses throughout Boulder County by June 2013. It is designed to stimulate local economic growth; increase energy efficiency investment in Colorado; and advance the state’s energy independence through energy upgrades. EnergySmart is a collaborative partnership throughout Boulder County, funded by a $25 million grant from the Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Program, combined with contributions from the City of Boulder’s Climate Action Plan tax and the City of Longmont.
The Alliance for Innovation is an international network of progressive governments and partners committed to transforming local government by accelerating the development and dissemination of innovations. They seek out innovative practices, challenge existing business models, exchange knowledge, and provide products and services that help members perform at their best.
For more information on EnergySmart programs and services, visit www.EnergySmartYes.com, or call 303-544-1000 for residential information and 303-441-1300 for commercial information. More information about the Alliance for Innovation can be found at www.transformgov.org.