City News
This is news from the city of Boulder, about the city or any of its departments
Boulder firefighters, Parks and Rec, are really Santa Clauses
Dec 5th
Boulder firefighters and Parks and Recreation team up for fifth consecutive year to brighten local children’s holidays
The City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department’s Youth Services Initiative (YSI) program is working to brighten children’s holidays this season with help from the community and the Boulder Fire Department’s IAFF Local 900 union.
YSI provides youth from low-income families with opportunities and resources necessary to make positive recreational, educational, and lifestyle choices through after-school programs and community involvement activities.
This year, YSI will host holiday parties for program youth and their families on Thursday, Dec. 8, and Thursday, Dec. 15. Last year’s holiday parties served more than 150 families and delivered nearly 500 gifts to the children.
IAFF Local 900 support of YSI
The Boulder Fire Department’s IAFF Local 900 union will donate money for the fifth consecutive year. Their donations will help purchase gifts for children served by the YSI program who are living at Boulder’s low-income housing sites (managed by Boulder Housing Partners). The firefighters say this is a way to give back to kids in their very own community..
“We are honored to be able to support YSI youth during the holiday season,” said Lt. John Nunez, who has been involved with the department’s toy drive efforts for 19 years. “Sometimes, this will be the only gift a child receives. It is humbling for us to serve families who need a little extra help over the holidays.”
“When we show up in our fire trucks to these holiday parties, the looks on the children’s faces are priceless,” he added.
Community asked to help with donations
If you would like to make a donation to the YSI Program Toy Drive, visit www.BoulderParks-Rec.org, click on the “Youth Services toy drive – Donate today!” link and follow the instructions. A secure PayPal connection is provided and personal information will not be shared. Donations can be made using a major credit card or PayPal account. A small processing fee is deducted by PayPal from all donations. All donors will receive a receipt from PayPal and a Thank You from YSI. Checks can also be made payable to “YSI” and submitted to YSI, Attn: Alex Zinga, 3198 Broadway Ave., Boulder, CO 80304. Toy donation boxes are also located at the three City of Boulder recreation centers.
Additional funding over the amount needed for the toy drive will be placed in the YSI Scholarship Fund, which helps fund year-round recreation programs for low-income youth.
For more information, call Shelly Ruspakka, Parks and Recreation, at 303-413-7214
Is Boulder’s “waste”water treatment next?
Nov 23rd
City water treatment facilities earn Partnership for Safe Water award
The City of Boulder’s water treatment facilities at Betasso and Boulder Reservoir have earned the Partnership for Safe Water’s Phase III Directors Award, in recognition of their demonstrated commitment to water quality and consumer safety. Only seven other water treatment facilities in the State of Colorado have received this award for optimizing water treatment facility performance.
To be eligible for the award, the two water treatment facilities successfully completed the Phase III self-assessment process, as required by the
Partnership, which required the facilities to examine operations and identify areas for performance improvement.
The Partnership praised the facilities for their strong commitment to operational excellence and to protecting the health of water customers in Boulder.
The Partnership for Safe Water is a unique cooperative organization designed to support water treatment facilities in voluntarily enhancing their water systems performance to help protect the health of customers. The partnership is between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies and Association of State Drinking Water Administrators. Visit the Partnership for Safe Water website to learn more.
Occupy Boulder? Not overnight. No potty, sleeping or dogs, either
Nov 22nd
County enforcing existing rules governing Courthouse plaza
Boulder County, Colo. – The Board of County Commissioners supports peaceful assembly and asks only that protesters follow established rules for use of the Boulder County Courthouse Plaza.
City of Boulder ordinances state that camping is illegal. Boulder County has not given its permission for the installation of tents nor for the overnight and residential use of its property, and supports the city police department’s-
enforcement of this regulation. Dogs also are not allowed and neither is using the plaza as a restroom.
“We absolutely understand people’s desire to gather and protest, whether as part of the Occupy movement or any cause,” Commissioner Ben Pearlman said. “However, in the interest of public health and safety, we can’t allow camping in front of the Courthouse. We apply these rules consistently, no matter the subject, in order to be fair and equitable.”
In addition to the no camping, no dogs and no public urination rules, gatherings of more than 25 persons need to get a permit from Boulder County. Use of that permit is allowed from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. Boulder County encourages people to freely gather and discuss issues peacefully during these times.
