City News
This is news from the city of Boulder, about the city or any of its departments
CU STUDENT INSTALLATIONS TO HELP ENGAGE COMMUNITY IN UNIVERSITY HILL DEVELOPMENT
Jun 1st
The temporary installations will serve as the basis of a community charrette, an intense planning and design collaboration, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on June 3. The event is part of the International Town & Gown Association conference and is cosponsored by the city of Boulder.
“We take great pride in partnering with the city to provide opportunities for students to solve real-world problems,” said Frank Bruno, vice chancellor for administration. “The ability of our students to connect and engage the University Hill community through this interdisciplinary project is truly remarkable and can result in progress for the neighborhood.”
Charrette participants will explore revitalization ideas for University Hill that encompass the education, research and community service resources of CU-Boulder and the vibrant culture of the area as a commercial and residential district, according to organizers.
The project stems from a CU-Boulder Maymester course called Finding Ground. The student works include two interactive survey boards, two tables and 25 hammocks, all for public use.
“The installations are meant to bring people together to explore ideas for community connectedness and the overall use of public space,” said Finding Ground student Richard Mapes, a senior in architecture. “It’s amazing to see so many groups working to positively change the course of University Hill.”
Students carried out mapping exercises, interviews, precedent studies and presentations. They also conceptualized, designed and built the installations.
“We are excited about the close collaboration we’ve had with the university in preparing for this event, and look forward to learning more about the students’ work and their creative ideas during Friday’s charrette,” said David Driskell, executive director of Community Planning and Sustainability for the city of Boulder. “University Hill is a unique Boulder neighborhood, where the university and community literally come together. This course and Friday’s activities are just one example of how we can work together to make the Hill a vibrant and successful place that is welcoming for everybody.”
Students also maintained a group blog and developed a quick response code, which is displayed on three project information signs located on University Hill. It also will be stenciled in chalk on University Hill sidewalks. Visitors with the appropriate cellular phone technology can scan the QR code to be linked to the project website for more information.
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Boulder’s Energy Future: ‘Business Matters’ events scheduled
May 27th
The City of Boulder recognizes the importance of informing and engaging the local business community in the decision about the future of Boulder’s energy supply. In response to questions, the city is holding four ‘Business Matters’ meetings to provide information on the research and analysis to date, and to gather feedback.
Wednesday, June 8, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Boulder’s Dinner Theater, 5501 Arapahoe Ave.
Wednesday, June 8, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Namasté Solar, 4571 Broadway
Friday, June 10, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Hotel Boulderado, 2115 13th St.
Monday, June 13, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Covidien, 5920 Longbow Dr., Building #6, Red Rocks Auditorium
These events are being co-sponsored by the hosting businesses and the Boulder County Business Report, and the city appreciates their support.
The city is also holding the first two of its ‘Coffee Meetups’ series in late May and early June. These offer a more informal opportunity to receive status updates, ask questions and provide feedback. Scheduled events include:
Friday, May 27, 7:30 to 9 a.m., The Cup, 1521 Pearl St.
Friday, June 3, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Caffé Sole, 637R South Broadway
Additional ‘Coffee Meetups’ will be scheduled throughout the summer and will be posted on the project website.
Boulder’s Energy Future goal is to ensure that residential, business and other institutional customers have access to safe, reliable energy that is competitively priced, increasingly clean, and is as locally produced as possible – giving customers more choice and control in their power.
The city’s energy team is focused on gathering the facts and data needed to inform decisions about the best option for the community. While no decision has been made about how to accomplish this goal, analyses that take into account Boulder’s specific objectives are underway. Currently, three options are being explored:
Forming a new agreement with our current provider, Xcel Energy, that takes into account the community’s goals;
Creating a local power utility; or,
Leaving the system the way it is.
The city began receiving reports from consultants and committees who are studying the options in April. Over the next few months, council will evaluate the information and determine whether to put any measures on the ballot for voter consideration in November.
Anyone seeking more information about the Energy Future project is encouraged to visit www.BoulderEnergyFuture.com or call Andrew Barth at 303-441-1937 or Sarah Huntley at 303-441-3155.
Property value appeals must be filed by June 1
May 26th
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Assessor’s Office would like to remind property owners that the deadline to appeal property values in Boulder County is this Wednesday, June 1.
Property owners can file an appeal if they believe their property has not been valued appropriately. In order to make the most accurate property value comparisons possible when filing an appeal, property owners are encouraged to review and include information about sales data specific to their market area for the two-year evaluation period of 2008-10. These sales data are available online at www.bouldercounty.org/live/property/pages/comp2011sales.aspx.
Notices of Value were mailed to all property owners in Boulder County on May 1. State statute requires all properties in Colorado be re-valued by county assessors in odd-numbered years. Actual property values for 2011 were based on market activity during the timeframe prior to June 30, 2010. These sales are time trended to that date. Per statutory requirements, these values do not represent market activity after June 30, 2010.
Appeals may be made by mail, online, by fax or in person. All appeals, regardless of valuation method, must be filed or postmarked by 11:59 p.m. on June 1. In-person appeals must be filed at the Assessor’s Office by 5 p.m. on June 1. An appeal form can be downloaded online or requested by phone. Additionally, property owners can file an e-appeal online without having to mail or fax a form to the Assessor’s Office.
Property owners with questions about their valuation, or the Notice of Value itself, can contact the Boulder County Assessor’s Office by:
• Phone, 303-441-3530 (appeals cannot be accepted over the phone)
• Email (via the website), www.BoulderCountyAssessor.org
• Mail, P.O. Box 471, Boulder, CO 80306
• Fax, 303-441-4996
• In person at the Boulder County Courthouse, second floor, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday (office will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 30)
Additional information about property values, remote appeals dates and locations, and the county’s appraisal process is available at www.BoulderCountyAssessor.org.
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