Posts tagged Boulder
EnergySmart announces Home Energy Makeover contest
Jul 5th
County residents eligible for $60,000 in energy upgrade prizes this summer
Boulder County, Colo. – All residents in Boulder County who sign up for a home energy assessment from EnergySmart before Friday, Aug. 31 will be eligible to win a Home Energy Makeover.
One Grand Prize winner will receive a whole-house makeover, valued at up to $20,000. The Grand Prize package includes a new energy efficient furnace, air sealing and insulation upgrades to the attic and crawlspace/basement, an energy efficient water heater, cooling system upgrades, and $4,000 to use for recommended energy upgrades of the homeowner’s choosing.
Four second place winners will each win prize packages worth up to $10,000. Second Place Prize packages include a new energy efficient furnace, home air sealing and insulation upgrades, and $1,500 to use toward a recommended energy upgrade of the homeowner’s choosing. One winner will be selected from each of four geographical “regions” of the county: City of Boulder, City of Longmont, East County (including Erie, Lafayette, Louisville and Superior), and mountain towns/unincorporated county (including Lyons, Nederland, Jamestown, Ward, Allenspark, Niwot, Gunbarrel, etc.).
The contest prizes are largely donated by local contractors, including Solar City, Service Experts, EcoHandyman, ThermalCraft Insulation, EcoSmart Homes, ERC Insulation, and SAC Mechanical. The remaining prizes are provided through federal grant funding.
The Home Energy Makeover contest is open to residents in all Boulder County communities. Winning homes must be owner-occupied and must need energy improvements. Residents are encouraged to register even if they live in newer homes or don’t think they need energy upgrades.
Boulder resident Megan Cuzzolino benefited from EnergySmart, even in a relatively new home. “I was surprised that my 2006 condo didn’t have much insulation,” Cuzzolino said. “After air sealing and insulating, my condo has been cozier all year round.”
EnergySmart focuses on improvements that will reduce energy waste, improve comfort, and produce cost-savings for both residential and business participants. Services include energy assessments and expert advisor assistance with finding contractors and all available rebates and financing options for energy efficiency upgrades. Since the program’s launch in January 2011, EnergySmart has helped more than 5,500 residents and 1,800 businesses throughout Boulder County.
EnergySmart is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the U.S. Department of Energy’s BetterBuildings grant program and is sponsored in partnership by Boulder County, the cities of Boulder and Longmont, Xcel Energy and Platte River Power Authority. For more information, visit www.EnergySmartYES.com or call 303-544-1000 (for homes) or 303-441-1300 (for businesses).
-B
T-Storms High gusty winds headed to Boulder: Prepare to Evacuate
Jun 27th
Fire fighters are preparing defense lines near Shanahan Ridge subdivision as the Flag Staff Fire pushes south. Once the winds pick up in the next hour the air defense will grind to a halt. Fire fighter s will then start a back fire and run fire hoes as crews will put their lives on the line.
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FOR THE FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS AND
But this could back fire and drive fire fighters out of Shanahan ridge. Fire could destroy that entire area in the next three days. Below , weather report from NOAA does not bode well for Boulder. We are in a Red Flag warning high fire state. It would be prudent to pack your entire home if you live in Shanahan ridge area. You could lose it all.
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FOR THE FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS AND
SOUTH PARK IN PARK COUNTY FOR SOME DRY THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING
WIND GUSTS TO 45 MPH FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT TODAY…
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST AND NORTH CENTRAL
COLORADO.
.DAY ONE…TODAY AND TONIGHT
INCREASING CLOUDS OVER COLORADO AT MIDDAY WILL SPAWN SCATTERED
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MOUNTAINS AND OVER THE FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS
THIS AFTERNOON. SOME OF THESE STORMS WILL PRODUCE STRONG AND GUSTY
WINDS AND FREQUENT CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING. WHILE OTHER STORMS
MAY DEPOSIT UP TO A QUARTER INCH OF RAIN IN LESS THAN 30 MINUTES.
THUNDERSTORMS ARE THEN EXPECTED TO MOVE OUT OVER THE NEARBY PLAINS
WHERE THEY MAY PRODUCE SIMILAR WIND GUSTS AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING.
HOWEVER…STORM COVERAGE IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE AS GREAT AS THAT IN
THE HIGH COUNTRY. MOST OF THIS STORM ACTIVITY SHOULD DIMINISH
LATER THIS EVENING.
OTHERWISE..SLIGHTLY COOLER TEMPERATURES AND HIGHER HUMIDITIES ARE
ON TAP FOR THE OUTLOOK AREA TODAY. A WEAK COLD FRONT BACKING INTO
NORTHEAST COLORADO EARLY THIS AFTERNOON WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
SOME OF THE COOLING ON THE PLAINS.
Five Day Weather Forecast FOR BOULDER
This Afternoon: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94. Southwest wind 9 to 13 mph becoming east southeast. Winds could gust as high as 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South southeast wind 6 to 14 mph becoming west northwest. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Thursday: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. West wind between 10 and 13 mph becoming light. Winds could gust as high as 17 mph.
Thursday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. West wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.
Friday: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Boulder cancels fireworks show due to high fire risk
Jun 27th
Boulder city officials today announced that the annual Ralphie’s Independence Day Blast is canceled due to extremely dry conditions in and around Boulder. The fireworks show had been scheduled for Folsom Field on Wednesday, July 4.
“Public safety was our primary concern in deciding to cancel the fireworks show. Given the current fire in south Boulder, along with fires in neighboring cities and extremely dry conditions, the public safety risk to the Boulder community is significant,” said Boulder City Manager Jane S. Brautigam. “The fire marshal has been monitoring conditions around Folsom Field since early June, and our wildland fire crews have been on daily patrols to prevent wildfires. Given the dangers and Colorado’s statewide fire restrictions, it would be irresponsible to launch 4,000 fireworks over the city this year.”
Boulder Fire Marshal Dave Lowrey said firefighting crews need to remain focused on the current fire. Even if that situation improves, the lack of rain over the past month and the forecasts for continued hot, dry weather would make it very challenging for crews to quickly douse an escaped firework that landed in a dry field.
“We know it’s disappointing to celebrate the Fourth of July without fireworks, but it would be a real tragedy if we went forward and someone’s home caught fire as a result,” Lowrey said.
Lowrey cautioned that individuals should not set off fireworks on their own; it is illegal for individuals to possess or use fireworks within the City of Boulder.
“While it’s disappointing that conditions warrant canceling the fireworks display, public safety is the first priority,” saidLew Kingdom of Wright Kingdom Real Estate, primary sponsor of the event. “The Associates of Wright Kingdom continue to be proud sponsors of Ralphie’s Independence Day Blast, and we’re looking forward to bringing back an amazing show next year.”
Ralphie’s Independence Day Blast has been held at Folsom Field since 1941. The 2012 event was sponsored by the associates of Wright Kingdom Real Estate, the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) and the City of Boulder. Media sponsors included the Daily Camera, KBCO and Boulder Channel 8.
