January 25Th, 2021

Town Manager’s Newsletter January 25th, 2021

1. Thank You’s - A. Court Appointed Special Advocates B. Cycle Effect C. Girl Scouts 2. Town of Breckenridge News - A. Community Listening Session with the Equity Project 3. January 15th Occupancy Forecast Notes & Report -  We had periods when the “fill” of rooms exceeded last year. See March 13 – 20 and March 27 – April 3, The Peak and Mesa of our Spring Break.  If anyone doubted the value of groups to our lodging numbers, especially midweek; they should see it now; especially if you look at the winter season graph.  Bill added a third report today, Breckenridge DOR vs DMX West Region DOR. This demonstrates how Breckenridge is performing relative to the Industry on Dec 31, 2020 Page 5 is the YOY variance graph – Nov 28 – June 30 Breckenridge performing very well until April/Easter. May – June we lose the ground. Page 2 offers comparison out to June 30, 2021 – Breck beating DMX; especially to this level is rare. Page 3 is the Winter Season snapshot – again, rare we beat DMX to that level, that consistently Getting back to spring break. There has been universities cancelling spring break and doing very mini breaks over a longer period of time. DestiMetrics is trying to get a handle on the scope of these and any public schools who change the pattern. Time will tell how successful they are. The standard reports involve a ton of work with Smith Travel Research (STR) and that is not the case at the current time. 4. DMMO Download from the BTO - A. COVID Update - January 20th B. COVID Update - January 22nd C. COVID Update - January 25th Town Manager’s Newsletter January 25th, 2021

5. Summit County Government Meetings - A. Work Session - January 26th B. Regular Meeting - January 26th C. Board of Health Meeting - January 26th & 28th 6. Summit County Government Updates - A. Amended Public Health Order Issued B. 5 Star Program Allowances Expanded 7. Local Organization Updates - A. BreckCreate - Upcoming Classes + Events B. Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center - Virtual Banff Film Festival C. Colorado Mountain College - The Eagle D. Colorado River District E. Summit Chamber - Employment Law Update F. Summit School District - Strategic Plan Info 8. Colorado Municipal League - A. Elected Officials Digest - January 19th B. Resiliency in the Face of COVID-19 Challenges C. Upcoming Webinars D. Newsletter - January 29th 9. Colorado Association of Ski Towns - A. Big Pivots Newsletter - January 15th

For Immediate Release:

January 20, 2021

Contact:

Haley Littleton, Communications, [email protected]

Breckenridge Hosts Community Listening Session with the Equity Project

Join the Town of Breckenridge, Breckenridge Social Equity Advisory Commission, and Dr. Nita Mosby Tyler of The Equity Project for a community conversation on social equity and what it means for Breckenridge on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 6 pm. We invite individuals to share their personal experiences, thoughts, and input; or, just listen in. Spanish translation will be provided. Zoom login and call-in information can be found at townofbreckenridge.com in the calendar section.

This listening session is connected to the Breckenridge Social Equity Advisory Commission and Breckenridge’s social equity goals. The impetus for this commission began in late May of 2020 with the killing of George Floyd, along with Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, and the subsequent Black Lives Matter protests. Breckenridge understands that the Town must face our racial history and reality, understand the scale and severity with which racial injustice continues to occur, and continue to pursue justice in all its forms. The Council understands that bias and injustice shows up in a myriad of ways including, but not limited to, healthcare, employment, and housing. The Town of Breckenridge believes it is our work to bridge the gaps in our community and to surface ways to make Breckenridge a better place to work, live and play for everyone.

The Town knows that the process to achieve social equity will require continued long-term focus and attention, and the Breckenridge Town Council is committed to achieving successful social equity outcomes for all with the assistance of the Social Equity Advisory Commission.

The Commission’s duties and responsibilities as listed by the Resolution are threefold:

 To build culturally responsive strategies and leadership for social justice by generating inclusive ideas and information to support organizational and community cultures that promote racial equity.  To broadly examine and identify social inequity, to work in partnership with local organizations to find solutions to social inequity, and to make recommendations to the Town Council on policies, practices, programs and initiatives to achieve racial equity and create equitable outcomes within the Town government and the community.  To perform such other functions and duties regarding social equity as may, from time to time, be delegated by the Town Council, or which are provided for by Town ordinance or resolution.

### Community Listening Session

Wednesday, January 27, 6 PM

January 15, 2021 Occupancy Forecast Notes

Hello Breckenridge Business Community,

The January 15, 2021 occupancy report has some interesting tales to tell. The good news is Breckenridge had days when the fill of rooms exceeded 2020 levels (March 13 – 20 & March 27 – April 3). Unfortunately, we had more days when fill did not exceed last year. Breckenridge has nights on the books that exceed last year, yet occupancy percentage is down year over year (YOY).

Looking ahead to President’s weekend notice the dark black vertical bars indicating YOY variance in “Occupancy %” and the gaps between the bottom of the bar and the pink/purple line. During the first 15 days of January ’21, Breckenridge bookings were a couple of points behind the pace during the same period in ’20. The gap between the red line and the gray line tells us the fill that occurred over the next 30 days. Saturday night in 2020 gained 18 points of occupancy to hit 94% actual, Friday added the same amount to hit 89% occupancy. Lodging properties will do flips if we match the pace. Predicting the end results is not worthwhile.

Move occupancy aside and we look at “room nights on the books” to see that during the Feb 11 – 14, 2021 period, Breckenridge has 2% more room nights on the books than we did during the same period last year. An 18% growth in available inventory vs the 2% growth in nights, spells a lower occupancy level. During the first 15 days of January, there were 14% fewer room nights booked in 2021 vs 2020. Many things would have to happen at the same time for 2021 pace to meet, let alone exceed 2020 pace.

The next graph looks at March 6 – April 3, 2021, the expected Spring Break period. We have seen some universities cancelling spring break and we know how quickly things change in a COVID world. At this time in 2020, Spring break was looking very good. In fact, room nights on the books were up 13% YOY. The volume of room nights on the books in 2021 is down 23% YOY. During this period, on this date, 2021 is pacing comparable to 2019.

The last graph looks at this coming weekend, Jan 23/24 and Jan 29/30. First, keep your fingers crossed Season B of Colorado High School Athletics start their season as planned during the week of Jan 25, 2021. The gap between the pink line and the dark black vertical bars show a slightly slower rate of fill for most of these nights. Nights during the middle of the week fared better than the weekend nights. Last year the Saturday nights of the weekends hit in the 88% range. This year, expect 72% plus or minus a point or two. Notice the flatness of the blue line between Friday and Saturday nights over these three weekends.

We started on a relatively positive note and I want to end with one as well. Look at the 180-day chart. Notice the March 13 – April 3 period. Notice the peak of the blue line happening March 13 -20 and the mesa of the blue line Mar 27 – Apr 3. We have been expecting this peak and recent activity in the industry and our own booking numbers show demand is picking up for arrivals in the week leading to Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021.

The January 15, 2021 report includes 22 properties and 2,900 units representing Hotels, Private Homes, Resorts, Time Share and condominiums. The sample includes about 60% of the Short Term Rental units in town.

Stay Safe and have fun every day.

Bill Wishowski – Breckenridge Tourism Office

DAILY OCCUPANCY OVERLAY REPORT BreckenridgeB vs. DestiMetrics Aggregate

Subject Destination: Breckenridge Period: Bookings as of December 31, 2020 Contents & Overview

Contents: Graphs a. Breckenridge vs. DestiMetrics aggregate: Rolling 6-month view of year-to-date bookings b. Breckenridge vs. DestiMetrics aggregate: Static winter view of year-to-date bookings (2020/21) c. Breckenridge vs. DestiMetrics aggregate: Static summer view of year-to-date bookings (2021) d. Breckenridge vs. DestiMetrics aggregate: Year-over-year change in YTD bookings

Participating Destinations:

DESTINATIONS INCLUDED: Destinations are weighted by # of available rooms among responding properties. Aspen/Snowmass Gunnison/Crested Butte Vail Avon Jackson Hole Winter Park Beaver Creek Keystone Big Sky North Lake Tahoe Breckenridge Park City Central Summit County, Colorado Steamboat Copper Mountain Sun Valley

About the Daily Occupancy Comparative Report:

DESCRIPTION: The Daily Occupancy Comparative Report has two components: an DestiMetrics Aggregate view and Subject Resort Comparison view. The DestiMetrics Aggregate view summarizes aggregate daily occupancy patterns across all participating DestiMetrics destinations, and encompasses the first three graphs of the report. The Subject Resort Comparison View compares your resort against the DestiMetrics Aggregate, and encompasses the last four graphs of the report.

This Report is generated on a monthly basis, usually for a 12 month subscription period. The data is provided by properties participating in a cooperative manner, and representing a valid set of data as a result.

As is the case in all DestiMetrics data, all information provided by individual properties is strictly confidential, except when aggregated with other data and indistinguishable as a result.

© 2020 Sterling Valley Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. No parts of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or information storage and retrieval systems - without the written permission of the copyright holder. Products that are referred to in this document may be either trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners. The publisher and the author make no claim to these Trademarks. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, the publisher and the author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of information contained in this document or from the use of programs and source code that may accompany it. In no event shall the publisher and the author be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage caused or alleged to have been caused directly or indirectly by this document. Occupancy as of December 31, 2020 BRECKENRIDGE vs. DESTIMETRICS AGGREGATE ROLLING 6-MONTH VIEW

Report Date: 12/31/2020 100% Breckenridge vs. DestiMetrics Aggregate 2020/21 - as of 12/31/20 Breckenridge 2020/21 - as of 12/31/20 DestiMetrics Aggregate 2020/21 - as of 12/31/20 80%

60%

40%

Occupancy Rate Occupancy 20%

NOTE: This is not a forecast of bookings. Data presented in this report represents occupancy on the books as of the report date. -20% 28-Nov-20 5-Dec-20 12-Dec-20 19-Dec-20 26-Dec-20 2-Jan-21 9-Jan-21 16-Jan-21 23-Jan-21 30-Jan-21 6-Feb-21 13-Feb-21 20-Feb-21 27-Feb-21 6-Mar-21 13-Mar-21 20-Mar-21 27-Mar-21 3-Apr-21 10-Apr-21 17-Apr-21 24-Apr-21 1-May-21 8-May-21 15-May-21 22-May-21 29-May-21 5-Jun-21 12-Jun-21 19-Jun-21 26-Jun-21

Date (Gridlines Aligned with Saturdays)

Report Date: 12/31/2020 100% Breckenridge vs. DestiMetrics Aggregate 2020/21 - as of 12/31/20 Breckenridge 2020/21 - as of 12/31/20 DestiMetrics Aggregate 2020/21 - as of 12/31/20 80%

60%

40%

Occupancy Rate Occupancy 20%

-20% 31-Oct-20 7-Nov-20 14-Nov-20 21-Nov-20 28-Nov-20 5-Dec-20 12-Dec-20 19-Dec-20 26-Dec-20 2-Jan-21 9-Jan-21 16-Jan-21 23-Jan-21 30-Jan-21 6-Feb-21 13-Feb-21 20-Feb-21 27-Feb-21 6-Mar-21 13-Mar-21 20-Mar-21 27-Mar-21 3-Apr-21 10-Apr-21 17-Apr-21 24-Apr-21

NOTE: This is not a forecast of bookings. Data presented in this report Date represents occupancy on the books as of the report date. (Gridlines Aligned with Saturdays)

Report Date: 12/31/2020 100% Breckenridge vs. DestiMetrics Aggregate 2021 - as of 12/31/20 Breckenridge 2021 - as of 12/31/20 DestiMetrics Aggregate 2021 - as of 12/31/20 80%

60%

40% Occupancy Rate 20%

-20% 25-Apr-21 2-May-21 9-May-21 16-May-21 23-May-21 30-May-21 6-Jun-21 13-Jun-21 20-Jun-21 27-Jun-21 4-Jul-21 11-Jul-21 18-Jul-21 25-Jul-21 1-Aug-21 8-Aug-21 15-Aug-21 22-Aug-21 29-Aug-21 5-Sep-21 12-Sep-21 19-Sep-21 26-Sep-21 3-Oct-21 10-Oct-21 17-Oct-21 24-Oct-21 31-Oct-21

NOTE: This is not a forecast of bookings. Data presented in this report Date represents occupancy on the books as of the report date. (Gridlines Aligned with Saturdays)

DestiMetrics Aggregate - 2020/21 vs. 2019/20 as of 12/31 Report Date: 12/31/2020 Breckenridge - 2020/21 vs. 2019/20 as of 12/31 10%

-10%

-20%

-30% Change in Occupancy Rate Occupancy in Change -40%

-50% 28-Nov-20 5-Dec-20 12-Dec-20 19-Dec-20 26-Dec-20 2-Jan-21 9-Jan-21 16-Jan-21 23-Jan-21 30-Jan-21 6-Feb-21 13-Feb-21 20-Feb-21 27-Feb-21 6-Mar-21 13-Mar-21 20-Mar-21 27-Mar-21 3-Apr-21 10-Apr-21 17-Apr-21 24-Apr-21 1-May-21 8-May-21 15-May-21 22-May-21 29-May-21 5-Jun-21 12-Jun-21 19-Jun-21 26-Jun-21

Date NOTE: This is not a forecast of bookings. Data presented in this report represents occupancy on the books as of the report date. (Gridlines Aligned with Saturdays)

Content & Overview

Contents Graph a. Rolling 6-month view b. Static summer view c. Static winter view d. 60-day advance view

Participating Properties

Peak Property Mgmt Pine Ridge Condominiums Ski Country Resorts & Sports VRI - Breck - Crystal Peak Lodge

VRI - Breck - Mountain Thunder VRI - Breck - One Ski Hill VRI - Breck - Village at Breckenridge Property VRI - Breck - Double Tree Lodge Place Mgmt

VRI - Breck - Gravity Haus WoodWinds Property Management Pinnacle Lodging VRI - Breck - River Mountain Lodge

Grand Lodge on Peak 7 Residence Inn Breckenridge Alpine Edge Vacasa - Breckenridge - Main Street Station

Vacasa - Breckenridge - Condos The Lodge & Spa at Breckenridge Beaver Run Resort Vacasa - Breckenridge - Blue Sky

Grand Timber Lodge/Peak Great Western Lodging Resorts

The Daily Occupancy Report tracks occupancy on a daily level of granularity. The report combines the data sets of participating properties into a destination wide view that features three data sets (providing that sufficient information is available) including: i) current YTD occupancy, ii) last YTD occupancy, iii) last season's ending occupancy.

The Daily Outlook Report is generated on a monthly or twice-monthly basis, usually for a 12 month subscription period, and is created from data provided by a group of properties participating in a cooperative manner,

As is the case in all Inntopia data, all information provided by individual properties is strictly confidential, except when aggregated with other data and indistinguishable as a result.

© 2021 Sterling Valley Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. No parts of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or information storage and retrieval systems - without the written permission of the copyright holder. Products that are referred to in this document may be either trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners. The publisher and the author make no claim to these Trademarks. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, the publisher and the author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of information contained in this document or from the use of programs and source code that may accompany it. In no event shall the publisher and the author be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage caused or alleged to have been caused directly or indirectly by this document. Breckenridge Total Occupancy (Most Recent Data) Daily Occupancy Report as of Jan 15, 2021

© 2021 Sterling Valley Systems, Inc. DBA Inntopia All Rights Reserved. Information provided here is CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION and is the exclusive property of Inntopia. It is expressly not for reproduction, distribution publication or any other dissemination without the express written permission of Inntopia. Sample reports may be provided to interested persons, specifically for purposes of their evaluation of a potential subscription and are subject to Copyrights of this product. Data and Metrics represented on this report are representative of the Sample Properties only and may not be representative of the entire Community or Industry. Persons using this data for strategic purposes do so at their own risk and hold Inntopia harmless. Breckenridge Total Occupancy (Winter-to-date) Daily Occupancy Report as of Jan 15, 2021

© 2021 Sterling Valley Systems, Inc. DBA Inntopia Inntopia's business practices, metrics, reports, systems and procedures and all subscriber data is CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, and protected by law. Reproduction or distribution is prohibited. All individual Inntopia subscriber data is kept strictly confidential and displayed only when aggregated with other similar data and indistinguishable as a result. Inntopia, [email protected] Breckenridge Total Occupancy (Summer-to-date) Daily Occupancy Report as of Jan 15, 2021

© 2021 Sterling Valley Systems, Inc. DBA Inntopia Inntopia's business practices, metrics, reports, systems and procedures and all subscriber data is CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, and protected by law. Reproduction or distribution is prohibited. All individual Inntopia subscriber data is kept strictly confidential and displayed only when aggregated with other similar data and indistinguishable as a result. Inntopia, [email protected] Breckenridge Total Occupancy (60-Day Advance View) Daily Occupancy Report as of Jan 15, 2021

Community Listening Session With The Equity Project Wednesday, January 27th, 6:00pm Join the Town of Breckenridge, Breckenridge Social Equity Advisory Commission, and Dr. Nita Mosby Tyler of The Equity Project for a community conversation on social equity and what it means for Breckenridge. You are invited to share your personal experiences, thoughts, and input; or, just listen in. Spanish translation provided. Learn More / Join The Session

Business Reel

Breckenridge Business Revenue Rent Reduction Assistance Extended Through February

The Town of Breckenridge has extended the business revenue rent reduction assistance through February 2021. Learn More & Apply Now

Free Training For Breckenridge Frontline Workers - Register Your Staff Today This experiential guest-service training program offers activity outings, fine dining experiences, spa services, lodging tours, and a retail scavenger hunt to Breckenridge’s most guest-facing employees. The mission of the Breck 101 program is to provide Breckenridge’s guest service workers an opportunity to experience first-hand the offerings they’re trusted to recommend while also learning about support resources available to them as residents. Register Your Staff

In Our Backyard

Building Hope Summit County Offers Mental

Health Support & Resources Building Hope Summit offers resources and options to support you, a loved one or a co-worker with your mental health needs. You are not alone and help is available.

 Scholarships Available: Summit County residents who are experiencing financial hardship can apply for vouchers and receive up to 12 therapy sessions.  The HYPE: The HYPE is an emergent Building Hope youth connection program

providing free activities and events for Summit youth ages 12-20. These events are free and fun while providing connection and an opportunity to gain self-confidence and a stronger sense of self.  Mental Health Navigation Assistance: If you’re encountering roadblocks while seeking access to mental health support, a navigator can help you find affordable therapy and prescriptions, treatments, community resources, support groups and more. Navigation assistance is also free of charge!  Take a Free Screening: Concerned about your mental health or the mental health of others? Take a free, anonymous screening.  Trainings & Other Services: Trainings of all levels to help you support the mental health of friends, family members, and coworkers and better understand navigation and literacy of the available resources. BH also offers private connectedness events and will work with your business to help provide scholarships for employees.

COVID-19 TOOLBOX

Concierge Box

One Breck Blog

Breck Giving Back Stories

Local, State, Federal, & Global Updates

Assistance Resources for Employees & Employers

Breckenridge Restaurants & Retailers

The Breckenridge Tourism Office (BTO) is closely monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on the local economy and strives to be a valuable, timely resource. If there is any assistance or information we can provide to better serve you right now, please contact Tessa at [email protected]

Support For Colorado Small Businesses "Informational Webinar" Monday, January 25th, 5:30pm Join Governor Polis and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade for a webinar about unlocking federal and state resources for your small business. The meeting will be streamed on Facebook Live on Monday, January 25th, 5:30pm. Watch The Webinar.

Business Reel

Onebreckenridge.com Update: Assistance & Resources Now More Streamlined The BTO has put together a COVID-19 toolbox for businesses and residents. The toolbox has recently been updated to streamline assistance & resources. View Resources

January 15th Occupancy Report The Breckenridge Tourism Office published the January 15th occupancy report and notes. Read The Report / Read The Notes

Local Public Health Order Amended Jan 20th - Short Term Rentals Under the amended local public health order, owners and/or entities responsible for the booking and renting of short-term lodging units must confirm renters are aware of and are in compliance with the gathering size limits mandated by CDPHE PHO 20-36. Learn More

In Our Backyard

Breckenridge Town Council Meeting Tuesday, January 26, 4:30-9:00pm The Town Council will hold a virtual regular meeting on

Tuesday, January 26th. Join The Meeting

You are invited to share your personal experiences, thoughts, and input; or, just listen in. Spanish translation provided. Learn More / Join The Session

COVID-19 TOOLBOX

Concierge Box

One Breck Blog

Breck Giving Back Stories

Local, State, Federal, & Global Updates

Assistance Resources for Employees & Employers

Breckenridge Restaurants & Retailers

Copyright © 2020 Breckenridge Tourism Office, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in for the weekly BTO newsletter, the DMMO Download. Mailing Address: 111 Ski Hill Road PO Box 1909 Breckenridge, CO 80424

Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Save The Date - Breckenridge Community Update Thursday, February 4, 9:30-10:30am Join Breckenridge Mayor Eric Mamula, Town Manager Rick Holman, Asst. Town Manager Shannon Haynes, & Breckenridge Tourism Office President/CEO Lucy Kay, for a Breckenridge Community update on Thursday, February 4, 9:30-10:30am Register Now

Business Reel

Small Business Relief Programs

State-Funded Small Business Relief Program: Tuesday, January 19th through Monday, February 7th, 11:59pm

The State of Colorado has provided funds to Summit County to be make available to qualifying small businesses. This program is specifically for restaurants, bars (including wineries, breweries and distilleries), caterers, movie theaters, gyms and recreation centers. Learn More / Apply

Breckenridge Business Revenue Reduction Rent Assistance: Deadline Friday, January 29th, 5:00pm Breckenridge businesses that have experienced a loss of revenue of 20% or more in 2020 may apply for revenue reduction rent assistance from the Town of Breckenridge. The January 2021 application deadline is Friday, January 29th, 5:00pm. Learn More / Apply

In Our Backyard

Breckenridge Town Council Meeting Tomorrow, Tuesday, January 26, 4:30-9:00pm The Town Council will hold a virtual regular meeting tomorrow,

Tuesday, January 26th. Join The Meeting

COVID-19 TOOLBOX

Concierge Box

One Breck Blog

Breck Giving Back Stories

Local, State, Federal, & Global Updates

Assistance Resources for Employees & Employers

Breckenridge Restaurants & Retailers

Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 970.453.3402 ph | 970.453.3535 f 208 East Lincoln Ave. | PO Box 68

www.SummitCountyCO.gov Breckenridge, CO 80424

SUMMIT COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION AGENDA Tuesday, January 26, 2021 10:30 a.m. County Commissioners’ Meeting Room; Summit County Courthouse 208 Lincoln Avenue, Breckenridge, Colorado

Due to Public Health concerns and social distancing efforts, this meeting will be conducted virtually and the public is encouraged to join by following the instructions below:

To join by phone, dial (669) 900-9128 or (346) 248-7799 Webinar ID: 830 6865 8032 Password: 0831525490 Press # to bypass the Participant ID

To join from your computer, tablet or smartphone: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83068658032 Password: zCp?w9L+gN

10:30 a.m. 2018 ICC Code Amendment (Building Inspection)

11:00 a.m. Managers’ & Commissioners’ Issues

11:30 a.m. Recess

Noon Lunch

*This agenda and times, depending on length of discussion, are subject to change at any time. Please contact the Manager’s Office or visit our website to obtain updates at: http://www.summitcountyco.gov

Summit County Board of County Commissioners’ Meeting Agenda of January 26, 2021 SUMMIT COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Tuesday, January 26, 2021, 1:30 p.m.

Please use the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81410612400? pwd=T0dTNkh0YjBGQjUyV3MvSXpiUWI4dz09 Passcode: 3SxZT^=$Yz Or Telephone: 346 248 7799 or 669 900 9128 or 253 215 8782 or 312 626 6799 or 646 558 8656 or 301 715 8592 Webinar ID: 814 1061 2400 Passcode: 3763617751

For assistance or questions regarding special accommodations, accessibility, or available audio/visual equipment, please contact 970-453-3403 as soon as possible.

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. ROLL CALL

III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

IV. CITIZEN COMMENT

V. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval Of 1-12-21 Regular Meeting Minutes

Documents:

CONSENT A - 011221 BOCC REG MIN.PDF

B. Warrant List Of 1-1-21 To 1-15-21 (Finance)

Documents:

CONSENT B - 01012021 - 01152021.PDF

C. Approval Of A Resolution Authorizing The Clerk & Recorder And Motor Vehicle Offices To Close To The Public The Day Of The Coordinated Election On November 3, 2021 (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT C - ELECTION DAY 2021 CLOSURE RESOLUTION.PDF

D. Liquor License Renewal The Whiskey Bar At Copper Mountain LLC Dba HIGH ROCKIES WHISKEY AND WINE BAR; Hotel & Restaurant; Lindsay Atkins; Located At 260 Ten Mile Circle, Copper Mountain, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT D - THE WHISKEY BAR AT COPPER MOUNTAIN RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

E. Liquor License Renewal For Wildernest Liquors LLC Dba WILDERNEST LIQUORS; Liquor Store; Casey Snyder; Located At 11 Fawn Court, Silverthorne, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT E - WILDERNEST LIQUORS RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

F. Liquor License Renewal For Haywood Café Inc. Dba HAYWOOD CAFÉ; Hotel & Restaurant; Kristopher Huffman; Located At 23110 U.S. Highway 6 #101-103, Keystone, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT F - HAYWOOD CAFE RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

G. Liquor License Renewal For Spoon Café LLC Dba SPOON CAFÉ; Hotel & Restaurant; Kelly Baldwin; Located At 195 River Run Road, Keystone, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT G - SPOON CAFE LLC RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

H. Liquor License Renewal For Koll Inc. Dba DOS LOCOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT & CANTINA; Hotel & Restaurant, Joseph Koll; Located At 22869 U.S. Highway 6 Unit #102, Keystone, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT H - KOLL INC RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

I. Liquor License Renewal For The Goat Inc. Dba THE GOAT; Tavern; Derek Jackson; Located At 22954 U.S. Highway 6, Keystone, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT I - THE GOAT INC RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

J. A Request For A Subdivision Exemption To Vacate The Existing Platted Common Driveway Easement Located On Lot 10 For The Benefit Of Lot 9 In The Whispering Pines Ranch Subdivision #1, Block 10; 36 Legend Circle And 38 Legend Circle (CR 149). Lot 9 Contains 0.30 Acres And Lot 10 Contains 0.28 Acres. The Properties Are Zoned Soda Creek PUD (PLN20-021) (Snake River Basin)(Planning)

Documents:

CONSENT J1 - PLN20-021 STAFF REPORT.PDF CONSENT J2 - VICNITY MAP WHISPERING PINES SUB.PDF CONSENT J3 - ORIGINAL PLAT - WHISPERING PINES RANCH NO 1 REC 586137.PDF CONSENT J4 - PROPOSED RESO 2021-XX.PDF CONSENT J5 - EXHIBIT A.PDF

VI. NEW BUSINESS

A. General Subdivision Exemption Plat To Reconfigure/Adjust The Building And Driveway Disturbance Envelopes Associated With Lot 10, Western Sky Ranch, Filing #3.The 9.72 Acre Property Is Zoned Western Sky Ranch PUD. (PLN20-044/BHH Partners) (Upper Blue Basin) (Planning)

Documents:

NB A1 - PLN20-044 STAFF REPORT.PDF NB A2 - PROPOSED PLAT.PDF NB A3 -PLN20-044 RESO.PDF

VII. ADJOURNMENT

*This agenda is subject to change at any time. Please contact the Manager’s Office or visit our website to obtain updates at: http://www.summitcountyco.gov SUMMIT COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Tuesday, January 26, 2021, 1:30 p.m.

For assistance or questions regarding special accommodations, accessibility, or available audio/visual equipment, please contact 970-453-3403 as soon as possible.

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. ROLL CALL

III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

IV. CITIZEN COMMENT

V. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval Of 1-12-21 Regular Meeting Minutes

Documents:

CONSENT A - 011221 BOCC REG MIN.PDF

B. Warrant List Of 1-1-21 To 1-15-21 (Finance)

Documents:

CONSENT B - 01012021 - 01152021.PDF

C. Approval Of A Resolution Authorizing The Clerk & Recorder And Motor Vehicle Offices To Close To The Public The Day Of The Coordinated Election On November 3, 2021 (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT C - ELECTION DAY 2021 CLOSURE RESOLUTION.PDF

D. Liquor License Renewal The Whiskey Bar At Copper Mountain LLC Dba HIGH ROCKIES WHISKEY AND WINE BAR; Hotel & Restaurant; Lindsay Atkins; Located At 260 Ten Mile Circle, Copper Mountain, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT D - THE WHISKEY BAR AT COPPER MOUNTAIN RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

E. Liquor License Renewal For Wildernest Liquors LLC Dba WILDERNEST LIQUORS; Liquor Store; Casey Snyder; Located At 11 Fawn Court, Silverthorne, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT E - WILDERNEST LIQUORS RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

F. Liquor License Renewal For Haywood Café Inc. Dba HAYWOOD CAFÉ; Hotel & Restaurant; Kristopher Huffman; Located At 23110 U.S. Highway 6 #101-103, Keystone, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT F - HAYWOOD CAFE RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

G. Liquor License Renewal For Spoon Café LLC Dba SPOON CAFÉ; Hotel & Restaurant; Kelly Baldwin; Located At 195 River Run Road, Keystone, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT G - SPOON CAFE LLC RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

H. Liquor License Renewal For Koll Inc. Dba DOS LOCOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT & CANTINA; Hotel & Restaurant, Joseph Koll; Located At 22869 U.S. Highway 6 Unit #102, Keystone, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT H - KOLL INC RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

I. Liquor License Renewal For The Goat Inc. Dba THE GOAT; Tavern; Derek Jackson; Located At 22954 U.S. Highway 6, Keystone, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT I - THE GOAT INC RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

Documents:

VI. NEW BUSINESS

Documents:

NB A1 - PLN20-044 STAFF REPORT.PDF NB A2 - PROPOSED PLAT.PDF NB A3 -PLN20-044 RESO.PDF

VII. ADJOURNMENT

For assistance or questions regarding special accommodations, accessibility, or available audio/visual equipment, please contact 970-453-3403 as soon as possible.

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. ROLL CALL

III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

IV. CITIZEN COMMENT

V. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval Of 1-12-21 Regular Meeting Minutes

Documents:

CONSENT A - 011221 BOCC REG MIN.PDF

B. Warrant List Of 1-1-21 To 1-15-21 (Finance)

Documents:

CONSENT B - 01012021 - 01152021.PDF

C. Approval Of A Resolution Authorizing The Clerk & Recorder And Motor Vehicle Offices To Close To The Public The Day Of The Coordinated Election On November 3, 2021 (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT C - ELECTION DAY 2021 CLOSURE RESOLUTION.PDF

D. Liquor License Renewal The Whiskey Bar At Copper Mountain LLC Dba HIGH ROCKIES WHISKEY AND WINE BAR; Hotel & Restaurant; Lindsay Atkins; Located At 260 Ten Mile Circle, Copper Mountain, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT D - THE WHISKEY BAR AT COPPER MOUNTAIN RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

E. Liquor License Renewal For Wildernest Liquors LLC Dba WILDERNEST LIQUORS; Liquor Store; Casey Snyder; Located At 11 Fawn Court, Silverthorne, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT E - WILDERNEST LIQUORS RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

F. Liquor License Renewal For Haywood Café Inc. Dba HAYWOOD CAFÉ; Hotel & Restaurant; Kristopher Huffman; Located At 23110 U.S. Highway 6 #101-103, Keystone, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT F - HAYWOOD CAFE RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

G. Liquor License Renewal For Spoon Café LLC Dba SPOON CAFÉ; Hotel & Restaurant; Kelly Baldwin; Located At 195 River Run Road, Keystone, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT G - SPOON CAFE LLC RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

H. Liquor License Renewal For Koll Inc. Dba DOS LOCOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT & CANTINA; Hotel & Restaurant, Joseph Koll; Located At 22869 U.S. Highway 6 Unit #102, Keystone, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT H - KOLL INC RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

I. Liquor License Renewal For The Goat Inc. Dba THE GOAT; Tavern; Derek Jackson; Located At 22954 U.S. Highway 6, Keystone, CO (Clerk)

Documents:

CONSENT I - THE GOAT INC RENEWAL MATERIALS_REDACTED.PDF

Documents:

VI. NEW BUSINESS

Documents:

NB A1 - PLN20-044 STAFF REPORT.PDF NB A2 - PROPOSED PLAT.PDF NB A3 -PLN20-044 RESO.PDF

VII. ADJOURNMENT

*This agenda is subject to change at any time. Please contact the Manager’s Office or visit our website to obtain updates at: http://www.summitcountyco.gov BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 970.453.3402 ph | 970.453.3535 f 208 East Lincoln Ave. | PO Box 68 www.SummitCountyCO.gov Breckenridge, CO 80424

SUMMIT COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH & BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION AGENDA TUESDAYS AT 3:30 PM THURSDAYS AT 3:00 PM County Commissioners’ Meeting Room; Summit County Courthouse 208 Lincoln Avenue, Breckenridge, Colorado

Due to Public Health concerns and social distancing efforts, this meeting will be conducted virtually and the public is encouraged to join by following the instructions below:

To join by phone, dial (669) 900-9128 or (346) 248-7799 Webinar ID: 910 6016 3962 Password: 050060 Press # to bypass the Participant ID

To join from your computer, tablet or smartphone: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/91060163962 Password: 65GpkjKYI!

I. Standing Agenda Items/Updates

a. Local and Regional/State COVID Case and Hospitalization Statistics and Trends

b. Local Testing Statistics and Program Update

c. Vaccine Distribution Update

d. Transmission Trends

e. Public Health Order Update – Discussion of Any Changes

f. Communications Update and Discussion

g. Emergency Management Update

h. Economic Recovery and Support Program Updates

i. Community Indicators and Programs

II. Critical Topics Not Covered Above

III. Open BOH/BOCC Discussion, As Needed

IV. Executive Session, As Needed

*Agenda topics are subject to change at any time. Summit County Issues Amended Public Health Order

Includes Updates to Requirements for Short-Term Lodging Operations

Contact: Nicole Valentine, Summit County Public Health

SUMMIT COUNTY – Summit County Public Health issued an amended and restated Public Health Order Wednesday. The new order includes updates to requirements for short-term lodging operations to simplify the process of ensuring that renters are in compliance with the local public health order and to assist short-term lodging owners and managers.

All prior requirements and restrictions will remain in place, including a limit on public and private gatherings to no more than 10 individuals from no more than 2 households, and limitations on restaurant operations included in the most recent public health order.

The new order takes effect at 12:01 a.m., Friday, Jan. 22.

"We have seen an increase in COVID case numbers in our community since the move to Level Orange on the state dial,” Summit County Public Health Director Amy Wineland said. "It’s important for community members to protect themselves and their families by continuing to wear masks, keep gathering sizes small, maintain physical distance and get tested. We want to support our businesses and economy while helping to slow the spread of the virus with targeted mitigation measures.”

The number of new positive cases of COVID-19 among Summit County residents has increased and remains in the red Stay at Home level on the Colorado Public Health & Environment dial with 784.3 cases per 100,000 people. As of January 21, 2021, the county reported an 8.3 percent rolling 14-day average positivity rate.

Under the amended local public health order, owners and/or entities responsible for the booking and renting of short-term lodging units must confirm renters are aware of and are in compliance with the gathering size limits mandated by CDPHE PHO 20-36. Confirmation should be made by requiring renters sign, initial, or check-mark a document indicating they are aware of and in compliance with the gathering size limits. A sample STR Compliance Form is available on the Summit County Government Business Resources webpage. The new local health order will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m., Feb. 28.

The order may be amended prior to Feb. 28 should conditions improve or deteriorate as indicated by Summit County’s COVID-19 case numbers, positivity rate, and hospitalizations.

To view the local public health order, including the mitigation measures for events, businesses, short-term lodging, restaurants and bars, visit www.SummitCountyCO.gov/covid.

Summit County Expands 5 Star Program Allowances

Alcohol consumption cut-off time moved to 10 p.m. for certified restaurants

Contact: Nicole Valentine, Summit County Public Health

SUMMIT COUNTY – Summit County Public Health will now allow alcoholic beverage sale and consumption in 5 Star Certified restaurants up until 10 p.m. This is a change over the previous cut-off time of 9:30 p.m.

The change will go into effect Saturday, Jan. 23.

“We hope that this change gives restaurants that have gone through the process of 5 Star Certification the ability to expand their sales with the extra half hour,” said Public Health Director Amy Wineland. “This decision was made with a lot of consideration as we know that alcohol consumption can promote COVID transmission as individuals let their guards down and compromise mask wearing, physical distancing, hand hygiene and other precautions. We ask that businesses ensure that customers are continuing to follow the Restaurant COVID Guidelines and 5 Star protocols with this extension.”

In addition, public health officials have eased requirements on collection of contact information in order to make the process more manageable for restaurants. 5 Star certified restaurants will now be required to collect contact information from only one person per household. Previously, restaurants were required to collect contact information for every person in the group.

All prior requirements and restrictions will remain in place, including a limit on seating at tables to no more than 10 individuals from no more than 2 households, and limitations on restaurant operations included in the most recent public health order.

Visit the Summit County 5 Star Certified Business Locator for an interactive map of 5 Star Certified Businesses in Summit County. For more information on the Summit County 5 Star Business Certification Program, visit www.summitcountyco.gov/5star. To view the local public health order, including the mitigation measures for events, businesses, short-term lodging, restaurants and bars, visit www.SummitCountyCO.gov/covid. ###

Your Guide To Upcoming Classes, Workshops +

Events Check-out the full lineup of artistic opportunities that are on tap any day of the week. Step into oil painting, get your hands dirty at clay hand building or explore an art installation.

Workshops + Classes

New to BreckCreate: Virtual Classes Create from the safety of your home! Tools and materials are available to rent for online classes. If you would like to purchase your own, please visit the event descriptions on breckcreate.org.

Private Classes & Workshops BCA offers private workshops of varying lengths in the following mediums: ceramics, crafts and artisanal products, drawing, glassblowing, metalsmithing, painting, photography, printmaking, textiles/sewing, welding and woodworking. Class capacity depends upon medium. To schedule a private workshop, please contact Drea Edwards at 970-547-3116 ext 3 or [email protected].

Mucky Buddies – Take + Make Craft Kit Sun, Jan 31 @ 10am A spin off of the Muddy Buddies kids ceramics class, Mucky Buddies is a non- ceramics sculpture class. We’ll make our own sculpture and art objects using mostly household items and explore different ways of creating and having fun with our homemade materials.

Developing Drawing Skills – Online Sun, Jan 31 @ 2pm This all levels drawing class focuses on strategies and exercises for drawing from life as well as the imagination, while exploring different drawing medium and approach. Each week we will cover different aspects of drawing as we practice skills in observation, understanding light, elements of design and composition while not taking ourselves too seriously and have fun!

Winter Wonderland Plein Air Tues, Jan 26 & Tues, Feb 2 @ 9am This class will take advantage of the beautiful winter scenery by taking our paints outdoors! We will spend the majority of class outside learning about light, color and layers in nature. All levels are welcome!

Toddler Art – Take + Make Craft Kit Tues, Jan 26 & Fri, Jan 29 @ 11am Entertain your toddler with mini-crafts for mini-artists. Projects are for ages 1-5 and provide parents an opportunity to be creative with their young ones. Reserve online and pick up your craft kits to complete them in the safety of your own home!

Crochet Circle – Online Tues, Jan 26 & Tues, Feb 2 @ 2pm Crochet Crafts is designed for beginners to learn to crochet with basic stitches and techniques, learn to read patterns and design your own crochet crafts. For example, a 5 x 5 square pattern will be used to build a scarf or vest.

Young Writers Club Tues, Jan 26 & Tues, Feb 2 @ 5pm Join us each week for inspiration, collaboration, and guidance in creative writing. We spend time each week writing, discussing a different novel, sharing our work and offering positive feedback for each other’s writing.

Kids N’ Clay – Online Thur, Jan 28 @ 6pm This class is designed for children to explore creative projects using ceramic clay through pinching, coiling and slab techniques. Each session will be a different project from sculpture to utilitarian to stimulate creativity in a playful way.

Clay Hand-Building – Online Thur, Jan 28 & Thur, Feb 4 @ 6pm This class will explore clay hand building through the method of slab construction and slab manipulation, pinching and coiling to create decorative and also functional pieces. Projects will include cylinder vessels, slab boxes and pockets, tumblers, cups, mugs and plates. This class will also explore using underglazes and sgraffito techniques for surface decoration as well as texture techniques and slip trailing that will make your utilitarian pieces come to life with design.

Oil Painting – Online Fri, Jan 22 & Fri, Jan 29 @ 1pm A fun and vibrant afternoon class for all levels with no experience necessary. Participants will learn about the basic of oil, form, and materials needed to bring a painting to life. With step by step instruction and guidance, participants will create a winter themed painting.

Linocut Printmaking – Online Fri, Jan 22 & Fri, Jan 29@ 6pm This beginner class will focus on linoleum block printmaking techniques. Participants will learn about printmaking materials as well as how to use tools safely to create a finished print by the end of class.

Glass Beaded Jewelry – Online Sat, Jan 30 & Sat, Feb 6 @ 6pm In this class, participants will create beautiful jewelry pieces choosing from handblown glass focal beads and finishing them with a variety of complimentary beads.

MORE INFO

Special Events

BCA's special events are a series of year-round happenings that includes concerts, educational programs, creative forums, open houses, tours, family activities and other community gathering opportunities within the Breckenridge Arts District.

Online Date Night: Light My Fire – Candle Making

Mingle and make from the safety of your home! Try our first virtual Date Night and create candles with Breckenridge Candle Cabin! These all natural, non-toxic,

environmentally safe aromatherapy candles that will revitalize your spaces and mood.

MORE INFO

Storytime with BreckCreate

This winter BreckCreate is providing short storybook sessions free to the community via our YouTube and Facebook pages. Let your family join ours every Monday, Wednesday and

Friday at 11:00am for Storytime with members of the BCA community. Recommended age for Storytime is 1-5 years.

Facebook YouTube

Exhibitions

BCA’s exhibition program is a contemporary series of seasonally rotating installations, events and interventions employing visual art, performance, film, digital media and social practice.

Instructor Exhibition 2020 Jan 26- March 28 | Old Masonic Hall

The exhibition brings together works by the instructors from the Arts District Campus to showcase the incredible wealth of local creativity and talent in Breckenridge,

Colorado.

About BreckCreate

Breckenridge Creative Arts (BCA)—or BreckCreate for short—supports and serves artists, creatives, cultural enthusiasts, residents, visitors, and the community at large by providing a year-round schedule of performances, exhibitions, screenings, classes, workshops and other engagement opportunities throughout Breckenridge, Colorado.

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Trouble viewing this email? Click Here.

Dear Peyton,

Thank you so much for your continued support of the BOEC. Your friendship and encouragement throughout this challenging time has kept us going and we’re extremely grateful for that.

Because of your past support I want to pass along information about the Banff Mountain Film Festival’s virtual program which is happening in place of the annual festival BOEC has hosted here in Breckenridge for the past 10 years. And it's easy.

All you have to do is click https://filmfest.banffcentre.ca/?campaign=WT-158810 - or the button below - and choose from a selection of film programs. You can currently choose between the Amber or Onyx programs, with the Ruby and Sapphire programs coming on February 4th. A single program purchase is $15 (3-day rental period) or you can purchase a bundle of both (Amber/Onyx or Ruby/Sapphire) for $28 (14-day rental period). Details and the selection of films are outlined on the webpage, and you’ll be happy to know that using this link will direct a portion of every program purchased to support BOEC’s adaptive programs.

This is a great sampling of the full Banff program which, fingers crossed, we’ll be showing later this year, at the Riverwalk Center or in a safe outdoor setting with a brand new lineup of films. Most important of all, this fantastic selection of films is a reminder that life in the outdoors fuels our health and hopes, and why the work of the BOEC is so important to the people we serve.

When life looks like it’s getting back to normal and we have more details on how and when we’ll present the full Banff show, I’ll be back in touch. In the meantime, if you have any questions please reach out to me at [email protected].

Until then, stay safe and healthy and thanks again for your friendship and support of BOEC.

Barry Rubenstein Marketing & Events Manager

VIRTUAL BANFF PROGRAM

World Tour Teaser - Amber Program World Tour Teaser - Onyx Program

World Tour Teaser - Ruby Program (Feb. 4)

The EAGLE News from the Colorado Mountain College Foundation

MAKE A GIFT

LEARN MORE

ALUMNI INFO

CMC's Rural Nursing Success Fund kicks off with major grant The CMC Foundation has recently received a grant from the Johnson & Johnson Foundation through the Johnson & Johnson Center for Health Worker Innovation. The Rural Nursing Success Fund allows CMC to add virtual simulation modules for its nursing students and instructors, and additionally creates a nursing income share agreement fund to provide students with an innovative way to fund their education. Learn more »

CMC scholarship Read with us! Join Climate change available for CMC's Common mural project displaced workers Reader program coming to CMC

The CMC Responds: Back to The Sun Does Shine: How I The energy nonprofit Work Scholarship is available Found Life, Freedom and Community Office for to support displaced workers Justice is a story of hope Resource Efficiency (CORE) affected by layoffs because from Anthony Ray Hinton is creating a mural project of the COVID-19 pandemic. who was wrongly convicted that will span three CMC of two counts of capital locations (Aspen, We are specifically funding murder and spent 30 years Carbondale and Glenwood displaced workers who are on death Row at Holman Springs) to tell the story of interested in pursuing BOTH State Prison in Alabama. climate change. an Associate’ Degree and a Certificate program. The Participate in CMC's Titled “Stories of Climate degree and certificate can be Common Reader program Change/Historias del in any discipline but they and explore The Sun Does Cambio Climático,” the must be pursued together or Shine, along with your multicultural project will have the intent of completing community and CMC debut this spring as the both. Students also must students, faculty and staff. centerpiece of CORE’s third meet general COSI eligibility. annual “Imagine Climate” Take your reading project using art to inspire If you know any students who experience to a deeper level climate action. The project is may be eligible, please at one of two different virtual the result of a partnership encourage them to apply or events with the author on with the Inside Out Project, send us names to whom we February 24 or 25 (see the French artist JR’s global can reach out. events below). portrait initiative.

Learn More » Learn More » Learn more »

EVENTS For a full list of events at CMC please visit coloradomtn.edu/events

Meet Anthony Ray Hinton, author of "The Sun Does Shine"

Engage directly with Mr. Anthony Ray Hinton at one of two virtual speaking events February 24 or 25 at 7 pm.

Learn More »

January 21 - February 4 CMC Carbondale (virtual) ANXIETY MANAGEMENT IN TIMES OF CHANGE / This three-session workshop includes an overview of control and feelings, and an introduction to coping skills. Learn More »

January 26 Collegewide BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING / Learn More »

January 26 CMC Breckenridge (virtual) A TASTE OF THAILAND - ONLINE / Cook along with us live from your home kitchen as we prepare Fresh Spring Rolls with Hoisin Peanut Dipping Sauce, Green Curry Chicken, Fragrant Jasmine Rice and Fried Bananas. Learn More »

January 26 - March 9 CMC Salida (virtual) COVID-19 GLOBAL LESSONS LEARNED: INTERACTIVE CASE STUDIES / This course is a series of six interactive case studies that aim to give a comprehensive overview of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn More »

January 28 CMC Steamboat Springs (virtual) JANUARY EVENT PLANNING - THE MAIN EVENT WITH JILL WALDMAN / From dinner parties to lavish private parties or corporate events, every event begins with good planning. Includes a special section on virtual events. Learn More »

January 28 CMC Glenwood Springs (virtual) HEALTHY BEHAVIOR CHANGE BY DESIGN / Healthy lifestyle behaviors are the foundation of wellness and quality of life. Reset, redefine, and regain creative control of your personal, preventive wellness path with resilience and self-awareness. Learn More »

Helpful Links: CMC Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Make a gift to Colorado Mountain College Our tax exempt ID # is: 74-2393418. CMC Foundation Contact the CMC Foundation Staff Gifts to the CMC Foundation can be made in honor of, in memory of, or to thank a loved one. For more information call 970.947.8378.

Colorado Mountain College | 802 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Alesha Frederick January 20, 2021 970.945.8522 ext. 1210

Colorado River District funds first West Slope water project after passage of 7A Windy Gap Connectivity Channel is the first project funded by the River District’s new Partnership Project Funding Program

Glenwood Springs, CO — The Colorado River District’s Board of Directors finalized a new program that will fund West Slope water projects and approved funding for the program’s first-ever project.

The Partnership Project Funding Program will fund multi-purpose water projects on the Western Slope in five project categories: productive agriculture, infrastructure, healthy rivers, watershed health and water quality, and conservation and efficiency. Funding for the program was approved by Western Colorado voters as part of Ballot Question 7A in November 2020. These District funds will be directed to projects identified as priorities by communities, water users, and Basin Roundtables in the District. Importantly, the funds may catalyze additional investment from state, federal and private sources.

The board also approved $1 million towards the first project funded by the program: the Colorado River Connectivity Channel near Windy Gap Reservoir in Grand County. The long-planned yet underfunded project will receive $1 million in support of healthy rivers, watershed health and water quality. The Colorado River District’s financial commitment will allow project proponents to successfully leverage additional funding sources.

“The projects supported by the Partnership Project Funding Program will protect and sustain West Slope water for all of us who rely on it,” said River District General Manager Andy Mueller. “In launching this program and funding our first project, we’re fulfilling our promise to the voters who make our work possible. This and future projects will help build a brighter water future for Western Colorado.”

“On behalf of the citizens of Grand County, we thank our partners at the Colorado River District for their decision to fund $1 toward the Windy Gap Reservoir Connectivity Channel Project,” said Grand County Commissioner Kristen Manguso.

“These funds will help leverage the remaining dollars needed to construct this much needed project that will reconnect the Colorado River around Windy Gap Reservoir and provide so many environmental and hydrological benefits to the Colorado River and Fraser River in Grand County, and downriver, said Grand County Commissioner Richard Cimino.

“Thank you to all that are working so hard to get funding for this important project. This million-dollar award is exactly the kind of project these funds are to be used for,” said Grand County Commissioner Merrit Linke.

The goal of the Connectivity Channel is to establish a reconstructed river channel around Windy Gap Reservoir to reconnect the Colorado River and eliminate the reservoir’s negative impacts. Upon completion, the project is expected to improve river health and habitat and provide significant economic benefits to Grand County communities that rely on recreation. The channel is also expected to improve water quality for agricultural irrigators downstream.

“This infusion of funding for the Colorado River Connectivity Channel is imperative to the health of the upper Colorado River and our work at Trout Unlimited to see this project to completion," said Mely Whiting, Colorado water project legal counsel for TU. "Seeing a healthy river flowing with improved habitat for trout and other wildlife and increasing the economic opportunities for this region will be a dream realized as this funding will help leverage the final push to complete this crucial project.”

Windy Gap Reservoir is a shallow, on-channel reservoir that obstructs the movement of fish and other aquatic organisms in the Colorado River and degrades downstream habitat. The health of the river below the reservoir has been in decline since the reservoir was built in the mid-1980s, with documented losses of 38% of macroinvertebrate diversity – including the complete loss of giant stoneflies (a major food source for trout), the loss of native sculpin populations and a decline in trout biomass in this Gold Medal Trout fishery.

The project consists of four components: 1. Modification of the Windy Gap Reservoir to create room for the construction of the connectivity channel; 2. A natural channel, approximately one mile long, that connects the Colorado River around the newly configured reservoir; 3. A diversion structure that will divert water from the connectivity channel into the reservoir; and 4. Removal or alternative means to improve fish passage at a weir upstream of the reservoir.

For more information, you can read Partnership Project Funding Program documents presented to the board by clicking here. You can read the Windy Gap Connectivity Channel documents presented to the board by clicking here.

###

Employment Law Update with Dworkin, Chambers, Williams, York, Benson and Evens, PC

Friday, January 29 10:00 a.m. hosted virtually via Zoom - see details below

Topics that will be covered during this webinar:

 The Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act is intended to prevent disparities in pay. The law requires employers to inform employees about all opportunities for promotion and to provide specific compensation information in job postings. We’ll also discuss what employers are prohibited from doing, including asking about prospective employees’ wage history.

 The Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) governs the state’s minimum wage, overtime, and other wage and hour rules. We’ll discuss the most recent revisions, which includes new minimum wage rates and new exemptions.

 The Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act the minimum requirements for employees to accrue paid leave. We’ll discuss what leave employees are entitled to under this law in normal times and, more importantly, during the current pandemic. We’ll also discuss how this state law interacts with the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which has been extended through the end of March 2021.

ZOOM MEETING INFORMATION:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Summit Chamber | PO Box 5450, Frisco, CO 80443

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Video Update

January 20, 2021 Hello SSD Community,

Summit School District (SSD) has convened a Strategic Plan Steering Committee comprised of a diverse set of backgrounds, experience, and perspectives with representation from school district staff, Board members, scholars, families and members from across our Summit community. The Steering Committee is responsible for leading an inclusive, multi-phase process that will provide all stakeholders with opportunities to contribute to the development of a new District Strategic Plan. Please help us welcome our steering committee members! LISTENING TOUR SSD is seeking broad input and collaboration with stakeholders to promote an open and transparent strategic planning process while gathering comprehensive stakeholder feedback. We are committed to providing opportunities for all staff, scholars, families and community to provide input throughout the process. Broad community feedback is vital to developing a District Strategic Plan. To start the process for gathering insight, SSD will be hosting a listening tour starting in February to hear from scholars, staff, families and community.

The listening tour for scholars, families and community members will be held in North-End and South- End sessions in both English and Spanish. We will communicate the dates and times as they are finalized.

Data and information gathered from the listening tours will inform the development of a Graduate Profile that will ground the district strategic planning process.

Thank you for your collaboration and partnership as we develop a coherent vision and roadmap to guide District work moving forward. Committee bios and updated progress will be regularly provided on the District website, summitk12.org. Click to view the flyer

January 25, 2021 Hello SSD Community,

SSD is seeking broad input and collaboration with stakeholders to promote an open and transparent strategic planning process while gathering comprehensive stakeholder feedback. We are committed to providing opportunities for all staff, scholars, families and community to provide input throughout the process. Broad community feedback is vital to developing a District Strategic Plan. To start the process for gathering insight, SSD will be hosting a listening tour starting in February.

SSD, in partnership with Colorado Education Initiative (CEI), will facilitate Listening Tour sessions that have been designed for scholars, families, staff and community members in both English and Spanish. We understand that there may be time conflicts, in which you are invited to attend the session that best meets your schedule. Listening Tour Sessions for Scholars and Families:  SOUTH-END SESSION: BRE, UBE, FRE: February 3, 2021 @ 5:00pm-6:30pm (Register here: English| Español)  NORTH-END SESSION: SVE, DVE, SCE: February 4, 2021 @ 5:00pm-6:30pm (Register here: English | Español)  SMS & SP JR. HIGH: February 8, 2021 @ 5:00pm-6:30pm (Register here: English | Español)  SHS & SP SR. HIGH: February 9, 2021 @ 5:00pm-6:30pm (Register here: English | Español) Listening Tour Sessions for Community Members:  IN SPANISH: February 17, 2021 @ 5:00pm-6:30pm (Register here: Español)  IN ENGLISH: February 18, 2021 @ 5:00pm-6:30pm (Register here: English)

Data and information gathered from the listening tours will inform the development of a Graduate Profile that will ground the district’s strategic planning process.

Thank you for your collaboration and partnership as we develop a coherent vision and roadmap to guide District work moving forward. Strategic Plan information will be regularly updated on the District website, summitk12.org

Click to view the flyer

This newsletter contains information for Colorado municipal officials related to COVID-19. You will receive this email digest every other Tuesday. For questions, comments or suggestions, please email [email protected].

In this issue...

- New federal COVID relief proposal takes shape

- What’s next for the COVID-19 Dial? - Unemployment fraud causes problems for municipalities and individuals statewide

- Additional emergency rental housing assistance coming to Colorado

Upcoming events -

New federal COVID relief proposal takes shape Kevin Bommer, executive director

Last week, President-elect Biden announced a comprehensive plan for COVID-19 relief called the “American Rescue Plan.” The plan’s announced priorities include legislation to fund vaccines, provide direct relief to families, and support struggling communities. The president-elect’s announcement called the December legislation passed by Congress a “step in the right direction” but “only a down payment.”

In addition to specific proposals for a national vaccination program and aid to families via an additional $1,400 per-person check, housing assistance, access to childcare and healthcare, increasing the federal minimum wage, and additional unemployment insurance, the plan also calls for more small business assistance and state-local fiscal aid. The total proposal tops $1.9 trillion, and the full proposed plan is available here.

The National League of Cities (NLC), CML, and 48 other state municipal leagues – along with counties – have supported targeted local assistance for several months. State and local aid was left out of the December legislation, after Congressional leaders could not find compromise on aid and liability protections for employers. While the Biden plan is not specific, it is likely that the $350 billion for states and local governments will mirror what has been in recent legislative proposals. It would ensure that all local governments receive a specified amount that would be required by states to disburse, as opposed to the discretion given governors with the CARES Act last year.

Even though Democrats control both chambers of Congress, the legislation is still anticipated to encounter stiff resistance in the Senate. The chamber is split 50-50 with the vice president-elect serving as the tiebreaker, but the 60-vote cloture threshold (unless changed) will still require negotiations. Many Republicans are likely to take issue with the cost of the overall plan and will likely renew their insistence on employer liability protections. Liability protection is strongly opposed by organized labor, which will continue to make compromise on the two issues difficult.

A working draft of the American Rescue Plan is not yet available. Additional insight will be gained once language is proposed, and it is likely to be introduced in the House. In spite of the urgency President-elect Biden will place on passing the plan, it may take some time and the final package may look much different.

What’s next for the COVID-19 Dial? David W. Broadwell, general counsel

While no additional dramatic changes for the state’s color-coded COVID-19 Dial appear to be imminent, we received a few hints last week about what may happen in the future. Some version of the COVID-19 Dial has been in place since September, and the Dial imposes restrictions on businesses and gatherings in each county based on a two-week analysis of:

 Total number of new COVID cases per 100,000 population  Positivity rates from COVID testing  Hospitalization rates for COVID patients

Governor Polis indicated last week that once immunization rates begin to increase, the entire Dial will likely be revisited. For example, the vaccination rate in a particular county or in the state as a whole will be included in the public health order as another statistical factor that will allow restrictions to be relaxed.

We also gained insights last week from meetings with Kacey Wulff, the governor’s senior advisor on COVID-19 policy, including a forum CML hosted with municipal officials on Jan. 14. She indicated that, as the state gains more experience evaluating COVID risk factors, CDPHE may reevaluate the basic criteria (i.e. case numbers per 100,000 or positivity rates) that define whether a county qualifies for RED, ORANGE, YELLOW, etc. on the COVID-19 Dial.

On the other hand, Wulff told CML staff not to look for any repeat of the action Polis and CDPHE took on Jan. 4 when they switched every RED county to ORANGE simultaneously. This was a one-time action taken in recognition of the severe economic hardship caused by the RED level of restrictions on restaurants and other businesses over many weeks.

Another notable development last week: Pitkin County became the first in the state to reinstitute the RED level of restrictions, including a ban on indoor dining, even though the state had downgraded the county to ORANGE. The county was then promptly sued by the newly-formed Pitkin County Restaurant Alliance, with the restaurants essentially claiming that the shutdown lacked a scientific basis. Like all COVID-related litigation, CML will track the case and report back if there are any important developments.

Unemployment fraud causes problems for municipalities and individuals statewide Laurel Witt, associate counsel

Last week, municipal finance directors statewide alerted CML to two particularly alarming trends related to fraudulent unemployment compensation claims:

1. An unknown person filing a fraudulent unemployment claim for current or nonexistent municipal employees and, even though the claim is marked as fraudulent, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) paying out the claim; or 2. An employee of the municipality has received a mailing from CDLE which reports money received as unemployment compensation when the employee has not applied for unemployment compensation. The employee is then expected to pay taxes on this income they have not received.

Individual claimants and municipal staff who have attempted to contact CDLE have reported difficulty in getting ahold of the department to report fraud. These claims have increased tremendously in the past few weeks in Colorado.

CML sent out this email to municipal staff about this ongoing issue. CML has contacted CDLE and they are aware of the impact these fraudulent claims are having on all employers, including municipalities. We are working with officials in the Polis Administration, as well as the department itself, to understand how CDLE intends to prevent further fraud.

CDLE will soon be putting out information to municipalities on what the department is doing about these issues moving forward. CDLE is also working on addressing the ongoing fraud through new programs such as ID.me, a technology that allows for online, virtual and in-person identify verification before processing a claim.

CML will continue to update members as the situation unfolds.

Additional emergency rental housing assistance coming to Colorado Meghan Dollar, legislative advocacy manager

In the latest Coronavirus relief package, $25 billion was included for Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA). Similar to other funds the ERA will flow through Treasury’s Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). The program will be administered by states, the District of Columbia, territories, Indian tribes and Native Hawaiians, and local governments with a population of 200,000 or more who choose to participate. The funds can pay for:

 Rent (prospective and arrears)  Utilities and home energy costs (prospective and arrears)  Other expenses related to housing, as determined by the secretary  Services  Program administration

The Treasury Department has indicated it will release additional guidance in the form of an FAQ during the current administration, that is not available as of this writing. It is expected that further guidance could be released by the Biden-Harris Administration.

Of the $25 billion:

 $15 million is set aside for Treasury’s administration of the program, $400M for the territories, and $800M for Indian tribes and Native Hawaiians.  The remaining $23.8 billion is split among the states and the District of Columbia based on their share of overall US population, with a statutory minimum of $200 million per state.

The only three municipalities that qualify for direct allocation are the City of Aurora, City of Colorado Springs, and the City and County of Denver. The state’s allocation will likely go through the Division of Housing within DOLA. DOH is currently in conversations with the local governments receiving direct allocations. CML expects there will be ongoing conversations on whether other local governments should receive a portion of the state share of ERA funds.

Upcoming events Webinar: Promoting Colorado with Care

 Jan. 20 - Noon-1 p.m.

In partnership with the Colorado Tourism Office, this presentation will include the fall campaign, their new school-cation program as well as their dual focus for winter: using campaign resources 1) to drive recovery in the most afflicted parts of our state and 2) to share important safety message (winter backcountry safety and anti-super spreader). The safety messages are aimed at reducing impact on Colorado search and rescue operations and on rural public health resources.

Webinar: Streetlight Municipalization

 Jan. 27, noon-1 p.m.

In partnership with HR Green, this webinar covers several aspects of streetlight municipalization including: legal aspects; municipalization, privatization & operations; engineering & technical issues; Smart cities & emerging technologies; costs, benefits & alternatives and how cities can proceed. Speakers: Dave Zelenok, HR Green; Ken Fellman, Kissinger and Fellman and Paul Vesel, RealTerm Energy.

Webinar: 2020 Census

 Feb. 2 - Noon-1 p.m.

The US Census Bureau will present information regarding the 2020 Census.

2021 Legislative Workshop

 Feb. 11 - 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

This popular and timely workshop is being held virtually this year. It is your opportunity to discuss the key municipal issues before the General Assembly, CML's legislative program, and what you can do to influence the legislative process.

Registration fee:

 $49 for CML and associate members  $99 for non-members

Governor's Office Local Government Meetings These meetings, hosted by the Governor’s COVID-19 Response Team, DOLA, CDPHE and CDPS now take place on a fixed monthly schedule organized by DOLA region. The meetings are open to municipal officials, and the meeting day, time, and Zoom connection info can be found in the schedule. For questions about the meetings or schedule, please email Xander Martin, deputy coordinator for COVID-19 response, at [email protected].

State agency engagement opportunities Several state agencies host regular COVID-19-related engagements. You can find a comprehensive list here.

Colorado Resiliency Office Climate Adaptations and Futures Webinar Series

 First Wednesday of each month from noon-1 p.m.

The Colorado Resiliency Office and partners are hosting a Climate Adaptations and Futures Webinar Series to discuss timely, actionable solutions for Colorado's local governments seeking to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. The series focuses on Colorado-specific solutions, including background on how to get started, resources your local government can access today, perspectives from national experts in the field, and highlights and advice from communities across Colorado.

The series includes eight webinars held on the first Wednesday of each month from noon - 1 p.m. More information, registration, recordings, and printable "key takeaways" from each webinar are all posted online at: https://www.coresiliency.com/webinars.

CML's COVID-19 Resources Page

Privacy Policy GET THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT PERSPECTIVE Media Contact: Sarah Werner, Engagement and Communications Manager 1144 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 (p) 303-831-6411 ∙ (f) 303-860-8175 [email protected] www.cml.org NEWS RELEASE For immediate release

Survey of Colorado municipalities reveals resiliency in face of COVID-19 challenges

Jan. 19, 2021, Denver – Today, the Colorado Municipal League (CML) released the 2021 State of Our Cities & Towns Report, which examines the operational and fiscal impacts of COVID-19. The 2021 report, which is based on results of a survey conducted in the fall of 2020 of cities and towns statewide, is being released as an interactive online data story to provide a more visual narrative and encourage a deeper understanding of the municipal experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings from the 173 municipalities that responded show that while the impacts of COVID-19 on operations, revenue, and local economies are as varied as the municipalities that responded, Colorado municipal officials’ commitment to serving their communities is universal.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has sickened over a quarter million Coloradans, forced the closure of schools and businesses, and killed thousands of residents, has also drastically limited the revenue available to cities and towns at a time when they are working to continue infrastructure investment, support local businesses, and keep the people in Colorado municipalities safe. The 2021 State of Our Cities and Towns Report features stories of how the individual municipalities of Boulder, Englewood, Fruita, Lone Tree, and Rifle keep delivering for their residents despite the most challenging circumstances.

Key findings of the survey include:

Economic data:  51% of respondents report worse overall economic health and 46% report lower revenues in 2020 as compared to 2019. 16% report better overall economic health, and 27% report increased revenues.  41% of municipalities cut their general fund to balance their budget, including 7% who predict these cuts will be permanent.  71% of respondents report a negative fiscal impact to their utility due to postponing utility fees and shutoffs.  89% of respondents either have recovered or expect to fiscally recover within 24 months, 22% of large municipalities expect to take up to five years and 7% of small towns expect to never completely recover.

Municipal workforce impacts:  9% of responding municipalities furloughed full-time employees.  6% laid off full-time employees.  13% reduced hours of full-time employees.  34% have postponed filling vacancies for full-time positions, including 8% that have not filled 10 or more positions.  10% eliminated positions.  23% have frozen salaries.

Municipal response to community needs:  48% of municipalities offered direct financial assistance to businesses.  69% deferred payment of bills or fines.  16% expanded internet access or provided internet hot spots.  21% increased services to people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, including providing food, rent or mortgage support, hygiene stations, and hotel vouchers.

The full data story can be viewed here. Complete survey results can be found here.

CML is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established in 1923 and represents the interests of 270 cities and towns. For more information on the Colorado Municipal League, please visit www.cml.org or call 303-831-6411.

The Colorado Municipal League has several webinars in the upcoming weeks to provide our members with timely and valuable information.

Upcoming Webinars:

 January 20 - Promoting Colorado with Care o This presentation will include the fall campaign, our new school-cation program, and our dual focus for winter: using campaign resources 1) to drive recovery in the most afflicted parts of our state and 2) to share important safety messages (winter backcountry safety and anti-super spreader). The safety messages aim to reduce the impact on Colorado search and rescue operations and rural public health resources. o From noon to 1 p.m. o For more information and to register, click here.  January 27 - Streetlight Municipalization o Dave Zelenok, HR Green; Ken Fellman, Attorney-Kissinger and Fellman; and Paul Vesel, RealTerm Energy, would like to co-present on Streetlight Municipalization. o Topics would likely include: . Legal aspects . Municipalization, Privatization, and Operations . Engineering and Technical issues . Smart cities and emerging technologies . Costs, Benefits, alternatives and how cities can proceed o from noon to 1 p.m. o For more information and to register, click here.  February 2 - Census Webinar o U.S. Census Bureau will present information regarding the 2020 Census. o From noon to 1 p.m. o For more information and to register, click here.  February 3 - Promoting Colorado with Care o This presentation will include the fall campaign, our new school-cation program, and our dual focus for winter: using campaign resources 1) to drive recovery in the most afflicted parts of our state and 2) to share important safety messages (winter backcountry safety and anti-super spreader). The safety messages aim to reduce the impact on Colorado search and rescue operations and rural public health resources. o From noon to 1 p.m. o For more information and to register, click here.  February 11 - 2021 Legislative Workshop o This popular and timely workshop is being held virtually this year. It is your opportunity to discuss the key municipal issues before the General Assembly, CML's legislative program, and what you can do to influence the legislative process. o From 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. o For more information and to register, click here. . The cost of the workshop is $49 for CML and associate members and $99 for non-members.

IMPORTANT! Unless otherwise noted, these webinars are free to CML municipal members. If you are asked for a credit card or payment information after going through the process to register, contact CML at 303-831-6411.

REMEMBER! All CML accounts are registered through work emails, not private accounts. If you have issues with your username or password, please follow the instructions below:

On the login page, you will find links labeled Forgot username? and Forgot password?. Please use the appropriate link, if applicable.

 If you've forgotten your username, you will be prompted to enter your email address. An email will be sent to you with your username.  If you've forgotten your password, you will be prompted to enter your username. An email will be sent to you with a link that will allow you to reset your password.

For more information on webinars, visit www.cml.org > Networking & Events. If you are interested in a

training topic, contact Courtney Forehand, CML training and marketing specialist, at [email protected].

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NEWSLETTER

Vol. 47, No. 3, January 29, 2021

CML Board’s first meeting of 2021 features special guests Weinberg from Golden to fill the medium remarks and take a couple questions, and municipality vacancy created last month Sen. Hickenlooper will attend a future CML with the resignation of Darrin Tangeman, Board Meeting. CML has always maintained former Woodland Park manager. Tangeman strong relationships with Colorado’s federal is now the administrator in Truro, Mass. delegation, and Sen. Hickenlooper’s Weinberg, who was selected from among willingness to meet with CML’s Board is four highly qualified candidates, will serve greatly appreciated. out the remaining term and then may run to Other business of the Board included an be elected at the Annual Business Meeting update on CML’s commitment to equity and in June. diversity. CML Executive Board President The Board occasionally invites special Bob Widner, Centennial city attorney, has guests to meet with them, and this meeting made the issue his President’s Initiative. As featured two of them. Gov. Jared Polis part of the initiative, the Board established joined the Board to talk about Colorado’s a Subcommittee on Equity and Diversity, response to COVID-19, programs and which has been meeting with staff to efforts benefitting municipal interests, and guide the inclusion of additional content the strong state-local partnership that has on the issues in training and publications existed since he took office. Gov. Polis also for members. The subcommittee has also Gov. Jared Polis Mayor Laura Weinberg answered questions from the CML Board provided direction for additional training for on recent issues with unemployment both the CML Board and staff. By Kevin Bommer, CML executive director insurance fraud. The next regular meetings of the current The CML Executive Board held its first The very fluid U.S. Senate schedule CML Board will be Feb. 19 and Apr. 23, and meeting of 2021 on Friday, Jan. 22 and prevented newly elected Sen. John the new Board will meet immediately after kicked off the New Year by filling a Hickenlooper, Colorado’s former governor the election at the Annual Business Meeting vacancy and hosting two special guests. and former mayor of Denver, from being scheduled for June 24 in conjunction At the beginning of the meeting, the able to join the meeting. However, his state with the CML Annual Conference in Board unanimously approved Mayor Laura director, Shad Murib, was able to give some Snowmass Village.

Summary of the ﬁrst three days of the 2021 Legislative Session By Meghan Dollar, CML legislative COVID–19 related. An example is SB projected return date is Tuesday, Feb. 16. advocacy manager 21–001, which extended application In the meantime, the CML Advocacy Team The legislature met for three days starting deadlines in SB 20B–001, the business is working to move our legislative priorities Jan. 13, 2021 and wrapped up Friday, relief legislation that passed during the forward. Those priorities include addressing Jan. 15. Unlike most sessions, this brief special session. CML followed all introduced affordable housing, making changes to the convening of the legislature did not include legislation closely, however, the only one Law Enforcement Integrity Act, allowing pomp and circumstance such as speeches with municipal impact was SB 21–001. local governments to regulate plastics, and from legislative leadership and the Following Friday, Jan. 15, the legislature making clarifying changes to Colorado’s governor. The goal was to get in and get out temporarily adjourned. During the hiatus, open meetings law. in three days to pass necessary legislation legislators and some Capitol staff will For questions about the 2021 legislative without exposing anyone to COVID–19. receive the COVID–19 vaccine. The number session please contact Meghan Dollar The General Assembly ultimately passed of legislators and staff that receive the at [email protected]. seven pieces of legislation. The legislation vaccine will ultimately dictate the official included anything time sensitive and return of the General Assembly. The current

Empowered cities and towns, united for a strong Colorado CML welcomes register ahead of the Town Hall to receive the Zoom link. This session is open to the public Meghan MacKillop and all are welcome. CML is pleased to Important! These webinars are free to CML announce that Meghan municipal members. If you are asked for a MacKillop joined credit card or payment information after going the team as a legislative through the process to register, contact and policy advocate CML at 303-831-6411. on Jan. 25. Meghan Remember! All CML accounts are registered has eight years of through work emails, not private accounts. experience working with If you have issues with your username the General Assembly, spending the past or password, please follow the six years as a policy and research analyst instructions below: with Legislative Council Staff. During her On the login page, you will ﬁnd links labeled time at Legislative Council, she staffed Forgot username? and Forgot password?. the Education, Judiciary, and Agriculture Unless otherwise noted, all webinars take Please use the appropriate link, if applicable. committees. Meghan received her BS place from noon to 1 p.m. • If you've forgotten your username, you in Political Science from the University Feb. 2 - Census Webinar will be prompted to enter your email of Colorado and is a devoted Buffs fan. U.S. Census Bureau will present information address. An email will be sent to you with Meghan loves to cook and bake, and regarding the 2020 Census. For more your username. she's developed a talent for baking information and to register, visit • If you've forgotten your password, you will sourdough (her starter is named Ruth bit.ly/3bw0M4e. be prompted to enter your username. An Baker Ginsburg)! She is a Colorado native email will be sent to you with a link that will and lives in southwest Denver with her Feb. 11 - Town Hall: What Licensees Need to allow you to reset your password. husband, one-year-old-son, and hound Know: Delivery dog. Meghan will focus on transportation, The Colorado Department of Revenue's For more information on webinars, visit economic development, sustainability, Marijuana Enforcement Division is holding cml.org > Networking & Events. If you immigration, telecom and broadband, a Town Hall from 10:30 a.m. – noon. Please are interested in a training topic, contact public safety, and utilities for the CML see the Town Hall invitation at bit.ly/3iOBFv1 Courtney Forehand, CML training and advocacy team. for all important information, including the marketing specialist, at [email protected]. registration link for both Town Halls. You must

CML Legislative Workshop

NEWSLETTER

CML Newsletter (ISSN 7439903) is published biweekly by the Colorado Municipal League, CML 1144 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203-2207, for LEGISLATIVE Colorado's municipal officials. (USPS 075-590) WORKSHOP Periodical postage paid in Denver, Colorado. FEBRUARY 11, 2021 Designer and editor: Leslie Hough Circulation/mailing lists: Mark Vanderbrook This popular and timely workshop is being Date: Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 POSTMASTER: Send address change form 3579 to Colorado Municipal League, 1144 held virtually this year. It is your opportunity Time: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203-2207; (p) 303- to discuss the key municipal issues before For more information and to register visit 831-6411 / 866-578-0936; (f) 303-860-8175. the General Assembly, CML's legislative bit.ly/3snFBaL. The cost of the workshop is Subscription to CML Newsletter is offered as a program, and what you can do to inﬂuence portion of member dues. Cost to nonmembers $49 for CML and associate members and is $300 a year. the legislative process. $99 for non-members. Get this newsletter by email. The CML Newsletter is available by email three days before it arrives in the mail! Sign up at bit.ly/CMLNewsletter.

2 CML Newsletter Unemployment fraud causes problems for municipalities and individuals statewide

By Laurel Witt, CML associate counsel • An employee of the municipality has about these issues moving forward. CDLE An alarming issue has come to our attention received a mailing from CDLE which is also working on addressing the ongoing related to unemployment fraud. The number of reports money received as unemployment fraud through new programs such as ID.me, a fraudulent unemployment compensation claims compensation when the employee has not technology that allows for online, virtual and has increased overwhelmingly throughout applied for unemployment compensation. in-person identify verification before Colorado in the past few weeks, which has led The employee is then expected to pay taxes processing a claim. to major problems for municipal employers on this income they have not received. If you are the victim of unemployment as well as for any individual employees who Individual claimants and municipal staff who fraud, please contact CDLE to file a report may be the victim of identity theft. In some have attempted to contact CDLE have reported immediately. Reporting can be completed by municipalities, we are hearing that over half difficulty in getting ahold of the department to going to the CDLE website, bit.ly/2YcGBAn, of all the unemployment claims filed are report fraud. or via telephone at 303-318-9000. If you are fraudulent in nature. CML has contacted CDLE and they are looking to report a received a 1099-G form Our municipal finance directors are reporting aware of the impact these fraudulent claims resulting from a fraudulent UI claim filed in your two particularly concerning trends: are having on all employers, including name, please visit bit.ly/3cbJGJ5. • An unknown person filing a fraudulent municipalities. CML is working with officials As we learn new information, we will be unemployment claim for current or in the Polis Administration, as well as the communicating directly with our members and nonexistent municipal employees and, even department itself, to understand how CDLE ensuring consistent and timely information. We though the claim is marked as fraudulent, intends to prevent further fraud. understand your frustration and will be working the Colorado Department of Labor and CDLE will soon be putting out information to to assist all of our members on this issue. Employment (CDLE) paying out the claim; or municipalities on what the department is doing

3 January 29, 2021 DOLA awards $7.14M in Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Funds

By Heather Stauffer, CML legislative 70% of those funds allocated to DOLA and policy advocacy are used for local impact grant/loan funds. The Department of Local Affairs In addition, the federal government collects (DOLA) recently awarded $7.4 million to revenue from companies that lease local governments and other political federal land for mineral production, and subdivisions of the state through the the state receives about half of the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance revenue collected. Funds (EIAF). These funds are awarded Even in the best of times, severance tax to areas that are socially or economically revenue is prone to being volatile and affected by the development, processing unpredictable. In 2020, reduced domestic or energy conversion of minerals and and international travel activity hit the oil mineral fuels. Thirteen towns and and natural gas industry hard. International cities received awards, including Tier oil prices remain low and production in 1, Renewable Initiative, and Broadband Colorado has slowed significantly. In Awards. Among those towns and cities addition, ad valorem credits, which allow awarded was the City of Steamboat oil and gas producers to deduct property Springs, who received funds for the taxes from their severance tax liability, installation of solar panels at 13 local reduced severance taxes for many oil government facilities. The Town of wells to $0 in 2020. Legislative Council Hudson also received funding for Staff’s December 2020 economic forecast engineering and construction of an estimated total severance tax fund revenue open-access, middle mile fiber project for FY 2020–21 at $18.3 million, down for three regions within the town. nearly 86.1% from FY 2019–20. Because The Energy and Mineral Impact severance tax transfers are always one Assistance Funds are collected based year delayed from when they are upon revenues generated by severance collected, the outlook for 2021 EIAF is tax and federal mineral lease collections. likely to be significantly reduced as well. Severance tax is imposed upon While future estimates for FY 2021–22 nonrenewable natural resources that and FY 2022–23 show severance tax are removed from the earth in Colorado, moderately rebounding, the projected the largest sources of which are oil and revenue still falls below FY 2019–20 levels. natural gas, coal, and Molybdenum and metallics. Severance tax revenue is divided, and 50% of the revenue is allocated to DOLA.

In memory - Remembering long-time Greeley city attorney Rick Brady By David W. head city attorney by the city council, after Brady's love of municipal law was infectious. Broadwell, CML which he served a whole generation of He was always a go-to guy for other city general counsel councilmembers until his retirement. attorneys whenever we needed a little group One of our most Brady was a ﬁfth generation Coloradan who problem-solving or commiseration. He was outstanding municipal grew up in Littleton originally. He was widely generous in spirit and unfailingly projected attorneys in recent respected statewide by his peers and made a positive attitude that endeared him to his memory left this many contributions to CML and the legal professional colleagues. world way too soon community at large. Since his retirement in 2012, Brady continued on Jan. 19 at the age Brady was named Outstanding Municipal to serve his community and his church in of 66. attorney twice and served several stints as various capacities, enjoyed the great outdoors, Rick Brady served chair of CML's Attorney Section and the Metro and reveled most in his wonderful family, in the Greeley city attorney's office from 1988 City Attorney's Association, along with being including ﬁve kids and a growing brood until 2012. There was one early sign that Brady elected president of the Weld County Bar of grandkids. was a "natural" as a municipal attorney. He Association. He also served as the Colorado We will cherish his memory as a friend and started in an entry level position in Greeley, state chair for the International Municipal an inspiration. and within two years was appointed as the Lawyers Association.

4 CML Newsletter Be prepared for SolarWinds security threat

The guidance below is from the Office of 3. Consider a forensic examination 4. For additional gguidance Information Technology to provide local For organizations running (or with a The MS-ISAC created a website to governments with support against any powered off) SolarWinds Orion server, provide SolarWinds SLTT guidance; and SolarWinds security issues. Palo Alto will perform free forensics. other resources at bit.ly/3iG3SEr. 1. Understand the issue They require that you provide your 5. Join the threat sharing community You can learn more about the SolarWinds organization's external IP address(es) Lastly, if you are not a member of the threat in this helpful webinar: Unit42 and domain(s) and they will ask you to Colorado Threat Information Sharing SolarStorm Threat Briefing run a forensic file on your Orion server(s). (CTIS), you can sign up at this link: (bit.ly/3sRZPt7). Armed with that information they will bit.ly/3iTs32k. 2. Take action report whether they find any signs of CTIS is a group of vetted state and local The chart (bit.ly/39djX1a) provides a very compromise. For information on PA security personnel who share information good summary of which actions you SolarWinds Rapid Response visit about threats they are seeing in their should take, based on what version(s) of bit.ly/39dG1Zt. Note: you do NOT need environment, so that we can take action to SolarWinds you are running. to be a customer to take advantage of protect ourselves. Additionally, the CTIS this service! community has proven very valuable in providing support and assistance to each other during security events.

Member news

Bohannan Huston Lee manages Bohannan Huston’s Colorado developments, subdivision planning, and Announces Engineering group from their Denver office. award-winning civil site development Leadership His expertise includes leading design teams projects, while still maintaining an active Promotion in all civil engineering aspects of various role in the design process. As a LEED Jared Lee was design and development projects, including Accredited Professional, he has experience promoted to senior both private and public infrastructure with green building practices and design vice president and projects. He has experience in leading services for several LEED registered and/ shareholder. transportation, drainage and utility design or certiﬁed projects. Lee has been with BHI projects, residential and commercial since 2003.

5 January 29, 2021 CML releases updated Beer and Liquor Book

Beer and liquor licensing is of significant Updated appendices include fillable sample Arvada deputy clerk; Dawn Quintana, City and continuing concern to municipal officials forms for municipalities to customize for their of Longmont clerk; Mishawn Cook, City and staff, and licensing requirements can own needs. of Boulder licensing manager; and Aimee change frequently. A recently updated This 2020 edition was prepared by CML Jensen, City of Fort Collins deputy clerk. CML publication, Beer and Liquor Book, Associate Counsel Laurel Witt and CML Law Finally, the League extends its gratitude to provides a general introduction to the law Clerk Samantha Byrne following changes all the municipal clerks and other municipal and practice of beer and liquor licensing by of the beer and liquor statutes, including a officials who contributed their time and effort Colorado municipalities and the interaction recodification of the statutes. The League to this and prior editions of the publication. of municipalities with the Colorado Division thanks the municipal clerks and staff who CML continues to produce reference guides of Liquor Enforcement. helped in the updating of this edition of the and best practices publications addressing The publication is available online-only for book: Robin Eaton, City of Wheat Ridge key issues facing Colorado municipalities. PDF download at the CML store at deputy city clerk; Cheryl Aragon, City of For a complete list of CML publications, bit.ly/3qS1a1i and is free for CML members. Greeley clerk; Teri Colvin, former City of visit cml.org.

CML releases online resource listing water and wastewater funding sources for municipalities Much of the water infrastructure that serves The publication is available at municipalities is reaching the end of its bit.ly/3pi3RJp. useful life. In a 2020 report, Colorado The October 2020 edition of CML's Concern identiﬁed a $17.6 billion inventory magazine, Colorado Municipalities, also of water and wastewater projects in featured stories about water and water Colorado. A recently-released, online-only providers in Colorado. To download this CML publication, adapted and reprinted edition, please visit cml.org > Publications & with permission from the Environmental News > Colorado Municipalities. Finance Network, provides an overview of some of the major sources of funding available to municipalities for water and wastewater projects. This resource of federal, state, private and non-proﬁt funding opportunities includes application information and direct links to program websites.

6 CML Newsletter Advocacy, information, and training to build strong cities and towns

Research Corner: Survey of Colorado municipalities reveals resiliency in face of COVID-19 challenges

CML recently released the 2021 State of Our Cities & Towns Report, which examines the operational and ﬁscal impacts of COVID-19. The 2021 report, which is based on results of a survey conducted in the fall of 2020 of cities and towns statewide, is being released as an interactive online data story to provide a more visual narrative and encourage a deeper understanding of the municipal experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings from the 173 municipalities that responded show that while the impacts of COVID-19 on operations, revenue, and local economies are as varied as the municipalities that responded, Colorado municipal officials’ commitment to serving their communities is universal.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has sickened over a quarter million Coloradans, forced the closure of schools and businesses, and killed thousands of residents, has also drastically limited the revenue available to cities and towns at a time when they are working to continue infrastructure investment, support local businesses, and keep the people in Colorado municipalities safe. The 2021 State of Our Cities and Towns Report features stories of how the individual municipalities of Boulder, Englewood, Fruita, Lone Tree, and Riﬂe keep delivering for their residents despite the most challenging circumstances.

Key ﬁndings of the survey include:

MUNICIPAL BUDGET IMPACTS:

41% of municipalities cut their general fund to balance their budget, including 7% who predict these cuts will be permanent

Other funds cut include

36% 33% 20% 19% Capital Parks & Arts & Public improvements Recreation Culture Safety 71% respondents reporting a negative ﬁscal impact to their utility due to postponing utility fees and shutoffs

MUNICIPAL WORKFORCE IMPACTS: 9% 6% 34% of responding municipalities have postponed ﬁlling vacancies furloughed full-time employees laid off full-time employees for full-time positions 8% have not ﬁlled 10 or more positions

13% X 10% 23% reduced hours of full-time employees eliminated positions have frozen salaries

The full data story can be viewed at bit.ly/3qIZNlE. Complete survey results can be found at bit.ly/2M1h5LW.

7 January 29, 2021 January 15, 2020 Issue No. 27 https://mountaintownnews.net

Pumped-storage hydro life, the same as a humongous bank of Tesla batteries. plan for Yampa Valley Near Leadville, at Twin Lakes, the Mt. Elbert pumped storage hydro plant can filed with fed agency produce up to 200 megawatts. Operated by

the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, that by Allen Best pumped-storage hydro was completed in Conceptual work has begun on a 1981. pumped-storage hydro project along the Near Craig, the project—it’s really no Yampa River five miles east of Craig. The more than an idea—would use three project was conceived to provide electricity turbines to produce 600 megawatts, nearly to assist Colorado utilities in balancing the as much as Colorado’s largest coal-fired intermittency of wind and solar generation power plant. The idea submitted to the as they advance toward 100% renewable Federal Energy Regulatory portfolios during the coming Commission on Aug. 20 calls decade. Company hopes to use for two relatively small In pumped-storage hydro, transmission from reservoirs of storage water is released from a higher Craig and Hayden to capacity of 4,800 acre-feet reservoir to produce electricity help integrate each connected via a tunnel when needed most. The water and conduit, with a total in the lower reservoir is then renewable generation drop of 1,450 vertical feet. pumped uphill to the higher in Colorado This compares with a 1,200 reservoir when electricity has drop at Cabin Creek. become more readily available. The lower reservoir Colorado has two existing pumped- would not be on the Yampa River, nor would storage hydro projects. Cabin Creek it require a constant infusion of water. Generating Station, between Georgetown Rather, it operates in a closed loop. Only and Guanella Pass, harnesses a 1,200-foot water lost to evaporation would have to be vertical drop to produce up to 324 replaced. In an open loop hydro system, megawatts of electricity. Completed in 1967 water is drawn directly from a river to be and operated by Xcel Energy, it serves as pumped uphill. effectively a giant battery with a four-hour Matthew Shapiro, the applicant, says the preliminary permit awarded by FERC in November for the Craig-Hayden project is storage developer does during the site- best described as a placeholder for a future screening process.” license application. He hopes to begin The Craig site checks all the boxes. producing electricity toward the end of this Private land is easier to develop than public decade, just as several utilities in Colorado land, says Shapiro, and it has that. aim to achieve 100% renewable generation. Transmission lines export the electricity in See Nov. 24 notice in the Federal Register. three directions and to several states, but Creating pumped-storage hydro, he especially to east of the Continental Divide says, requires considerable patience but also in Colorado. The Hayden and Craig coal-fired capital. One project in Wyoming that stations together have 1,724 megawatts of Shapiro’s company proposes has an generating capacity, the most of any area of estimated cost of $1.8 billion. Colorado. The United States has not had a new Water is also needed. The two coal- pumped-storage project since 1993. The burning stations together own 15,000 acre- Craig-Hayden project is the only FERC filing feet from the Yampa River, far more than for Colorado. the 5,000 acre-feet needed for this project. The plants will close beween 2025 and 2030. espite its jumbled geography and Finally, a pumped-storage hydro project Dabundant water, the Centennial needs customers. Shapiro reports seeing a State actually is a difficult place for new promising market within Colorado. Two pumped hydro projects, says Shapiro. The utilities—Platte River Power Authority, a co- right kind of topography, with enough owner of the Craig plant, and Holy Cross vertical drop over a short distance but not Energy—both have adopted goals of 100% too much is needed, but also proximity to renewables by 2030. Xcel Energy, the transmission and low environmental primary owner of the Hayden units and a sensitivity. part owner at Craig, has a 100% emissions- “It’s a significant challenge. Finding the free goal for 2050. combination of factors is not easy,” Shapiro says. “But that is what a good pumped-

2 All analyses of attaining high levels of utility sees no need to make decisions about renewables in electricity supplies have energy storage until 2024 and does not focused on three crucial pillars: actually need it until 2029-2030. The three One, demand needs to be recontoured units at Craig will be shut down between to better take advantage of when 2025 and 2030. The two Hayden units renewables are abundant, such as linking operated by Xcel are to be shut down in warming of hot water to times of abundant 2027 and 2028. electricity. Second, energy supplies in Colorado 2019 report by Synapse Energy need to be better connected with a broader AEconomics that was commissioned geographic area, either to the west or by the Colorado Energy Office spoke to the possibly to the Great Plains and conceivably need for advanced energy storage as in both directions, thus allowing greater Colorado decarbonizes its electricity. ability to take advantage of renewable Storage can provide frequency energy. The sun might not be shining regulation, voltage support, energy arbitrage everywhere, but the wind is always blowing and deferral of transmission and distribution somewhere. There is actually some infrastructure investment,” says the report, predictability to this, if you get large enough “The Future of Energy Storage in Colorado: terrain. Opportunities, Barriers, Analysis, and Policy And third, there needs to be storage. Recommendations.” The Craig-Hayden idea envisions six-hour “Although pumped hydro is currently storage, compared to the four-hour value of the most prevalent type of energy storage in lithium-ion batteries. So-called green the United States, traditional battery storage hydrogen, which uses renewable electricity technologies (primarily lithium-ion) have to create hydrogen from water, can deliver experienced rapid market growth within the 50 to 100 hours of storage, but the last few years. As costs continue to decline technology and economics lag. “I think there in the coming decade, flow batteries are also is going to be a mix, particularly over the expected to become common in large-scale next 20 to 30 years before I think green storage applications.” hydrogen really matures,” says Shapiro. “We Pumped-storage hydro does not figure will see a mix of storage types. I don’t think prominently in the analysis by Synapse. we are going to do 100% renewable energy However, the consultant did find need for without additional advanced energy storage public policy that serves to encourage the technology.” market for storage in Colorado. Utilities have been closely watching “Though lithium-ion battery costs are developments. Duane Highley, chief projected to decline in the coming years, executive of Tri-State Generation and there is debate about whether they are Transmission, operator of the three units at expected to become cost-competitive with Craig, said on an October webinar that his

3 traditional generators prior to the late 2020s plans,” he explained in a telephone without supportive policy mechanisms.” interview. “So partners and I formed In removing two coal-burning units at GridFlex to identify the best new sites in the the Comanche station near Pueblo, Xcel country.” Energy is adding 275 megawatts of battery His partners now include David Gillespie, energy storage. On a vastly different scale, who served a stint with Duke Energy as vice United Power began using a 4-megawatt president of business development, and battery storage in late 2018. John Spilman, the general counsel, who has In viewing the Craig project, Shapiro provided services to Vestas Americas, hopes to time completion to the closure of among others. Shapiro is the chief executive. the coal plants. These projects require Utilities have shown much greater patience. interest in the last two years after solar Shapiro already has already prices tumbled and, in response to demonstrated great patience. In a life with consumers, many embraced 100% carbon- many twists and turns since his upbringing in free goals. But the time was not lost. “We the New York City borough of Brooklyn, spent a lot of those years honing our Shapiro by 1991 was on the Blackfeet Indian knowledge about how to make the business Reservation in Montana. In a paper titled E case,” he said in a recent phone interview. Pluribus Unum, Shapiro describes himself as “And we built relationships with equipment a “creator, an entrepreneur, a public vendors and environmental consulting firms philosopher, a conscious citizen, a writer, and others needed to move ideas into and a father.” projects.” In that paper, he says he was motivated Shapiro’s company, Gridflex, now in to help the Blackfeet and, in that outlook, he partnership with another company called began to wonder whether the steady winds rPlus Energies, a developer of utility-scale of the Montana reservation could be wind and solar, has filed with the FERC for harnessed to benefit the tribe. He quickly seven sites: two in Nevada and one each in grasped the limits of renewable generation. California, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, “Upon my return to New York, I Washington and Wyoming. immersed myself in the study of energy Most, like the Craig site, are storage as a means of helping wind energy placeholders in the FERC process. Two, in compete with conventional energy Wyoming and Nevada, have moved to a resources,” he explained. There were then second step with FERC, the pre-application 40 pumped-storage hydro projects in the stage. United States among well more than 100 In Wyoming, Shapiro last summer around the world. outlined a plan to use Seminoe Reservoir in Since then, in 1993, just one additional conjunction with a new reservoir on federal project pumped-storage hydro has been Bureau of Land Management property for a built in the United States. Many gas-fired capacity of 700 megawatts, somewhat larger plants were built, however, to address the than the Craig-Hayden proposal. The Rawlins need for peaking power. Please recommend Big Pivots to bout 2009, though, Shapiro noticed those interested in Colorado’s great Aa shift. transitions in climate, energy and “Renewable energy was surging, the more. interest in storage was starting to pick up, Subscribe at BigPivots.com and more and more utilities were mentioning pump-storage in their resource

4 Times reported that officials in Carbon County declined to endorse the project but were OK with the application with FERC proceeding. Cost of that project has been estimated at $1.8 billion In Nevada, progress came earlier with the White Pine project getting press attention in Ely in 2014. But it has moved little further along than the Colorado project. In Arizona, other developers have several proposals for even larger pumped- storage hydro projects. One using water from Lake Powell proposes to use the Denver’s Alliance Center transmission built for the Navajo Power now linked with electric plant now being demolished. It has a price tag of $3.6 billion. car batteries About the Craig-Hayden site, Shapiro At Denver’s Alliance Center, it will soon declined to identify whether his company now possible to keep the lights on by has agreements with landowners and other tapping the battery of an electric car. specific elements of what will be needed. He A bi-directional charger will be set up said he has begun outreach to utilities. before the end of March in the small parking Holy Cross Energy might be one such lot outside the 40,000-square-foot building, utility. Its service territory includes Vail and a red-brick structure originally built in 1908 Aspen but also Rifle, which is within 100 and retrofitted with modern sustainability miles of the pumped-storage hydro, standards. connected by a major transmission line. In Boulder recently set up a Fermata bi- its resource plan posted in 2020, Holy Cross charger outside its North Broadway specifically mentioned pumped-storage Recreation Center. In an experiment, the city hydro as one option for being able to attain wanted to figure out how much it could use its goal of 100% renewable generation by the electricity from the car battery instead 2030. of the electricity delivered by Xcel. This Jonah Levine, who wrote a master’s matters during times of peak use, such as in thesis about pumped-storage hydro in 2007, late afternoon, when rates spike, reflecting now works in the realm of biomass for increased demand. See story posted Dec. 8. Louisville, Colo.-based Lignetics. Because peak demands can still be met “The evolving story is not of wind vs. with electricity generated by natural gas biomass or even traditional resources vs. peaker plants, there is a climate change renewables,” he says. “The real question is component, too. Shaving the peak of how do we deploy these things together in demand reduces reliance on fossil fuels. the most efficient and effective ways? I The Alliance Center is now home to don’t see that story enough. What is the many of Colorado’s conservation best utilization of the resources to our organizations. The Fermata Energy V2B society? System allows the building to draw on the Please recommend Big Pivots energy of the car battery when it’s useful to do so, and the building’s electricity can in Subscribe at BigPivots.com turn charge the car battery.

Taylor Park Reservoir lies 36 miles from Crested Gunnison County Electric Butte and the same distance to Gunnison. at 1% local generation but Tri-State will close three of the big coal- aiming to get to 7% burning units in Colorado from 2025 to CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. – At least in part, 2030. It has agreed more broadly to reduce it took a Swedish lass crossing the Atlantic carbon emissions in the electricity it delivers Ocean to move the needle in Crested Butte. within Colorado 80% by 2030 as compared In 2008, Crested Butte adopted a to 2005 levels. This will require the resolution affirming climate change action. wholesale provider to crimp the carbon it And then it did essentially nothing. It wasn’t imports into Colorado from coal plants in for lack of good intentions. But there was no Wyoming and Arizona. plan, no clear idea of how to move forward. In addition, Tri-State has loosened Crested Butte was not alone in this fumbling. restrictions on how much Gunnison County Change is happening now. Some of that and other member co-ops can generate. The is in transportation. The town has two original policy allowed a maximum of 5% electric motorcycles for use by municipal local generation. Gunnison County even now employees and is getting an electric SUV for is well below 1%. A new policy adopted in police use. It will be a Tesla. If electrification late 2019 allows member co-ops to achieve of medium-and heavy-duty vehicles lags, the up to 2% or two megawatts of generation, town intends to get an electric dump truck, whichever is less. For Gunnison County, when they become available. that’s 2%. That gives the co-op a maximum Electricity for these vehicles is getting of 7%. cleaned up, too. Crested Butte gets In December, Gunnison County Electric electricity from Gunnison County Electric, a completed a 101-kilowatt community solar co-operative that is among 42 that together array on the shop building at the compose Tri-State Generation & headquarters near Gunnison. Transmission.

6 Next comes a solar farm—if the details The idea of harnessing the power of get worked out—on the edge of Crested falling water has been talked about for at Butte. The town is providing three or four least 20 years. Many dams have been so acres and has agreed conceptually to the retrofitted in recent years: Pueblo, Granby, idea of purchasing the renewable energy and Ridgway, among others. See 2015 story, attributes from the solar installation, enough Putting the electric harness on old dams for the 20 buildings and other pieces of The Montrose-based Uncompahgre infrastructure that the municipality owns. Valley Waters Users Association will take the This includes the town hall, of course, but by lead on filing with the U.S. Bureau of far the largest is the wastewater treatment Reclamation for installation of an electric plant. The town will be paying a premium of turbine on the dam. The plan is to be able to $20,000 annually. realize 200 kilowatts of production. A Key to the town’s commitment, says maximum of 3 megawatts would be Crested Butte Mayor Jim Schmidt, is the possible, but that would require new understanding of “additionality.” There will transmission. be clear evidence that the money being The power from the dam will provide spent has produced something tangible. It’s steady baseload generation. Those involved, at home, not a wind farm in Iowa or a solar including Gunnison County Electric, hope to farm in Arizona. get the project finished in 2022. This is very different from the Why now for these projects? Mike philosophy of Vail Resorts, now the owner McBride, chief executive of the co-op, calls it and operator of the Crested Butte Ski Area, an alignment of the stars. “We’ve wanted to which happens to be the largest consumer do it for many years. of electricity in the Gunnison Valley. It Crucial to the solar project at Crested famously sealed a pact on a wind farm being Butte, in particularly, was the community completed in eastern Nebraska that desire and support for reduction of produces enough electricity, on a net basis, greenhouse gas emissions. There have been for all of the ski and resort company’s many various community goals set and operations across the country. It doesn’t engagement, not only by local governments, actually get the electricity, but it does get but also individual citizens. the renewable attributes. See 2015 story, “There’s a story here, how much The murkiness of voluntary RECs. difference individuals and communities can The Crested Butte site is imperfect. But make when they’re willing to step up and all sites in the Gunnison-Crested Butte area make it happen.” fell short. This particular site has more The Taylor Park project again was a serious snow-loading and it gets in the matter of time, gaining agreement among shadows earlier in the afternoon than other partners that it was worth pursuing. But locations. Other sites, however, had other again, he sees a desire for local generation problems, including infringement into being part of that underlying support. habitat of the Gunnison sage grouse, an In Crested Butte, Schmidt points to the endangered species. power of an individual far removed in motivating local people. He says the unnison County Electric will also powerful message delivered two years ago Gadd to its local generation as the to the United Nations by the Swedish girl, result of the addition of a turbine at Taylor Greta Thunberg. That, he says, was the Park Dam. The dam is located in the western turning point. folds of the Sawatch Range near Crested Butte.

7 offered a message to PUC staff members Ackermann: government who were never answerable directly to the regulation has a legitimate PUC commissioners but nonetheless have a role in regulating public utilities from and noble public purpose railroads to telecoms to electrical and gas DENVER – In bidding farewell to the utilities. Their work, he wanted them to Colorado Public Utilities Commission last know, was honorable. They were doing the week, Jeff Ackermann heard kind words and bidding of the public. then spoke from the heart. Ackermann described it as a sense of Regulation should not be viewed as a calling, this work of regulation. It offers bad word, he said. It’s neither great financial compensation nor good work, necessary high prestige, but it is of public benefit. work, and at times very Not all see it that way. He pointed to a taxing work, and it is on trajectory that began in 1986 when behalf of the public. President Ronald Reagan famously said he Ackermann had believed the nine most terrifying words in chaired the 3-member the England language are: “I’m from the PUC since 2017 but was government, and I’m here to help.” not reappointed by That has led to the framing of the idea Gov. Jared Polis. Jeff Ackermann that “government is the enemy of the Meghan Gilman, public, and regulation is the worst part of the newest commissioner, said that she had government,” said Ackermann. “This has led not actually met Ackermann in person since to a time in which it “can be difficult to one’s she became a commissioner last March. political ambitions to acknowledge John Gavin, who lives outside Paonia, regulation.” introduced his cat, Tulip, who he said had The issues of water, clean air, and been wanting to join their weekly meetings electrical generation are so complex that it’s since March. impossible for any one person to bring the Bryan Hannegan, the chief executive of expertise to the table necessary to bear Holy Cross Energy, offered words of witness for the public benefit. “We need to commendation from what he called “co-op remember that regulation has a legitimate nation.” He called out Ackermann’s role in and I would say noble purpose.” advancing work on distribution network Even as Ackermann spoke on Jan. 6, a planning, a wonkish but ultimately very mob had gathered outside the Capitol in important piece of creating the grid of the Washington D.C. and had begun to invade future. “I think that is a great foundation for the building itself, many bent on the future of our state,” he said. destruction. Soon, a police officer was being Ackermann said he gained a much killed, a lectern was being carted off, and deeper appreciation of the work of a PUC self-congratulatory selfies were being taken. chairman in the last four years, but also

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8 Why efficiency has become a big part of energy in Colorado during 21st century by Allen Best

Howard Geller would never be found marching to close a coal-fired coal plant. He’s an activist with a carefully defined mission, but street protest is not his style. To see his handiwork you must dive deep into the filings of state utility commissions, go to legislative hearings, perhaps follow around a few of his 7 employees in Colorado and 6 in other states where the Southwest Energy energy, of saving kilowatt-hours. It’s a cost- Efficiency Project operates to understand effective resource,” he says, a line he has how Geller has shaped the energy pivot of likely used thousands of times in the last 40 the last 20 years. years. Two decades after he moved to In 1981, Geller had moved to Colorado and founded SWEEP, Geller is Washington D.C. hoping to land a job with moving on into the world of consulting, an environmental organization. He had a leaving his office and position as executive new master’s degree from Princeton in director to Elise Jones, who will mechanical engineering, and his master’s simultaneously end her second of two terms advisor alerted him to a new organization as a commissioner in Boulder County. called American Council for Energy Efficiency “Twenty years is about the right amount of Economy that had funding for a Washington time,” he said last Friday. office. Would Geller like to be that first In 2001, when Geller moved from employee? “That sounded great,” he Washington D.C. to Boulder, utilities in remembers. Colorado and other southwestern states devoted little effort to energy efficiency. his was the first year of the Major electrical utilities in the Southwestern T presidency of Ronald Reagan, who states then spent $20 million to help their famously had the solar panels installed by customers save energy and reduce their the prior White House occupant removed. bills. Today, the amount has increased But in 1987, Reagan signed into law the almost 20-fold. Those same utilities in recent National Appliance Energy Conservation Act. years have been spending $350 million to The law significantly elevated the federal $400 million to promote energy efficiency. presence in ensuring uniformity of minimum “Comprehensive energy efficiency levels of refrigerators, clothes dryers, and programs are now standard for utilities,” he other household appliances. says. The utilities “realize their customers Geller had a role in shaping the law. In a like these programs. They realize that saving 1996 paper published in a journal called energy is the least costly way of providing Energy and Buildings, he said the regulations

9 were projected to displace the need for 31 businesses,” he says. “There are programs large (500 megawatt) baseload power plants for every customer.” by 2000. Today, Geller calls it the most Colorado, he reports, has moved up to important legislation yet in advancing 11th place among the states in the annual energy efficiency other than the adoption of ranking by American Council for Energy the so-called CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency Economy. Nevada was the most Economy) efficiency standards for improved in that 2020 ranking and New automobiles in 1975 and updated several Mexico has moved up a lot. He credits Salt times then. River Project, the utility serving the Phoenix A self-described workaholic, Geller in area and a part-owner of coal-fired power 2001 was tiring of plants in northwestern Washington and wanted an “It’s not a good idea to Colorado, with being an improved quality of life for waste energy, whether outstanding utility. himself and his young family. it’s fossil-based energy or “It’s not a good idea to Looking across the nation, he waste energy, whether it’s saw the Southwest as renewables.” fossil-based energy or lagging. Abundant low-sulfur renewables,” he says. coal yielded relatively cheap electricity. Like Amory Lovins, who co-founded the Saving energy had seemed less imperative. Rocky Mountain Institute in 1983, the career And there was also the 20th century mindset of Geller was strongly influenced by the Arab that the way to prosperity was through oil embargo of 1973. The scarcity of oil production, not efficiency. produced new attention to energy With the help and funding sources of ecosystems, the links between energy and Law and Water Fund of the Rockies, now the environment, and the alternatives. called Western Resource Advocates, and Then an undergraduate student at that organization’s Bruce Driver and John Clarke University, a liberal-arts institution in Nielson, he started SWEEP. Boulder was, and Worchester, Mass., Geller co-majored in is, the headquarters. physics and what is now called environmental studies. Then, for his rom the start, SWEEP has differed master’s thesis at Princeton, he modeled F from other major environmental community energy systems, looking at organizations in its narrow focus on energy technical performance as well as their efficiency. SWEEP makes the argument to environmental and economic performances. both utilities and state regulators that energy efficiency can work for both the eller has a global outlook. He spent customers and the utility. Xcel Energy, an G16 months in India after receiving investor-owned utility, can recover the his master’s degree in what he describes as money invested in these programs through his personal Peace Corp-type experience, rates on customers, just as it would if working with a very inspiring individual on building a new power plant. Customers still technologies for rural areas. A few years get lower bills. “We have made energy later, he was given a fellowship in Brazil. efficiency a win-win for customers and Learning Portuguese, he earned a doctorate utilities,” says Geller. in energy policy from the University of Sao “Xcel is now spending more than $100 Paulo while helping start Brazil’s National million a year saving customers electricity Electricity Conservation Program. and natural gas with programs for low- While in Brazil, Geller met a woman who income households, other households, small became his wife. In choosing to relocate to businesses, larger businesses and very large Boulder, activities such as snowboarding and

10 track and the quality of education available now become moderately blue. But Colorado at the Boulder High School contributed to had and still has a lot of fossil fuel their choice. production, a lot oil and natural gas production and some coal production,” he eviewing his career, Geller admits to points out. R occasional discouragement but insists that he generally remains optimistic. ow, Colorado has begun to “We have made a lot of progress,” he says. Ndemonstrate that transition can be He cites the 130 laws that SWEEP has helped done rapidly and cost effectively while still pass in Southwestern states. tending to needs of economically “Clearly the politics matter. We have disadvantaged communities, he says. More opportunities at times, and lack of than a coastal state, Colorado can provide opportunities at other times, depending an example for other interior states. upon the political environment. The Trump Coal plants are now being rapidly administration has been a disaster for the retired, he says, but energy efficiency will clean energy transition, but we need to remain very important in helping facilitate make up for that during the next few years. high levels of renewables. The essential task Colorado was a backward state (when I got is to contour or shape demand to better here) but things really got rolling in a big match supplies of renewables. This can be way under Gov. (Bill) Ritter. New Mexico and done through such things as smart Arizona now have progressive governors and thermostats and grid-connected hot-water great things are happening in those states.” heaters. He hopes senators from the Geller says SWEEP has studiously Southwestern states—perhaps Michael avoided blue-state, red-state deal Bennet or John Hickenlooper of Colorado or dichotomies. His organization works with Mitt Romney from Utah – will champion the Republicans as well as Democrats—and has case for an expanded federal role in this new accomplished much in Arizona during a time frontier of energy efficiency. when it has had a Republican governor, If his life has been pushing for Doug Dulce. At the same time, it has had incremental change, Geller is like so many almost no presence in Wyoming. others in seeing the need for a brisker Benefits of energy efficiency vary movement. “We can’t solve all our problems depending upon the locale. In some places, in one fell swoop in 2021,” he says. “But we it’s the jobs, in other places the climate, and, can’t delay. We really need to move in the in Salt Lake City, which often becomes next 5 years.” shrouded during winter months under an inverted cloud of toxins caused by emissions from cars and buildings, there’s a different Big task for Elise Jones will message yet. Colorado stands apart, now noted be to redefine efficiency nationally for its ambitions and accomplishments in the clean energy programs for new times transition. For Elise Jones, who will become “It’s not a traditional left-wing kind of executive director of the Southwest Energy state,” concedes Geller. “It’s not a California Efficiency Project in late January, one or a Vermont or a Massachusetts that is fundamental challenge will be to help design expected to be in the front. Colorado not programs that recognize changing needs of long ago had Republican senators and the 2020s. governors, then it moved to purple and has

11 Those deeply engaged in utility planning much of its living comes from drilling for and the regulatory process say if demand- natural gas and oil? side management programs stay the same, The executive order signed by Gov. they will risk falling behind in the rapid Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2019 mirrors that changes during the coming decade of of carbon reductions adopted by Colorado at beneficial almost exactly the same time: 45% electrification applied emissions below 2005 levels by 2030 and to transportation and 100% renewables by 2045. buildings. A recent progress report by the A Boulder County governor’s Climate Change Task Force found commissioner for the that hewing to the current path the state past 8 years, Jones in will get only halfway there. late January will The story says oil and gas produces 53% replace Howard Geller, of the state’s total emissions, the single who founded SWEEP in biggest sector. Transportation comes in 2002. He will remain Elise Jones second at 14%. Electrical generation is third with SWEEP through at 11%. In Colorado, transportation leads. February and has plans to become a New Mexico has two big fields of consultant. production for hydrocarbons. A portion of Prior to elective office, Jones was the Permian Basin lies in eastern New executive director of the Colorado Mexico, and then there’s the San Juan Basin, Environmental Coalition, the predecessor to which laps over into Colorado. Conservation Colorado, for 13 years. This differs from Colorado, where She is also a member of the Colorado Air transportation now leads; oil and gas comes Quality Control Commission, with a term in only third. ending in January 2022. It has become one Noah Long, who directs the Natural of the most important appointee boards in Resources Defense Council’s Climate and Colorado, given responsibility by 2019 Energy Program, says oil and gas sectors’ legislation for creating policies that will emission must be reduced more rapidly than result in dramatic and swift decarbonization had been understood. “It also means that of Colorado’s economy. every other sector in the state—whether it’s In addition, Jones serves on a variety of buildings, the electric generation sector or other boards, commissions, and committees. transportation and industry—will also have “Elise is a highly regarded and to increase or accelerate its decarbonization passionate clean energy and sustainability if we have any chance of meeting science- advocate, as well as an accomplished based targets.” nonprofit leader,” said Bruce Ray, chair of On paper, a new proposed regulatory the board of directors for SWEEP. framework would go far in curbing methane emissions. But where will the money come New Mexico struggles with from to implement the regulation? And there’s another, much bigger role of oil and gas as it aims problem for New Mexico. Oil and gas for carbon reduction goal revenues account for nearly 40% of the The Santa Fe Reporter tells of the pickle state’s budget. “The state’s heavy that New Mexico is in. Like Colorado, it’s dependency on oil and gas money has for stretching to achieve deep carbon decades left legislators and governors alike reductions. But how does it do so when so reluctant to cross the industry,” the Santa Fe Reporter notes.

12 See Power Struggle: New Mexico’s emissions reduction goals focus on energy but need to move on oil and gas

350.org says role of methane dramatically understated in Colorado carbon roadmap 350 Colorado released a report this week that insists that the oil and gas sector produces 70% of Colorado’s greenhouse gas emissions, compared to the state’s estimation of just 17.3%. “If Colorado truly wants to lead in global efforts to solve the climate crisis, our state must begin with an sophisticated technology can now better honest and accurate accounting of measure emissions. Colorado’s actual GHG emissions resulting However, 350 Colorado also points to from the oil and gas sector and use that to projections in the draft roadmap that guide policy decisions for attainment of our production in Colorado of oil will increase state’s GH emission reduction goals,” said 86% and natural gas 41% by 2030. If correct, Micah Parkin, executive director of 350 that will shoot emissions sky-high, says Colorado. Parkin. The 350 report criticized the draft Colorado Roadmap that was released in late September 2020 as relying on an outdated Colorado now has two of assumption that understates the power of the heat-trapping effect in the short term of nation’s three hydrogen the short-lived gas. It also says that electrolyzers researchers from Cornell University have A hydrogen fuel station is now operating shown the current methane leakage rates at Colorado State University’s Powerhouse reported by industry are unrealistically low. Campus along the Poudre River. The report relies on the work of The station contains an electrolyzer that Cornell’s Robert Howarth, author of will convert electricity into hydrogen and “Methane and Climate Change.” oxygen. It also has a compressor that can The report can be found here. compress the hydrogen for storage in tanks. Last summer, in adopting new The equipment had been in Washington D.C. methodologies for establishing a baseline for in a demonstration project. greenhouse gas emissions, officials with the With this station, Colorado has two of state’s Air Quality Control Division the three electrolyzers in the country. An acknowledged that Colorado has had a weak electrolyzer is also set up at the National baseline of emissions, especially from the oil Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden. and gas sector. New aerial observations The third is in California. from both airplanes and satellites that use

13 Bryan Willson, the executive director of CSU’s Energy Institute, told the Fort Collins Coloradan he expects hydrogen-fuel technology to expand into trucks, buses, locomotives, and possibly even large cargo ships. Amazon, he noted, already uses hydrogen to power forklifts at one of its warehouses near Denver.

“Hydrogen fuel cells are a big component of being able to reduce the environmental impact of transportation,” environmental impact of transportation,” he Willson explained. Renewable energy can be said. “Hydrogen is taken from an energy used to create the hydrogen from water. So, storage tank and combined with oxygen as Platte River Power Authority continues to from the air, and the product of that is water clean up its power supply, the hydrogen and water vapor, so sometimes you’ll see a produced at the Fort Collins plant will also fuel cell car will drip some water out of its become cleaner. plastic tailpipe,” he said. Tom Bradley, who leads CSU’s “But there’s no carbon dioxide, no air Department of System Engineering, told the pollution, no ozone depletion or anything Coloradan that hydrogen will play a big role like that.” in future transportation. See also CSU press release. “Hydrogen fuel cells are a big component of being able to reduce the

GRAND COUNTY ON CHRISTMAS DAY: The most startling statistic from the East Troublesome Fire is that it raced more than 100,000 acres in a day’s time. Those familiar with fire say this will happen again in Colorado and likely soon. Where you live? Look for an in-depth story in coming weeks in Big Pivots.

Chris Clack’s case for dramatic economy-wide decarbonization goals? Electricity is the key. It will be used to massive investment replace fossil fuels in transportation, home and hot water heating and, over time, in new transmission perhaps other sectors of the economy, too. Colorado has a goal of 90% carbon reduction by Allen Best by 2050. That’s economy-wide. Chris Clack made a key point in a So how do we reinvent the electrical grid presentation sponsored by the Denver to achieve those goals? Museum of Nature & Science called “The Clack, the principal at Boulder-based Future of Energy: Transmission.” Vibrant Clean Energy, described the need to If renewables locally can be understood reinvent the grid. The distribution grid was as variable and intermittent, that is not at all originally built simply to absorb power from the case on a regional or larger scale. centralized power plants. It worked. “It’s “The global heat engine runs constantly, very complicated, but without this system, driving wind and cloud patterns. The process we would not have the kind of society we is very well understood,” he said, describing have in the United States or elsewhere,” he solar irradiance and the distance between said. the Earth and the sun. Now, that system has to be reinvented. “Therefore, variability is a local effect.” “We would like it to happen in 20 years, but If you’re reading Big Pivots, you likely realistically it will be 35 years,” he said. understand where this is going. The Long-distance transmission will be a big background question is how can Colorado, piece of that. “It makes a lot of things New Mexico and other states achieve their easier,” Clack explained. It allows the grid to

15 be decarbonized, thus allowing the same idea was discussed at a recent decarbonization of buildings and information meeting about transmission put transportation. Even as energy efficiency together by John Gavan at the Colorado improves, this will result in need for more Public Utilities Commission. electricity, not less. All these things can be There were a few concerns about achieved with improved long- distance transmission. The additional benefit is that it will reduce the need to curtail renewables, such as when there is too much supply, and storage can actually be increased. None of this is particularly a new insight, and Clack pointed to several among the many studies of recent years, including an MIT study that had been issued the day before in the journal called Joule. Vibrant Clean Energy also expects to issue another study out in January, called Zero by Fifty, or ZBF. Clack—we could call him Dr. Clack, as of course, he has a doctorate—pointed to the need for high-voltage direct-current lines. All this will require considerable investment. That investment will be repaid by 2035 to 2040. Clack flipped that same coin: Not building a high- voltage direct current grid adds $1 trillion in energy costs to the nation’s economy by 2050. security, he said but in general “it could With this, Clack showed slides of the work.” added renewables his company’s study What about the inevitable inter-state envisions. He actually sees need for less need for transmission and the lack of additional renewable generation with coherent federal policy? improved transmission. But the increase he There needs to be a blueprint and also a and his team project is still striking. See the federal backstop for this new infrastructure, comparison in these two slides at right. he said, as there was with the federal In the Q&A, Clack was asked about the highway system. idea of running transmission underground, along railroad lines, perhaps, similar to fiber- optic lines in the 1990s and beyond. The

16 Carbon reduction that Colorado can crow about by Allen Best To announce his candidacy for governor of Colorado, Jared Polis in 2017 traveled to Solar Roast Coffee, a shop in Black Hills delivers both electricity and downtown Pueblo that claims to offer the natural gas to nearly 290,000 customers in world’s only commercial solar-powered Colorado communities. The utility delivers coffee roaster. electricity to Pueblo, Cañon City, and a mine That jibed well with the centerpiece of at Victor. The utility was responsible for Polis’s campaign, the goal of achieving 90% 3.5% of electrical sales in Colorado in 2018, renewable energy in Colorado by 2040. It according to the Colorado Energy Office. also helped that Pueblo had by then bucked Xcel Energy was responsible for 52.5%. its history as an industrial town built on the Even before Polis took office in early foundation of coal to proclaim a goal of 2019, Colorado utilities had announced 100% carbon-free energy, the first in several coal-plant closures. In the last year, Colorado. those announcements have been a torrent. Polis on Wednesday Tri-State Generation and Transmission in reported a major milestone. January 2020 said it would Polis crows about close Craig Station by 2030. Electrical utilities that deliver job creation as 98% of electricity in Colorado Colorado Springs Utilities in have now committed to deep Black Hills Energy pledges June said it would also close reductions in carbon by 2030. 80% carbon reduction its last plant by 2030. Just The utilities have agreed to this week Xcel announced clean energy plans that will get them to 80% plans to retire its Hayden units in 2027 and reduction compared to 2005 levels. 2028. In his latest video-shared press Platte River Power Authority in 2018 conference with a utility, Polis celebrated had announced it was getting out of coal by the ambitions of Black Hills Energy to file a 2030 and posited a conditional goal of 100% plan in March 2022 with the steps to get it renewable generation. Holy Cross Energy to the state’s 80% goal. specified the same 100% goal in December, In the meantime, Black Hills is now but without conditions. moving along toward the start of “The reality is that the renewable construction later this year of a 200- energy future is here today,” said Polis in megawatt solar project in western Pueblo crediting the plans by Black Hills. County. Completion of that solar project is “This race to the top is good,” he expected by the end of 2023. Black Hills added. “It’s good for our state, economy. it’s expects to achieve 70% reduction in good for our air, it’s good for climate, it’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2024. good for workers, it’s good for ratepayers. It positions Colorado as a national leader in a swift transition to a clean energy economy.” See also: Polis emphasized the job creation, Blue and green in Pueblo interjecting several times to point out the

17 250 jobs to be created in construction of the directly to consumers for home heating and solar projects. other uses. Then there’s what Polis called the In May, a proposal to municipalize moral imperative posed by climate electrical operations in Pueblo was defeated change. Colorado in 2020 had the three handily after a campaign that produced a largest wildfires in state history and an flurry of expensive campaign literature and extreme drought nearly statewide in scale.” advertisements against the proposal. Vance Crocker, manager of Black Hills Tom Corlett was among those calling operations in Colorado, pointed out that for municipalization. Viewing the plans of Black Hills closed its lone coal plant in Black Hills, Corlett credits the utility with Colorado in 2012. It replaced generation taking a good step forward with its with natural gas. It has added 150 decarbonization plans. But he wants Pueblo megawatts of wind generation. Next year, it and Pueblo County, which both adopted will have a portfolio that delivers 51% decarbonization goals, to create renewable generation. mechanisms that deliver accountability. The solar project that is the centerpiece of Pueblo County’s resolution calls for 100% what Black Hills calls its “Renewable renewable generation by 2035. Advantage” plan will save its customers $66 As an investor-owned utility, Black Hills million across a 15-year period, the utility will try to ensure 9% or more returns for its says. The solar plan was filed with the shareholders. Colorado Public Utilities Commission in June Crocker, the Black Hills executive, 2020. The broader plan will be filed in pointed out that Black Hills is in an area rich March 2021. with renewable potential, both wind and In adding solar and other renewables, solar. Its existing projects barely scratch the Crocker said, Black Hills will be using its surface of what is possible given the breezy, natural gas plants less and less but will sunshiny weather, he said. That wind is continue to use them to ensure reliability. being harnessed with turbines manufactured He also said that Black Hills has plans for in Pueblo at the Vestas factory. Pueblo, he more renewable natural gas, such as can be added is becoming the renewable energy extracted from sewage treatment plants and capital of Colorado. dairies. He said Black Hills has several options in Colorado, although he did not See also: Making steel with solar energy specify them. He said the gas could be used both for electrical generation and sold