Memorial Day weekend signifies the kick-off to summer with outdoor events, camping and barbecues. Through the Heat Is On campaign, The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law enforcement agencies throughout the state are working together to ensure Coloradans stay safe over the holiday weekend by stepping up DUI enforcement starting Friday, May 24 through Tuesday, May 28.

“We launched the Heat Is On campaign 15 years ago in response to the summer months being the deadliest time on Colorado roads,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the Office of Transportation Safety at CDOT. “Our goal is to educate the public on the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, which can easily be avoided by designating a sober driver. We want Coloradans to enjoy the holiday weekend and to be safe while doing so.”

During the same enforcement period last year, there were 542 DUI arrests made statewide. To reduce the number of DUI arrests in Colorado, law enforcement will be out on the roads over the course of the weekend, making sure that Coloradans are protecting themselves and others by making safe travel decisions.

“Law enforcement will be conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols this weekend to prevent unnecessary deaths and injuries,” said Colonel Scott Hernandez, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Throughout the summer, law enforcement will work hard to protect lives and arrest those who choose to put themselves and others in harm’s way.”

The Heat Is On runs the entire year with 12 specific DUI enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large, public events. More details about the DUI enforcement plans and arrest results can be found at HeatIsOnColorado.com.

The City of Golden Economic Development Commission (EDComm) is offering scholarships to local innovators and small start-up companies to participate in the Innovation Center of the Rockies’ (ICR) Early Stage Business Program. The scholarships are intended to increase economic expansion in Golden by evaluating and supporting entrepreneurs who are starting new businesses and investigating viable technologies with large market potential.

The ICR’s Early Stage Business program helps startup companies overcome strategic obstacles, build their teams and refine their approach to raising capital with their pitch prep program. The ICR staff works closely with each entrepreneur to identify key challenges facing the company and handpicks individuals with relevant experience and expertise to act as volunteer advisors.

To be eligible, applicant companies must be located within the Golden city limits or have at least one member of its executive team residing in Golden. Applications are available by emailing edcomm@cityofgolden.net and are due by May 31. The EDComm scholarships cover up to one-half of the ICR monthly program cost up to a maximum of $2,400. At least three scholarships will be awarded, and winners will be announced in early June. The scholarship award is contingent upon being accepted into the ICR program.

“Those entrepreneurs and businesses chosen will receive outside evaluation, vetting and mentoring to answer commercially relevant questions,” said Steve Glueck, Director of Community and Economic Development for the City of Golden. “It’s a great opportunity to move your business to the next stage of development.”

“The partnership with the City of Golden Economic Development Commission is a great example of a city serious about supporting its entrepreneurs and local businesses,” said ICR Program Manager Eric Gricus. “We are excited to start working with the city and its entrepreneurs.” 

For more information, please email edcomm@cityofgolden.net.

About the Innovation Center of the Rockies

Founded in 2005, the Innovation Center of the Rockies is one of America’s premier entrepreneurial support organizations. With its highly specialized team of mentors and advisers, the ICR defines a new model for business incubation across key industry sectors holding the most promise for the community, global economies and the environment. Located in one of the most dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems for early-stage companies, the ICR blends the resources of business and academia to optimize opportunities for the technologies and companies of the future. For more information, please visit www.innovationcenteroftherockies.com.

We have completed the bulk of the work as far as concrete is concerned. We still have some concrete work left, but it will not largely impact trail traffic.

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If you’ve ever walked, biked, jogged or strolled along the Clear Creek Trail, you know it is a pretty popular area.  In hopes of relieving some of that congestion, the City is widening the trail in between the Billy Drew Bridge (just west of the Golden Library) up to the Golden RV Park (at the end of 10^th Street).  The trail will be widened from eight feet to 12 feet wide.

The construction project began in mid-April and was slated to take about two weeks to complete, however, weather has delayed progress. The construction does NOT occur on weekends and the trail should be accessible on weekends as well.  When the trail is not available, there will be detours to get you around the area. Using the sidewalk along 10^th Street is likely the best alternative to the trail.

If you have any questions regarding the trail widening project, contact Joe Puhr at jpuhr@cityofgolden.net.

As unthinkable as it seems, it is not unusual for there to be fraudulent attempts to solicit donations following a mass tragedy such as what is happening in Boston and in Texas.  

Charities are exempt from the No-Call List, so consumers may receive calls from telemarketers asking for donations. Email has also become a more popular method of solicitations for charitable contributions. Regardless of how you are contacted, do your homework before you make your giving decisions. Below are tips on making an informed contribution:

• Learn what you can about the charity. Ask for written information to be sent to you. The information should contain the company name, address, telephone number, information concerning how the money will be used, and proof that your contribution is tax deductible. If it is not tax deductible, it is not a charity.
• If a charity won’t provide the information, or provides only vague answers, you may want to consider supporting another charity.
• Verify the information with the Better Business Bureau and the Secretary of State. You can obtain a reliability report from the Better Business Bureau at www.denverbbb.org or 303-758-2100. The Secretary of State can be reached at www.sos.state.co.us  under the section called LicensingCenter, or call 303-894- 2200 press 2.
• Watch out for similar-sounding names. Fraudulent companies might use a name that sounds very similar to a legitimate charity in order to confuse you and capitalize on the confusion. Be certain that you are donating to your intended charity. Verify all information.
• There is information online that can help you make informed decisions. One resource that can help you select a charity you trust is www.charitynavigators.com.
• Find out how your money will be spent.  Determine what percentage will go to administrative fees and fundraising and how much goes to those in need. The telemarketer must provide you with this information. 
• Be wary of someone claiming to be with a charity requesting cash, credit card or social security number, or if they ask to send a person directly to your home to obtain the money.
• Refuse high-pressure appeals. Colorado law allows consumers three days to cancel your pledge. Cancellation might be hard to do if someone has already come to your home and picked up your check.

For more information or if you have concerns, contact your local police or sheriff’s economic crime unit. In Jefferson County you can contact law enforcement, DA Fraud Hotline at 303-271-6980, or the DA’s Fraud Specialist at 303-271-6931.

Golden, CO – April 9, 2013 — 

This robbery and suspect description are similar to a robbery that occurred at the Diamond Shamrock at 715 Wadsworth Blvd. in Lakewood about three hours prior to the robbery in Golden.  Surveillance images of the suspect are consistent and Golden and Lakewood are working together to develop leads. 

The suspect is described as a white male about six feet tall with a medium build.  If you have any information, you’re asked to call Det. Stacy Galbraith with Golden Police at 303-384-8037 or sgalbraith@cityofgolden.net.

You can also call Crimestoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867).  You can remain anonymous and tips leading to the arrest of a suspect may result in a reward.