Jeffco Commissioner's Meeting
Wildfire Awareness Month, Library Union update, and reminder to volunteer!
I attended the May 12 meeting of the Jefferson County Commissioners. Here’s a quick recap!
May is Wildfire Awareness Month
The commission officially declared May as Wildfire Awareness Month in Jefferson County. The county’s Instagram account shared that Jefferson County has a greater risk of wildfire than 98% of counties in the U.S., and the second highest wildfire risk of all counties in Colorado.
In 2024, the Jefferson County Wildfire Commission finished the Community Wildfire Preparedness Plan, which you look through here if you want a deep dive! It’s more than 200 pages long, but you can jump to the recommendations for local governments and residents.
The best thing you can do to be aware of wildfire risk is to sign up for Lookout Alert. This app sends you text alerts for any natural disasters and associated evacuation or shelter-in-place notices. It’s the first way that the county will communicate with residents about a fire.
Residents can also be ready for wildfires by assembling a “go bag,” making defensible space around their home, and having an evacuation plan. The sheriff mentioned the Be Your Own Hero campaign, which is a video explaining those concepts.
Library union public comment
A representative for the library union provided an update on collective bargaining. They have been in negotiations with library management since July 2024.
The union representative requested a vulnerability study to prohibit the open carry of weapons in libraries since they are county buildings and polling places. The commissioners did not immediately respond. I’m still learning how the process works to get those requests answered!
Volunteer to help hungry kids
Commissioner Kerr (our commissioner here in Pleasant View) shared that he recently volunteered with Jeffco Eats, a local nonprofit that assembles meals for hungry kids in Jefferson County.
Commissioner Kerr reminded everyone that school meals are a critical source of food for many families. With school getting out for the summer, those families can struggle to put food on the table.
Jeffco Eats helps make sure kids don’t go hungry, and it’s easy to volunteer. You can find more information about Jeffco Eats here: https://jeffcoeats.org/get-involved/
County Town Hall
The commissioners are hosting a virtual town hall on May 19 at 6 p.m. You can register to attend here (full url: https://events.zoom.us/ev/AnD7LbLptxMgYcy1UjdCWDc75pMTaZyZbSOLKRc773om-PByV9g3~And0inhn5PgAbjke-CkMXYdbrUTjlmP5nEeSKm7C2M8sHxn5slkEoAxJmw)
If you want to ask a question, you have to register. It’s free! I’ll be attending and will have a recap.
Questions? Comments? Let me know!
I’m not on the commission, but will do my best to answer any questions you have (or look into an answer)! Reach out any time at lauraforpleasantview@gmail.com.
The next meeting for the Pleasant View Metro District is on Tuesday May 20! I’ll be there taking my oath of office and participating as a private citizen. My first meeting as an acting board member is the June meeting.
If you have questions or concerns you’d like to share at the meeting, but you can’t make it, let me know!