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Appropriations
Congressman Jared Polis' FY2011 Appropriations Requests
It is Congressman Polis' policy to only submit appropriations requests
for public and non-profit entities in Colorado.
To offer more opportunity for public scrutiny of member requests,
members of the House of Representatives are required to post information
on their appropriations or “earmark” requests on their websites at the
time the request is made with the proposed recipient, the address of the
recipient, the amount of the request, and an explanation of the
request, including purpose, and why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer
funds.
Congressman Polis' Fiscal Year 2011 Appropriations Requests are below:
Commerce, Justice, and Science
Project Title: Flatrock Training Facility
Amount: $20,463,517
Recipient: Adams County Sheriff, CO
332 North 19th Avenue
Brighton, CO 80601
Summary: The purpose of this project is to provide a state-of-the-art training facility to the nation’s law enforcement and public safety personnel. The current Adams County Sheriff's Office firearms facility is used by eight local law enforcement agencies as well as the Department of Corrections, the Department of Revenue and the U.S. Postal Inspectors. The lack in quality and availability of training facilities in the region creates an unacceptable level of training for our nation’s public safety personnel. The Flatrock Training Facility will provide an improved training location for the current firearms facility users, and offer a central training location for public safety agencies throughout the region, as it will be located only 15 minutes from Denver International Airport.
Project Title: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Methamphetamine Interdiction Response Collaborative
Amount: $370,094.00
Recipient: Jefferson County, CO
100 Jefferson County Parkway
Golden, CO 80419
Summary: The purpose of this project is to fund the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office West Metropolitan Drug Task Force’s (WMDTF) Methamphetamine Interdiction Response Collaborative. The funding will be used to address criminal investigation of drug production, trafficking and distribution in Jefferson County, Colorado. The task force is required to investigate local lab production and distribution, as well as investigate the larger, more pure amounts brought in from Mexico. The local work requires overtime, disposable hazard protection gear and ongoing investigations conducted by the District Attorney Office Senior Investigator. Ongoing needs for overtime and equipment for Methamphetamine mitigation continues to be a challenge.
Defense
Project Title: Colorado National Guard Emergency Response Network
Amount: $4,550,000
Recipient: Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
6848 South Revere Parkway
Centennial, CO 80112
Summary: The purpose of this project is to fund the Colorado National Guard Emergency Response Network, a system of equipment that includes mobile infrastructure to support voice, video, data, cell, and radio communications over satellite, wireless and ground links while eliminating reliance upon commercial telecommunications and power networks. The Colorado National Guard (CONG) is a critical resource provider during emergencies and other times of crisis. The CONG Emergency Response Network (CONG-ERN) is designed to support these operations. Currently, there exists very limited critical communications infrastructure and limited mobile response capabilities to support these mission requirements. This capability will allow the CONG to fulfill both Title 10 and Title 32 mission sets in support of U.S. Northern Command and the Governor of Colorado respectively.
Project Title: Ultracold Matter Systems Engineering Initiative (UMS)
Amount: $2,500,000
Recipient: University of Colorado at Boulder
UCB 440
Boulder, CO 80309
Summary: The purpose of this project is to fund the UMS research initiative, which seeks to develop ultracold matter inertial sensor systems for defense, border security, and space applications. This includes Army needs for navigation, mapping, and geolocation capabilities. UMS will transition the university’s Nobel Prize winning strength in ultracold matter science and technology to practical devices and systems that are relevant to national security and defense, space exploration, and numerous industrial sectors. Specifically, initial work focuses on a demonstration ultracold matter system prototype for in-the-field performance tests, which address Army needs for improved mapping, navigation, geolocation, and gravity measurements capability.
Energy and Water
Project Title: Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Retrofit
Amount: $1,100,000
Recipient: City of Boulder, CO
1777 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80306
Summary: The purpose of this project is to develop and deliver a comprehensive energy efficiency retrofit program for Boulder residents and businesses. The program will establish a one-stop-shop service model that delivers audit + financing + retrofit services for residential energy efficiency improvements, as well as information and education about transportation choices and waste management options. Funds will be spent to provide “get it while it lasts” matching rebates to property owners similar to the 2009 “Cash for Clunkers” program. This will provide an incentive to property owners to complete the energy efficient property retrofits.
Project Title: Smart Grid Communications Security Project
Amount: $1,000,000
Recipient: University of Colorado at Boulder
330 Regent Administrative Center
Boulder, CO 80309
Summary: The purpose of this project is to contribute to national grid safety and security efforts. It will increase the future security of our electricity delivery infrastructure by ensuring better identification, detection, and prevention of threats to the system while also improving reliability and efficiency. Federal support will enable the University to continue to develop as an early leader in smart grid security and efficiency research. The research and dissemination of results from this program would answer key questions about smart grid technologies, create new knowledge and intellectual property, and, most importantly, allow the multiple benefits associated with smart grids to be realized rapidly on a large scale.
Homeland Security
Project Title: Summit County Mobile Command Unit
Amount: $375,000
Recipient: Summit County Mobile Command Fund
PO Box 4258
Breckenridge, CO 80424
Summary: The purpose of this project is to provide a collective of emergency services and law enforcement agencies in Summit County, Colorado funding for a Mobile Command Unit for use as an incident command post during critical incidents. Interstate 70, a major interstate commerce route, runs through the length of Summit County. This Unit will provide communications and planning equipment, kitchen and bathroom facilities, and a shelter from Summit County’s extreme weather for emergency responders. It will also will allow Summit County to increase its preparedness incidents of all sizes, including wildland fires, hazmat incidents, dam failure and flooding, explosions, search and rescue missions, and major crime scenes. This area is in dire need of the Unit, as a disruption in Interstate 70 flow would be felt throughout the region.
Interior and Environment
Project Title: City of Idaho Springs Water and Waste Water Lines Infrastructure Replacement Project
Amount: $1,000,000
Recipient: City of Idaho Springs, CO
PO Box 907
Idaho Springs, CO 80452
Summary: The purpose of this project is to provide funds to address the City’s aging waste water line replacement and infrastructure needs projects on the States Needs List. The Colorado Department of Transportation is preparing to do a drainage improvement and road resurfacing project of Colorado Boulevard, a state owned highway in FY 2010 within the City limits and it is important that the City replace the 50-100 year old lines under this road in partnership to save costs and avoid damage to the new surface at a later date do to repair needs. These projects would help us meet Safe Drinking Water and Clean Water Act requirements. Without this funding help the City will not be able to replace these lines at this time and form a partnership with CDOT to do this much needed project.
Project Title: Western Urban Rivers Water Quality Study
Amount: $500,000
Recipient: City of Thornton, CO
9500 Civic Center Drive
City of Thornton, CO 80229
Summary: The purpose of this project is to direct the EPA to conduct a state- or region-wide water quality study to evaluate the condition of streams and rivers in the arid West that are impacted by significant effluent discharges. Additionally, the EPA would investigate how the CWA/SDWA regulatory process shifts the allocation of costs for the use of such rivers from dischargers to users such as water suppliers. This study would lead to recommendations for modifying the regulatory process to ensure that rivers that receive significant effluent contributions continue to be available for multiple uses, and that the regulatory process results in an appropriate allocation of treatment costs between polluter and user.
Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education
Project Title: Adams 50 School District: Math Teacher Project
Amount: $200,000
Recipient: Adams 50 School District
2401 West 80th Avenue
Westminster, CO 80221
Summary: The purpose of this project is to establish mathematics coaches for all buildings in Adams 50 schools. Funds will be used to hire two full-time math coaches. The math coaches would be embedded in the daily routine of teachers providing a variety of support to teachers such as modeling lessons, supporting teachers with instructional strategies, and collaboration. This would be part of an educational system that includes parents, students, administrators, and teachers. Our goal is to develop teacher’s knowledge of mathematics content, develop teachers’ knowledge of students and how they learn math, and the teachers’ knowledge of instructional and assessment practices, all of which connect to a comprehensive long-term plan to increases student achievement.
Project Title: Chronic Disease Management for Uninsured Latinos with Diabetes and Reproductive Health Services for Uninsured Women in Rural Summit County
Amount: $200,000
Recipient: Summit County Care Clinic
360 Peak One Drive, Suite 100
Frisco, CO 80443
Summary: The purpose of this project is to provide health education for uninsured Latinos regarding treatment and management of diabetes, and also provide reproductive health services, education and counseling for women and adolescents. These programs at the Summit Community Care Clinic are aimed at reducing health disparities and improving health outcomes for minorities and women. Funds will be used to sustain positions, as without additional funding, jobs will have to be eliminated at the Clinic. State and local government funding, private foundations, and individual donors have contributed, and only 25% of the Clinic’s budget comes from patient fees or earned income. The other $2.3 million comes from other public and private sources.
Project Title: Colorado Community Paramedic Expansion and Establishment of The Community Paramedic Technical Assistance Center
Amount: $975,000
Recipient: Western Eagle County Ambulance District
PO Box 1809, 360 Eby Creek
Eagle, CO 81631
Summary: The purpose of this project is to establish the Community Paramedic (CP) program, which expands the scope of paramedics to provide access to primary care and public health services in rural and underserved communities. Funds will also establish will also establish Colorado as The Community Paramedic Technical Assistance Center for the nation. It specifically supports the federal responsibility of healthcare reform by addressing one of the biggest problems facing our nation – the imminent and increasing primary care workforce shortage in rural and underserved areas.
Project Title: Extended Day, Kindergarten, and Staff Development Programs
Amount: $200,000
Recipient: Ricardo Flores Mag?n Academy (RMFA)
7255 Irving Street
Westminster, CO 80030
Summary: The purpose of this project is to support the RFMA full day kindergarten, the extended day program general operations, and staff development programs. The RFMA offers an English Immersion language college preparatory program for low-income and at-risk student populations and provides a free of charge full-day academic kindergarten program for students to support the target population of at-risk students on a successful path to college. Within five years of operation, RFMA will have grown to full capacity serving approximately 300 students; population will be distributed as follows. These funds will help fund additional components of RFMA’s program, helping to sustain the enriching education experience RFMA is providing to its youth, in addition to two full-time positions
Project Title: Greater 21st Century Workforce Skills: Empowering Students Through the Culture of Excellence and Ethics
Amount: $284,760
Recipient: Peak to Peak Charter School
800 Merlin Drive
Lafayette, CO 80031
Summary: The purpose of this project is to provide students with 21st century skills for emerging job opportunities, enhance academic achievement, and empower youth to enter adult life as productive citizens. Funds will be used to implement the Institute for Excellence and Ethics (IEE) Power2Series, an integrated student, faculty, and parent curriculum in grades 6-12. Furthermore, the project aims to utilize IEE’s data driven assessment tool (CREE), which provides the school with, quantitative and qualitative analysis to monitor improvement. This will allow Peak to conduct research to monitor school improvement in preparing students for 21st century skills necessary for success in the emerging competitive market place. The success of this project would allow IEE to be replicated across the state and nation.
Project Title: Integrated Science Study
Amount: $575,000
Recipient: Eagle County School District/ Gore Range Natural Science School
PO Box 9469
Avon, CO 81620
Summary: The purpose of this project is to a write experiential, field-based natural science curriculum that aligns with federal, state and district science standards. Additionally, this project will provide training to enable “generalist” elementary school teachers to deliver classroom instruction based on portions of the curriculum. Funds will be used to provide instructors, equipment and logistical support necessary for field component. There is also a component that will evaluate the programs impact on students’ standardized science test scores and general academic proficiency.
Project Title: Mapleton Public School: Raising Secondary Math Achievement
Amount: $200,000
Recipient: Mapleton Public Schools
591 East 80th Avenue
Denver, CO 80229
Summary: The purpose of this project is to provide in-depth professional development (PD) to inexperienced math teachers in the effective use of the curriculum, as well as ongoing PD to analyze math data and differentiate instruction for students in an effort to maximize math achievement and prepare Mapleton student for college and the post-secondary workforce. Funds would be used to purchase the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project curriculum, which is aligned to Colorado standards in grades 7-12, in the area of math. An assessment tool is included. Funds will also be used to provide 20 teachers with PD. Mapleton Public Schools is seeking to address is low secondary math achievement for students in poverty so that all students will be prepared in science, technology, engineering and math.
Transportation and Housing & Urban Development
Project Title: Boulder Bikes to Business Project
Amount: $1,400,000
Recipient: City of Boulder, CO
1777 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80306
Summary: The purpose of this project is to improve bike access to businesses, serving both commuters and customers. Funding would add 200 additional bicycles to Boulder’s bike share system and support their initial operations, install bike parking at key locations and facilitate access to businesses through signs, markings and outreach. The latest American Community Survey (2008) found that 9.9% of Boulder residents’ work trips are made by bike, 18 times the national average. The project is included in the City’s Transportation Master Plan and Climate Action Plan.
Project Title: Boulder Housing First Project
Amount: $3,600,000
Recipient: City of Boulder, CO
1777 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80306
Summary: The purpose of this project is to develop up to 40 units of permanent and transitional housing units for chronically homeless individuals with serious mental illness and/or chronic substance abuse and/or physical disabilities, including veterans. The program promises reductions in the number of chronically homeless, the use of emergency rooms as primary health care, the demand on law enforcement and court system; and the demand on shelters and social service agencies.
Project Title: Colorado Transit Coalition Statewide Bus & Bus Facilities
Amount: $32,211,200
Recipient: Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA)
1580 Lincoln Street
Denver, CO 80203
Summary: This is a statewide request on behalf of 27 transit providers for Section 5309 discretionary bus and bus facilities capital funds to support the bus purchases and facility improvements necessary to provide safe, reliable and adequate transit service to Coloradoans. In FY2009, CASTA ranked 49th out of 50 in term of the funding states are receiving in annual bus and bus facilities earmarks. This means that individual agency recipients in other states are getting more than the CTC which is a statewide request.
Project Title:
Amount: Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA)
Recipient: $24,163,000
Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA)
2307 Wulfsohn Road
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Summary: The purpose of this project is to allow the final design and construction of RFTA’s proposed bus rapid transit system will connect Glenwood Springs and Aspen, Colorado, in the State Highway 82 corridor. The system will be implemented over three years, with construction of most BRT facilities occurring by FY2012. The BRT route would be operated with low-floor transit buses and would serve nine stations along the corridor and two additional drop-off stops in downtown Aspen.
Project Title: Swan Mountain Shared Use Pathway
Amount: $4,500,000
Recipient: Summit County
PO Box 68
Breckenridge, CO 80424
Summary: The purpose of this project is to complete the pathway circuit around the Dillon Reservoir. This will improve the system as a whole, while addressing current safety concerns of bicycle traffic, allowing many of the special events to use the new path in lieu of the road. This will benefit the area by addressing contentious road and lane closure issues. Completion of the pathway will also serve the nation by providing alternative transportation for people commuting between Breckenridge and Keystone/Dillon therefore reducing traffic, pollution and also creating a more healthy population. The completed pathway would also provide access to two (2) major USFS campgrounds.
Project Title: The North Metro Corridor Transit Plan for Sustainable Growth and Development – A Greenfield Demonstration Project
Amount: $500,000
Recipient: City of Thornton, CO
9500 Civic Center Drive
Thornton, CO 80229
Summary: The purpose of this project is to establish a nation-wide demonstration project for three “green-field” sustainable transit corridors – one of which would be the North Metro Corridor. The idea behind these demonstration projects is to provide real live examples of how best to look forward, not backward to develop sustainable communities along a major transit corridor. The North Metro Corridor is a prime example of a “green-field” corridor. It is a corridor that will serve multiple communities and provide a needed connection to a regional system.
Project Title: The North Metro Corridor (FasTracks)
Amount: $40,000,000
Recipient: City of Thornton, CO
9500 Civic Center Drive
Thornton, CO 80229
Summary: The purpose of this project is to fund the North Metro Corridor, which is located in the fastest growing region in Colorado. I-25 is the most congested corridor in the state, and building the North Metro Corridor will reduce regional congestion and provide for managed development within the corridor. The North Corridor Metro Project has the potential to be a model in Smart Growth and Livable Communities Development, as it is in a unique position to develop a sustainable transit corridor and to generate significant economic development opportunities as the project is being built.
Project Title: U.S. 36: Boulder East
Amount: $4,300,000
Recipient: Colorado Department of Transportation
4201 East Arkansas Avenue #275
Denver, CO 80222
Summary: This purpose of this project is to resurface U.S. 36 from milepost 44.2 to 48.1 in Boulder County. U.S. 36 maintains an Average Daily Traffic of approximately 76,800 and this resurfacing project is necessary to maintain system quality.
Project Title: US 6: Eagle County Overlay Phase III
Amount: $828,000
Recipient: Colorado Department of Transportation
4201 East Arkansas Avenue #275
Denver, CO 80222
Summary: The purpose of this project is to resurface and add 2’ paved shoulders on approximately 4 miles of U.S. 6 in Eagle County. The additional shoulders will provide more safety for all modes of travel on this busy corridor. Funding for this project is a partnership between CDOT and Eagle County.
Project Title: Westminster Center Urban Reinvestment Project
Amount: $550,000
Recipient: City of Westminster, CO
4800 92nd Avenue
Westminster, CO 80031
Summary: The purpose of this project is to support a new high density urban center on 108 acre plot of land in the core of Westminster. The targeted parcel was formerly the Westminster Mall. The City of Westminster would like to serve as a national model for “smart” urban growth. The project is intended to be a highly sustainable development that capitalizes on existing bus infrastructure and plans for future rail transportation access, it creates a strong pedestrian-friendly block layout, and demolishes unsafe and unsightly structures. Conservative estimates are that this project will create 3,500 to 4,000 jobs in the Westminster area over the next 10 years.
Congressman Jared Polis' FY2010 Appropriations Requests
It is Congressman Polis' policy to only submit appropriations requests for public and non-profit entities in Colorado.
To offer more opportunity for public scrutiny of member requests, members of the House of Representatives are required to post information on their appropriations or “earmark” requests on their websites at the time the request is made with the proposed recipient, the address of the recipient, the amount of the request, and an explanation of the request, including purpose, and why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds.
Congressman Polis' Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations Requests are below:
Commerce, Justice, Science
Project Title: Colorado Schools Safety Program (CSSP)
Amount: $700,000
Recipient: University of Colorado at Boulder
1877 Broadway
Suite 601
Boulder, CO 80302
Summary: CSSP will provide training and planning to schools; disseminate the latest research findings about preventing potential and actual threats; and coordinate school safety, risk, and threat assessments and apply their findings by creating violence prevention programs throughout Colorado. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it addresses the very real threat of school violence. In the wave of school shootings in middle and high schools and universities across the county, it is necessary and responsible to train school administrators, teachers, and students about the warning signs that lead to school violence, how to address them, and the best ways to prevent these tragedies from taking place. These resources would go directly to educating those on the front lines of school violence in Colorado, protecting millions of children across our state.
Defense
Project Title: eSpace – The Center for Space Entrepreneurship
Amount: $3,500,000
Recipient: eSpace: The Center for Space Entrepreneurship
1722 Boxelder St.
Louisville, CO 80027
Summary: The mission of eSpace is to support the creation and development of entrepreneurial space companies, to commercialize their technologies, and to develop the workforce to fuel their growth. The Center will bring intention and structure to the process of forming entrepreneurial space companies with the goal of creating a vital community of entrepreneurial space companies that provides significant contribution to the nation’s department of defense aerospace mission. This will be accomplished through three principal initiatives of the Center:- 1) Technology Development. Develop an extraordinary industry/university research partnership to develop and commercialize viable space technologies;2) Economic Development. Further a national resource by accelerating the creation and development of entrepreneurial space companies in aerospace-intensive regions of the country; and 3) Aerospace Education. Develop a collaborative industry/university curriculum that is unmatched in its ability to prepare high school, community college, and university students for working in the aerospace industry either as technicians or scientists. eSpace companies provide innovative quickly deployed technologies in support of the DOD mission. eSpace will help create these companies. Resulting technologies will support broad DOD aerospace initiatives including Operationally Responsive Space and Space Situational Awareness.
Project Title: Laser Ablation Resonance Ionization Mass Spectrometer (LARIMS)
Amount: $4,000,000
Recipient: Southwest Research Institute
1050 Walnut Street
Suite 300
Boulder, CO 80302
Summary: This instrument is being developed to achieve new possibilities in investigation and scientific analysis. It will be capable of portable, real-time determination of where a person has recently been living, forensic identification of IED manufacturers, and identification of the provenance and enrichment status of nuclear materials. It is a good use of taxpayer dollars because of its application to the work of the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Geospatial Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the Department of Homeland Security. The scientists developing this instrument have already demonstrated significant progress. The next phase of development will achieve six specific goals: 1) increase efficiency, cutting the time needed for a sample to be analyzed, 2) miniaturizing the equipment so it can be portable, 3) developing a high-resolution mode, 4) initiating a test program that will allow geolocation in the local environment, 5) research light – matter interaction and laser technology, and 6) create a new prototype for use in the field. The endless possibilities of practical applications for a myriad of agencies justifies the use of taxpayer dollars in this important
Energy and Water
Project Title: Carter Lake Pipeline
Amount: $10,000,000
Recipient: City of Boulder
1777 Broadway
Boulder, CO80306
Summary: The City of Boulder and partners propose to construct a water supply pipeline to run from Carter Lake to the Boulder Reservoir Water Treatment Plant and to several smaller treatment plants. Currently, the canal that carries this water to Boulder residents is among the most vulnerable sources of public drinking water in the country. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it will protect the health and safety of the residents of Boulder and millions of tourists who visit the Boulder area and require safe, fresh drinking water. This pipeline will help the City of Boulder to meet federal vulnerability standards for the city’s drinking water.
Project Title: Boulder SmartGridCity - Plug-In Electric Hybrid Vehicles
Amount: $6,000,000
Recipient: City of Boulder
1777 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80306
Summary: This project involves converting up to 60 hybrid electric vehicles to Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles with Vehicle to Grid technology. The cars are part of the City of Boulder, Boulder County, and the University of Colorado fleets. To date, a barrier to mass penetration of Plug-in Electric Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs) has been the inability of these vehicles to connect to a digital network or smart grid using “Vehicle-to-Grid” (V2G) technologies. While there are stand-alone benefits to PHEVs, the next stage of research, development, and greatest overall benefit is through V2G technology. When you add V2G to a PHEV, you need a digitally intelligent grid to recognize and coordinate the power coming back onto the grid. With a smart electricity grid, a utility company can recognize the cars on the grid as sources of distributed generation and call on their battery power in times of peak need. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it promotes the “New Energy Economy.” This technology reduces dependence on foreign oil imports, carbon footprint, and overall emissions. As this technology is perfected in Boulder, it can expand to other jurisdictions across the country.
Project Title: Nanoscale Materials for Emerging Energy Technologies
Amount: $1,500,000
Recipient: University of Colorado at Boulder
215 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309
Summary: Develop advanced capabilities to test new materials for renewable energy technologies. In particular, this funding would go toward a Transmission Electron Microscope, which would be able to identify components of materials that could lead to new sources of energy. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it promotes the development of abundant, affordable, secure, and non-polluting energy technologies. This appropriation will allow new energy technologies based on nanoscale materials to be discovered, developed, and commercialized. This project will also contribute to energy technologies that will support the Colorado economy and provide critical workforce training. Progress toward energy independence is one of our top policy priorities
Financial Services and General Government
Project Title: Drug Device Diagnostic Institute
Amount: $1,000,000
Recipient: Fitzsimmons Redevelopment Authority (FRA)
12635 E. Montview Blvd.
Suite 100
Aurora, CO 80045
Summary: Colorado is planning for a unique non-profit institute, the Colorado Drug, Device, Diagnostic Development Institute (CD4I) that will accelerate the commercialization of life science discoveries at the University of Colorado and Colorado State University, ensuring greater success in creating and retaining new bioscience companies. CD4I will provide a management team with demonstrated experience and success in drug and medical device development. Over the first five years of the operation of the Institute, this team will take 15 new technologies from CU, CSU and other Colorado institutions and manage them through the five early stages of development, utilizing public and private services in Colorado and elsewhere. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it will allow for the broad distribution and application of the products developed from new life science discoveries. It will also have medical and commercial benefit, contributing to economic growth and innovation.
Interior and Environment
Project Title: Snow Mountain Ranch
Amount: $2,500,000
Recipient: The Conservation Fund
1942 Broadway
Suite 323
Boulder, CO 80302
Summary: Snow Mountain Ranch is within the Colorado River Watershed Forest Legacy Area, one of eight areas eligible for Forest Legacy funds in Colorado. The Forest Legacy Program authorizes the U.S. Forest Service to make a grant to the Colorado State Forest Service, to purchase permanent conservation easements on private forestlands to prevent those lands from being converted to non-forest uses. Properties such as the Snow Mountain Ranch, containing important scenic, recreation, and water resources that support continued traditional forest uses, as well as fish and wildlife habitat that supports federally-designated species, receive priority for Forest Legacy funding. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it protects thousands of acres of scenic forest land from destruction and development. It will preserve the natural beauty of this American treasure for posterity, promoting tourism revenue. Furthermore, Snow Mountain Ranch contains other critical natural resources that will be protected by the proposed conservation easement, including 3.6 miles of the upper watershed of Pole Creek, which drains into the Fraser River, an important tributary to the Colorado River. Pole Creek is a regional source of municipal and irrigation water, providing senior water rights for the Town of Granby, and supplying water for the facilities on Snow Mountain Ranch. Snow Mountain Ranch protects wildlife movement corridors, and provides winter range and wildlife resting areas for elk and mule deer, black bear, moose, and mountain lion, as well as habitat for the Canada lynx. The Pole Creek fishery hosts rainbow and brown trout, and native non-game species.
Programmatic Request for: Office of Environmental Education
Amount: $14,000,000
Summary: Environmental education is a proven tool to prepare Americans to compete globally in high growth environmentally friendly fields such as energy efficiency, green building design, commercial scale renewable energy, biofuels, low emission vehicles, energy efficient manufacturing facilities, and the production of environmentally friendly products. Programs supported by EPA's Office of Environmental Education help train, educate and prepare citizens for careers in environmentally sustainable fields that promote the global transition to less polluting, higher efficiency technologies and practices. Funds are allocated under the National Environmental Education Act to the EPA’s Office of Environmental Education, the Teacher Awards Program, the Environmental Education & Training Partnership (EETAP) teacher-training program, and the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation (NEETF). EPA has awarded well over 3,000 small grants to schools, universities, museums, zoos, aquariums and local governments. The Environmental Education & Training Partnership has provided training to over 100,000 educators with an emphasis on professional certification and skills development. Through the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation (NEETF), $10.9 million leveraged grant dollars for environmental education has been awarded.
Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education
Project Title: Health Care Access for Underserved
Amount: $250,000
Recipient: Clinica Family Health Services
1345 Plaza Court North
Suite 1A
Lafayette, CO 80026
Summary: Clinica, a long time non-profit health care service provider in Colorado, has developed a strategic plan that calls for the development of a new clinic site for the People’s Clinic in Boulder, a dental clinic at the Pecos Clinic in west Adams County and enhanced Health Information Technology and Communication systems. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it ensures that underserved, low-income citizens will have access to quality health and preventative care. This will avoid greater taxpayer expenses in the future. The particular use of this funding will make long-term improvements to these medical facilities.
Project Title: Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome (LCI)
Amount: $3,500,000
Recipient: University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine
13001 East 17th Place
Campus Box C290
Aurora, CO 80045
Summary: LCI’s Human Genomic Variation Facility will study the variations on chromosome 21 linked with the clinical problems of Down syndrome. The goal is to eradicate these ill effects and transition treatment rapidly from the lab to lives by bringing researchers together with clinical providers. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because understanding of the mechanisms by which the disease compromises the brain, effective treatments for Down syndrome are possible. Treatment will allow people with Down syndrome to pursue more independent lives, allowing them to be more active in society and the workforce and therefore contribute to the national and state economy and become less reliant on government resources. This project will bring hope to many thousands of American families who are living with a Down syndrome loved one.
Project Title: Mapleton Public Schools and College Summit
Amount: $40,000
Recipient: College Summit CO
1201 E. Colfax Avenue
Ste. 301
Denver, CO 80218
Summary: Their work as a nonprofit helps manage low-income students through the critical high school-to-college transition, ensuring that all students can pursue higher education. The goals include: Summer trainings; Year-long Guidance for All Seniors; and Actionable Reporting. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it promotes college attendance and academic success. Educational achievement is a crucial element of career satisfaction. This project will ensure that low-income students are not at a disadvantage in the college admissions process, college transition experience, or in the classroom. When low-income young people get a proper education, they have an opportunity to make significant contributions to the increasingly competitive workforce and the economy. Finally, the success of these young people represents a generation of Americans who will no longer need to rely on further assistance from the government.
Project Title: Naropa University Lab-Based Science Curriculum
Amount: $300,000
Recipient: Naropa University
2130 Arapahoe Ave
Boulder, CO 80302
Summary: Naropa University proposes to develop a lab-based science curriculum for its undergraduate program, and to renovate and equip a laboratory classroom for that program. Knowledge of the sciences is an important element of job competitiveness in one’s future career. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it addresses the Department of Education’s interest in improving America's competitiveness in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). As colleges and universities across America strive to provide the best education possible, limited resources present constant obstacles to meeting these Education Department standards. This project will remove these roadblocks to progress for Naropa University. It will also help students become better prepared for the workforce after they graduate.
Transportation and Housing & Urban Development
Project Title: Colorado Association of Transit Agencies-Statewide Bus and Facilities Request
Amount: $48,809,913
Recipient: Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA)
1580 Lincoln Street
Suite 780
Denver, CO 80203
Summary: The 27-member Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA) is requesting federal funding to expand services to meet increased demand and to replace existing bus fleets to maintain safety and efficiency standards. Specifically, 26 Coalition members are requesting funding for the replacement, rehabilitation and purchase of buses and related equipment, while the other 1 Coalition member is requesting funding for the construction of a bus-related facility. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it promotes public transportation, an important element of environmental protection and energy independence. Transit investment is a priority for the citizens of Colorado, in that it supports the creation of jobs in the transit industry itself, but equally as important, provides a means of transportation to and from work. Since 2004, 70 percent of the population in Colorado lives in areas that supported increased transit funding at the ballot box. The state’s population is increasing at a rate faster than supporting transportation infrastructure can be developed. As Coloradans seek to minimize the impact of development and activities on the environment, they turn to community transit systems to achieve this goal. Coloradans know that funding for transit can help the state reduce greenhouse gas and other harmful tailpipe emissions. Many areas of the state struggle to meet federal air pollution standards and have turned to transit as part of the solution by providing a transportation alternative to the single-occupancy automobile.
Project Name: Eagle County Airport I-70 Interchange
Amount: $2,000,000
Recipient: Eagle County
500 Broadway
Eagle, CO 81631
Summary: Build new I-70 interchange providing direct access to Eagle Airport, connecting three modes of transportation (air-ground-mass transit) vital to the economic growth of Eagle County. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it is vital to the continued economic growth of Eagle County and the surrounding region. Eagle Airport is the third largest airport in the state of Colorado and is growing rapidly. Scheduled passenger and business jet traffic is growing and subsequently these passengers are congesting local roads. The traffic has become so congested that the state highway is considered in "Failure" (service level "F") twice a day. Without relief by providing direct access to I70, travelers will look to other venues outside of Colorado both in the summer and winter. Each year, the Airport, through the ski and tourism industries especially, adds $82 million to the local economy, in turn having a great effect on Colorado's economy as a whole.
Project Title: State Highway 119 at 63rd Street
Amount: $122,000
Recipient: Colorado Department of Transportation
4201 E. Arkansas Ave #275
Denver, CO 80222
Summary: This funding request would accommodate the much needed improvements along SH 119 at 63rd Street in the City of Boulder. The improvements will include surface treatment, intersection improvements, railroad crossing and drainage improvements, pavement markings, sidewalks, seeding, mulching and traffic control. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because transportation infrastructure is crucial to the long-term success of the economy. SH 119 is a major commuter corridor in Colorado and is relied upon as a route to and from work by many thousands of people. Furthermore, highway improvements provide jobs for local workers. Cities across Colorado and across America deserve safe, modern roads.
Office Contact:
For more information on or questions about appropriations issues, please contact Rosalyn Kumar in my Washington Office.
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