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Centennial Update, 2/15/17

Unsubscribe Forward icon Forward Centennial Update A Late Centennial Update, 15 February 2017 All, I'm afraid taxes have been getting the better of me these past two weeks. But, here I am at last with a boatload of news and such. So, on with the show. Sincerely, Andrea *~*~*~*~*~*~* Andrea Suhaka 303-770-0058 @standy *~*~*~*~*~*~* Feb. 17: Go Centennial Pilot Program Approaches Its End If you're in the Dry Creek Call 'n' Ride area, this will be your last chance. Go Centennial is a streamlined, innovative and tech-savvy approach for people to get to and from the Dry Creek Light Rail Station in Centennial. This 6-month pilot program combined a multi-modal trip-planning mobile app and a fully-subsidized ridesharing service, providing a solution to the first and last mile challenge of getting to or from transit. This pilot program tested an entirely new platform for seamless door-to-door transit planning that streamlined information across multiple transportation modes. Go Denver, the app used to book Go Centennial trips, is the first multi-modal app of its kind to feature in-app booking with Lyft. The Centennial Innovation Team (i-Team), funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, developed the Go Centennial pilot concept and led development of the implementation plan by securing private-public partnerships with Xerox, Lyft, Via Mobility and the Denver South Transportation Management Association. Go Centennial was also the first public-private partnership in the nation to fully subsidize Lyft Line rides for transit commuters, and offer multiple ways to book and pay. Through this first-of-its-kind pilot, Centennial has been seen as one of the most innovative cities in the country. In 4 1/2 months, more than 900 rides have been provided to more than 100 Centennial residents, employees and visitors. Upon completion, the City will be developing a final report for the program which is anticipated to be available in April. “This pilot program allowed Centennial to be a model of innovation. Overall I consider the program a success and hope others continue to seek solutions to the first and last mile challenge and helping people get from point A to B easily, when using transit,” says Centennial Mayor Cathy Noon. Andrea: I certainly took advantage of it for 11 trips to and from the light rail. ******************************************** Feb. 23: The Road Ahead 2017, Mobility-on-Demand Transportation Solutions, a Denver TMA (Transportation Management Assoc.) and regional partner of Denver South, will be hosting its 13th annual seminar, the Road Ahead, on Feb 23 at the University of Denver. This year's event will explore how on-demand mobility is poised to revolutionize the transportation landscape. The Keynote Panel includes Emily Castor, Director of Transportation Policy, Lyft; Matthew George, CEO, BRIDJ, and Driverless Car Revolution author, Rutt Bridges. In addition, the event will feature a local panel of experts including Councilwoman Mary Beth Susman; RTD General Manager, Dave Genova; Denver's Director of Transportation & Mobility, Crissy Fanganello; and Cherry Creek Shopping Center General Manager, Nick LeMasters. Register today to secure your spot. About the Event What: The Road Ahead 2017:Mobility on-demand. An annual seminar featuring keynote panel presentations, and a panel of local experts, to explore how the proliferation of mobile technology has awakened interest in deman-responsive transportation alternative. Who: Over 300 attendees including: local & regional officials; state & federal government representatives; and public & private sector participants, including developers & business leaders. When: Thurs., Feb. 23, 8-11:15am (Buffet breakfast at 7:30am) Where: Univ. of Denver, Driscoll Ballroom, 2000 E Asbury Ave, Denver, 80210 ******************************************** I'm not sure how many of you know... Feb. 24: Opening of the R Light Rail Line The is the light rail that will run from Lincoln Ave. to Peoria and I-70. I think it will be taking over the the name of the H line. R is for Aurora. (huh?) I'm not sure on which date they will discontinue to the bus to DIA. You're expected to take the R Line to the pick up the A Line and continue to the airport. ******************************************** March 3: Arc of Arapahoe & Douglas Annual Meeting, 5:45-9pm, Lone Tree Golf Club & Hotel, 9808 Sunningdale Blvd., Lone Tree, 80124. RSVP required for dinner to Pam or 303-220-9228. Click here for event details. ******************************************** March 7: Application deadline for Centennial Youth Achievement Awards If you know a Centennial high school student who makes a positive contribution or has made a significant impact to the community, the Centennial Youth Commission would like to acknowledge them. This year, 6 high school students will be recognized for demonstrating exceptional leadership with a $500 award contributed by SAFEbuilt Colorado and the Centennial Youth Commission. To enter the Youth Achievement Award program, the following requirements must be met: 1. The applicant’s legal residence is located in the City of Centennial at the time of application and at the time of presentation of award. 2. The applicant must be a high school student. 3. The applicant has made a significant impact on or contribution to the City of Centennial and/or its residents. 4. The applicant’s qualifying project or qualifying actions identified in the application were conducted within 24 months prior to the date that the application is received. 5. The City of Centennial must receive all required application materials including adult recommendations by 5 pm on Tues., March 7, 2017. To complete the application, the applicant should: 1. Completely answer each page of the application and submit to the Centennial Youth Commission by March 7, 2017. 2. Write an essay of no more than 500 words describing, in detail, the positive impact that was made to the community. 3. Provide a letter of recommendation from an adult (non-relative) who can speak to the student’s character and community involvement. The recommendation letter must be included with the application prior to the March 7 deadline. 2017 Youth Achievement Award Application (PDF) ******************************************** March 9, Storm Spotters Training, Cherry Creek Schools Instructional Support Facility, 5416 S Riviera Wy, doors open at 6pm. Free ArapCo Amateur Radio Emergency Service presents Scott Entrekin, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service Denver/Boulder Whether you want to be a certified Spotter or just have an interest Colorado weather, please, join us. For more information email. Andrea: I've attended this training twice and enjoyed every minute of it! ******************************************** March 11 or 12: Urban Farming Course, ArapCo CSU-Extension, 6934 S. Lima St., #B, Centennial 80112; cost $125 includes lunch & Program materials Arapahoe County (ArapCo) CSU-Extension offering urban farming course Urban farming continues to increase in popularity in and around Arapahoe County with more residents growing crops and produce in their backyards. Many dream of starting an urban farm business, which requires an understanding of trends, resources and risks. Arapahoe County CSU-Extension and Guidestone Colorado, in partnership with the Colorado Building Farmers Program are offering a vision course for aspiring urban farmers. The two day course will include information on current trends, resources, case studies of successful urban farms and provide the framework for participants to begin strategic business planning. Attendees will learn tips and strategies to start or grow an urban farm. Current urban agriculture research in Colorado will be shared, along with true stories from experienced farmers. Sunday also will include a tour of Colorado Aquaponics Dahlia Greenhouse. For more information and to RSVP, contact Danielle Ardrey or call 303-738-7977. Learn more about Arapahoe County CSU-Extension. ******************************************** March 18: Children's Advisory Network Event, Hosted by the Douglas County Parenting Coalition, Douglas County Fairgrounds, Castle Rock, 11am-2pm Popcorn! Prizes! Games! Entertainment! Most importantly, kids will receive free vision, hearing, motor, & speech testing. While kids are playing games, eating carnival food, winning prizes, and having fun grownups will actually be checking out vision, hearing, speech and more. Families will have access to hundreds of dollars worth of free diagnostic services. ******************************************** March 22: Speak Up for Kids Day, 8am-4pm, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1370 Grant St., Denver. Presented by Colorado Children’s Campaign, Clayton Early Learning and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Speak Up for Kids brings together child advocates from across Colorado to learn about effective advocacy and policy issues facing the Colorado legislature and to put their skills into action by speaking up with legislators at the Colorado State Capitol. Since its inception in 2012, Speak Up for Kids has trained nearly 500 people who care about Colorado kids to make their voices heard on important policy issues that affect kids and families. ******************************************** March 23: District 2 meeting at Koelbel Library, in The Forum, 6:30-8:30pm (I think). I'm not completely sure of the program but everyone is invited. ******************************************** Consumer Advisory Warning, Online Daters - Your Sweetheart Could be a Fake When it comes to matters of the heart, the ability to spot deception in a potential mate is critical, especially when searching for a love interest online. Launched in 1995, internet dating sites have become an acceptable means of bringing together like-minded partners, and participation is rapidly growing among older adults. While it’s true that ‘virtual’ encounters have resulted in many successful match-ups, charlatans are known to troll online dating sites in the interest of luring unsuspecting victims into handing over cash. The following are popular “come-ons” and other red herrings to be on the look-out for to help ‘flush out” an imposter: ♦ A “suitor” who professes to be a soul-mate after only a very brief courtship, and enchants the victim with affirmations of love, yet makes excuses as to why he/she can’t meet. To disguise their identity, charlatans often insist on conversing online, instead of through video chat or phone; ♦ Writing and grammar of the “suitor” is well below the standards of his/her self-proclaimed occupation and education level; ♦ After several months of courting, “suitor” may share an emotional hardship story, then unexpectedly ask victim for a large sum of cash. Or, victim may be asked to open an on-line bank account in his/her name so that money for their long-awaited “union” can be safely deposited. In truth, the money may be ‘hot” or stolen, and could implicate the victim in a money-laundering scheme. ♦ Having successfully gained the victim’s love and trust, charlatan may sweet-talk victim into sharing sexually explicit photos, then turn around and extort the victim for money by threatening to post the photos online. If these very nasty ploys sound like scripts, they most likely are, and are shared by crooks linked to various criminal networks operating outside of the United States. Prevention: ♦ Use only paid, membership-based dating sites. Fraudsters aren’t inclined to “pay to play”, and unfortunately they don’t need to, since many online dating sites provide the service for free. ♦ Check the safety policies on the site. Are background checks conducted on all users? ♦ Stick to active users within your local area. If the relationship heats up, you have a greater chance of meeting face to face. Also, consider doing your own research by entering the name through a search engine to see what pops up. ♦ If you suspect you’ve been taken in a scam through on an online dating site, report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. For more information on the psychology behind dating site scams, visit the Colorado Attorney General. This advisory comes from the 18th Judicial District. Protection Line-720-874-8547 ******************************************** April 5: Online Virtual Career Fair for Transportation Professionals 9am-3pm MST. Please go here for more information. ******************************************** Via Twitter, @NextAvenue: Tax Advice for Disorganized Taxpayers ******************************************** Arapahoe Reconstruction Report - February 2017 Arapahoe/I-25 Project The I-25 and Arapahoe Road Interchange Reconstruction project team made substantial progress in 2016. Some of these major accomplishments include: completed two out of three phases of I-25 bridge construction, removed the old I-25 bridge crossing Arapahoe Road, completed multiple utility relocations, conducted retaining wall work and improved access to businesses in the northeast quadrant by opening the new South Alton Way. While the project team has made significant progress to date, a substantial amount of construction remains, especially on Arapahoe Road. The rate of progress over the next couple of months is dependent on weather and the unpredictable amount of snowfall in early spring. Remaining key elements of construction: • Various activities related to the final phase of the I-25 bridge • Noise wall construction along Arapahoe Rd and Yosemite St • Retaining wall work on the south side of Arapahoe Rd • Various utility relocations • Constructing the new eastbound (EB) Arapahoe Rd lanes and shifting traffic to the new alignment • Various I-25 ramp closures for new pavement construction • Bridge aesthetics including monument and terrace wall installation • Shifting SB I-25 traffic onto the new bridge • Building permanent I-25 median barrier • Final top coating of asphalt on I-25 • Final landscaping • Permanent lighting and traffic signals Project completion date anticipated summer 2018. We encourage you to watch for regular construction update emails for the most up-to-date information. If you haven't already, please sign up by emailing. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~* I-25 Final Bridge Pier Cap and Girder Set Complete The weekend of Jan. 20, the I-25 & Arapahoe Reconstruction project team set the final bridge pier cap (seen above) and girders for the I-25 bridge crossing Arapahoe Rd. Pier caps are usually poured onsite before the girders are set. For this project, however, the pier caps were actually transferred from a pre-cast facility and then placed. During 3 phases of bridge construction, a total of 74 girders (structural beams that support the bridge deck) were set. ******************************************** Just in case we have some Apple Watch wearers out there Via Twitter, @chartier: One of my recent favorite Apple Watch uses: toggling client work timers with Hours. More here. ******************************************** Via Twitter, @aplaceformom: What to Do With Your Parent's Pet ******************************************** Uber hires NASA aircraft engineer to help develop flying cars at Uber Elevate Uber is making moves to expand the scope of its flying car experiment - the company just hired NASA engineer Mark Moore, who worked at the federal agency as an advanced aircraft engineer and basically kickstarted the current interest in vertical take-off and landing craft for short-haul urban flight with a 2010 paper on the feasibility of the helicopter-like vehicles. Moore will act as Director of Engineering at UberElevate, which is what the ride-hailing company calls its exploration of airborne on-demand drives. Hiring Moore on came after the NASA veteran consulted on Uber's recent white paper on VTOL craft, according to Bloomberg. The engineer was impressed by Uber's work on the subject, and saw a chance to make the vision he'd originally articulated years ago into something real, in a reasonable time scale. Moore said that key to his decision to join Uber was that the company seemed to have a practical business case for making a flying commuter transit service real - and nothing would ever get done without market motivation behind the vision. Uber has articulated its vision for "on-demand aviation" as networks of small vehicles that can take off and land vertically, are powered by electric sources, and have ranges of between 50 and 100 miles on a single charge. The ultimate goal is to have these operate autonomously, summoned via an app on a passenger's phone, but in the near-term Moore tells Bloomberg that we'll probably see a bunch of competing designs hit the field that operate well but with human pilots for now. VTOL are a pursuit of other companies, too, including two startup funded by Google's Larry Page, and commercial aviation giant Airbus, which is exploring similar territory to Uber with its own Vahana project. The appeal of the service is not only the ability to ease congestion and bypass ground traffic, but also to eventually achieve cost efficiencies that could make VTOL taxis more profitable over the long-term. Uber's Elevate is far from offering us actual on-demand airborne taxis service, but Uber is serious about pursuing the tech, and will look to host a summit of those interested in the field to help coordinate efforts to achieve practical VTOL transit sometime early this year. Uber Head of Product for Advanced Programs Nikhil Goel provided the following comment to TechCrunch regarding Moore's hiring: "Uber continues to see its role as a catalyst to the growing developing VTOL ecosystem. We're excited to have Mark join us to work with companies and stakeholders as we continue to explore the use case described in our white paper." Posted on 2/6/17 to TechCrunch by Darrell Etherington ******************************************** Gone in a Moment On those dark, chilly mornings that greet you during winter, there’s nothing nicer than stepping into a warm vehicle. Unless, of course, if that vehicle’s gone missing. Colorado’s Unattended Vehicle Law (C.R.S. 42-4-1206, page 45) strives to keep owners' vehicles from the hands of opportunistic thieves by making it illegal to leave a vehicle running with the keys in it. You may know it as the "Puffer Law." Those who have a car with a remote ignition switch are allowed to warm their car, provided the driver keeps the keyless start fob far enough away from the car that it cannot be moved. While the state law classifies a puffer car as a Class B traffic misdemeanor for the person who left the vehicle “to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the ignition and effectively setting the brake thereon” (CDOT), local law enforcement varies in how it carries out the law. Your best bet is to get familiar with your local city ordinances and state laws--and to not leave your car running unattended. In late January, three puffer cars in Lakewood were stolen in one morning. In early December, three were stolen overnight in Aurora. Four were also stolen in a three-day period in Denver. ******************************************** Centennial Establishes FiberWorks and Fiber Commission The implementation of the City of Centennial's Fiber Master Plan is underway. As the City constructs its fiber backbone and continues to develop partnership opportunities, City Council has created a Fiber Commission to oversee Centennial FiberWorks, a program to implement the City’s fiber backbone. This backbone will connect and complete the City’s underground infrastructure, connecting to key City sites and other community anchor institutions. This backbone will enable both existing and new broadband providers to tie into the new infrastructure with the goal of providing better and more competitive choices and services for consumers. Centennial FiberWorks and the Fiber Commission will continue efficient and cost-effective planning, construction, operation and management of the City's fiber optic infrastructure. FiberWorks is formed as an operational department of the City and serves as a publicly-owned business operation. The continuing construction, use, maintenance, and extension of the City’s fiber optic infrastructure falls under the purview of FiberWorks. The Commission provides policy direction, management and day-to-day oversight of FiberWorks. Users of FiberWorks will be both public and private entities with expectations for quick turnarounds on key issues involving engineering, planning, and potential partnerships. As contemplated, FiberWorks will be a function that differs from typical City operations in that it requires high levels of expertise and knowledge of the current and evolving telecommunications landscape. This five-person Fiber Commission includes three City Council Members; Mayor Pro Tem and Fiber Commission Chair C.J. Whelan, District 4 Council Member and Fiber Commission Vice-Chair Stephanie Piko and District 3 Council Member Ken Lucas. Two Centennial residents will be appointed by the Commission in the next eight months. Council Members are selected by fellow Council Members to serve on the Commission. “Since 2014, the three of us have served on the City’s Fiber Subcommittee to provide policy direction on next steps for constructing the City’s fiber backbone. The creation of this Fiber Commission allows continuity of knowledge already in place. It is the best outcome to balance the desires of City Council oversight while maintaining the technical knowledge of this group,” says Fiber Commission Chair Charles “C.J.” Whelan, Vice-Chair Stephanie Piko and Council Member Ken Lucas, in a joint statement. “We look forward to being a part of improving technological efficiency and sustainability throughout the City, enhancing opportunities for current and future businesses.“ ******************************************** Scam Alert! Recently, ACSO (ArapCo Sheriff's Office) has received reports of a phone scam that has been making the rounds again. In each instance, the suspect identifies himself as Sgt. Brown with ACSO and tells the victim there is a warrant for his or her arrest, usually because of missing jury duty or court. He may even give bogus citation or case numbers. He then demands the victim stay on the phone and not tell anyone about the warrants, and asks for payment via pre-paid gift cards. After the payment is given by phone, he requests that they meet him at ACSO's headquarters. A similar scam was circulating in Dec. A suspect would call, saying they were in an accident with the victim's loved one and they would hold them until they received money. For more information on this scam. If you have received one of these calls or think you may have been the victim of a scam, please call us at (303) 795-4711. ******************************************** There's still some winter left in the season Via Twitter, @ArapahoeSO: Winter Driving Tips: Plan, Protect & Prevent. Details in our newsletter. ******************************************** Job seekers see higher earnings after using Arapahoe/Douglas Works! People using the Workforce Center in their job search earned an average $15,800 more per year than those who did not.… Read on ******************************************** Road Usage Charge Pilot Program Welcome to ‘What’s up with RUCPP’ – a monthly newsletter series to keep you in the loop about the Colorado Road Usage Charge Pilot Program, or Colorado RUCPP for short. How did we get here? Whether on your daily commute or quick trip to the grocery store, safe and reliable roads are an essential part of our lives. Coloradans fund maintenance and improvements of our roads through a per-gallon gas tax at the pump. Next time you fill up at the pump, consider this: $1 in 2016 is worth approx. 56.5% less than it was in 1991 – the last time Colorado raised the gas tax rate. What else do you remember about 1991? The outdated gas tax and the rise of fuel efficient vehicles leave us with an estimated shortfall of $25B over the next 25 years! That's why we're exploring options like a road usage charge to fund future road maintenance and improvements. Where did we start? With a study! CDOT launched the Colorado RUCPP in Dec 2016 with, 103 drivers, from nearly 30 different counties—representing drivers from all parts of the state. Each participant chose one of 3 mileage reporting options: • Odometer reading • Non-GPS enabled • GPS enabled What happens next? Their participation will help CDOT evaluate exactly how a road usage charge program would work for passenger vehicles in Colorado. When the program ends in April 2017, we will summarize our findings and recommendations in a report we'll share with you later this summer. How can you get involved? Stay tuned for more information about Colorado's road funding and the Colorado RUCPP throughout the course of the 4-month pilot! Want more information about the Colorado RUCPP? Check out RUCPP for details. Follow us on Facebook for more updates on road funding. ******************************************** Colorado Department of Transportation C-470 Express Lanes Update What: Centennial Trail Relocation When: Starting end of February 2017 Where: Centennial Trail, various locations between Lucent & Quebec Details: Segments of the Centennial Trail will be relocating adjacent to the original trail due to C-470 Express Lanes project construction. The trail will remain open with detour signage and flaggers to direct when necessary. We appreciate your caution and patience during this time. Safety Reminder: CDOT would like to remind C-470 motorists of Colorado’s Move-It Law, a joint effort between CDOT & law enforcement agencies to encourage motorists to follow a state law requiring drivers involved in minor accidents on Interstates to move their vehicle immediately out of traffic to a safe location. The insurance industry also encourages compliance with the Move It law, reassuring drivers there will still be a full investigation of the crash to determine fault. “Many people are apprehensive about moving their vehicle after an accident, worried they’re jeopardizing their insurance coverage,” says Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. “However, when it comes to safety, the industry fully supports taking actions that reduces potential hazards to drivers, first and foremost.” Construction activities are weather dependent and schedule is subject to change. For current road and weather conditions call 5-1-1 or visit cotrip. Find a smarter commute. Visit here. ******************************************** Changes to Parking Regulations for Commercial Vehicles City Council recently approved making changes to parking regulations for commercial vehicles. The changes are a result of multiple complaints about commercial vehicles parking on private residential property and on public streets overnight, including an instance where a commercial business was operating entirely within the public right-of-way with no other physical presence within Centennial. New regulations include: • Restricting commercial vehicle parking on public streets from 9pm until 4am in non-residential neighborhoods but providing an exception up to a 24 hours if the vehicle is temporarily disabled. Overnight parking of a commercial vehicle on a residential street remains prohibited between 7pm and 7am • Prohibiting the loading or unloading of car carrier trailers on public streets in Centennial with the exception of local or collector roadways within an area bounded by Dayton St on the west, Revere Pky on the east, Costilla Ave & Briarwood Ave on the south, and Peakview Ave & Racine Cir on the north. This is intended to limit the loading and unloading of car carrier trailers to a small geographic area in close proximity to the existing auto dealerships within the City. • Continuing the City's parking prohibition of certain commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods, generally those vehicles that weigh over 10,000 lbs. and tow trucks, except when parked in a fully enclosed structure, or a garage. Please note: In most cases, work vehicles that are driven home from a place of employment to a residence are not subject to the new regulations. It is not Council's intent to regulate those types of vehicles, nor was it their intent to go after home-based businesses who use their personal vehicle for business purposes, such as a Mary Kay distributor. ******************************************** Arapahoe County 4-H still accepting new members for program year There is still time to join Arapahoe County 4-H and participate in the 2017 Arapahoe County Fair. Youth ages 5 to 18 are invited to enroll by April 1 to enter a project like cooking, photography, cats or dogs into the County Fair July 27-30. The program offers more than 60 general, home economics and animal project areas for youth ages 5 to 18. A project involves learning a new skill over several weeks or months through hands-on learning. Some of the County’s most popular projects are shooting sports, cake decorating, clothing construction, rabbits and dogs. Llamas and alpacas are a new animal project this year. Small animals including poultry can be raised in most cities and give 4-H youth who live in urban settings the opportunity to learn about raising animals. Cats are another new animal project and the cat project caps off with a Cat Show at the County Fairgrounds July 22. 4-H also offers numerous STEM projects, such as robotics and rocketry. Children under the age of 8 participate in the Cloverbud project, where they learn about a variety of topics and have fun in a noncompetitive setting. Arapahoe County 4-H members are invited to show their completed projects at the Arapahoe County Fair each July and top exhibitors have the opportunity to show at the Colorado State Fair. The County also hosts optional contests throughout the year, such as cake decorating, speech demonstrations, creative cooks and a talent show. 4-H youth also participate in community service projects, fundraisers, conferences and camps that help to grow their leadership skills. Currently, there are more than 300 members in Arapahoe County’s 4-H program. Youth are welcome to join one of the 14 local clubs from Littleton to Deer Trail, or start a new club with a group of friends and an adult volunteer. Clubs fill up fast and may not be accepting members close to the April deadline.
For more information or to receive a list of current 4-H clubs, please call the 4-H Office at Arapahoe County CSU-Extension at 303-730-1920 or visit here. The annual fee for new members is $50, which includes any number of projects with curriculum. The fee for Cloverbuds is $40 and the volunteer fee is $5. Enrollment is open until April 1, 2017. ******************************************** OK, I'm stopping. There's more news that I've left out! I'm sorry I can't figure out how to make the links. Andrea (standy@ecentral.com 6864 S Ulster Cir Centennial CO 80112