For the second year in a row, the Giving Tree was virtual in 2021. This year's program was the largest yet with 310 children available for 'adoption'. Jeffco citizens and employees were able to choose a child from the Giving Tree website and purchase a gift card, to help make the child's holiday wishes come true. Thanks to everyone's generosity, all of the children will have gifts this year!

The annual program benefits children at CASA Jeffco/Gilpin (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Jefferson County Head Start and Jeffco Prosperity Partners (JPP).

Jeffco taxpayers recently received a TABOR refund check in the mail, as required by the state’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights Amendment (TABOR). Jefferson County received approximately $1.5 million in property tax revenue above the TABOR property tax limit, so the county is required to give that money back to the taxpayers in 2021. Get more information on the Jefferson County website.

The late-season hunting access at Centennial Cone Park began Dec 1, closing the park to all other uses through the end of January. Mayhem Gulch parking lot along US Hwy 6 will remain open for visitors to access the Peaks to Plains Trail in Clear Creek Canyon Park. The majority of the park will reopen to multi-use recreation on Feb 1. For more information please visit the Jeffco Open Space website.

Due to a statewide shortage of truck drivers, Jefferson County Road and Bridge revised its Snow Removal Procedure for the 2021-22 winter season. We appreciate your understanding as we work through this staffing shortage. Community members are encouraged to work from home whenever possible on days where snowstorms affect the roads. Additionally, if you plan to visit a Jefferson County facility during snowy conditions, please visit www.jeffco.us prior to driving.

Jefferson County’s Transportation and Engineering Division completed a preliminary design for the JC-73 improvement project and is looking for input from the community. Included in the project is approximately a half mile segment of JC-73 between Buffalo Park Road and Plettner Lane. A feedback form will be available on the Jefferson County website through Dec. 31. Get all of the project details.

In August, government and community partners from Jefferson County gathered to help low-level offenders get their lives back on track without being arrested. Eligible attendees were able to clear their warrant and either set a new court date, re-engage in probation or have their case resolved. Due to the success of the first Fresh Start event, a second event will be held on Jan. 29, 2022.

Kids ages five to eleven can now get the free Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine for children is more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19, and 100% effective at preventing severe disease and death. Wondering where you can get the vaccine for your child? Talk to your child’s health care provider or learn more here.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you may be able to get monoclonal antibody therapy to help you recover. This treatment can help keep you from getting seriously sick, and out of the hospital. You can get monoclonal antibody therapy even if you are fully vaccinated and have a breakthrough case. However, his treatment is not a substitute for vaccination against COVID-19, which is still the best way to avoid getting seriously ill.

Did you know American households generate 23% more waste than normal between Thanksgiving and the end of the calendar year? SustainAbility Recycling Center in Arvada put together a holiday recycling guide to help you with proper holiday waste disposal. If you have old string lights or other hard to recycle items, you can drop them off at their local facility at 6240 W 54th Ave. Visit the Jeffco Sustainability Commission website for more sustainability tips and information.

Jefferson County Public Health is recruiting youth ages 14-20 to join a countywide COVID-19 Recovery Youth Action Board. As part of a two-year project, this board will work with adult community partners to identify how we can better support youth mental and physical health and co-create solutions for youth COVID-19 recovery with local decision-makers. Those interested can attend a paid info session to learn more.

The TRIAD Senior Safety Program will not host a monthly meeting in December. On Jan. 25, the monthly meeting will include the annual Chili Warm-Up and AARP will discuss social media and crime.

TRIAD of Jefferson County is built on a cooperative relationship between community members, the DA's Office, local law enforcement agencies, and senior service providers.

Jefferson County teens report that adults aren’t providing needed guidance to teens about creating healthy relationships, sexual consent, use of alcohol as a “date rape” drug, sending nude photos and making sexual comments about others.

The best way to show your teen you care? Be there. Have a talk with your teen.

If you’re a homeowner in Jefferson County, you have likely received your TABOR refund check mixed in with the season’s holiday cards and catalogs. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights – or TABOR – requires the county to return $1.5 million in property tax revenue this year that exceeded Jeffco’s limit for last year. Every property taxpayer – including homes, businesses and other organizations – will receive their share of the $1.5 million refund. Read the full article.

Quick links to Commissioner Information:

The Jefferson County Historical Commission publishes Historically Jeffco annually. This year's issue follows themes of education and diversity, including articles on Montessori schools, linguistic diversity in Jefferson County schools, German immigrants, race-based residential restrictions in the county, African American Exodusters, the African American Meta Park recreation area, the historic one-room Medlen School, the Fletcher Miller School for special needs students, and many others.

The moratorium on foreclosing federally insured loans officially ended July 31. The moratorium prohibited lenders of federally insured defaulted loans from referring those loans to foreclosure. It also precluded loans already in foreclosure from proceeding to sale. This means if you have a federally insured loan and are behind on your payments by more than 120 days, your lender can start a foreclosure action. Learn about federal assistance and get advice from the Jeffco Public Trustee's Office.

By fostering strong and trusting relationships with youth, parents, guardians, and caregivers can better start and continue important conversations about alcohol, marijuana, vaping and other substances. Register today for free parenting workshops being offered monthly (excluding December) during the 2021-2022 school year in English and Spanish. Workshops are sponsored by Jefferson County Communities that Care, Jeffco Public Schools and Jefferson County Public Health's Tobacco Prevention Initiative.

The Colorado Startup Loan Fund provides loans and small grants to Colorado entrepreneurs and small business owners needing capital to start, restart, or restructure a business, and those who are not able to obtain a loan from traditional lenders. This is a revolving loan fund, meaning the dollars will be used to continue supporting new entrepreneurs as loans are repaid.

Nominations are being accepted for the West Metro Chamber’s annual business awards gala, which will take place on Friday, Feb. 18 at the Sheraton Denver West Hotel. Winners of seven business awards will be announced at the Celebrate Jeffco event. Nominations are open to all organizations and businesses in Jeffco – no chamber membership is required. Learn more and submit nominations.

Leave your worries behind and immerse yourself in our biggest holiday experience ever. Journey through artist Lonnie Hanzon’s fantastical wonderland of lights, dazzling decorations, music and memorabilia as you explore mesmerizing yuletide scenes across a six-acre landscape. Camp Christmas is presented by Hanzon Studios and Denver Center for the Performing Arts Off-Center.

Nominations are now open for seven categories of awards at the Colorado Women’s Day Conference, which will take place March 10-11, 2022. Categories include NREL Foundation’s Outstanding Woman in STEM, Wonderful Woman in Art for support of the arts, Women in Sustainability, Unsung Heroine for volunteer service, and Shattered Glass for achievement in a male-dominated field. The deadline for nominations is Jan. 7. Call 303-277-9520, ext. 310 for more information.

Sidewalks, shared-use paths and trails support a high quality of life, provide safety and create transportation options for Lakewood residents. Building missing sections of these amenities has always been a priority for Lakewood, and we want your help in identifying where there are missing connections in the city. Use the Missing Connections Reporter to give feedback by Jan. 19.

Join Foothills Park & Recreation District in the new year to Refocus and Recharge at our Mind-Body Open House, Thursday, Jan. 13 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Free introductory sessions of Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and more will be offered to help you find your bliss. The introductory sessions will cover the fundamentals of each class including proper form, techniques and explanations/demonstration of moves.

Thank you to everyone who donated to Jeffco Human Services Foundation on Giving Tuesday! The foundation raised more than $7,000 to help 76 families in the JPP Program overcome poverty. You can still donate online or through the Jeffco Human Services Foundation Facebook page until Dec. 31. Your generosity helps us break the cycle of generational poverty in Jefferson County.

To close out West Metro Chamber's 2021 Women in Business programming, cheers your glass with us at the annual program Mingling & Mimosas. Registration is open to both members and not-yet members. Networking and mimosas – it can’t get much better. Join us on Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 8 a.m.

Spark creativity and improve your well-being! Browse the Community Connection catalog and sign up now for Lakewood arts, parks and recreation programs. Choose from Pilates to painting and drawing, ballroom dancing to tai chi, family yoga, kids’ camps and much more.