As part of Jefferson County's community outreach on the budget, we hosted Community Budget Forums to get input from Jeffco community members on which county services matter most to them. Two additional budget forums will be held in May. Learn more about the upcoming forums and register to attend.

Jefferson County continues to face financial challenges. The county made cuts within the General Fund to slow the rate of spending and balance the county’s budget – totaling $16.1 million in 2020 and approximately $8.7 million in 2021. These reductions have impacted essential public services such as public safety, roads and more.

National Crime Victims' Rights Week is a time to renew our commitment to serving all victims of crime, to honor those who have gone above and beyond in their service to others, and to remember crime victims and survivors. The Courage Walk will take place on April 30 at the Jefferson County Administration and Courts Facility, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden. Registration and breakfast begin at 10 a.m. and the walk will kickoff at 11 a.m. Learn more and register.

Is your home, ranch or business one of the gems of Jefferson County’s long and diverse heritage? Let the Jefferson County Historical Commission (JCHC) know and see if it's eligible for local landmark status. Each year, one or more special places are chosen to be highlighted in the Hall of Fame event and Historically Jeffco magazine. Visit our Happenings page for the full article, and for more information on the JCHC Landmark Designation Program, visit the Historical Programs page.

People with active warrants for non-violent, low-level misdemeanor and traffic charges in Jefferson or Gilpin counties will have an opportunity to resolve their case without being arrested. The second Fresh Start event in Colorado’s First Judicial District will be held Saturday, April 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Jefferson County Probation, 11011 West 6th Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80215.

On Drug Take Back Day, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office joins law enforcement agencies nationwide to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from medicine cabinets.

Drug Take-Back Day provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for destruction. Learn more see drop-off locations.

Many people think they are not in danger of flooding if they don't live near a stream or creek. Unfortunately, this is not true. Flooding is the nation's number one natural disaster.

Colorado's flood season runs from May through October and includes both snowmelt and thunderstorm flooding. Snowmelt floods result from the melting of the winter snowpack in the high mountain areas which becomes spring runoff.

Jefferson County is completing the final design of West Quincy Avenue from South Beech Way to South Swadley Court. Once completed, West Quincy Avenue will be widened to arterial road standards.

Utility coordination and improvements are underway and will continue through the year. Brannan Construction has begun the replacement of Lakehurst Water and Sanitation District's waterline and service lines. Additional utility work will be completed by Xcel Energy. Get all of the project details here.

On Saturday, May 14, from 7 a.m. to noon, the Jeffco Sheriff's Office is joining Metro Denver Crime Stoppers and metro area law enforcement agencies for the annual Shred-A-Thon. Residents can bring up to three clean trash bags or boxes of documents to JCSO headquarters at 200 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden. Staples, paperclips, and window envelopes are acceptable. Binders and other non-paper contaminants must be removed prior to drop-off. The event is free, but donations to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers are encouraged.

Property tax payments can be made in two equal installments or in one full installment. Postmarks by the dates below are accepted.

Online payments can be made until midnight of the due date. The Treasurer’s Payment Options Page provides all the available ways to pay property taxes.

One in five Colorado parents say they feel like they have no one they can turn to for day-to-day emotional support in raising children. If you are a parent or caregiver in this situation, you are not alone and there are resources to help.

Throughout the month of April, Jefferson County residents can get involved and support families in our community in several ways.

It’s never too early to verify or update your voter registration. Visit VoteJeffco.com to make sure your information is current or to register for the first time. You can learn more about key dates and election security safeguards on the Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder's election information page.

The April TRIAD senior safety meeting will be held April 26 at 1:30 p.m. Attendees can make connections and receive training for living safely. Meetings are located in the training room at the DA’s Office, 500 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden. Questions? Call 303-271-6970.

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.

You can help break the cycle of generational poverty when you donate in honor of a Jeffco Human Services Foundation Colfax Marathon runner. All month long we are raising money to support families in our Jeffco Prosperity Partners (JPP) program through our Colfax Marathon fundraising page. Our goal is to raise $7,000 to help families on their path to prosperity. We couldn’t do this work without you, Jeffco. For additional information contact Roxanne Dunaway.

As commissioners, we encourage citizens to contact us with their concerns and questions regarding the county. As we have been sharing with you, our businesses and community groups, Jefferson County is facing significant budget challenges. As a result, I recently received an email regarding our county budget and TABOR.

During COVID, the economy and supply chain shut down, thereby reducing the actual revenue received. Instead of growing at the natural inflation rate of approximately 3% to keep up with costs, it dropped by $14.5 million. Read the full article from Commissioner Tracy Kraft-Tharp.

Quick links to Commissioner Information:

Our storm sewer system is designed to carry runoff from rain and snowmelt and discharge it directly to the drainage way. Materials that are dumped or inadvertently washed into our storm sewer system can pollute our creeks and rivers. An illicit discharge occurs when an activity results in an unauthorized substance entering our storm sewer system or waterways. If you want to learn about illicit discharges and stream dumping regulations, visit our Illicit Discharge page.

Curious about development in your neighborhood? Check out the new mapping tool for exploring active Planning & Zoning land use cases. The Ongoing Applications and Permits Map is a GIS dashboard updated with real-time case information. Users can search for an address in unincorporated Jeffco to find active permits in that area. See information about building permits, rezonings, site development plans, subdivisions, right-of-way vacations, and other development activity.

For commercial composting to be a viable option across the Front Range, there needs to be more regional composting facilities so that the cost (and emissions) of hauling over distance doesn’t make it unapproachable. However, while green-waste (like Jeffco's Slash Program) is relatively easy to take and process, food waste takes intensive permitting and high capital costs to prepare for. Please email us if you want to locate a commercial composting facility in Jeffco. Get more information and tips.

Join Foothills Park & Recreation District on May 14 for Hops in the Park beer festival. What better place to try out new breweries and beers than at scenic Clement Park. Hops in the Park is a festival for ages 21+, featuring unlimited beer sampling, food trucks, vendors selling beer related swag, community booths, yard games and entertainment. Buy your tickets here.

Warren Tech’s Horticulture students have lovingly tended herbs, flowers, vegetables, and more, available for purchase starting at $4, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., May 9-13. ACRES is Warren Tech Central's urban farm and your purchase supports the unique, real-world education the program cultivates. Learn more about this sale.

West Metro Chamber is excited to bring you Taste of the West, Jeffco’s premier food and drink festival featuring local eateries, breweries, distilleries and more. Join us Thursday, June 9, from 5–8 p.m. at the Foothills Fieldhouse. General Admission tickets are available for only $25. Find out more and buy your tickets.

Give the gift of hope and new beginnings to pets in need at Foothills Animal Shelter. Your gift will provide them with warm kennels, nutritious food, medical care, and a chance at a better life.

Foothills Animal Shelter is an open admission facility serving Jefferson County. We are driven to make lives better for animals and people in our community.

The Spring Whale of a Used Book Sale is one of Jefferson County Library Foundation's two annual mega sales. The Whale Sale helps raise funds to support early literacy programs at Jefferson County Public Library. Attendees will have access to tens of thousands of books, CDs, DVDs, LPs, and rare/collectible items. The Whale of a Used Book Sale will take place June 2-5 at the Jeffco Fairgrounds.

Are you a restaurant, brewery, food truck, coffee roaster, café, distillery or winery in Jefferson County looking to be awarded one of the culinary awards “Best of the West”? If so, be a part of the Taste of the West on June 9. No membership or payment required to be in the running and showcase your business. Email Madison to find out how to get involved. View the flyer here.