Jefferson County recently mailed TABOR refund checks, as required by the state’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights Amendment (TABOR). Checks began arriving in mailboxes of property taxpayers during the week of Oct. 10.

In 2021, Jefferson County received approximately $17.3 million in revenue above the TABOR revenue limit. As a result, the county is required to give that money back to the 213,000 property taxpayers in 2022. Learn more about TABOR.

The Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder’s Office mailed ballots for the November General Election on Monday, Oct. 17. Ballots will take up to a week to arrive. If you have not received yours by Monday, Oct. 24, call the Elections Division at 303-271-8111. Once you fill out your ballot, you can return it to any 24-hour drop box located throughout the county. We’ve more than doubled the number of drop boxes from 15 to 36 in the past few years. You may also go to an in-person vote center starting on Monday, Oct. 24, for additional assistance.

Visit VoteJeffco.com to view drop box and vote center locations, sign up for ballot tracking, or learn how we defend the integrity of our elections. Be sure to vote by Nov 8!

Representatives from the Metropolitan Football Stadium District presented a check for $1.1 million to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners. These funds are designated for youth activities.

The funds stem from the recent sale of the Denver Broncos franchise and Jefferson County’s membership in the MFSD, a tax district that funded the construction of the Broncos’ new stadium in 2001.

The average American household contains four pounds of prescription and over-the-counter medications. However, many of these are unused. The DEA’s Drug Take Back Day allows residents to safely dispose of expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications. On Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is hosting collections at three sites in the county for pharmaceutical drugs and over-the-counter medications.

The First Judicial District will hold its next Fresh Start event on Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Jefferson County Administration and Courts Facility, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, CO 80419. Fresh Start will not only benefit individuals with outstanding warrants but also will cut down on the costs to taxpayers and allow law enforcement to direct their resources toward offenders who commit higher level crimes and directly victimize others in the community.

LEAP is a federally funded program helping eligible Colorado families, seniors, and individuals pay a portion of winter home heating costs. The LEAP Program re-opens for applications on Nov. 1.

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program is also available as an additional support for households approved for LEAP. Call 1-866-432-8435 for questions.

The Giving Tree is a popular program that is sponsored each year by the Board of County Commissioners. The Giving Tree program benefits children who may not receive gifts during the holiday season.

For the first time since 2019, physical gift tags will be placed on the holiday tree inside the Jefferson County Administration and Courts Facility. Keep an eye out for details in the next issue of Engage Jeffco.

New booster doses, also known as omicron doses or boosters, have been updated to include spike protein components from the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants, which will help ensure better protection from COVID-19. All authorized COVID-19 vaccines are available at the JCPH walk-in clinic, Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m.- noon and 1-5 p.m.

Learn more about the omicron booster on the JCPH website or the CDPHE website.

Jeffco Human Services Foundation is looking for diverse individuals who will bring a fresh perspective on fundraising and community outreach and, most importantly, are passionate about making a lasting change in Jefferson County. We want individuals who are currently involved or have experience with organizations that advocate for the populations we serve. For questions about this opportunity, email Roxy Dunaway or submit your application online.

No matter how beautiful fall is, it also marks the beginning of the season for respiratory viruses, including flu. With cooler weather and more indoor time, Jefferson County Public Health recommends all members of our community ages six months and older get their annual flu vaccine and any needed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Get more details on the JCPH website.

The Jefferson County Historical Commission (JCHC) is proud to present its 2022 Historic Preservation Symposium. The virtual presentations highlighting Dinosaur Ridge, the Bear Creek Toll Road, and Centennial House can be accessed on JCHC's YouTube channel. Visit the JCHC Happenings Page for links and more information about the symposium.

Fall is in the air, and it’s a great time to prepare for the coming winter by insulating your home. There are numerous companies, utility rebates, and tax credits available for weatherizing your home.

Energy Resource Center is the provider of the Weatherization Program in Jefferson County and can provide many options for free or low cost to income qualified residents. Call 720-236-1321 to learn more. Additionally, Xcel Energy’s program can help you find a qualified contractor who can access rebates.

Jefferson County has put forth language for three ballot initiatives for the election this November. Ballots were mailed on Oct. 17.

Commissioners Andy Kerr and Lesley Dahlkemper joined Jeffco community members to get a look at the future of transportation on Oct. 12 at the Drive Clean Summit & Expo, an event hosted by the Jeffco Sustainability Commission.

Attendees shared insight on their experiences with electric fleets, discussed budding technologies, met with manufacturers and dealers, and test drove vehicles during the event.

Quick links to Commissioner Information:

Keep trees trimmed back 4-6 feet from the roof. Wind causes low branches to scrape across the roof, which can remove protective layers or entire shingles. Damage to shingles can lead to leaks.

Additionally, this friction can knock leaves or pine needles off the limbs, potentially clogging gutters. Keeping tree branches trimmed back will allow them to sway in the wind without touching the rooftop. Learn about Jeffco Building Safety.

Jefferson County Public Health offers the community the ability to look up any retail food establishment in Jeffco to check the results of their health inspections. JCPH Environmental Health Specialists perform inspections of more than 2,000 establishments, including restaurants, grocery stores, schools, food trucks, and more. These inspections protect the public by assuring food sold and served in Jeffco retail food establishments is as safe as possible and complies with state laws and regulations.

Thank you to all 39 participants who took part in the first ever Summer Carbon Weight Loss Challenge. You helped Jeffco divert more than seven 48-gallon trash bins of waste from landfills, and more than 16,000 gallons of fresh water was conserved. Learn more about the challenge and our prize winners.

We have something fang-tastic planned! This event will be filled with family-friendly fun that you don’t want to miss. Participate in Halloween-themed games to earn yourself candy, enjoy yummy refreshments, pass out treats to our adoptable animals, and take a trip down our haunted hallway... if you dare. Don’t forget your costume! RSVP here.

Bring the whole family to Foothills Park & Recreation District’s BOO-rific Bash & Splash at Ridge Recreation Center on Oct. 28. This fun and affordable indoor trick-or-treating event allows children to dress in full costume, trick-or-treat among community business tables, and enjoy bounce houses and swimming for one low price. Kids $5, adults FREE, no registration required.

When Lakewood residents spot signs with “Project of the Month” on them, they can take their most creative photo of the project and submit it along with their story about what the project has meant to them, what memories they’ve created there, or how they use the project. A winner will be named each month for the rest of 2022, and again starting in the spring of 2023, and will receive a prize package. Learn more about Your Money at Work.

It’s time for the 2022 Holiday Giving Tree Program! The holidays can be especially tough on abused and neglected children. CASA and CYFAP connect generous donors with families in need to fulfill their holiday wish list. If you are interested in matching with a child or family for the holiday season, please fill out this form.

You know your community best, and we want to hear directly from you. Jefferson Center is partnering with others to collect information for the 2023 Community Health Assessment. Survey results will be used to create action, improve health and connection, and help our communities thrive! Complete this quick survey and be entered to win one of 50 $10 Amazon gift cards through partner sponsorship.

Looking for a unique gift or experience? We have you covered.

Also, kick off the season with a FREE ticket to the Mayor’s Tree Lighting on Nov. 15.

Congratulations to the staff, students, and families at Fairmount Elementary for earning a National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the U.S. Department of Education. Fairmount was one of four Colorado schools to be honored this year and one of only 297 schools across the U.S. to earn this coveted award.

Learn about the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program and how it recognizes schools for academic excellence or for making progress in closing achievement gaps.

Do you have a favorite memory from spending time at Meyers Pool? The City of Arvada, Apex, and Jeffco Public Schools are in the process of planning and designing for the reconstruction of the facility. In the meantime, we know that many folks across Jefferson County have spent time at the pool, and we want to hear from you. Share a story about why you love Meyers Pool or why you are excited for the new facility!

Did you know you are the right person to prevent suicide? Every day, we all have the opportunity to be the right person with the small things we do to interact with those in our lives. Check out Jefferson Center’s page and watch our videos to learn more about how You Are the Right Person.

Compete against others in squat, deadlift and bench press competitions at Charles Whitlock Recreation Center on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The top two winners in each weight category will take home prizes. Special Olympics lifters are welcome. Ages 16+ are eligible.

Experience a cutting-edge dance company performing masterful works by world-renowned choreographers Micaela Taylor, Ihsan Rustem, and SALT's Joni McDonald. The technical mastery of SALT's dancers will take audiences on a journey of self-discovery during the Lakewood Cultural Center Presents series on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25 and are available online, at 303-987-7845, or at the Lakewood Cultural Center Box Office at 480 S. Allison Pkwy.