GARCO FIGHTING HUNGER
Glenwood Springs—Garfield County Commissioners agreed to contribute a seven thousand dollar grant to help fight hunger in the area. Commissioners received an update on the growing number of people in the county that are considered “food insecure.” According to the latest data, over 76-hundred Garfield County residents fall in that category including senior citizens and children.
GARCO SHERIFF DONATES VEHICLE TO NEEDY COUNTY
Glenwood Springs—Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario is helping out a fellow sheriff in Colorado with a much needed vehicle. With the retirement of a K-9 officer, Vallario decided to donate an older but still functional K-9 equipped patrol vehicle to Fremont County. The Blue Book value on the vehicle is $16,000.00.
GARCO BOARD CHALLENGING HEALTH CARE LAW
GLENWOOD SPRINGS (AP) – Officials in one Colorado county are considering a lawsuit over their zoning for health insurance under the new federal health care law.
Garfield County commissioners want to challenge a decision by state insurance officials to put them in the “Resort” zone. That puts Glenwood Springs with Aspen and Vail. The Colorado Insurance Commission established 11 rating areas in the state. The areas have different health insurance premiums. Garfield County commissioners say constituents are asking them to request Garfield County’s removal from the more expensive zone. They say the Glenwood Springs area is more properly grouped with Mesa County to the west. A spokesman for the state Division of Insurance says insurance zoning is under discussion.
SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS NOT PRIORITIZED
DENVER (AP) – Auditors say a Colorado has spent more than $1 billion in school construction projects, but a board overseeing the spending has not identified critical needs to prioritize the funds. An audit released to state lawmakers Tuesday found that only a quarter of 70 schools identified as being in the worst condition have received grant funding since 2009. Lawmakers created the Public School Capital Construction Assistance Program in 2008 to help the infrastructure needs of school districts and other public education organizations. A board was also established to oversee and award the grants.
So far, the board has distributed $1.1 billion for 211 construction projects. The state has funded $759 million of that, while districts have spent about $330 million in matching funds.
