We have just learned that the Senate is planning to vote on mandatory collective bargaining as early as this week. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is attempting to add S. 3194 to the supplemental appropriations legislation H.R. 4899. IPMA-HR is opposed to the Public Safety Employer Employee Cooperation Act because it gives the federal government a significant role in state and local public safety collective bargaining. States and localities are free to choose whether or not to engage in collective bargaining and many already have.

The Special District Association of Colorado sent an RFP and letter out on April 5, 2010. As many of you are aware, the Special District Association is accepting proposals from qualified accounting firms to provide SDA with audit and tax services. If you have not had an opportunity to review the RFP, click here to download a copy of the document. The deadline for submitting your proposal to SDA is June 1, 2010, by 5:00 pm.

In the Denver Post this morning, found HERE, Governor Ritter pledged his support of the campaign against Amendment 60, 61 and Prop 101, which will appear on the ballot this November. Ritter told the paper, “They are devastating to the state economy.” According the Post, the Governor will also voice his opposition of the ballot measures during every public speaking engagement from now until November.

Many districts are interested in updating their Transparency Notice on the SDA website to reflect the names of the new board members following the recent special district regular elections on May 4, 2010.

At the time that you initially posted your notice, the board elections were on the horizon, and it made sense to provide electors with details such as the name and address of the DEO and where electors could obtain and submit self-nomination forms.

The law firm of Ireland Stapleton Pryor & Pascoe is offering three free workshops for Colorado volunteer and combination fire departments. The workshops will be held in Steamboat Springs, Alamosa and Woodland Park and will focus on the following issues:

May 22^nd marks the two-year anniversary of a devastating tornado touchdown in the Windsor-Severance area. One of the buildings affected by the tornado was the Windsor-Severance Fire Museum. The tornado destroyed the facility only a few weeks before it was scheduled to open. The museum has now been rebuilt and will host a grand opening ceremony Saturday at 1pm, on the anniversary of its destruction.

The Highlands Ranch Metro District has named Carrie Ward the Director of Parks, Recreation and Open Space. Ward brings more than 30 years of experience to the position. She will begin her new duties in June. For a full copy of the press release please click HERE

The Ute Water Conservancy District, the City of Grand Junction and the Clifton Water District are hosting a free festival for fifth graders and their parents as a way to teach them about water resources in Colorado. The 17^th Annual Children’s Water Festival is happening at Mesa State College May 17^th & 18th.  For more information about the Water Festival, please see an article located HERE or call the Ute Water Conservancy District at 970-242-7491.

Many of you have asked for information about Proposition 101 and Amendments 60 and 61. Over the last several months Special Districts Association of Colorado, Colorado Counties Inc., Colorado Municipal League, the Colorado Association of School Boards, bond attorneys and local government financial officers, have been working together to identify tools you can use to assess the quantitative and qualitative impacts of these three initiatives on your community.

It is with great sadness that I inform you CBI’s first arson K-9, Erin lost her battle last night with cancer. Erin came to CBI in 2000 and retired in May of 2007. Erin and Jerry responded to over 800 calls that resulted in over 150 arson arrests. She did over 500 demonstrations at schools, seminars, colleges, civic groups, scout troops and other events.