*Total COVID-19 Cases: 76,661 (+1,069)

Total Cases in Berthoud: 3,424 (+48)

Deaths in Larimer County: 468 (+1)

7-day case rate per 100k: 102 (-66.2)

7-Day test positivity rate: 4.5%

Risk Score: Low

Deaths attributed to the virus comprise 0.62% of reported cases. Of reported deaths, 24% were age 75 to 84, 20% were 65-74 and 38% were 85 and older. Thirty-three people in the county between the ages of 18-54 have died.

As of Monday, March 7, there have been 621,825 doses of the vaccines administered in Larimer County. 79.9% of eligible county residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

*Case data as of Wednesday.

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The Board of Larimer County Commissioners at their regular Administrative Matters meeting voted 3-0 this week to approve a resolution that renames Larimer County Criminal Justice Services as Larimer County Community Justice Alternatives [CJA].

The new name, effective March 1, clarifies the continuum of community services provided by Larimer County Community Corrections and Larimer County Alternative Sentencing, which support alternatives to incarceration programs operated by Larimer County.

Under the old name, many in the community contact Criminal Justice Services attempting to reach the jail, the district attorney, probation, parole, or law enforcement on matters that don’t fall under the Community Justice Alternatives umbrella. It’s hoped the new name will highlight the work of CJA and the services they provide their clients to help them transition in becoming productive members of our community.

CJA is recognized in Colorado for its approach to changing the lives of clients with many milestones. Over 47 years ago, Community Corrections began; one year later pre-trial services started, 44 years ago the work ender program was created, and six years later the work release program was established.

Over the last 30 years, the men’s and women’s treatment programs, electronic home monitoring, daily reporting center, wellness program, and transportation unit have been added to the continuum of programs available at CJA.

Construction of a new, 170 bed, all-female facility is also underway, designed to focus on women in the criminal justice system to give them the skills they need using trauma-informed care and a gender-responsive approach so they can transition back into the community.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new 170-bed all-female facility and celebration of the new Community Justice Alternatives name will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., April 6, 2022, at 2307 Midpoint Drive, Fort Collins.

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Colorado’s gas prices skyrocketed last week to their highest levels since June 2013, with prices rising an average of nearly 40 cents over the span of a week – reaching an average price of $3.75 on Monday evening. At this rate, the average price for a gallon of gasoline in Colorado is on track to exceed the $4.09 record set in July 2008.

$3.75 also marks the price point, per AAA survey data, where a majority of Coloradans (64%) adjust their driving habits – either by driving less often, driving shorter distances, combining trips, driving slower speeds to conserve fuel, and more.

The U.S. price for oil settled at a 14-year high of $119.4 per barrel today, which is up $3.72 from Friday. Last week’s $24 spike in the price of crude oil translates to a 60-cent increase in pump prices, with an additional 10 cent hike anticipated from the increase over Friday alone. In the immediate term, then, Coloradans should anticipate prices to rise an additional 30 cents this week, at minimum.

A bipartisan agreement announced by Congressional leaders on Monday to ban imports of Russian oil is not expected, on its own, to lead to further price increases – given that the United States only imports about 3% of its crude oil from Russia, and many domestic energy traders have already stopped buying Russian barrels.

A European Union ban on Russian imports could send global crude prices even higher. That’s not expected in the near term due to the 27-nation bloc’s heavy reliance on Russia’s crude supply.

Last week, the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced a coordinated release of crude oil from its 31 member countries’ strategic reserves, including the U.S., Germany, Canada, South Korea, and Mexico, to help counter the impact of rising crude prices. On Friday, IEA said member states committed to releasing a total of 61.7 million barrels from their strategic reserves to reassure markets roiled by the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This amount – half of which is expected to come from the U.S. – is the largest coordinated release since IEA was founded in 1974. The overall impact on pricing will be limited given that the amount of oil planned for release is small in comparison to the amount that flows daily from Russia to other countries around the globe.

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In the wake of unprecedented, skyrocketing real estate prices, a bipartisan group of elected officials and civic and business leaders last month backed a ballot measure that limits unconstrained property tax increases statewide.

The measure, officially filed Friday by state Reps. Colin Larson (R- Littleton) and Alex Valdez (D- Denver), slows the rate of growth of property values that drive property taxes to 3% or inflation, whichever is less. This ensures that community revenues for school districts, fire districts, and counties are predictable and consistent while providing much-needed relief to taxpayers. If and when local districts need additional revenues for specific purposes, the measure specifically reiterates the authority of local districts to go to local voters to ask for mill levy overrides to fund those needs.

“We are in the midst of an affordability crisis in our state and the American dream of owning a home or starting a business is becoming increasingly out of reach for average Coloradans,” Larson said. “This measure will provide sorely needed relief to our state’s citizens and make Colorado more affordable to live and do business.”

Valdez added: “As someone who lives in the heart of Denver and hears from Denverites on a daily basis about rising housing and property costs, it couldn’t be clearer that we need a direct approach to provide tangible relief for renters and homeowners, especially seniors, low-income earners, and small business owners.”

Home values are set to increase an average of 30% statewide over the next four years, while rental properties will soar by more than 34% and commercial and industrial properties will increase by at least 15%, according to a recent report by Colorado Concern.  Beginning this year, the jumps in valuations for the average homeowner will result in more than a 20% increase.

For many small businesses struggling to survive the lingering effects of the pandemic, higher tax bills of this magnitude could mean their doors will close for good. For a state already mired in an affordable housing crisis, this property tax increase will make it harder for first-time homeowners to break into the market and for seniors on fixed incomes to remain in their homes.

“Coloradans are already being hit with an affordable housing crisis and an inflationary squeeze. Now is not the time for an enormous property tax increase,” said Mike Kopp, President and CEO of Colorado Concern. “The measure provides critical relief for taxpayers while balancing the needs of local communities who depend on tax revenue to fund essential services.”

Several versions of the measure were filed in order to keep options open at this early stage. The versions included both statutory and constitutional changes.

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On March 1, 2022 the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) launched the Disability Hiring Preference Pilot, created by Senate Bill 21-095.

The pilot was developed by CDLE, the Governor’s office, the Attorney General’s office, the Department of Personnel Administration, and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The pilot will initially be housed in CDLE; if successful, it will be adopted in other state government agencies.

“Our administration is thrilled to see the creation and implementation of a hiring preference for individuals with disabilities in the State of Colorado,” said Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, a longtime disability advocate. “My hope is that this opportunity increases opportunities for individuals with disabilities seeking employment with the state, while also demonstrating  the benefits associated with employing people with disabilities.”

Historically, Coloradans with disabilities experience approximately 30 percent lower rates of employment, and also obtain less full-time employment, than individuals without disabilities.

The Disability Hiring Preference Pilot will give applicants with disabilities, who choose to identify as a person with a disability when applying for a position, a preference similar to the Veterans’ Preference currently in place. The pilot was created to encourage state agencies to increase the number of employed persons with disabilities and improve the state’s practices on recruiting and hiring persons with disabilities. The pilot will run until December 2027.