City Bits

Clerk & Recorder’s Office launches volunteer program

Volunteer positions are available in the Clerk & Recorder’s Office for residents who are interested in learning about El Paso County government.

Positions are available in elections, recording, motor vehicle, clerk to the board and information systems. Staff members work alongside volunteers, providing their expertise and knowledge.

Residents 18 and older, as well as high school seniors, are eligible. Work is not compensated and the time commitment is a minimum of four hours per week, worked in one block of time.

For more information, visit http://car.elpasoco.com or contact Mary Lynn Black at 520-6215 or marylynnblack@elpasoco.com.

Wells Fargo earns Summit Awards

Wells Fargo & Co. has received two Summit Awards for its commitment to community impact and volunteerism from United Way of America.

During 2008, Wells Fargo contributed $102.1 million in grants, up 11 percent from 2007. Wells Fargo team members volunteered 787,772 hours, including building 170 homes and volunteering more than 4,000 hours to provide free tax preparation and help individuals claim the earned income tax credit. They also raised more than $35 million for nonprofit organizations during the annual Community Support and United Way Campaign.

Classic Homes makes Next 100 list

Classic Homes has been included on Builder Magazine’s Next 100 list, ranking as the 109th largest builder in the nation.

The company closed on 225 units during 2008, moving up from its 2007 ranking of 141.

Classic Homes’ local developments include Flying Horse, High Forest Ranch, University Park, Indigo Ranch and Stratton Forest.

Directors selected for Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District

Chief Judges of the 4th, 11th and 12th judicial districts have appointed directors to the board of the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District.

Each of the following will serve a four-year term:

• Division 1: Tom E. French of Howard
• Division 3: Jeff Ollinger of Buena Vista
• Division 6: William E. McGuire of Penrose
• At-large: Thomas Goodwin of Canon City.

The district was created during 1979 to protect and secure water in the Upper Arkansas River Valley.

Cheyenne Mountain Resort recognized for sustainable operation

Cheyenne Mountain Resort has received Silver Tier sustainability status for its green practices and operation from the International Association of Conference Centers.

Among the many practices and actions that the resort employs are:

• Recycling of glass, plastic, metal, paper and cardboard, with recycling containers for all products in place throughout the back and front of the house. Custom recycling containers were created for guest spaces that match the resort’s motif.
• The cleaning products the resort uses meet green standards and are purchased in bulk containers and dispersed into refillable smaller bottles.
• No use of disposable food service items in any of the restaurants, except the “to go” coffee cups, cup holders and stirring straws, which are made of 100 percent recycled products or products that biodegrade rapidly. Disposable utensils and Styrofoam cups have been removed from the employee cafeteria and replaced with silverware purchased at local thrift stores and washable cups.
• Incandescent light bulbs have been replaced with CFLs throughout the resort, except for some parking lights and dimmables in the main ballrooms.
• A linen and towel reuse option in sleeping rooms has reduced laundry by 30 percent to 50 percent.
• All new paints purchased are the most environmentally friendly paints available.
• Using 100 percent recycled facial and toilet tissues and 40 percent recycled paper towels.
• Copy paper used throughout the resort composed of a minimum of 30 percent recycled products.
• Replaced all copy machines with new ones with Energy Star rating. Those that have default double-sided printing are set to that; paper printed on one side is recycled for notepads.
• Replaced a 1.5 million BTU main boiler, running at about 70 percent efficiency, with a new one operating at 96 percent efficiency.
• Energy efficient, double-pane windows throughout the resort.
• Water-conserving fixtures propertywide, including faucets, shower heads, aerators and toilets.
• An automated regular preventative maintenance schedule in effect for HVAC systems and in-room units, and kitchen and laundry appliances.
• Ensuring all clothes washers, dryers and dishwashers are filled to capacity and the coolest effective water temperature is used.
• For service and product needs, preference given to environmentally responsible suppliers.

Teach for America bringing record number of instructors to Colorado

Teach for America will place 120 new teachers this fall in Colorado, an increase of more than 70 percent from last year’s incoming corps of 70.

In addition to Denver Public Schools and charter schools, Teach for America will place instructors in three new districts: Aurora Public Schools, Harrison School District 2 and Mapleton Public Schools.

The Colorado corps members are part of 4,100 new teachers, the largest incoming class in the organization’s 20-year history.

For more information about the program, visit www.teachforamerica.org.

PPRTA needs at-large member

The Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority Board of Directors is seeking a volunteer to serve as an at-large representative for its Citizen Advisory Committee.

The committee provides recommendations to the PPRTA board of directors concerning budgets, contracts and project implementation. Members must live in Colorado Springs, unincorporated El Paso County, Manitou Springs, Green Mountain Falls or Ramah, and must be able to attend monthly meetings at 1:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.

The deadline to apply is June 22.

For more information, visit www.ppacg.org.

Arnold & Porter tops list again

Arnold & Porter LLP’s Denver office has received the 2008 “Law Firm of the Year Award” from the Colorado Lawyers Committee.

This is the third year in a row, and the fourth time since 2002, that the firm has received the honor.

Waddell & Reed Advisors Fund honored

Waddell & Reed Advisors Funds have been named “best overall fund family” in the small firm category by Lipper Inc.

The company also received the top award for “best mixed-asset small fund family.”SCORE launches online networking community

The Service Corps of Retired Executives has launched an online community where small businesses owners can access mentoring and advice, and peer-to-peer network.

Joining is free. Visit www.scorecommunity.org.

Community assistance grants available

Applications are now being accepted for the 15th annual Wells Fargo Community Assistance Fund grants.

The deadline to apply is June 30.

Through the fund, Wells Fargo will contribute $245,000 to community-based nonprofit organizations. The average grant ranges from $500 to $1,500. Eligible organizations must be certified 501(c)(3) and have an annual budget of $350,000 or less.

For additional information or to receive an application by mail, organizations should contact their local Wells Fargo store.

The Wells Fargo Community Assistance Fund was started in 1993. It has made more than 3,000 grants totaling more than $3 million.