State to protect greater sage grouse
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper on Friday ordered state agencies to take steps to protect the shrinking population of greater sage grouse in hopes of avoiding a listing under the federal Endangered Species Act, which would trigger tougher conservation rules.
He directed the state to set up a “habitat exchange” for buying and selling conservation credits. It would allow oil companies and others to offset damage to sage grouse habitat by financing improvements elsewhere.
Other steps include reviewing oil and gas regulations to see if the protection of habitat should be strengthened and requiring all state agencies to consult with Colorado Parks and Wildlife on activities that could affect the birds.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates 200,000 to 500,000 birds remain in 11 Western states. They live on about 258,000 square miles, and much of their habitat overlaps with ranching and oil and gas development. More than half the birds’ historic habitat has been lost and that the number of greater sage grouse has declined by 30 percent since 1985, the agency said.
Colorado has about 4 percent of the remaining population and 2.5 percent of the habitat.
Participants to pay more for health exchange
The board of directors of Colorado’s health insurance exchange has raised fees that will be passed on to consumers as it and other states face decreased federal funding and struggle to predict enrollment figures.
The increase in administrative fees to 3.5 percent from 1.4 percent of premiums means a family of four paying monthly premiums of $1,000 would see its assessment more than double from $14 a month to $35.
Connect for Health Colorado Chief Executive Officer Kevin Patterson said Friday they chose the middle of three options presented by staff members, one that brings Colorado, which had among the lowest assessments fees in the country, in line with the federal exchange’s fee.
Shoppers have encountered frustrating delays on the exchange.
A limited December state audit report of Connect for Health said financial controls were inadequate and more than $30 million in payments and contracts lacked proper documentation or procedural controls. State lawmakers have called for broader reviews. Still, Colorado’s problems have been less severe than those associated with other exchanges.
Federal grants that helped more than a dozen states start their own insurance marketplaces are starting to run out, researchers Sean Miskell and Justin Giovannelli of Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms said in an interview Friday.
Job training geared toward senior citizens
SER Jobs for Progress, a federally funded Job training program, announces the availability of several openings for paid job training positions.
Are you are 55 years of age or older and currently unemployed, but would like to find work? SER Jobs for Progress is a federally funded program for seniors who are economically challenged and unable to find work due to a lack of job skills. Our program offers you income while you learn new skills.
SER is accepting applications for enrollment in La Plata, Montezuma, and Archuleta counties and seeks nonprofit organizations; city, county, and government businesses to participate in the program. Information: 970-385-3995.
Staff reports