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News for the employee community of the City and County of Denver | Volume 5, Number 3

March 2010 Edition

5281: Another Step Above the Rest

Congratulations to this year’s 5281 award winners! On Wednesday, February 24, at the Denver Art Museum, the City celebrated employees who have gone a step above the rest at the annual 5281 Awards Ceremony.

Nine individuals and four teams were recognized for their significant contributions to the City in 2009. All of the award recipients demonstrate STARS values (Service, Teamwork, Accountability & Ethics, Respect and Safety), promote sustainability programs, or have moved the City closer to reaching one of the City’s Five Goals.

Special thanks to:

• Tom Green, Channel 2 News Anchor, and three time event host
• All the supervisors and co-workers who thoughtfully nominated their peers
• The 5281 Selection Committee
• The entire staff of the Denver Art Museum
• All the wonderful volunteers who made this year’s event a success

Award winners are featured on the following pages. To view more photos of the event and this year’s winners, visit www.denvergov.org/5281.

Individual Winners Paul Bedard Environmental Health Roger Celius General Services Chani Goering Technology Services Georgia Howard Office of Economic Development Scott Morrissey Greenprint Denver Rita Murphey Career Service Authority Denise Stepto Greenprint Denver Brent Tongco Office of Economic Development Sabrina Williams Environmental Health

Team Winners Denver Zoning Code Team Community Planning & Development Public Trustee Division Office of the Clerk and Recorder General Services Environmental Initiatives Bike Loaner Program Greenprint Denver Honorable Mentions Tim Corcoran, Public Works Mark Guerrero, General Services Kip Memmott, Auditor’s Office Human Resources Division, Denver Human Services

Language of Love Spoken at
Clerk and Recorder’s Valentines Event

Staff cupids at the Office of the Clerk and Recorder joined forces to create a memorable experience for couples who stopped in to get their marriage licenses on Friday, February 12, the last business day prior to Valentine’s Day.

In addition to creating a new set of wedding columns for photos, the cupids put up Valentine-themed decorations and flowers around the marriage license counter, and outfitted a large conference room as a lounge with refreshments, multi-lingual declarations of love, romantic poetry, silk rose petals strewn across the floor, and romantic movies like Casablanca and Sleepless in Seattle. There was also a valentine- making table for the kids.

Traffic remained steady all day with 34 couples served.

“The Friday before Valentine’s Day has been a popular day for weddings, and the Office of Clerk and Recorder generally sees about twice the usual number of applicants for a Valentine’s Day wedding,” stated Denver Clerk and Recorder Stephanie O’Malley. “I’d like to thank the City agencies and local merchants who helped make this a special day for our couples.”

To make a successful day even better, four couples won Grand Prizes. One lucky couple won an overnight stay at the Oxford Hotel and a restaurant certificate, another won tickets to the Colorado Symphony Orchestra’s Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2 from Denver Theaters and Arenas and a dinner certificate, and two lucky couples won bowling parties for eight (shoes and snacks included) from the Lucky Strike Lanes. Because of the generosity of numerous City agencies and local merchants, all couples left with prizes.

The Valentine’s Day experience also drew interest from the news media, with 7 News, Fox 31 and 9 News coming by during the day to do human interest stories.

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Complete Your Census Questionnaire

In March, you will receive a questionnaire from the US Census Bureau that needs to be completed and returned by April 1. It will only take you 10 minutes to complete 10 questions. It’s easy and safe. Please make this a part of your conversation with friends, families and people you serve.

It’s important to fill out your Census questionnaire because approximately $435 billion in federal funding is distributed to communities in the U.S. each year and the Census data guides the amount of money distributed to each community. Some of the programs that benefit from the Census are schools, senior services, English classes (ESL), Head Start, public library construction, student loans, health services, road maintenance, wild life restoration, Veteran assistance services, etc.

“Complete and accurate census data is critical to our ability to serve the Denver community,” Mayor John Hickenlooper said. “It helps us identify our population and their needs, and it allows us to secure our fair share of federal funding to help meet those needs.”

For every Denver resident counted, our community gains a minimum of $826 per person each year for 10 years in Federal funds. Since the 2000 Census, we have lost more than $74 million for those who weren't counted in Denver. We only get this one chance to be counted for the next 10 years.

It is best if you fill out the questionnaire in the privacy of your own home and return it by mail. If you do not return the questionnaire by mail, US Census Bureau workers will knock on your door in April, in an effort to reach everyone, and will ask you to take a few minutes to fill out the questionnaire. There are questionnaire assistance centers if you need help. To locate one in the Denver metro area, please call 3-1-1 or visit www.denvergov.org/Census2010.

The Census counts people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens and is safe. Your 10 answers are protected by the U.S. Constitution. No court of law, not even the President of the United States can get access to your information. It is illegal for the Census Bureau or its employees to share your personal information with any other government agency such as immigration, IRS or Welfare. The information cannot be used against you in any way to collect back taxes, child support or alimony, or if you have a law violation or warrant, to investigate your legal status or to garnish your wages. The information does not affect any services you are receiving from the government, as it is never shared with any other agency. It only takes 10 minutes. It’s easy; it’s safe; it’s in our hands.

For more information, please call 3-1-1, visit www.denvergov.org/Census2010.

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DenverWellness and Wellness Center

Online Health Assessment: A Closer Look

One of the required actions of the City’s DenverWellness - Premium Discount Program is completion of an online health assessment through your City-sponsored health care provider. A health assessment provides employees with concrete information about their current health risks and overall health status. Based on the results of your health assessment, recommendations will be given in order to improve your health and quality of life. Read More

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• Join Weight Watchers
  Is losing weight still one of your goals for the New Year? Join Weight Watchers! Learn new strategies for handling your hunger and eating smarter. It’s never too late to join! The cost of the remaining sessions is pro-rated. Weigh-ins start at 11:30 a.m., meeting starts at noon in room 4.F.2. of the Webb Municipal Building. To register or for more information, call Tanya Turcios at 720.913.5687.
  

Denver Wellness: Chair Massage Program Relax and unwind with a 15-minute Chair Massage, appointments are available Thursdays from 11:40-4:20pm. Cost is $12 and appointments are pre-paid by cash, check or credit card. Tickets can be purchased from the Cashier on the 2nd floor of WMB between 7:30am-4:30pm. Multiple tickets can be purchased at one time. With a ticket, a massage can be scheduled by calling 720-913-5696. If you have any questions, please call 720-913-5687.

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WELLNESS CENTER

Webb Municipal Building | 201 W. Colfax Ave. Denver, CO 80202
Hours: Monday – Friday | 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday | 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WMB Wellness Center
Membership to the Center includes a daily schedule of exercise classes such as Yoga, Mat Pilates, spinning, step, sculpting, core conditioning, circuit training and other classes. Equipment includes the latest models of treadmills, spinning bikes, elliptical trainers, bicycles, stair steppers rowing machines and Cybex weight machines. Members are able to participate in personal training sessions, private Yoga and Mat Pilates sessions, computerized fitness assessments and receive individualized exercise programs for an additional fee. Cost is $25/month.

Wellness Center Day Usage Program
All city employees are able to use the Webb Building Wellness Center on a drop-in basis without the requirement of a membership. If you have a class or meeting downtown, drop in to the Center on your break to keep your workouts on track. You can take advantage of the Wellness Center’s variety of cardiovascular and weight equipment, exciting fitness classes and healthy energy for only $5 a day.

Orientation/Tour of Center
Tours of the Center are available Monday through Friday. Learn more about the Center including equipment, classes and amenities. Interested employees can obtain information about membership or sign up at the end of the tour.

Scheduled Orientation Dates:

• Thursday March 4 at Noon
• Wednesday March 10 at Noon
• Thursday March 18 at Noon
• Wednesday March 30 at Noon

For more information or to participate in any Wellness Center events contact Tanya Turcios at 720-913-5687 or tanya.turcios@denvergov.org.

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Introducing the City Spirit Partnerships

As part of an ongoing effort to establish corporate sponsorships that benefit the City & County of Denver and its employees, we proudly announce the City’s first
Exclusive Marketing Partner = Sprint.

All City employees are now eligible to receive 10-15% off select Sprint and Nextel plans and accessories.

The Office of Economic Development, Denver Marketing Office recently selected Sprint as a result of a competitive bidding process to be the exclusive marketing partner for Denver. As a part of the Sprint partnership, a portion of the sponsorship funds will be used to support City Spirit Programs, which includes the 2010 City Spirit Picnic.

Whether you are looking to switch providers or are an existing Sprint/Nextel customer you can take advantage of the discounts today!

Visit the Sprint website for City and County of Denver employees to take advantage of the following discounts:

• 15% off select Sprint Plans
• 10% off all Sprint accessories
• 15% off select Nextel plans
• 10% off all Nextel accessories

Two easy ways to shop:

1. Shop online and take advantage of waived shipping and activation fees, plus a $50 service credit.
   Note: Taxes and service charges excluded. No cash back. Requires activation at the time of purchase.
   
   
2. Visit your neighborhood Sprint retail store. Have your work email, a copy of your work badge or pay stub and reference the following code: GLLCO_DNV_ZZZ
   Additional Terms: Coverage not available everywhere. Nationwide Sprint & Nextel National Networks reach over 275 & 274 million people, respectively. Offers not available in all markets/retail locations or for all phones/networks. Pricing, offer terms, fees & features may vary for existing customers not eligible for upgrade. Other restrictions apply. See store or www.Sprint.com for details. ©2010 Sprint.

Stay tuned for more information on the City’s sponsorship program and upcoming discounts for all of our employees!

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A City Committed to Environmental Progress

The City of Denver has supported innovative sustainable development strategies for many years, and Greenprint Denver is built on a strong foundation of past accomplishments and garnered many accolades.

Get to know Greenprint Denver
Wednesday, March 17 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Webb Building, Room 4.G.2

The Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships (DOSP) partners with Greenprint Denver to highlight their work and structure for the nonprofit community and other City agency staff. This workshop will include:

• in-depth overview of Greenprint Denver’s programs
• the point person responsible for each program and their contact information
• Greenprint Denver’s funding streams and how nonprofits and other City agencies can partner or apply to receive those funds
• Greenprint Denver strategic direction and other critical information

These will also be an opportunity for informal networking with those in attendance.

For more information, please contact Mike Roque at mike.roque@denvergov.org. To register for this training, please contact Yvonne Garcia at yvonne.garcia@denvergov.org. Sign language translation is available with 7-days advanced notice.

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Eco Pass Update

Earlier this year, the City moved to RTD’s Eco Pass Program. The Eco Pass Program allows you to ride any of RTD’s bus or train routes by presenting your City-issued ID badge and Eco Pass sticker. As the Eco Pass contract was being finalized, many of you have been utilizing monthly bus and light rail passes.

Eco Pass stickers will be valid starting in April and for the remainder of 2010, unless you terminate your membership. To receive your Eco Pass sticker, please attend and bring your ID badge to any of the following enrollment sessions. No appointment is necessary - feel free to stop in during any of the posted times.

• Tuesday, March 23, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in WMB, Room 6.G.7
• Wednesday, March 24, 2010 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in WMB Room 6.G.7
• Friday, March 26, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in WMB, Room 6.G.7
  

Employees of Denver Public Library and Denver International have a separate enrollment process. More information will be coming soon for these groups.

Employees who would like to participate in the Eco Pass Program but have not yet signed up can enroll by completing the 2010 Eco Pass Enrollment Form and submitting to the Career Service Authority Benefits Team at the Webb Municipal Building, 6th Floor.

For additional information about the Eco Pass, visit www.denvergov.org/benefits or contact the CSA Benefits Team at benefits@denvergov.rg.

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