COLORADO FOCUS: Blogs, Food Co-ops, Veterans for Peace, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

Engineering Greener Products and Clean Technologies
Jun 16 2009 - Jun 16 2009, Golden, Colorado

Join NI, industry experts, and leading researchers and engineers at this complimentary, full-day event.

Topics include:
Monitoring Environmental Data
Designing and Testing of Wind Power Technologies
Automated Control of Solar Cell Fabrication
Machine and Process Optimization

The measurement and automation tools that you will learn
about in this seminar can be applied across a wide variety of industries and applications and can help you achieve your specific goals, whether lowering the emissions of process, developing devices that consume less energy, creating viable renewable energy technologies, or better understanding the global eco-system.

corey.smith@ni.com
National Instruments

corey.smith@ni.com
http://http://sine.ni.com/apps/utf8/nievn.ni?action=display_offerings_by_event&event_id=37140&state=CO&s

Energy Efficiency Forum & Expo
Jun 18 2009 - Jun 18 2009, Montrose, Colorado

*Adding power to our economy through energy efficiency
*Saving money in schools & other public buildings
*Achieving high rate of return on investment in efficiency in commercial buildings
*Examples of energy efficient businesses in Western Colorado
*Daylighting (conventional & fiber optic)
*High-efficiency heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC)
*Utility efficiency programs
*Government policies to accelerate energy efficiency
*Grants, loans and other financing for energy efficiency
*Energy efficient new homes and home energy retrofits
*Plug in” hybrids, electric vehicles and more!h-efficiency heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC)

Tom Polikalas
970-240-1245

public.relations@dmea.com
http://www.dmea.com/Portals/0/DMEA%202009%20Expo%20flag%209-5-2008G.pdf


My Colorado readership has been dwindling since the election, so I am cutting back on
my updates of news from Colorado. But there is enough useful info that I will keep posting.

BLOGGING COLORADO:

Colorado Independent

Colorado MediaMatters: Colorado Media Matters is a Web-based, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the Colorado media. Colorado Media Matters is managed and staffed by Coloradans trained in the rigorous editorial policies and research methods developed by Media Matters for America.

Square State, The Progressive Political Blog for Colorado


COLORADO VETERANS FOR PEACE:
Chapter 120 Boulder
Chapter 079 Denver

Meetings:

Join us for our regular potluck social and business meeting at 6:00 PM on the first Sunday of every month, at the Arborwood Condominums’ Club House, 3250 O'Neal Circle, in Boulder, Colorado.

Denver meetings 3rd Wed. of evrey month at 7:00 PM at the AFSC office, 901 W. 14th Street

For further information call:
George Newell - 303-440-0942
Frank Bessinger - 720-939-5057

Or Email info_at_covfp.org to ask to be added to our mailing list.


COLORADO FOOD CO-OPS

It took nearly 7 years living within a few blocks of one of the biggest food co-ops in America before Joy and I joined it. We were definitely reluctant. But, in the end the lack of good produce and the decline of our local supermarkets led to us joining. And the result is a slighly more inconvenient shopping trip each week, but much healthier, higher quality and cheaper food. I recommend joining a co-op if there is one nearby. You will save money and eat healthier. So I will list some local food co-ops in Colorado:

Valley Food Co-op
3211 Main Street Suite G
Alamosa, Colorado 81101
Phone: (719) 589-5727

Durango Natural Foods
575 E 8th Avenue
Durango, Colorado 81301
Phone: (970) 257-8129
FAX: (970) 382-9477
info@durangonaturalfoods.coop
website: www.durangonaturalfoods.coop

Fort Collins Food Co-op
250 East Mountain Avenue
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
Phone: (970) 484-7448
foodcoop@ftcfoodcoop.com
http://www.ftcfoodcoop.com/

The Fort Collins Food Co-operative offers fresh, local food, with a commitment to education, transparency to its sourcing and to the local circle of profit. The Market is a place for you to find the best local food, learn and support your community.

Huajatollas Food Co-op
106 County Road 632
Gardner, Colorado 81040
Phone: (719) 746-2314

High Plains Food Coop
5655 S. Yosemite St., Suite 400
Greenwoods Village, Colorado 80111
Phone: 785-626-3640
info@highplainsfood.org
http://highplainsfood.org/

This is one of the best sounding co-ops I have come across because it coordinates producers with consumers online and provides delivery. THIS is how a 21st Century food co-op.

Modeling from the Oklahoma Food Cooperative and the Nebraska Food Cooperative the High Plains Food Coop is a grassroots network of High Plains and Rocky Mountain Front Range producers and consumers uniting interests in locally grown food and other locally made products. The High Plains Food Cooperative strives to be a business that is environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially just. To foster a local food community and promote a culture of stewardship by cultivating farmer-consumer relationships, promoting the enjoyment of healthful food, increasing food security through diversity, and enhancing overall rural sustainability. We bring the farmer's market to your front door.

Once you join, you can order online and they deliver! The Online Food Market is intended to bring fresh, healthy, locally grown and produced food to you, the buyer, in a cost-effective and easy manner. Product selection will vary by season. While many of our producers are organic, we also support the sustainable practices of the small non-certified farmer. We believe in the quality and freshness of foods and whether food is produced in an ethical and sustainable manner.

In summary, you'll use the computer to purchase fresh, local produce and other locally produced goods in quantities you can use.

Producers can also sell their products through this co-op.

Mountain People's Co-op
30 E. First St PO Box 161
Nederland, Colorado 80466
Phone: (303) 258-7500
FAX: (303) 258-7500

Natural Foods Market & Buyers Co-op
112 Colorado Avenue
Pueblo, Colorado 81004
Phone: (719) 545-2958
FAX: (719) 545-0669

Rainbow Gardens Co-op
655 Tabernash Drive
Ridgeway, Colorado 81432
Phone: (970) 626-9720
FAX: (970) 626-9720
kimah@independence.net
http://www.rainbowcoop.com/

Website and email don't work...if anyone has more info on this co-op, let me know.

SDA Coop
106 Division Avenue
Sterling, Colorado 80751
Phone: (970) 265-2642


ALTERNATIVE ENERGY:

Some statistics from Repower America:

* Colorado's energy efficiency programs save enough electricity to power over 7,000 homes for a whole year, save more than $5.4 million in energy costs, and prevent the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking over 10,000 cars off the road. Although great progress, the state still has much more potential to increase its energy efficiency.

* National Wind, along with Sedgwick, Phillips, and Logan County landowners, will create the state’s largest community-based wind development. The 400-megawatt project could produce enough electricity to power 120,000 homes.

* The state has a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that requires all investor-owned utilities to generate 20% of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2020, with at least 4% from solar energy. The RPS also requires municipal utilities and rural electric providers to achieve a renewable energy goal of 10% by 2020.

Alternative energy and YOUR energy bill: YOU can be part of the solution for America by signing up to purchase your energy through a Green Power Provider. My wife and I have been doing this in NYC for years. All our energy usage is provided through wind energy generation on American farms. So we use clean energy AND help American farmers. It costs us three cents per kilowatt-hour more per month, but we feel great about it. Although our actual energy may come from anywhere, we are paying to purchase wind energy for the energy grid. Each state has different programs available, usually through yuor existing energy provider right on your existing energy bill. To find such options in Colorado, go here and pick your energy provider from the list. If you need help, you can email me and tell me who you get your bill from (don't give me any other info!) and I can tell you who to contact to go green through that energy provider. Or you can do the same thing using Renewable Energy Certificates through an organization that works with utility companies, though in this case it is a separate bill. One off the cheapest (.4-1 cent per kilowatt-hour), but still e-Green certified, ways to do this is through Good Energy. Or, for about half a cent per kilowatt-hour you can purchase renewable energy certificates through Carbonfund.org. ANY of these ways you do it, you are helping the environment, helping America, and helping cut carbon emissions.


Colorado Biodiesel: Supporting and advocating Colorado's fastest growing renewable fuel source
phone: 303-800-4650

Blue Sun is an integrated agriculture-energy company and marketer of premium renewable fuel products. Blue Sun products and services are differentiated by proprietary oilseed crops, additives, quality assurance, blending, and distribution infrastructure. Blue Sun oilseed crop R&D and established farmer network, industry-leading QA/QC policies, numerous retail pumps, and well-established distributor network bring you the best-quality diesel fuel possible today.

Go here for a list of pumps in Colorado (as well as a few in other neighboring states). Remember that ANY diesel car or truck can use up to B20 without modification, so most of these stations can serve you.


Here are some other alternative energy groups in Colorado:

Alliance for Sustainable Colorado: The mission of Alliance for Sustainable Colorado is to catalyze the shift to a truly sustainable world by fostering collaboration among nonprofits, businesses, governments, and academia. We are working to advance economic, environmental, and social sustainability in Colorado by building cross-sector alliances and networks.

Colorado Green Tech Group, Boulder
A gathering of people involved and/or interested in Green Tech including Energy generation, transportation, construction, and efficiency technologies.
We meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:00PM (6:00 for networking).

Sign up here to find out where they meet.

Boulder Sustainable Energy Group
We welcome anyone looking for an interesting, informative, and social forum for the exchange of ideas that will help each of us reduce our 'personal' consumption of fossil fuels and emission of greenhouse gasses, and make greener consumer choices in general. Sign up here to find out when and where they meet.

Colorado Alternative Energy: Alternative energy news for Colorado

Colorado Reewable Energy Society: The Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) is a nonprofit membership organization that works for the sensible adoption of cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies by Colorado businesses and consumers. Check out their website for local events and chapters.

Alternative Energy Resources in Colorado. A short summary of alternative energy resources for Colorado. For more information on each technology, visit the State Energy Alternatives Technology Options page.


Here are some other groups and events in Colorado:

Progressive Majority Colorado: According to the Almanac of American Politics, Colorado is "at the front edge of economic, cultural and political change." Unfortunately for progressives, the political change that's occurred since the 1990's has come in the form of right-wing politics — dominated by religious and social conservatives who have, in turn, soured the national political debate.

This is truly a state where we are at a stand off — one side wins and one side loses — and who wins can shape the electoral mood of the country.

That's why Progressive Majority set up shop in Colorado — to bring true progressives into politics and create positive change that would last. We're recruiting progressive leaders to run for office who can also galvanize progressive voters who have been shut down by the loud voices of the ultra-conservative right.

Colorado remains a battleground state despite its vocal right-wing movement. It hasn't been won in the last two presidential elections, but Democrats have fared better at the state level — including winning slim margins in both the House and the Senate in 2004. Now, Progressive Majority is tapping an emerging demographic that leans progressive, recruiting candidates they can connect to, and building a progressive power base that will take control of the state — and keep it.

Progressive Majority has leadership programs, and helps progressive candidates run successful and efficient campaigns. Sign up for email updates here.

Denver Democracy for America Meetup
Meet others to learn more about Democracy For America and discuss local strategies. Get the latest news at your Democracy for America Meetups! This Meetup is officially brought to you by Democracy for America. Join here to find out more.

Colorado Young Democrats Chapters: Find your local Young Democrats chapter and contact them to find out what you can do to organize your community.

Adams County Young Dems
Edward Casso, Representative
edwardcasso_at_hotmail.com
720.495.3861

Adams State University Undergraduate College Dems
Ryan Crick
ChefCO_at_gmail.com

Arapahoe County Young Dems
Derek Dye, President
derekodye_at_hotmail.com
303.921.1685

Boulder Young Dems
Sara Lu Hanley, President
saraluhanley_at_google.com
303.501.2575

Broomfield Young Dems
Samara Kapich, President
samarajbrown_at_yahoo.com
720.231.2072

College Democrats of Colorado
Jay Hazen, jay_at_coloradoyoungdems.com
303.884.7083
http://www.cocollegedems.com/

Colorado School of Mines College Dems
LB Williams, President
csmdemocrats_at_gmail.com

CSU Graduate School
Sunshine Swetnam, President
970.482.2025

Denver Young Dems
http://www.denveryoungdems.org/

Jefferson County Young Dems
Kyle Anderson, President
kylea1979_at_gmail.com
303.971.0370

School of Mines College Dems
LB Williams
MinesDemocrats_at_Gmail.com

Steamboat Springs Young Dems
Harris Reitman-Swiss, President
904.742.8061

University of Colorado at Boulder College Dems
Daniel Ramos
Daniel.Ramos_at_Colorado.edu

University of Denver College Dems
Jeff Graves
Jgraves2_at_du.edu

University of Denver Law School College Dems
Kelley Rider
KRider09_at_law.du.edu

Colorado chapter of National Stonewall Democrats—a grassroots network connecting LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) Democratic activists through over 90 Stonewall chapters throughout the United States.

Colorado Café Scientifique in Denver: The Café Scientifique idea started in England a few years ago, based on the French Café Philosophique. In the Café Scientifique, people (often science buffs) come together in a friendly pub after work and hear an informal (no PowerPoint!) introduction to an interesting current scientific topic, led by an expert. We take a short break for refreshments, to meet new people, and chat, and then we return for questions and answers and general discussion. All questions and comments are welcome, as this isn't a seminar, it's a chance for all of us to express an opinion, expert or otherwise.

We meet at the Wynkoop Brewing Company. Check the website for upcoming events. We start at 6:30 PM in the large & comfortable first floor Mercantile Room and go to approximately 8:00 PM. Because we have been getting large crowds, it isn't practical to serve meals at the tables. We invite you to come early and get dinner in the regular restaurant, or wait until we're through (about 8 PM) and eat then. The Wynkoop's food is great! There is bar service throughout the session, and the Wynkoop people have generously offered to provide snacks for our guests. Café Scientifique meetings are FREE. The Wynkoop is generously providing the facility; we buy our own food and drinks. Seating is limited, and the event is popular, so you may want to arrive around 6 PM to be sure of getting a seat.


And for those who like to combine social and political activities, here are the Drinking Liberally groups in Colorado:

Avon
o Fourth Wednesday of each month, 5:30 pm
o Loaded Joe's, 82 East Beaver Creek Blvd Suite 104
o Hosted by Cheryl Bottomley

North Boulder
o First and Third Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm
o Murphy's Grill, 2731 Iris Ave (By the bar in back)
o Hosted by Richard Bateman | Marc Sobel

Downtown Boulder
o Second Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm
o Pearl Street Pub, 1108 Pearl St
o Hosted by Carrie Jackson

Cañon City
o First and Third Wednesday of each month, 5:30 pm
o McClellan's Grill & Brewing Company, 413 Main St
o Hosted by Alain Chamot | Brandy Johnson

Colorado Springs
o First and Third Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm
o he Coffee Exchange, 526 S Tejon St (In between McCabe's and Southside Johnny's)
o Hosted by Jeff and Amanda Courtright

North Colorado Springs
o Second Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm
o Old Chicago, 7115 Commerce Center Dr
o Hosted by Lucy Wolboldt | Jan Hejtmanek

Denver
o Every Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm
o Skylark Lounge, 140 S. Broadway
o Hosted by Kathy Brandon | John E. | Sarah Fong

South Metro Denver
o Second Thursday of each month, 8:00 pm
o Lansdowne Arms Bistro & Bar, 9352 Dorchester St (Near HR Tattered Cover)
o Hosted by Rick Munoz

Lakewood
o First Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm
o Dino's, 10040 W Colfax Ave (SW Corner of Colfax and Kipling)
o Hosted by Bill Simpson

Durango
o Third Wednesday of each month, 6:00 pm
o Joel's, 119 W 8th St
o Hosted by Brandon Donohue

Fort Collins
o Second and Fourth Thursday of each month, 5:00 pm
o The Crown Pub, 144 S College Ave (between Oak and Mountain)
o Hosted by Anne Wilseck

Frisco
o Second Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm
o The Boatyard, 3rd and Main
o Hosted by Heather Christie | Karin Mitchell

Grand Junction
o First Wednesday of each month, 5:00 pm
o Kannah Creek Brewing Company, 1960 N 12th St

Greeley
o Second and Fourth Tuesday of each month, 6:30 pm
o Island Grill, 809 9th Street ((look for our table in the resturant area))
o Hosted by Ed Craig | Judy Craig

Longmont
o First and Third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm
o RedZone, 540 S Main St
o Hosted by Andi Hill