Colorado Boatable Waters Directory

If you're looking for a place to go boating, there are many lakes, rivers, and reservoirs throughout the state that you can go, whether you're into kayaking, motorboating, sailing, rafting, waterskiing, or other types of water recreating. To find out where you can boat, check out the Colorado Boatable Waters Directory from the Dept. of Natural Resources. This handy online directory gives driving directions and information on fees, types of boating allowed, fish species, water acres, and elevation. It's the perfect way to select a destination based on your specific interests.

Wind Farm in Eastern Colorado

Governor Ritter announced yesterday plans for the first wind farm on the central-eastern plains. Duke Energy and Tri-State Generation and Transmission are teaming together to form the "Kit Carson Windpower Project." The construction project will bring new jobs to Colorado, and the new farm will tap into the existing Tri-State grid, for fast delivery of generated power. Check out the press release and the Governor's New Energy Economy website for more information.

We have several related titles at the State Publications Library that may be of interest:

• Wind Feasibility Report for Colorado Livestock Operations
• Wind Energy in Colorado: A practical guide for farmers and ranchers
• Wind Power and Wildlife in Colorado

Colorado Geology Map for Tourists

If you're taking a road trip through Colorado this summer, you might want to check out the Colorado Geological Survey's Tourist Guide to Colorado Geology, brand new this year. This fun and easy-to-use map instructs tourists and visitors on the various elements of the geology of Colorado. You can learn the names and ages of different rocks and formations, as well as information on the prehistory of the area. Using this map you can also find State Parks and points of geological interest. The map might also be a helpful way to amuse the kiddies in the backseat! ("hey Junior, why don't you count how many quartzite deposits you can spot before we stop for lunch...") You can also find other tourist-related geological resources from the Survey, including their book Messages in Stone as well as their Field Trip Guide series, available from our library.

Troubles with the Unemployment Claiming System

The state's online system for taking claims for unemployment benefits has crashed repeatedly in the last few days. People can still get through, but the system is much slower than usual. As a result the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment has seen an increase in calls to their toll-free automated claims system. The volume of calls has been so great that many people cannot get through. If you need to get through to the Labor Department, there is an automated phone line in the 303 area code: (303) 813-2800. You can also email Bill Thoennes at bill.thoennes@state.co.us. He will forward your information to the call-back team, so they can contact you rather than continuing to struggle with the online/automated phone systems.

Revenue Forecast

The Colorado Legislative Council has just announced their June 2009 quarterly revenue forecast. Legislative Council, the research and economics support agency for the State Legislature, publishes a forecast each March, June, September, and December. This June's forecast was awaited with much anticipation due to the current budget crisis. So what was the Council's predicted budget shortfall? Check the forecast to find out.