MPE discontinues LED rebate program

Ten years ago, a 60-watt equivalent LED light bulb of good quality cost over $40. These days, they sell for about $1. On December 30th, Mountain Parks Electric (MPE) will discontinue the residential LED rebate program. All residential LED rebate receipts will need to be submitted by 5 pm on December 30, 2019 to qualify. For information, visit mpei.com.

Colorado Gives Day 2019

On Tuesday, December 10, local nonprofits are counting on the generosity of the community to support their causes. The annual statewide movement celebrates and increases philanthropy in Colorado through online giving. The $1.5 Million Incentive Fund, made possible by Community First Foundation, FirstBank and other community members, boosts the value of every donation. Donors can schedule contributions in advance or make them online at ColoradoGives.org on December 10. 

Small Business Saturday continues

Blizzard conditions kept many at home last weekend and retailers saw fewer than normal shoppers out and about on Small Business Saturday. As a result, many local businesses have extended their sales offers through the coming weeks. It’s not too late to take advantage of deals and support your locally owned businesses. Get out and shop local this weekend! 

The Angel Tree at Cooper Creek Square 

A community tradition providing holiday cheer to Grand County families in need. Participating is easy and fun for the whole family! 

Here’s how it works:

1) Pick an Angel card from the Tree, located in the plaza.

2) Fill out the receipt at the bottom of the card and leave in the receptacle box by the tree.

3) To ensure gifts are received in time for Christmas, please deliver them to a Cooper Creek Square shop on or before December 17th.

Don’t have time to shop? Consider a cash donation as Angel shoppers are on hand to take care of shopping and wrapping on your behalf. To make a cash donation or if you have any questions, email stephanie@skybluecolorado.com

Happy Holidays and thank you for helping bring some holiday cheer to a Grand County child!

Shining Stars annual Toy Drive

Help make the holidays shine a little brighter for children, and their families, facing cancer or another life threatening illness. From now through December 12, the Shining Stars Foundation is collecting donations of gift cards, books (fiction and non-fiction), action figures, art supplies, craft sets, sports equipment, remote-controlled cars, games, DVDs, building sets/Legos, Barbies, dolls, and video games. They cannot accept used toys and donors are asked not to wrap the toys.

Donations are accepted at the Angel Tree in Cooper Creek Square, Bank of the West (Fraser), Black Pine Tattoo, Citywide Bank, East Grand Middle School, Elevate Pilates, Mad Tatters, Middle Park High School, Shining Stars Administrative Office and World’s End Brew Pub.

For more information, call (970) 726-8009 or email cookie@shiningstarsfoundation.org.

2020 Health Insurance Open Enrollment

November 1, 2019 – January 15, 2020 is the open enrollment period for Colorado’s Health Care Exchange: Connect for Colorado. Even if you have NO changes, you still need to renew your plan for 2020. Create or update your Connect for Health Colorado account online at connectforhealthco.com, or, by phone, at (855) 752-6749. If prompted, update your password. Make sure your current contact information and mailing address is up-to-date.

The deadline for January 1, 2020 enrollment is December 15. Enrollments received after December 15 and by January 15 will take effect February 1, 2020. Don’t miss this opportunity to get covered through the state’s healthcare exchange!

For in-person assistance, call Kim Long, Grand County Rural Health Network’s Certified Health Coverage Guide, and schedule an appointment: (970) 531-4769.

Art2020 Call for Artists

Are you an artist who wants to exhibit your work at a great local museum? Submit an exhibit proposal for Grand County Historical Association’s upcoming Art2020 exhibit series! Applications are due December 31, 2019, but will be accepted on a rolling basis. For information, email erica@grandcountyhistory.org.

Grand County seeks interested Medical Director candidates

After twenty years as Grand County Emergency Medical Services’ Medical Director, John Nichols MD is leaving his volunteer position mid-January 2020. The Board of County Commissioners has begun a search for physicians interested in pursuing the roles of Medical Director and/or Assistant Medical Director at EMS and Public Health. Letters of interest should be submitted to County Manager Kate McIntire: kmcintire@co.grand.co.us.

2020 Census job opportunities

The US Census is coming in 2020 and they’re looking for people in Grand County to help with the count. Learn more and apply at 2020census.gov/en/jobs.