Deb Jones

Guess what? Seufer Brother's Nursery is back in Pueblo West and here to stay (In a previous blog I reported their departure from Pueblo West). They are located at their former location on 1087 E Holiday Drive (East of/behind Pueblo West Safeway), co-located with new property owner Rocky Mountain Landscape Materials. The nursery offers a great (and reasonably priced) selection of locally grown trees and shrubs. Nan Black is also back and can provide advice and assistance on the best plants for our dry, windy, high desert terrain.

I have been training for the 60 mile Breast Cancer 3-day walk to be held in Denver 28-30 August. I am happy to report that I've lost 10 lbs and hopefully will be ready (although I can't believe I'll be walking that far in just 3 days). Last year I walked the Susan B Komen Race for the Cure at Garden of the Gods. I was about 15 minutes late getting there and even then, it took another 20 minutes to cross the start line to begin the walk! I was amazed at all of the people walking on that gorgeous day. But the best part of all was seeing all of the Breast Cancer survivors! Advances in detection and treatment mean that a Breast Cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. I still haven't reached my goal so I'm still accepting donations. If you can support this worthy cause, please help me reach my goal - every little bit helps! To all of my friends and clients who have been affected by Breast Cancer, I'm walking FOR YOU!

Deb

Yesterday I stopped in at Yes! Solar Solutions on 609 E. Enterprise Drive #120 in Pueblo West and spoke with General Manager, J.D. Johnson. Yes! Solar Solutions has been open for about three weeks and was profiled in the Pueblo West View last week (see: http://www.pueblowestview.com/business/1248328800/2). Yes! Solar Solutions offers integrated Photovoltaic (PV) solar electric solutions to homeowners and small businesses.

Part of Yes! Solar Solutions' mission is to educate the community on the advantages of using alternative energy. Yes! Solar Solutions has been working with local home builders to encourage having newly built homes "prepped" for current or future installation of solar electric power and the Pueblo Regional Building Department to establish local building codes for solar electric power. The Pueblo Regional Building Department now has a brand new checklist to be used when requesting a solar installation permit (see: http://www.prbd.com/pdfforms/pvchecklist.pdf).

"J.D." spent quite some time with me telling me about how his company is working with Black Hills Energy to offer reasonably priced solar solutions (after rebates).

Part of Pueblo West is serviced by Black Hills Energy and the other part (including my home) is serviced by San Isabel Electric. Black Hills Energy, a public company, offers substantial rebates for installation of alternative energy systems (see: http://blackhillspv.programprocessing.com). These rebates are funded in part by Black Hills Energy customers who pay an additional fee in their electric bill. San Isabel Electric is an electric cooperative, owned by its members, which does NOT offer rebates for installation of alternative energy systems.

Additional rebates for alternative power installation are offered by the federal government (see: http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?state=us&re=1&EE=1) and the State of Colorado (see: http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?re=1&ee=1&spv=0&st=0&srp=1&state=CO). (Note: While doing this research I noticed that Colorado Natural Gas, our new natural gas provider in Pueblo West, offers some incentives! Check this last link out if you use Colorado Natural Gas and need a new furnace or water heater or are adding extra insulation or a programmable thermostat!)

So bottom line, visit Yes! Solar Solutions to see if there could be a solar panel in your future. Bob Harford, Barbara Satterfield or J.D. Johnson are VERY knowledgeable about all of the rebates and tax credits that are available and they can talk to you about net-metering (where your electric meter spins backwards), return on investment, how installation of PV solar panels can increase the value of your home, and so much more!

I emailed Debbie Rose (debbierose@socolo.net), District 1 Director on the San Isabel Electric Company Board to let her know of my interest in solar energy and to ask her about San Isabel's alternative energy initiatives. Here is her response:

"Please include my contact in your blog. I am always interested in connecting with San Isabel members regarding any of their concerns or questions. Because San Isabel is a cooperative and not an Investor Owned Utility like Black Hills , our funding piece is different. Black Hills charges every consumer a fee that is set aside to be used for the matching funds for solar installation. Only a small percentage of consumers have presently installed the solar even though everyone is paying into the fund. San Isabel is looking at other ways to help our members that will result in greater savings in a shorter time such as energy efficiency and geo-thermal. With our new manager's guidance, we have been improving overall operations with a focus to not have a power cost increase next year. We think a zero increase will be the greatest benefit to all members as we continue to research what renewable installation actually pay back the investment. Thus being the best investment for all members who are interested. As the technology continues to improve in solar, taking some time to ensure the best solution is a resource to our members. Thank you for the opportunity to connect with the members in our area and I promise to share the feedback with San Isabel's manager, Reg Rudolf as we continue the work to improve member relations."

Deb

Farmers' Market at the Riverwalk, Thursdays until August 20th.

Located at the Pepsi Plaza by the Riverwalk Boathouse

Farmers' Market Begins at 4pm

Entertainment Begins at 5pm

$1 Off Excursion Boat Rides and 50% Off Pedal Boat Rides

Happy Hour Cruise from 4pm-8pm

For More Information, Call 719-595-0242, or go here: http://www.puebloharp.com/#/farmers-market/4529782804

Upcoming Entertainment:

July 30 Carl the One Man Band

August 6 Ralph Collier

August 13 Chuck Rodriquez

August 20 No Nonsense

Deb

Here are the Pueblo West real estate statistics for 2^nd Quarter 2009, 4/1/2009-6/30/2009

(note: numbers in parenthesis are 2008 figures)

Residential homes sold 2^nd quarter by price (all 132 homes sold were single family-no townhomes/condos/patio homes)

10 < $100K

45 - between $100-150K

50 - between $150-200K

11 - between $200-250K

17 - over $250K

Residential homes sold 2^nd quarter by Pueblo West MLS location

42 - Pueblo West Acreage (south of Highway 50)

30 - Pueblo West East (south of Highway 50, smaller lots)

15 - Pueblo West Golf Course

4 - Pueblo West Liberty Point

7 - Pueblo West Manufactured Homes

35 - Pueblo West N of Highway 50

Vacant lots sold 2^nd quarter by Pueblo West MLS location

5 - Pueblo West Acreage

3 - Pueblo West East

1 - Pueblo West Golf Course

1 - Pueblo West Liberty Point

9 - Pueblo West N of Highway 50

Deb

More new laws for Colorado property owners:

The property tax exemption - 50 percent of the first $200,000 of actual value - given to homeowners aged 65-plus and fully disabled veterans is being suspended for the 2009 tax year in order to "help" the state deficit. The exemption will be restored for the 2010 tax year unless new legislation is passed. http://dola.colorado.gov/dpt/dpt_news/docs/Legislation/276_enr.pdf

· Every snowflake and every drop of water that falls on the State of Colorado is accounted for and belongs to someone, whether it is a water company, developer, or other authorized user or exported out of Colorado as required by various water pacts. In the past, rain barrels or other means of water collection violated the States prior-appropriation laws. Senate Bill 09-080, effective July 1, allows The Colorado Division of Water Resources to accept applications from residents who get their water from wells, outside of municipal water systems, to set up their own rain collection systems. For details go to http://water.state.co.us/pubs/pdf/RainWaterBills.pdf. Find SB09-080 here: http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2009a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/49D4349AC4A73794872575370071F5D4?Open&file=080_enr.pdf

I had a little problem with moles in my yard. I hired Colorado Rid-A-Critter and Dan Gates came out to set some traps to remove the moles. Dan's very knowledgeable about nuisance wildlife and I believe he got rid of the varmints that had taken up residence in my yard. Of course, a new mole family can always take up residence in the vacant tunnels underground but the moles are gone for now. Reasonable pricing, great service, I highly recommend Colorado Rid-A-Critter (719-275-4077)

I thought this was cute: The Pueblo chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association invites you to join in and "Fork the Recession...Feed the Recovery" by DINING OUT! Restaurants are a vital part of our state and local economy, employing 233,700 people, and pouring over $570 million back into Colorado's economy. So DINE OUT for breakfast, lunch or dinner today and feed yourself and your local economy!