Briefs | Census: Boulder shy of 100,000

0

Census: Boulder shy of 100,000

The U.S. Census Bureau announced on Feb. 23 that Boulder’s official population count for the 2010 census is 97,385, a 2.9 percent increase from the 2000 population count. %u2028 But city officials say Boulder’s population is higher, around 103,600, and being undercounted could have financial impacts on the community.

“Having an accurate population count ensures our share of funding and is the base statistic that will be used for population-based decision making for the next 10 years,” said City Manager Jane Brautigam.

Officials worked diligently to get a high percentage of the census forms returned by residents last year, and the city exceeded its previous return rate of 75 percent by two percentage points.

The 2000 census missed more than 2,000 housing units and a significant portion of group quarters facilities.

“Last year, the census put out an estimate that Boulder’s population had reached over 100,000, but the official count doesn’t match that estimate,” said Chris Meschuk, city planner. “We will review the census data closely to see if there is anything to warrant a formal challenge to this number.”

A challenge can be submitted on the basis of errors in the community’s boundaries or placement of living quarters and population, or coverage errors where the census erroneously removed data due to processing or duplicates. The city has until June 1, 2013, to submit a challenge.


Input sought on economic plan

Boulder County is seeking input from local residents, businesses, economic development organizations and others on the creation of a countywide economic development plan.

Part of identifying the top economic development priorities and needs for Boulder County is an online survey (http://bit.ly/hU1gTg) that is open through the month of March.

Gov. John Hickenlooper has requested economic development plans from each Colorado county to capture priorities, strategies, actions, expected outcomes, primary partners, available/ needed resources and timelines. The effort is being coordinated by the state’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

The effort calls for the county plans to be combined into 14 regional plans by May 15. Boulder County’s plan will be a part of the Metro Denver regional plan. The regional plans will then be rolled into one statewide plan.

Aside from the survey, residents can provide input online at www.advancecolorado.com/bottomup, by e-mail to input@state.co.us, by fax to 303-892- 3848, and by mail to the Bottom Up Economic Development Initiative, 1625 Broadway, Suite 2700, Denver, CO 80202.


Scholarships for low-income students

Scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000 each are now available to low-income students through Boulder County’s Community Action Programs.

Applicants must have lived in Boulder County at least one year, be attending university, community college or technical school as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student and have a low to moderate income level.

Scholarships are made possible through proceeds from the Community Action Programs’ annual Multicultural Awards Banquet. Preference is given to students actively involved in a student or community organization.

Prior scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply, and scholarships are not available to those graduating from high school this spring or summer.

Students of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications are due by April 15 and are available on the Boulder County website at http://bit.ly/ boco-scholarship. Contact Sheila Goetz at 303-441-3976 or sgoetz@bouldercounty.org for more information.


Library offers resource for resumes

The Boulder Public Library now offers a new resume and career development online resource for library cardholders, called Optimal Resume.

Job seekers can use the program to create a full spectrum of career documents, from resumes and cover letters to online portfolios, video resumes and professional websites. They can also practice answering common interview questions and share the recorded answers to get feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Optimal Resume is available on the library’s website at www.boulderlibrary. org by clicking on the link titled “eLibrary and eResearch” on the left side of the page. Access is provided via an active Boulder Public Library card. The database may also be used when visiting the library, where reference staff can provide assistance.

For more information, contact Boulder Public Library’s Reference Department at 303-441-3194.

Respond: letters@boulderweekly.com