CCA Staff

Tony Milo
Executive Director 
tmilo@ccainfo.org  


Terry Kish 
Director of Safety and Workforce Development
  tkish@ccainfo.org   


Jim Moody
Director of Owner Agency Relations
jmoody@ccainfo.org 

Laura Driver
Director of Communications
 ldriver@ccainfo.org

Donna Murphy 
Financial Services
 dmurphy@ccainfo.org  


Kelly Lehto 
 Executive Assistant klehto@ccainfo.org

Tristin Rosen 
 Administrative Assistant trosen@ccainfo.org

On Capitol Hill

This week CCA President Don Hanneman and Executive Director Tony Milo participated in a press conference at the Capitol to unveil a measure that Speaker Andrew Romanoff and others would like to refer to this November’s ballot to address Colorado ’s conflicting fiscal mandates.  The plan has been dubbed the ‘Fiscal Fix’ and the event was a bi-partisan ‘who’s who’ in state government.  Speakers included the state’s top Democrats Governor Ritter, Speaker Romanoff and State Treasurer Cary Kennedy as well as notable Republicans Attorney General John Suthers, Senator Steve Johnson (R- Ft. Collins) and Representative Ellen Roberts (R-Durango).  CCA was recognized by Speaker Romanoff as the first business organization to express support for the measure.   

The Governor reiterated in his comments the importance of transportation and protecting SB 1. “I have insisted that this proposal protects Senate Bill 1 transportation dollars, similar to how it is protected in current law”, said Governor Ritter. “Transportation funding is a top priority and we must ensure that Senate Bill 1 is funded whenever possible.”  The Speaker amplified the Governor’s sentiments.  “We must protect and if possible increase SB 1 and that still won’t be enough to keep up with the demands on the system”, he said.  To make it on the ballot this year, the measure will have to be approved by a 2/3 vote of the state legislature.  Watch for updates in future issues of CCA Friday Facts.

Transportation Funding Increase Still a Possibility
With the help of the positive media coverage being prompted by PURE through our communications program, the CCA government affairs team continues to lobby for a late bill to increase transportation funding.  Stay tuned for regular updates.  To get up to date on the myriad of other bills being tracked and lobbied by the CCA team, Click here.

Road Funding in the News 

Still time to save state highways
The Denver Post
John McCain, who became the presumptive Republican presidential nominee primarily because of his strong support for the war in  Iraq, frankly admits that economics is not his strong suit.  McCain proved that point this week by urging suspension of federal fuel taxes this summer to make it easier for motorists to hit the roads in the face of rising crude oil prices. Click here for the entire  Denver Post Editorial article. 

State cuts road budget by 20% Revenue forecast shrinks; projects go on wait list
By Kevin Flynn 
State transportation commissioners cut next year's budget by more than 20 percent in light of shrinking revenue forecasts, meaning fewer road projects while safeguarding as much maintenance as possible.  The likelihood of lower federal aid in the coming year, combined with state forecasts for less money from volatile general fund transfers to highways and transit, prompted the Colorado Transportation Commission to approve a lowered budget of nearly $1.1 billion, down from the draft budget of nearly $1.4 billion. Click here for the complete Rocky Mountain News article.

Colorado Contractors Association is expanding our partnerships with Move Colorado and Capitol Solutions to now include Pure Brand Communications.  

As members, many of you are aware of the crucial necessity for the advocacy program which was created to assist CCA in promoting a steady stream of funding for Colorado's infrastructure system.  This expanded advocacy effort is funded in part by the CCA special assessment. 

Click here for this week's activity update.

FAA Regional Administrator Issues Open Letter to Contractors
Letter addresses FAA’s commitment to integrity and professionalism in the face of recent employees being found guilty of violating the federal laws. Click here to read.

RSVP for Industry Bus Tour - April 29 - Space is Limited
The Adams County Education Consortium (ACEC) is coordinating the first ever bus tour for businesses and professionals to visit several high school programs in Adams County that are training our future employees.  You’ll be able to meet firsthand the students and educators involved in these specific programs. 

Areas you’ll visit on campus:

• General business/IT
• Health careers
• Construction/building trades
• Welding/machining/automotives

You will be divided on campus by the subject area you wish to visit and the availability of that program on each campus. 

Please help us spread the word about this innovative program by forwarding this e-mail to anyone you think would be interested in participating. Please contact Sandy Steiner at SSteiner@AdamsCountyED.com as soon as possible if you are interested in participating. Space is limited. 

Here are the particulars about the Industry Bus Tour.

You are Invited to HUB's Seminar Series  
HUB is excited to invite our friends, clients and guests to this informative session focusing on FMLA compliance and Employee Handbook issues.  As many of you know, HUB recently joined forces with a national legislative compliance firm to provide audit, training and compliance services to our employer groups.  Additionally, we have an exclusive opportunity with Core Health Strategies to provide wellness programs to our clients to improve the productivity, morale and health of your workforce.  

Friday, May 9th 2008
8:30 – 9:00: Breakfast and Registration
9:00 – 12:00: Program
Warwick Hotel
1776 Grant St. (at 18^th)
Denver, CO 80203-1211  

Click here for further details. Or if you have questions please contact Shannon Tarufelli at 303-252-3103.

Make Plans To Attend The Construction Industry Job Fair
You are invited to participate in the Construction Industry Job Fair, to be held Wednesday, April 23, 2008, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.!  This exciting event will be held at National Western Complex, Expo Hall, Level 2, 4655 Humbolt Street, Denver, CO 80216 and is co-sponsored by the Construction Career Days Committee and the companies that brought you Colorado Construction Career Days.  Click here for the event flyer, click here more information and click here for the registration form.    

Need Help Finding Employees For This Year?
CCA Can Help You! 
CCA has joined forces with the Adams County Workforce and Business Center to make it easy for CCA members to hire new employees.  They are providing a clearing house for individuals wishing to find a career in the construction industry.  The Adams County Workforce and Business Center will find and evaluate potential employees and assist CCA Members with interviews and the hiring process.  The CCA Member, no matter where their office or project is located, only has to make one phone call to the Adams County Workforce and Business Center who will handle their job order and refer a group of candidates to your company to be interviewed and hired.  If your company is working outside the metro area the Adams County Workforce & Business Center will coordinate your workforce needs with the Workforce Center nearest to your company’s project or provide you with Adams County residents who are willing to travel and work on the project.  It’s easy to get started - just call Sherry Caffero 303.453.8645 and tell her you are a CCA Member and that you would like to post a Job Order.

Click here for a copy of the CCA Job Order Form.

Erosion Control BMPs – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
This week’s Good and Bad BMPs is below:

Pictures and analysis courtesy of Bowman Construction Supply

• Colorado Springs Bid Results

• Denver Construction Bid Tabulations

• Grand Junction Bid Summaries

CDOT News

Transportation Commission Transfer Funds To Repair Distressed Pavements In Western Colorado
STATEWIDE— Today, the Colorado Transportation Commission set aside $1.6 million from its contingency fund in order to repair distressed pavements on the Western Slope.  The funds will repair or resurface 21 highway segments that have been damaged as a result of the severe winter season. Click here for the entire article.  

Mark your Calendar:  CCA-CDOT Meetings Scheduled for April

• Transportation Policy Committee:  Mon, Apr 21 at 10:00 at CCA

• Region 4 Roundtable:  Tue, Apr 22 at  8:30 at Evans Residency (3939 Riverside Pkwy)

• Bridge Committee:  Tue, Apr 22 at 1:00 at CCA

CDOT Bid Results for April 17, 2008
To review this week’s CDOT bid results, click here.

This year’s event not only focused on construction but also oil and gas stormwater and erosion control issues. Several speakers from the 5-2-1 Drainage Authority, CDPHE, consultants and product suppliers made presentations. Twenty companies, including many CCA members, participated as vendors and informed the attendees on the many products and services that are available to make their jobs easier. CCA would especially like to thank the conference sponsors who financially supported this event: Bowman Construction Supply, Grand Junction Pipe & Supply, Nilex, Rain for Rent, URS Corporation, Wagner Rents and Water Saver Company Inc.

Besides CCA, the other organizations who spent many hours organizing and coordinating the conference are 5-2-1 Drainage Authority, Mesa County, City of Grand Junction,  Grand Valley Drainage District and the Western Colorado Contractors Association. CCA would like to thank all of its members that came out and supported the 2008 Stormwater and Erosion Control Conference and Exposition.  

Group Drug Testing & Background Check Program
The Colorado Contractors Association has established a partnership arrangement with ChoicePoint, Incorporated, and three different drug testing laboratories: LabCorp, Lab One, and Quest Labs, to offer its members a discounted rate for the drug and alcohol testing of employees.  Members of CCA can also order, at group discount prices, instant-result on-site drug and alcohol test kits through this program.

For more information about CCA Group Drug Testing and Background Checks Program call CCA at (303) 290-6611 for plan enrollment form.

For more information on additional CCA Benefits click here.

Safety Resource Center

Click here for this week’s information     

AGC/A News

Debate expected over Denver 's invoice payment legislation
Denver city officials are opposing a bill in the Colorado House requiring that construction contractors be paid within 25 to 60 days after receipt of an invoice for private or public sector work. City officials said the bill would undermine Denver 's ability to enforce prevailing-wage rules, but supporters said the legislation is needed because Denver is one of Colorado 's biggest offenders in terms of timely payment to contractors.  Denver Post, The (4/13)

‘Red-Hot’ Steel, Fuel Prices Send Construction Costs Soaring, Agc Says Economist Simonson Warns Worse Is Coming As Public Funds Run Short
Washington, D.C.—“Red-hot steel prices, combined with record diesel fuel costs, are making construction unaffordable,” Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), said today. Simonson was commenting on the producer price indexes (PPIs) for March reported today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Click here for the entire article.

Mccain’s Proposed Moratorium On Gas Taxes Should Be Dead On Arrival
Washington , D.C. —The Associated General Contractors of America ( AGC ) today called Senator John McCain’s proposal for a temporary moratorium on gas taxes “irresponsible and short-sighted.”  

Based on the Bush administration’s budget projections, AGC estimates that Senator McCain’s proposal for a “gas tax holiday” from Memorial Day to Labor Day would cost the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) $8.5 billion. McCain’s proposal comes at a time when the HTF is already bleeding red ink. The proposed revenue cut would reduce federal highway funding to states by as much as 80 percent. A “gas tax holiday” would require massive cutbacks in transportation improvements nationwide, which would have far-reaching impacts throughout the economy. Click here for the complete article.

Save the Date

The Pinery Golf Outing
Monday, June 23, 2008

CCA / AGCC Joint Summer Conference
July 31- August 3, 2008
Sheraton Steamboat Resort

Colorado Springs Construction Career Day
September 25, 2998

Metro Denver Colorado Construction Career Days
October 7 & 8, 2008
Adams County Fairgrounds