Feb. 2, 2021

Dear fellow Lafayette residents, 

I hope this message finds you all safe and healthy.

As we’re already through the first month of the New Year, I have high hopes for 2021 and know that whatever this year may bring, the strength and resiliency of our community will continue to inspire me to serve as your City Administrator. The Lafayette staff and I continue to work hard to ensure the best municipal services are always provided and am happy to update you on the following initiatives and news.

COVID-19 vaccinations

While the roll out of the vaccine is slower than we’d like to see, some residents in Lafayette and Boulder County have started to receive COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccine is free for everyone, regardless of immigration status, and no health insurance is required. 

Many of our public safety professionals have received the vaccine so they can continue to safely protect and serve Lafayette, and many aged 70 and up have already received their first dose as well. On Friday, Jan.29, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) released an updated vaccine distribution plan with details about the next group to be vaccinated. Beginning Feb. 8, people aged 65-69 years old, PK-12 educators and staff, and childcare workers in licensed childcare programs, will be eligible to receive the vaccine. If you are an educator or staff, contact your school/district/program director for more information. If you are 65-69 years old, sign up with a vaccine provider by visiting Boulder County Public Health(BCPH)’s webpage.

BCPH officials are stressing that the supply of vaccines is limited and it will take until approximately the beginning of March for Colorado to move to the next group in the vaccine distribution plan. View this BCPH webpage for a list of local providers who have vaccine notification signups available.  Registering will provide you with a notification when your group is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. You can also call 877-CO VA XCO (1-877-268-2926) for assistance and information about COVID-19 vaccines.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never looked so forward to getting a shot.

Library reopening 

The Lafayette Public Library is now open! We are delighted that this community asset is once again welcoming residents inside. Face coverings and physical distancing are mandatory, and customers are asked to keep their visits to under an hour. The library’s hours of service are: Monday: closed; Tuesday - Thursday: 10am-7pm; Friday - Saturday: 10am-5pm; Sunday: 1-5pm. Check out this video for more details about the reopening.

Designated curbside pickup zones in Old Town 

We deeply appreciate Lafayette businesses and know our support for them is more crucial now than ever before. We also know what’s good for business is good for our community. In 2020, the City held two rounds of small business grants with the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority (LURA) and were able to award 130 Lafayette businesses a combined total of $897,000 in grants that were refunded to the City from the federal CARES Act. Most recently, in partnership with LURA, the City installed 14 designated parking spots in Old Town. These 10-minute parking spots can be used for any nearby business to make curbside pickup easier for businesses and residents.

5-Star Certification Program

Boulder County is now approved for Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s 5 Star Business Certification Program! This means that Lafayette businesses can apply to accelerate their reopening by implementing additional safety measures beyond what is required by public health orders. Once a business applies, they’re required to meet requirements and pass an inspection to ensure they are adhering to enhanced safety criteria. Lafayette Mayor Pro Temp Stephanie Walton is serving on the administrative committee and several of our staff and community members have been involved to help move the 5 Star Certification Program forward.  We are thrilled this program will allow more Lafayette businesses to open in a safe, proactive manner.

Unemployment scam

Fraudulent unemployment claims have exploded during the pandemic. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) recently released information about an unemployment scam circulating across the U.S. If you receive a Reliacard debit card or other paperwork from the CDLE and have not filed a claim, follow steps found on their website.

Legacy Lafayette Comprehensive Plan update

At their Jan. 25 workshop, City Council received an update on the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan process has been ongoing since January 2019. Since then, substantial public outreach has occurred with a focus on digital engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The next step to guide the plan’s process is a series of joint workshops between the Community Advisory Committee and the Planning Commission this spring. These meetings will result in a draft of the plan in early summer which will coincide with a final community meeting and additional public outreach. The first joint workshop will be held on Feb. 24 at 6pm. Details to watch this virtual workshop will be posted on lafayetteco.gov and legacylafayette.org. 

Fire Chief

Many of you are aware that former Fire Chief Dave Friedel retired after serving 38 years, 16 of which were in Lafayette. Interim Fire Chief Dan Garret has done an incredible job ensuring our fire and emergency medical services have continued to run smoothly during this time. I am happy to announce that we are currently recruiting for a new Fire Chief and will soon be interviewing finalists for this post with the City. This position will lead and direct all personnel, emergency coordination, and activities of the Lafayette Fire Department and will be a pivotal position in our City leadership team.

Multi-Modal Transportation Plan kick-off

Transportation is a big priority in Lafayette and the City will soon be kicking off an initiative to create our first Multi-Modal Transportation Plan (MMTP) which will comprehensively look at conditions and options for all modes of transportation. With community input, the City’s Comprehensive Plan, and other guiding documents, the MMTP will outline a vision for Lafayette’s ultimate transportation system, the policies to support that system, and the funding and prioritization of capital projects. The plan process, which is anticipated to take 18 months, will include extensive community outreach and input from residents, City Council, City staff and advisory boards, regional partners, and surrounding jurisdictions. City Council will soon be presented a plan proposal at a future Council meeting.

S. Boulder Road Multi-Modal Improvement Project

An upcoming project to improve the S. Boulder Road travel corridor, between Saratoga/Merlin Drive and 120th Street, is anticipated to begin as soon as the beginning of March. Construction activities are expected to run through spring 2022 and will involve periodic traffic impacts and detours. Funding for the project comes from a Colorado Department of Transportation grant, Boulder County’s countywide transportation sales tax, and City of Lafayette street funds. Sign up for regular email updates on our website lafayetteco.gov/SouthBoulderRoad to receive the latest construction information.
 
 
In health,

Fritz Sprague 
Lafayette City Administrator