Commissioner Donnelly – LC-101: What we do and how we do it

One of my favorite activities in grade school was show and tell. I loved to show off my Star Wars action figures, and watch those in my class bring things to school, explain what they were for and how they worked.

Currently, we are taking applications for our ninth annual Larimer County 101 Class [LC-101] through March 4, 2018. It’s where we get to show you what we do and how we do it — only better.

LC-101 is a 9-week class that meets one night per week on Thursdays, from March 22, 2018 to May 24, 2018 introducing citizens to Larimer County, its history, the many services we provide, and the people in the county who provide them.

For example, class members learn about how Larimer County is structured, the county budget, elections, land use, public works, transportation, our fairgrounds — also known as The Ranch — public health, human services, economic development, how property is assessed, the District Attorney’s Office, the Coroner, the Sheriff’s Office, courts, and so much more. Some past class members have said, “I never knew you did all that,” at the end of the course.

LC-101 is an interactive class, and we keep it small to encourage dialogue. You get to meet elected officials, plus many staff members who have expertise in their respective fields, while also noticing their passion for the work they do.

You’ll get to see what it takes to build and maintain roads, or how the landfill processes solid waste, while making every effort in recycling to protect our environment and extend the life of the landfill. Class members get to tour our Community Corrections facility, and also tour Alternative Sentencing, showing how their program allows offenders to serve their sentences, hold their jobs, and be with their families, too. You will be introduced to what the Sheriff’s Office does, and be surprised at the other vital duties they perform for the citizens of Larimer County to keep all of us safe.

I can’t list all the things we do in this space, but these are just a few examples of the services we provide to all Larimer County residents every day, in the background, much like the operating system in your cellphone or laptop.

Of course, all this wouldn’t happen without money. Early in the course, the Larimer County Budget is presented, so class members get a sense of “where the money comes from and where it goes,” showing how the public services we provide are funded.

Finally, you get to tour the Larimer County Fairgrounds — also known as The Ranch — the crown jewel of events and entertainment in Northern Colorado, and see how this outstanding showplace works.

I invite you to take a look at the LC-101 website, https://www.larimer.org/LC101 and register to take the class. You won’t be disappointed. And if you’re not familiar with Larimer County, take a look at our new website, www.Larimer.org. Click around and take a look at what we do.

Speaking for my fellow Commissioners, we look forward to meeting you at LC-101.

Tom Donnelly is one of three Larimer County Commissioners representing District 2 in Larimer County

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