The seasons have changed, and the numbers are in. During the 2012-2013 winter, Weld County Department of Public Works snow plow drivers (including graders with plows) drove approximately 100,000 miles clearing the roads for the traveling public – which equates to driving approximately four times around the Earth at the equator.

“We are so proud of the work our Public Work’s team does in maintaining our county roads,” said Commissioner Sean Conway, coordinator for the department this year. “When a storm comes in, they are ready to go whether they are in the plows, the graders or managing the county Snow Desk.”

Maintaining more than 3,000 miles of roads, 77% of which are gravel, can be challenging. “When we first get word of a potential winter storm, we start planning,” said Public Works Director Dave Bauer.

During a special presentation held on the Fort Lupton campus of Aims Community College, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and Noble Energy presented their 2012 ad valorem checks to Weld County. The total of the two checks was $148,557,244 or nearly 33% of all taxes paid to the Weld County Treasurer.

The Weld County Board of Commissioners and Aims Community College used the event as an opportunity to talk about the projects and programs the revenue from the oil and gas industry helps to fund.

"This event was a great opportunity for the Board to talk about what projects the county is able to undertake as a result of the oil and gas revenue," said Commissioner Chairman William Garcia. Those projects include:

TABOR Refund: Every real property owner in Weld County receives a temporary tax credit on the County mill levy, and the County is able to extend the tax credit primarily due to the revenue from oil and gas.