July 2018 Executive Directors Blog

Hello CSSGA Members.  Wow, the 4^th of July has come and gone.  The midpoint of another great year.  Here are a few of the items underway.

Our main emphasis for 2018 is on fundraising and the successful passing of our initiative on the 2018 ballot for a .62% general sales tax increase.  This initiative puts much needed money directly towards state and local infrastructure projects.  Working with our Construction Industry Coalition (CIC) members that include the Colorado Contractors, the Colorado Ready Mixed Concrete, the Colorado Asphalt Pavement and the American Concrete Pavement Associations, we are raising between $2.7M and $3M for the construction industry segment of a statewide coalition.  The overall statewide target of $9M is what is needed to run an effective campaign and the Let’s Go Colorado (LGC) coalition is focused on raising this money.  Our board of directors have been very engaged in the fundraising efforts and are reaching out to all members requesting financial contributions.  Please participate!

As part of the CIC Coalition, Tim Maloney (Kraemer North America) and Abbot Lawrence (Martin Marietta) are serving as two of the four co-chairs of the LGC Finance and Steering Committee representing our industry.  Tom Peterson (CAPA), Tony Milo (CCA), Angela Folkestad (ACPA Colorado /Wyoming Chapter) and myself on behalf of CSSGA and CRMCA, are also serving as members of the Finance & Steering Committee to ensure each segment of our industry is well represented.  This is a great structure and a coordinated process, which will be required to have a positive result during the November election.  We are currently in the signature gathering stage in order to meet the August 9 signature deadline, which is on or ahead of schedule.  More news to follow, Let’s Go Colorado.

CSSGA again held a very successful Networking Event at the Colorado Mining Exchange on June 19.  It was a great opportunity to interact with members (and prospective members) regarding industry news and developments.  Our next Networking Event is in Grand Junction on Sept 18.  These events intentionally move around the state as we continuously strive to have a state wide impact on the industry.  Hope you can make plans to attend the next one.

Also, on June 26 CSSGA held a webinar regarding upcoming changes with the MSHA Workplace Exams.   Thanks to Dana Svendsen of Sherman & Howard for presenting the information and co-chairing our CSSGA/CRMCA joint Safety Committee.

Last, but what is certainly the most important news of the month, Annelise was married on June 9.  She and her now husband, Mike, traveled back to Virginia for the ceremony and surrounding festivities.  We are proud of her as she enters this new phase of her life and wish her the best moving forward.

Thanks for your ongoing participation in CSSGA and I hope you continue to have a great summer.  Keep connected through Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Todd R. Ohlheiser

Executive Director

Colorado Stone, Sand & Gravel Association