‘Emerald’ community not limited to land of Oz, an article from the Colorado Springs Business Journal, reports that Santa Fe Springs’ developers Rodney Preisser and Ray O’Sullivan have visions of a water-rich, green community spanning 8,000 acres on El Paso County’s eastern plains.  The master-planned Santa Fe Springs will feature green lawns, verdant gardens, expansive green parks, a golf course and open spaces.  In order to make this green community of 7,000 to 8,000 homes possible, purple pipelines will carry chemically treated effluent and waste water for irrigation purposes.  They will be joined by a pipe that delivers traditionally pumped fresh well water for in-home drinking or cooking.  Preisser said,  “Venture capital in today’s economy is not only interested in projects like this, they’re searching for them because they know it’s the wave of the future.  Even in the current economy, they’re attracting a lot of investment.  It’s a real plus that Colorado is the first state to embrace a true dual water re-use system for residential as well as irrigation use.”
http://www.csbj.com/story.cfm?ID=19747

Slump might mean it's school time, an article from The Denver Post, reports that according to Alexandra Hall, chief economist for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, making the decision to focus on education during tough economic times can make sense.  Mark Levine, chair of the University of Denver's Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management, said getting an advanced degree in real estate fields can be beneficial, but sometimes in less tangible ways than a higher paycheck.  "You need to do something to reinvent yourself.  In order to be sharp and current in our industry, you've got to be on your game," said Iris Foster, chief operating officer of real estate firm Dutton Commercial and an adjunct DU professor.  President of the Colorado Association of Mortgage Brokers, Doug Braden, said mortgage brokers are also expanding their services to stay competitive.  Some drywallers, finishers, plumbers and electricians are shifting their focus from the struggling single-family-home market to the healthier multifamily sector.
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_8818173

Don't Wait: Create, an article from RealtyTimes.com, reports that in today's marketplace, with changing inventory levels, more cautious buyers, and rising interest rates, you just can't wait for business and success to come to you.  You must proactively create business and make success come to you.  Focus on getting face-to-face with all prospects, even if they are six months out.  The face-to-face meeting is the best way to determine if the lead is outstanding.  It's also something that most other agents your prospects are talking to are not doing.  This will also help you to determine desire, need, ability, and authority.
http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20080407_dontwait.htm

Additional articles that you may find of interest:

City to study parking needs
http://www.gazette.com/articles/study_35018___article.html/city_needs.html

ADVICE: DO'S AND DON'TS WHEN SELLING OR BUYING
http://www.gazette.com/articles/advice_34835___article.html/buying_don.html