This month, Jefferson County elected officials and staff are launching a countywide collaboration with cities and organizations to encourage more than 225,000 households to participate in the 2010 Census.

In 2000, about 73 percent of households in Jefferson County returned their questionnaires by mail. When households do not return their surveys, Census workers attempt to reach residents at their homes, increasing the cost of the Census. About $85 million is saved for every 1 percent increase in mail participation.

Census data will affect how more than $400 billion per year in federal funding is distributed to local governments, including Jefferson County. Information from the census helps determine locations for child care and senior centers, new roads, hospitals, schools and community centers.

The 2010 Census form asks 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Every person living in the residence, both relatives and nonrelatives, should be included on the form. People should be counted in the residence where they live and sleep most of the time.

Census form answers are safe and confidential. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both. Personal information gathered through the Census cannot be shared with the Internal Revenue Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency or any other government agency. Not even the President of the United States.

Jefferson County is coordinating with a variety of entities, including the Public Health Department, Sheriff’s Office, Human Services Department and the cities and towns within Jefferson County, on a variety of efforts. Those efforts include:

• A new Web site where citizens can find the latest information about the Census and how they can participate
• Safety information from the Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney
• Job opportunities with the U.S. Census Bureau through the Jeffco Workforce Center
• Questionnaire Assistance Centers located throughout the county to help citizens fill out their forms

The U.S. Postal Service will begin mailing forms in March. In May, Census workers will follow up with households that did not return questionnaires. Finally, the U.S. Census Bureau will deliver counts to the President in December.

To learn more about the 2010 Census, go to www.jeffco.us/2010census.htm.

For more information, contact Citizen Involvement Coordinator Jennifer Kostka at jkostka@jeffco.us or (303) 271-8521.