Happy Friday from #OneUtah, a weekly update from the office of Gov. Spencer J. Cox. Here’s your recap of what we did this week, what's on the horizon, and more. Reply to this email with any questions or suggestions regarding the newsletter. And thank you for subscribing! 

Standing with Ukraine

The people of Ukraine continue to inspire the world with their courage and determination. On the call, we told the president that just the day before we met a family of Ukrainian refugees and they shared our support for him and the Ukrainian people. We’ll continue to pray for Ukraine. 

So much snow!

Snow, snow, and even more snow! This winter, Utahns have seen more snow than ever before. The running snow totals speak for themselves: Alta is at 874” and counting, with Snowbird and Brighton over 800” as well. The statewide average snow water equivalent has broken the modern record at 29.4” (and still climbing). 

Little Cottonwood and Big Cottonwood Canyons have both had days this week where they were closed for avalanche mitigation and safety precautions. We thank the avalanche mitigation teams, our amazing snowplow drivers and our crews at the Utah Department of Transportation and the Utah Department of Public Safety for keeping us safe this winter. 

Because of all this snow, drought conditions are improving! For the first time in three years, no part of Utah falls under the exceptional drought category. We still have a ways to go, but the winter snow and rain, combined with Utahns doing their part in conserving water, is helping improve drought conditions. Let’s keep the momentum going, Utah!

To read more about the greatest snow on earth this winter, click here and to learn how you can continue to conserve water, visit conservewater.utah.gov.

Flood Awareness Month

After an unprecedented winter of record-breaking snowpack, the likelihood of heavy spring runoff during upcoming warmer spring months is high. So we declared April as Flood Safety Month to encourage Utahns to be prepared for flooding and other natural disasters. 

Government agencies, volunteer organizations, and residents have been clearing ditches and supporting sandbagging operations. To learn more about how you can be prepared, visit dem.utah.gov. You can read more about our declaration here. 

Connecting Utah: Southern Utah

Our Connecting Utah tour continues! This week we stopped in Washington, Iron, Sanpete, Beaver, and Piute counties and met with community members and students. We got some great questions about what we’re doing to protect our young people from the harms of social media and how the state can help make housing more affordable. We also talked about how strong communities bind us together across generations – which is something Utahns do well – and how we all need to re-learn how to disagree better and resolve conflicts through healthy dialogue.

We love getting to meet with Utahns where they live. Look out for more information about our next stop! 

Search and rescue in southern Utah

While we were in St. George, we were honored to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new hangar for the aero bureau in southern Utah. 

The aero bureau launched in August 2022 after the Utah Legislature approved funds for a new helicopter for DPS. Since then, the aero bureau has sped up search and rescue operations, helping to improve outcomes and reducing risks for local search and rescue team members. In 2022, the aero bureau had more than 500 missions total with 120 hoists, rescuing almost 200 people. So far in 2023, they’ve had 194 missions up to March 22nd, rescuing more than 70 individuals through 34 hoists missions. 

We’re grateful to DPS, our search and rescue crews, our local government partners and legislators who made this expanded search and rescue presence in southern Utah possible.   

Helping our homeless friends

I’m always honored to join my dear friend and advisor Pamela Atkinson to ask for donations to the Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund. 

Each night, roughly 3,500 individuals in Utah experience homelessness, 30% of which are families with children. Working with local governments and service providers, the state is committed to getting these individuals and families housed and providing the much needed supportive services to keep them housed. 

You can support service providers throughout the state by donating to the Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund. It’s easy: Just donate $3 (or $30 or $300 or any amount) on your state tax return or at jobs.utah.gov/htf to the Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund to help those in need! Your donation will make a difference to our most vulnerable.

Service, the Utah way 

April is National Volunteer Month, and we invite Utahns to take advantage of their expertise and interests when they serve.

You can learn more about a great fit through the UServeUtah’s Community Engagement Pathways survey. Your results will suggest one of six unique pathways. And you’ll receive a toolkit to help you get started – or help you better target – your volunteer efforts. Begin your pathway journey here.

Here are two opportunities to consider:

Give time. First Lady Abby Cox invites us to #ShowUp to help children in the state’s Foster Care programs, or join the #InclusionRevolution by volunteering with the Special Olympics of Utah.

Give oversight. Get training to become a cultural steward protecting Utah’s valuable archeological treasures. Kick-off a whole year’s worth of Earth Day celebrations!

Dark Skies Month

April is Dark Skies Month! Utah has the highest concentration of dark skies in the world; home to 24 accredited International Dark Sky places including all of the Mighty 5 national parks, 10 state parks, and two towns. Astrotoursim contributes to Utah’s stellar economy with an estimated 113,000 new jobs and $6 billion dollars to be generated in the American Southwest over the next decade. 

Do you want to visit a dark sky location, but don’t have time to drive down south? Check out Antelope State Park, Utah’s dark skies are something everyone can enjoy year round. To learn more about Utah’s Dark Sky Parks, click here. 

ICYMI

• This week we met with Utah’s first children’s mariachi band – Mariachi Academia Mis Raíces. See photos from our visit here. 

• We visited with the Utah Association of Counties this week and spoke about how we’re excited for our rural communities to grow. Read more here. 

• April is Month of the Military Child! Read the full declaration here. 

• We were honored to join First Lady Abby Cox and recognize the students who won the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Art and Essay contest! See photos from the event here. 

• What’s my favorite part about being governor? “Traveling the state, meeting with people and students and talking about their future.”  Watch as we tour the Governor’s Office and answer a few questions in the video here!

Coming up

• April 9: Happy Easter to all who celebrate!

• April 10: We’re hosting a ceremonial signing to celebrate bills that will encourage innovation in our state.

• April 11: We look forward to meeting with Mexico’s new consul general in Utah.

• April 13: We’re hosting a ceremonial signing to celebrate education bills passed during the legislative session.

• April 13: We’re honored to present this year’s State of Sport Awards.

Get involved!

Looking for a new job opportunity? From great employee benefits to versatile work schedules, the career opportunities with the state are truly endless. Join Team Utah today! 

Those looking to volunteer can also consider more than 300 boards and commissions. Find out which openings are available and how you can get involved here!

Get in touch!