ProgressNow Daily News Digest

As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/as-democrats-shift-to-offense-obama-biden-address-house-retreat/2012/01/27/gIQAOxWqUQ_blog.html After two days of closed-door brainstorming sessions, briefings and panels featuring speakers including MSNBC’s Ed Schultz and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, the Democrats’ three-day “Reigniting the American Dream” conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay will conclude today with a 10:30 a.m. speech by Biden and a 1:15 p.m. address by Obama. Unlike last year’s meeting, this year’s retreat takes place days after the president’s combative State of the Union address — so lawmakers already have a sense of Obama’s likely message to his party. On the eve of the visit by the president and vice president, Democrats pointed to a new poll as a sign that they have reclaimed the momentum heading into 2012.

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137025/attack-on-nato-convoy-kills-4.html A suicide car bomber killed four Afghan civilians and wounded dozens Thursday in the southern province of Helmand, local officials said. The attack, which took place midmorning at a busy market in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, targeted armored vehicles that belonged to the U.S.-led NATO coalition. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the Taliban, which have their roots in southern Afghanistan. Thirty-one people were wounded, including three women who were visiting a doctor, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. He said a child with one of the women was among those killed.

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/surge-in-violence-killings-across-syria-un-security-council-set-to-meet/2012/01/27/gIQAKiVJVQ_story.html Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Activists in Homs said there were heavy casualties after a night of shelling and mortar fire, with military tanks again deployed across the city after being partially withdrawn last month at the outset of a monitoring mission by the Arab League. “In some areas, the shelling has not stopped for three days in a row. The regime is now waging full-scale war against the people,” said an activist in Homs who was contacted via Skype and uses the name Hadi al-Homsi. He described a “massacre” in the southeastern area of Karm al-Zeitoun, which is a focal point of military operations in the city.

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120127,0,5568328.story Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, aiming for a knockout blow in next week's Florida primary, tore into Newt Gingrich in a televised debate Thursday night and vigorously defended his personal wealth as an asset in his presidential campaign. Romney was aggressive from the outset, starting with the issue of illegal immigration. Gingrich stood by a Spanish-language radio ad he had aired that said Romney was "anti-immigrant." Gingrich withdrew the ad after being admonished by Florida's popular Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney, noting that both his father and his wife's father were born outside the United States, said such language was "inexcusable."

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701269913/-1/News01/Obama-touts-natural-gas-in-Aurora His two-hour visit to Buckley Air Force base was his third Colorado stop in four months, and it came during a tour of swing states after his Tuesday night State of the Union address. The Colorado speech served as a highlight reel from Tuesday’s address, with an emphasis on energy. “For all our lives, America has been talking about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “Well, my administration has actually tried to do something about it.” U.S. oil production is at an eight-year high, and the country’s reliance on foreign oil is at a 16-year low, he said.

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831726 Hispanic Republicans Thursday denounced President Barack Obama, saying his policies have hurt the country and he is spending more time campaigning for president than actually serving as president. In a news conference at the state Capitol, Jefferson County Reps. Robert Ramirez and Libby Szabo — the lone two Hispanics in the GOP caucus — ripped Obama, who will be in Aurora this afternoon for a campaign stop to talk about energy. "He is here today, promising our military new energy resources, those mostly of green energy but he's not willing to talk to all of us," said Ramirez, of Westminster.

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270349/Paul-make-appearance-CSU Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak at CSU in Fort Collins on Tuesday. A Ron Paul spokeswoman said the congressman is set to speak around 3 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, but logistics are still being finalized and further details would be provided closer to the event. The ballroom can hold about 1,100 people, and organizers say they plan to have local bands playing before Paul speaks. CSU officials said Paul's appearance is being organized by a student group and is not an official university event.

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110920/tipton-struggles-to-win-voter-approval-but-leads-in-early-poll Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado’s Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent. Of 569 individuals polled, 39 percent say incumbent Tipton deserves to be re-elected but only 36 percent approve of the job he is doing. Tipton’s job approval is 12 points lower than the 48 percent job approval then-Rep. John Salazar notched in a similar poll conducted in 2010. Tipton ended up beating Salazar, whose popularity was tested by votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act. “People are upset with the way Washington is conducting business– and it shows,” Pace said in a press release.

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/immigrant-tuition-break-advances/article_b56b5cba-48ab-11e1-8415-0019bb2963f4.html A Pueblo lawmaker’s proposal to create a level of discount college tuition for illegal immigrants cleared a Senate panel Thursday on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democrats on the Senate Education Committee favored SB15, sponsored by Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver. They touted it as a boost to college revenue, a return on the investment the state has made in students’ public schooling and a bargain for the state, which would not subsidize any part of the students’ college costs. “We can’t and must not allow another generation of immigrants to struggle for the chance to contribute to American society,” Giron said. “These students were brought here as babies and small children. They worked hard, got good grades, have been accepted to college.”

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/homefood-business-bills-find-favor-in-first-hearin Committees in the Colorado House and Senate on Thursday simultaneously heard two bills introduced by local lawmakers designed to help Coloradans create their own home-food businesses. While the House Economic and Business Development Committee approved a measure offered by Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee supported another one introduced by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Both measures center on allowing would-be entrepreneurs to use their own home kitchens to produce products meant for local sale.

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/lawmakers-oppose-water-law-change/article_3911e38e-48a9-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html State lawmakers received applause Thursday from the Colorado Water Congress for their opposition to a pair of initiatives that would seriously alter Colorado water law. “If we don’t defeat these initiatives, those uneducated about water will take control and irrigated agriculture will cease to be important,” said Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, [R]-Sterling. The water congress, which represents multiple state water interests, is meeting for the 54th year at its annual convention. The CWC has opposed two initiatives by Richard Hamilton of Fairplay and his attorney Phil Doe of Littleton.

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/go-ahead-mr-speaker-make-my-day/56239/ Watch out Frank McNulty: A legislative proposal could allow a certain deputy city attorney to pack heat. House Bill 1026 confers peace officer status on city attorneys, their assistants and such. Each jurisdiction will decide whether those staffers can be armed. Denver’s new deputy city attorney is Scott Martinez, a key player in last year’s congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. He worked on Democratic maps ultimately approved by the Colorado Supreme Court, to the dismay of Republicans.

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19826225 Broomfield Democrat Dianne Primavera will officially kick off her campaign for House District 33 in an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona's Mexican Grill, 2255 W. 136th Ave. Primavera, a two-term state representative who was defeated by a 330-vote margin in 2010, announced her candidacy in December. Primavera will face Republican David Pigott in the November election. Pigott, a lawyer at Denver firm Bloch and Chapleau LLC, on Nov. 17 filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the HD 33 seat and officially kicked off his campaign, his first for political office, earlier this month.

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279927/-1/News01/Colorado-Democrats-disqualify-Swonger-from-primary The Colorado Democratic Party has disqualified Patrick Swonger from its primary in the 59th state House District. From the day Swonger kicked off his run two weeks ago, people began contacting the party to complain he was ineligible given his insufficient tenure as a registered Democrat. The Colorado Democratic Party declined to identify who reported Swonger. Party rules stipulate that candidates must be registered for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832002 Gov. John Hickenlooper is recommending the privatization of Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund, despite the ongoing concerns of business groups. However, Hickenlooper also is recommending a few tweaks to the proposal, giving the state a slightly larger ownership stake in what would be the newly privatized mutual assurance company and creating a new fund for injured workers. "Most of the large policyholders I've talked to, almost without fail, they've been pretty enthusiastic" about the privatization proposal, Hickenlooper told reporters Thursday in a conference call from Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/judge-denies-effort-block-co-abortion-protester/ A judge Thursday denied the federal government's request to keep a longtime anti-abortion protester from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver's Planned Parenthood center. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department's argument that Kenneth Scott's actions make it "unreasonably difficult" for patients and employees to get to the clinic. "Great news," one of Scott's lawyers, Peter Breen, said of Brimmer's late-evening ruling.

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19831444 A judge has ruled that police violated two Occupy Boulder protesters' Fourth Amendment rights when officers opened tent flaps to see whether the people inside were sleeping. In a ruling received by attorneys Thursday, Boulder Municipal Judge Linda Cooke said the Occupy Boulder protesters did have a reasonable expectation of privacy while camping on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street. Police did not have warrants to search the tents, and as a result, the observations of the officers will be suppressed in court. The two protesters, P.J. Jentsch and Katie DeMichele, were ticketed Nov. 21 along with nine others at the site of the former Occupy Boulder protest. Police officers opened the flap to the tent where Jentsch and DeMichele were sleeping before issuing them a ticket for camping.

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-132411-consider-oil.html After concerns from county commissioners and a warning letter from the Attorney General’s Office about El Paso County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, county planning staff have come up with a revised proposal for the commission to consider at its Jan. 31 meeting. County spokesman Dave Rose said the commissioners will consider both the original and the new proposals in their discussions. “I think they’ll have a long and extensive discussion next Tuesday,” Rose said.

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f22178bc9832347734804.txt What does a 550-mile-long pipeline draining water from the southwest corner of Wyoming to the Front Range have to do with San Miguel County? Enough for the Board of County Commissioners to draft a resolution opposing the proposed $9 billion project. The plan calls for more than 200,000 acre-feet per year to be pumped from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which stores water from the Green River — over the Continental Divide and into Denver. (An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water, and 200,000 acre-feet is just over a fifth of the Green River’s annual flow.) If the project is built, water will flow through a pair of 42-inch pipes along Interstate 80. Dreamt up by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million, the pipeline would feed Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. “We’re always very cautious about protecting our resources,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Elaine Fischer.

Denver names panelists who will help pick police monitor - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832003 Mayor Michael Hancock on Thursday announced the five people who will help pick Denver's next police watchdog. The Office of the Independent Monitor was created in 2005 to monitor internal investigations of police officers and sheriff's deputies and make recommendations on discipline. It was created after two controversial police shootings. The first monitor, Richard Rosenthal, was sometimes at odds with the Denver Police Department. Many officers and safety officials believed he overstepped his role, while supporters said his tough approach was just what was needed.

Colorado new-home permits increase in 2011 - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832016 Colorado home builders, for the second year in a row, pulled more permits than they did the year before. Through November 2011, the state recorded 12,758 single-family and multifamily building permits, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a 10 percent increase from the 11,591 permits pulled in all of 2010. Colorado new-home sales also are expected to inch out a small gain in 2011, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. That bucks the national trend, where a 2.2 percent decline in December put 2011 new-home sales at their lowest level in 50 years of record keeping.

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Colorado AG weighs in on DPS, union fight over Innovation Schools Act - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831908 The Colorado attorney general's office issued an opinion this week backing Denver Public Schools in a dispute with teachers about the state's Innovation Schools Act. Because the opinion favors the school district — saying the act applies to planned new schools as well as existing schools — DPS is calling for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association to drop its lawsuit over the issue. "The attorney general's opinion makes it clear that the actions of DPS and the State Board of Education are fully consistent with the law," district spokesman Mike Vaughn said. "We think it's time to move beyond this lawsuit and focus more resources on the classroom and fewer on the courtroom." Union president Henry Roman said the suit won't be dropped.

Longmont Mayor backs right for homosexuals to marry - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828075 Mayor Dennis Coombs has added his name to a list of U.S. mayors who support "marriage equality," the legal right for homosexuals to marry. Coombs is one of only two Colorado mayors on the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" list at freedomtomarry.org, along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The movement is chaired by the mayors of New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. Confirming his support for the issue on Thursday, Coombs said that this was his personal feeling and not anything that specifically bound the city of Longmont.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19829817 A former Boulder County deputy accused of Internet exploitation of children told investigators in November that he has been obsessed with young girls for years, but it "escalated and intensified" after he investigated a homicide in the late 1980s in which he "located and recovered dismembered remains" of a victim he knew. Boulder County Judge John Stavely unsealed the arrest warrant affidavit for Rick Ferguson, 53, during a brief hearing in Boulder District Court on Thursday afternoon. Defense attorney Larry Mertes argued against unsealing the court document, saying that pretrial publicity would taint the local jury pool. Stavely said with the conclusion of the investigation, the public's right to access was in play and that juries are frequently successfully seated in Boulder County for cases that received pretrial coverage.

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/group-132432-springs-answers.html Members of an advocate group for victims of priest sexual abuse met in front of the headquarters of the Archidiocese of St. Louis Thursday afternoon to demand answers about Rev. Charles Robert Manning of Colorado Springs. The group, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is a national organization that acts as a watch-dog for sexual assault crimes brought against religious leaders. It wants Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis to clear up ambiguities in Manning’s history with the Catholic church after learning that Manning is being investigated in a sexual assault case in Colorado. Manning, formerly of three St. Louis Catholic parishes, came to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs in 2007. At a Saturday mass, Rev. Rafael Torres-Rico told the congregation that allegations of sexual assault on a minor have been brought against Manning.

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831645 Denver police have arrested a man with AIDS on suspicion of prostitution, police said. Darren Garcia, 31, was taken into custody Wednesday when officers arrested prostitution suspects along Colfax Avenue, police said. Garcia has eight prior arrests for prostitution, police said, including two previous arrests on suspicion of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS. Garcia was one of 14 people arrested Wednesday in the undercover SWAT sting. The other 13 were women.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19831100 Lakewood-based ZeaChem, a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of wood and other materials into fuels and chemicals, was selected for a $232.5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the company said Thursday. ZeaChem said the conditional commitment from the USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program enables the financing and construction of its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery. The 25-million-gallon-per-year facility is being built in Boardman, Ore.

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129846/1001 When the U.S. economy is good, Aspen does “incredible.” So what happens when the U.S. economy is bad? “You all suck,” said Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. “You are a function of what people feel because they are coming here to spend their money.” But the outlook for Aspen isn't all doom and gloom.

Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/UPDATES01/120127003/Poudre-Valley-Hospital-receives-top-national-nursing-award For the fifth year in a row, the nation's leading nurse association presented its top award to Poudre Valley Hospital for the outstanding achievements that nurses accomplish in patient care and safety. The American Nurses Association, which represents 3.1 million nurses in the United States, presented the Fort Collins hospital in Colorado with the Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality. The presentation was made Thursday in Las Vegas during the annual AHA nursing quality conference.

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129827/1001 At its Tuesday work session, the Frisco Town Council reviewed potential changes to the building code, which will likely include fee changes. According to Frisco community development director Jocelyn Mills, revisions to the code are designed to meet the goal of making her government branch “more friendly and efficient.” “We're really working toward practical, common-sense solutions,” she said.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/shelter-outgrows-its-building Every night and morning, guests replay a familiar game to jockey for space at the Homeward Bound homeless shelter. Because there aren’t enough bunks to house everyone, mattresses and bedding are pulled out for people to spread out on the floor, often sleeping head to head and foot to foot. In the morning, the mattresses are tucked back under the stationary bunks, and tables and chairs that were pushed off to the side to make room are repositioned for folks to sit down to breakfast. The 9,800-square-foot building at 2583 North Ave., which houses up to 167 people during the most frigid winter nights, long has been packed. To help alleviate the crowds of single people and families seeking shelter, a local overflow program offered for the past five years through local churches finds space for up to 30 single men each night. But church volunteers are getting weary of the added responsibilities that initially were dubbed as a temporary solution, Homeward Bound Executive Director Gi Moon said.

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Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831884 Douglas and Arapahoe counties logged big increases in suicides in 2011, while the tallies in other metro-area counties have remained about the same or experienced a slight decrease. While final numbers still are being compiled, Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas said the tally of 46 suicides last year is up from 36 the year before and nearly double the 26 counted in 2009. Arapahoe County recorded 103 suicides in 2011, up from 69 in 2010. In Jefferson and Boulder counties, the numbers remained virtually the same in 2011. Weld and Adams counties both logged decreases.

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832017 Frontier Airlines is coming home, bringing its headquarters back to Denver with Thursday's announcement of a chief executive and a new senior management team that will be based here. David Siegel, a 20-year airline and travel veteran, was named CEO, president and interim chief operating officer of Frontier. In addition to serving in several chief executive positions, Siegal has been an independent director on the board of Frontier's parent company, Republic Airways Holdings. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said Siegel is "the right guy at the right time for the next step in the process" of putting Frontier "back on independent footing" as it seeks a new owner.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/SPORTS/120129845/1001 People who have been critical of the way the Basalt Regional Library District has been operated over the past year will be able to do something about it this winter. Three of the seven positions on the library district's board of trustees are up for appointment in March. One incumbent, Taylor Liebmann, has announced that he will not seek reappointment. He represents Pitkin County. Current board member Christine Tinner, who represents Basalt, has reapplied. Liz Gremillion, who represents Eagle County, has expressed an interest in returning. Applicants must live in the jurisdiction where they are applying. The terms are three years.

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129830/1001 While Summit School District starts exploring whether there will be enough growth to necessitate a new elementary school within the next 10 years, it is predicting some ups and downs in enrollment for next school year. Despite the opening of The Peak School this fall, the middle school's population is predicted to increase by about 6.2 percent, due to a large fifth-grade class getting ready to enter, according to assistant superintendent Karen Strakbein. About 20 students are expected to enroll in the new school, but an almost 40-child difference between the current fifth-grade class and sixth-grade class still means an uptick of students for SMS next year. The current fifth-grade consists of 268 students, while the sixth-grade has 206.

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/board-132419-thursday-meeting.html Falcon School District 49 school board member Chris Wright said Thursday that he will not be resigning from the board. "After 100's of communications from folks within and without the district, I have decided to withdraw my resignation and take some time to reconsider my options and review the thoughts of those who have pleaded with me to remain in public office on the d49 Board of Education," he said in an email. Wright said Monday morning that he planned to submit his resignation from the board at the special meeting Thursday night.

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/wright-132441-board-resign.html Falcon School District 49 board member Christopher Wright did not resign Thursday night as expected, although he was absent from the special meeting. Wright said Monday that he planned to resign. On Thursday, he changed his mind. In an email statement, he said communications from hundreds of people caused him to reconsider. The D-49 attorney advised the board to proceed as usual, since Wright’s resignation was retracted via email before being formally presented.

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129893/1001 Full-time teachers and staff in the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 will each receive a one-time stipend this year of $1,500, using funds from the $4.8 million mill levy override approved by district voters in November. Part-time employees will also receive a bonus of between $750 and $1,200, depending on the percentage of time they work. The plan was approved by the Re-1 school board at its regular meeting held at Basalt High School on Wednesday. It's possible the board could approve another bonus for employees of between $250 and $500 later this spring, using some of the remaining funds that are available for this school year.

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/city-schools-slate-later-opening/article_93d3623e-48a9-11e1-9f04-0019bb2963f4.html Pueblo City Schools district (D60) students will begin class after Labor Day in a move to escape the late August heat that plagued the system this year. Schools that follow the traditional calendar will begin classes on Sept. 4 as part of a new schedule approved by the school board Tuesday night.

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/cca-dolores-huerta-await-decision-on-joint-charter/article_f0f7575a-48ad-11e1-a0df-0019bb2963f4.html Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High charter schools will have to wait another two weeks to find out if the Pueblo City Schools district (D60) will approve a joint charter application. CCA and DHPH officials are seeking a single charter for a kindergarten through 12th-grade academy. Currently, there is one charter for CCA, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, and another for the high school.

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_19828552 Former University of Colorado President Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken was appointed today to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership on the Boulder campus. After serving as interim CU president in 2000, Bracken will fill the shoes of former CU President Hank Brown, who held the position from 2008-10. “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this appointment as the Newton Endowed Chair,” Bracken said in a statement.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832011 After more than a quarter-century buried in a concrete wall, a copper time capsule was recovered from an old Denver school Thursday morning, just one day before the building will be torn to the ground. "It's amazing when you live through a cycle," said Al Bernahardt, 62, the construction foreman for Gove Middle School when it was built in 1975. Bernahardt was nostalgic as he watched the school he built torn apart as he helped locate the time capsule.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

President’s visit tickles two Colorado boys | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/windsor-brothers-meet-obama-cant-wait-to-tell-their-school-friends/56480/ Talked about two excited kids. The Turner boys — 9-year-old Colby and 11-year-old Cameron — had front-row seats at President Obama’s speech. The president autographed his book “The Audacity of Hope” for them. And the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force gave them medallions.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19831100 Lakewood-based ZeaChem, a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of wood and other materials into fuels and chemicals, was selected for a $232.5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the company said Thursday. ZeaChem said the conditional commitment from the USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program enables the financing and construction of its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery. The 25-million-gallon-per-year facility is being built in Boardman, Ore.

Generation Xers skipping flu shots - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/generation-xers-skipping-flu-shots/article_f88e2c76-48af-11e1-abcf-0019bb2963f4.html At least three Puebloans died from complications from H1N1 and Colorado saw 2,041 people hospitalized during the height of the outbreak. Dr. Ken Gershman, epidemiologist and chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said that during the 2010-11 season, cases leveled off, mainly because H1N1 was part of the year’s vaccine. In 2009, it was developed separately and given late in the year. Jon D. Miller, author of the report, was somewhat optimistic. “These results suggest that young adults in Generation X did reasonably well in their first encounter with a major epidemic.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129846/1001 When the U.S. economy is good, Aspen does “incredible.” So what happens when the U.S. economy is bad? “You all suck,” said Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. “You are a function of what people feel because they are coming here to spend their money.” But the outlook for Aspen isn't all doom and gloom.

Van Dusen drops out of Boulder County commissioner’s contest - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828203 Longmont Democrat Bill Van Dusen announced Thursday that he's decided to withdraw his candidacy for a Boulder County commissioner's seat. Van Dusen, an attorney, educator and small business owner, had been running for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners that's up for election in November. But on Jan. 8, Van Dusen finished second in a three-way contest to step into that seat early. A Boulder County Democratic Party committee chose Deb Gardner over Van Dusen and former Longmont City Councilman Tom McCoy to fill the vacancy created in December, when then-Commissioner Ben Pearlman resigned to become Boulder County attorney.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

Commissioner candidate to challenge incumbent | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129865/1001 The first Republican jumped into the county commissioner's race to challenge the Democratic incumbent. Mike Beltracchi, 51, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Stavney for the District 2 seat, running roughly from Eagle to Edwards. In his announcement, Beltracchi already drew a line in the sand over the county's open space tax.

Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/SPORTS/120129845/1001 People who have been critical of the way the Basalt Regional Library District has been operated over the past year will be able to do something about it this winter. Three of the seven positions on the library district's board of trustees are up for appointment in March. One incumbent, Taylor Liebmann, has announced that he will not seek reappointment. He represents Pitkin County. Current board member Christine Tinner, who represents Basalt, has reapplied. Liz Gremillion, who represents Eagle County, has expressed an interest in returning. Applicants must live in the jurisdiction where they are applying. The terms are three years.

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129830/1001 While Summit School District starts exploring whether there will be enough growth to necessitate a new elementary school within the next 10 years, it is predicting some ups and downs in enrollment for next school year. Despite the opening of The Peak School this fall, the middle school's population is predicted to increase by about 6.2 percent, due to a large fifth-grade class getting ready to enter, according to assistant superintendent Karen Strakbein. About 20 students are expected to enroll in the new school, but an almost 40-child difference between the current fifth-grade class and sixth-grade class still means an uptick of students for SMS next year. The current fifth-grade consists of 268 students, while the sixth-grade has 206.

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/board-132419-thursday-meeting.html Falcon School District 49 school board member Chris Wright said Thursday that he will not be resigning from the board. "After 100's of communications from folks within and without the district, I have decided to withdraw my resignation and take some time to reconsider my options and review the thoughts of those who have pleaded with me to remain in public office on the d49 Board of Education," he said in an email. Wright said Monday morning that he planned to submit his resignation from the board at the special meeting Thursday night.

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/wright-132441-board-resign.html Falcon School District 49 board member Christopher Wright did not resign Thursday night as expected, although he was absent from the special meeting. Wright said Monday that he planned to resign. On Thursday, he changed his mind. In an email statement, he said communications from hundreds of people caused him to reconsider. The D-49 attorney advised the board to proceed as usual, since Wright’s resignation was retracted via email before being formally presented.

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129893/1001 Full-time teachers and staff in the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 will each receive a one-time stipend this year of $1,500, using funds from the $4.8 million mill levy override approved by district voters in November. Part-time employees will also receive a bonus of between $750 and $1,200, depending on the percentage of time they work. The plan was approved by the Re-1 school board at its regular meeting held at Basalt High School on Wednesday. It's possible the board could approve another bonus for employees of between $250 and $500 later this spring, using some of the remaining funds that are available for this school year.

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/city-schools-slate-later-opening/article_93d3623e-48a9-11e1-9f04-0019bb2963f4.html Pueblo City Schools district (D60) students will begin class after Labor Day in a move to escape the late August heat that plagued the system this year. Schools that follow the traditional calendar will begin classes on Sept. 4 as part of a new schedule approved by the school board Tuesday night.

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/cca-dolores-huerta-await-decision-on-joint-charter/article_f0f7575a-48ad-11e1-a0df-0019bb2963f4.html Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High charter schools will have to wait another two weeks to find out if the Pueblo City Schools district (D60) will approve a joint charter application. CCA and DHPH officials are seeking a single charter for a kindergarten through 12th-grade academy. Currently, there is one charter for CCA, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, and another for the high school.

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_19828552 Former University of Colorado President Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken was appointed today to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership on the Boulder campus. After serving as interim CU president in 2000, Bracken will fill the shoes of former CU President Hank Brown, who held the position from 2008-10. “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this appointment as the Newton Endowed Chair,” Bracken said in a statement.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832011 After more than a quarter-century buried in a concrete wall, a copper time capsule was recovered from an old Denver school Thursday morning, just one day before the building will be torn to the ground. "It's amazing when you live through a cycle," said Al Bernahardt, 62, the construction foreman for Gove Middle School when it was built in 1975. Bernahardt was nostalgic as he watched the school he built torn apart as he helped locate the time capsule.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129827/1001 At its Tuesday work session, the Frisco Town Council reviewed potential changes to the building code, which will likely include fee changes. According to Frisco community development director Jocelyn Mills, revisions to the code are designed to meet the goal of making her government branch “more friendly and efficient.” “We're really working toward practical, common-sense solutions,” she said.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Frederick-Firestone fire district opens new ‘nerve center’ space - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/carbon-valley-news/ci_19831321 For five years, the Frederick-Firestone fire district knew it needed more space. On Thursday, it luxuriated in it. "All of our training, our administration, our warehouse facilities, are all based out of here now," said Fire Chief Ted Poszywak as he showed off the district's new business and education center at its grand opening. "It is our nerve center. It just about is."

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

Boulder honors firefighters killed in training exercise 30 years ago today - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19827217 This morning, friends, family members and firefighters gathered at Boulder's Station 3 to remember William J. Duran and Scott L. Smith, and the fire that claimed their lives during a training accident 30 year ago today. The Boulder Fire Department's flags are flying at half-staff. It was a tragedy that left deep wounds in the two families and the Boulder Fire Department, and it led to national changes in standards for training exercises. Battalion Chief Gilbert Espinoza, who was on duty that day and counted Duran among his best friends, said the handful of firefighters still with the department who were serving that day consider it a duty and an honor to pass on the story to younger firefighters.

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19829817 A former Boulder County deputy accused of Internet exploitation of children told investigators in November that he has been obsessed with young girls for years, but it "escalated and intensified" after he investigated a homicide in the late 1980s in which he "located and recovered dismembered remains" of a victim he knew. Boulder County Judge John Stavely unsealed the arrest warrant affidavit for Rick Ferguson, 53, during a brief hearing in Boulder District Court on Thursday afternoon. Defense attorney Larry Mertes argued against unsealing the court document, saying that pretrial publicity would taint the local jury pool. Stavely said with the conclusion of the investigation, the public's right to access was in play and that juries are frequently successfully seated in Boulder County for cases that received pretrial coverage.

In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Van Dusen drops out of Boulder County commissioner’s contest - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828203 Longmont Democrat Bill Van Dusen announced Thursday that he's decided to withdraw his candidacy for a Boulder County commissioner's seat. Van Dusen, an attorney, educator and small business owner, had been running for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners that's up for election in November. But on Jan. 8, Van Dusen finished second in a three-way contest to step into that seat early. A Boulder County Democratic Party committee chose Deb Gardner over Van Dusen and former Longmont City Councilman Tom McCoy to fill the vacancy created in December, when then-Commissioner Ben Pearlman resigned to become Boulder County attorney.

Commissioner candidate to challenge incumbent | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129865/1001 The first Republican jumped into the county commissioner's race to challenge the Democratic incumbent. Mike Beltracchi, 51, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Stavney for the District 2 seat, running roughly from Eagle to Edwards. In his announcement, Beltracchi already drew a line in the sand over the county's open space tax.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/as-democrats-shift-to-offense-obama-biden-address-house-retreat/2012/01/27/gIQAOxWqUQ_blog.html After two days of closed-door brainstorming sessions, briefings and panels featuring speakers including MSNBC’s Ed Schultz and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, the Democrats’ three-day “Reigniting the American Dream” conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay will conclude today with a 10:30 a.m. speech by Biden and a 1:15 p.m. address by Obama. Unlike last year’s meeting, this year’s retreat takes place days after the president’s combative State of the Union address — so lawmakers already have a sense of Obama’s likely message to his party. On the eve of the visit by the president and vice president, Democrats pointed to a new poll as a sign that they have reclaimed the momentum heading into 2012.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

U.S. economy grew at 2.8 percent rate | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/27/137132/us-economy-grew-at-28-percent.html The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the final three months of 2011, the government said Friday. The numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis were below the expectations of mainstream economists, most projecting 3 percent or higher. But the growth rate still points to a modest recovery, echoed by recent employment and manufacturing data.

More stories in National/Economy | Colorado/Economy

Bomb in Shiite neighborhood kills dozens in funeral procession - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-in-shiite-neighborhood-kills-dozens-in-funeral-procession/2012/01/27/gIQAD1H4UQ_story.html A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives amid a funeral procession here Friday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 60, a security official said. Mourners had gathered outside a hospital to receive the bodies of three people killed the night before, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The blast occurred in the Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, in the southeastern part of the city.

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137025/attack-on-nato-convoy-kills-4.html A suicide car bomber killed four Afghan civilians and wounded dozens Thursday in the southern province of Helmand, local officials said. The attack, which took place midmorning at a busy market in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, targeted armored vehicles that belonged to the U.S.-led NATO coalition. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the Taliban, which have their roots in southern Afghanistan. Thirty-one people were wounded, including three women who were visiting a doctor, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. He said a child with one of the women was among those killed.

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/surge-in-violence-killings-across-syria-un-security-council-set-to-meet/2012/01/27/gIQAKiVJVQ_story.html Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Activists in Homs said there were heavy casualties after a night of shelling and mortar fire, with military tanks again deployed across the city after being partially withdrawn last month at the outset of a monitoring mission by the Arab League. “In some areas, the shelling has not stopped for three days in a row. The regime is now waging full-scale war against the people,” said an activist in Homs who was contacted via Skype and uses the name Hadi al-Homsi. He described a “massacre” in the southeastern area of Karm al-Zeitoun, which is a focal point of military operations in the city.

Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

Costa Concordia’s captain lost precious time, official says | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137034/cruise-ships-captain-lost-precious.html The wasting of a "precious hour" by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of Italy's Coast Guard corps, Adm. Marco Brusco, made the remarks during a briefing to a parliament committee on the January 13 accident. "If Captain (Francesco) Schettino had not lost a precious hour ... it would have been possible to lower the lifeboats with calm, put the people at ease," Brusco said.

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120127,0,5568328.story Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, aiming for a knockout blow in next week's Florida primary, tore into Newt Gingrich in a televised debate Thursday night and vigorously defended his personal wealth as an asset in his presidential campaign. Romney was aggressive from the outset, starting with the issue of illegal immigration. Gingrich stood by a Spanish-language radio ad he had aired that said Romney was "anti-immigrant." Gingrich withdrew the ad after being admonished by Florida's popular Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney, noting that both his father and his wife's father were born outside the United States, said such language was "inexcusable."

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

Economic fairness eludes the GOP, but not Obama - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/economic-fairness-eludes-the-gop-but-not-obama/2012/01/26/gIQADOb3TQ_story.html If you heard a loud “gulp” Tuesday night after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked — that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

More stories in National/Opinion | Colorado/Opinion

Brazil buildings collapse; at least 4 dead, 18 missing - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-buildings-collapse-20120127,0,5791309.story Rescue workers in Brazil searched for survivors Thursday after three large buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, killing at least four people and leaving 18 or more missing.

A good pact on ‘super PACs’ - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-superpacs-20120127,0,908415.story The U.S. Senatecontest in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fascinating not just because it's one of the more competitive races for the upper house, or because it's likely to be the most expensive in history, but because of a strange and unusually honorable deal struck this week by the two candidates. Under their agreement, if an independent group such as a "super PAC" buys a TV ad backing one of the candidates, that candidate will donate an amount equal to half the cost of the ad to the charity of the opponent's choice. Thus, an ad placed independently by a super PAC could end up harming as well as helping its pick. To some, this pact is a flagrant violation of the free-speech rights of those individuals who contribute to super PACs. We think it's a sensible way of reducing the corrosive influence that independent political groups are having on our democracy in the wake of the Supreme Court's flawed Citizens United decision in 2010.

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ConocoPhillips’ oil roads in Alaska are an unwelcome intrusion - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/conocophillips-oil-roads-in-alaska-are-an-unwelcome-intrusion/2012/01/24/gIQAjoZ4TQ_story.html In the summer of 1998 I went to Prudhoe Bay, a major oil field on the North Slope of Alaska, prepared to listen carefully to oil companies eager to expand into the wilderness regions of the western Arctic. My priority was protection for Teshekpuk Lake, a large, aquamarine body of water at the center of globally important wetlands that draw nesting and breeding birds migrating from as far south as Chile and Argentina. The main environmental concern was the building of roads across the fragile expanses of tundra. Roads always beget more roads, generating networks that eventually destroy the wilderness character of the land and threaten wildlife, caribou herds and molting geese temporarily incapable of flight. I wanted to see firsthand if it would be possible to implement a new concept of roadless oil development.

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In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701269913/-1/News01/Obama-touts-natural-gas-in-Aurora His two-hour visit to Buckley Air Force base was his third Colorado stop in four months, and it came during a tour of swing states after his Tuesday night State of the Union address. The Colorado speech served as a highlight reel from Tuesday’s address, with an emphasis on energy. “For all our lives, America has been talking about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “Well, my administration has actually tried to do something about it.” U.S. oil production is at an eight-year high, and the country’s reliance on foreign oil is at a 16-year low, he said.

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831726 Hispanic Republicans Thursday denounced President Barack Obama, saying his policies have hurt the country and he is spending more time campaigning for president than actually serving as president. In a news conference at the state Capitol, Jefferson County Reps. Robert Ramirez and Libby Szabo — the lone two Hispanics in the GOP caucus — ripped Obama, who will be in Aurora this afternoon for a campaign stop to talk about energy. "He is here today, promising our military new energy resources, those mostly of green energy but he's not willing to talk to all of us," said Ramirez, of Westminster.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

President’s visit tickles two Colorado boys | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/windsor-brothers-meet-obama-cant-wait-to-tell-their-school-friends/56480/ Talked about two excited kids. The Turner boys — 9-year-old Colby and 11-year-old Cameron — had front-row seats at President Obama’s speech. The president autographed his book “The Audacity of Hope” for them. And the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force gave them medallions.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270349/Paul-make-appearance-CSU Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak at CSU in Fort Collins on Tuesday. A Ron Paul spokeswoman said the congressman is set to speak around 3 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, but logistics are still being finalized and further details would be provided closer to the event. The ballroom can hold about 1,100 people, and organizers say they plan to have local bands playing before Paul speaks. CSU officials said Paul's appearance is being organized by a student group and is not an official university event.

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110920/tipton-struggles-to-win-voter-approval-but-leads-in-early-poll Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado’s Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent. Of 569 individuals polled, 39 percent say incumbent Tipton deserves to be re-elected but only 36 percent approve of the job he is doing. Tipton’s job approval is 12 points lower than the 48 percent job approval then-Rep. John Salazar notched in a similar poll conducted in 2010. Tipton ended up beating Salazar, whose popularity was tested by votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act. “People are upset with the way Washington is conducting business– and it shows,” Pace said in a press release.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/immigrant-tuition-break-advances/article_b56b5cba-48ab-11e1-8415-0019bb2963f4.html A Pueblo lawmaker’s proposal to create a level of discount college tuition for illegal immigrants cleared a Senate panel Thursday on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democrats on the Senate Education Committee favored SB15, sponsored by Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver. They touted it as a boost to college revenue, a return on the investment the state has made in students’ public schooling and a bargain for the state, which would not subsidize any part of the students’ college costs. “We can’t and must not allow another generation of immigrants to struggle for the chance to contribute to American society,” Giron said. “These students were brought here as babies and small children. They worked hard, got good grades, have been accepted to college.”

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/homefood-business-bills-find-favor-in-first-hearin Committees in the Colorado House and Senate on Thursday simultaneously heard two bills introduced by local lawmakers designed to help Coloradans create their own home-food businesses. While the House Economic and Business Development Committee approved a measure offered by Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee supported another one introduced by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Both measures center on allowing would-be entrepreneurs to use their own home kitchens to produce products meant for local sale.

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/lawmakers-oppose-water-law-change/article_3911e38e-48a9-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html State lawmakers received applause Thursday from the Colorado Water Congress for their opposition to a pair of initiatives that would seriously alter Colorado water law. “If we don’t defeat these initiatives, those uneducated about water will take control and irrigated agriculture will cease to be important,” said Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, [R]-Sterling. The water congress, which represents multiple state water interests, is meeting for the 54th year at its annual convention. The CWC has opposed two initiatives by Richard Hamilton of Fairplay and his attorney Phil Doe of Littleton.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/go-ahead-mr-speaker-make-my-day/56239/ Watch out Frank McNulty: A legislative proposal could allow a certain deputy city attorney to pack heat. House Bill 1026 confers peace officer status on city attorneys, their assistants and such. Each jurisdiction will decide whether those staffers can be armed. Denver’s new deputy city attorney is Scott Martinez, a key player in last year’s congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. He worked on Democratic maps ultimately approved by the Colorado Supreme Court, to the dismay of Republicans.

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19826225 Broomfield Democrat Dianne Primavera will officially kick off her campaign for House District 33 in an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona's Mexican Grill, 2255 W. 136th Ave. Primavera, a two-term state representative who was defeated by a 330-vote margin in 2010, announced her candidacy in December. Primavera will face Republican David Pigott in the November election. Pigott, a lawyer at Denver firm Bloch and Chapleau LLC, on Nov. 17 filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the HD 33 seat and officially kicked off his campaign, his first for political office, earlier this month.

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279927/-1/News01/Colorado-Democrats-disqualify-Swonger-from-primary The Colorado Democratic Party has disqualified Patrick Swonger from its primary in the 59th state House District. From the day Swonger kicked off his run two weeks ago, people began contacting the party to complain he was ineligible given his insufficient tenure as a registered Democrat. The Colorado Democratic Party declined to identify who reported Swonger. Party rules stipulate that candidates must be registered for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832002 Gov. John Hickenlooper is recommending the privatization of Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund, despite the ongoing concerns of business groups. However, Hickenlooper also is recommending a few tweaks to the proposal, giving the state a slightly larger ownership stake in what would be the newly privatized mutual assurance company and creating a new fund for injured workers. "Most of the large policyholders I've talked to, almost without fail, they've been pretty enthusiastic" about the privatization proposal, Hickenlooper told reporters Thursday in a conference call from Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/judge-denies-effort-block-co-abortion-protester/ A judge Thursday denied the federal government's request to keep a longtime anti-abortion protester from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver's Planned Parenthood center. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department's argument that Kenneth Scott's actions make it "unreasonably difficult" for patients and employees to get to the clinic. "Great news," one of Scott's lawyers, Peter Breen, said of Brimmer's late-evening ruling.

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19831444 A judge has ruled that police violated two Occupy Boulder protesters' Fourth Amendment rights when officers opened tent flaps to see whether the people inside were sleeping. In a ruling received by attorneys Thursday, Boulder Municipal Judge Linda Cooke said the Occupy Boulder protesters did have a reasonable expectation of privacy while camping on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street. Police did not have warrants to search the tents, and as a result, the observations of the officers will be suppressed in court. The two protesters, P.J. Jentsch and Katie DeMichele, were ticketed Nov. 21 along with nine others at the site of the former Occupy Boulder protest. Police officers opened the flap to the tent where Jentsch and DeMichele were sleeping before issuing them a ticket for camping.

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-132411-consider-oil.html After concerns from county commissioners and a warning letter from the Attorney General’s Office about El Paso County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, county planning staff have come up with a revised proposal for the commission to consider at its Jan. 31 meeting. County spokesman Dave Rose said the commissioners will consider both the original and the new proposals in their discussions. “I think they’ll have a long and extensive discussion next Tuesday,” Rose said.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f22178bc9832347734804.txt What does a 550-mile-long pipeline draining water from the southwest corner of Wyoming to the Front Range have to do with San Miguel County? Enough for the Board of County Commissioners to draft a resolution opposing the proposed $9 billion project. The plan calls for more than 200,000 acre-feet per year to be pumped from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which stores water from the Green River — over the Continental Divide and into Denver. (An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water, and 200,000 acre-feet is just over a fifth of the Green River’s annual flow.) If the project is built, water will flow through a pair of 42-inch pipes along Interstate 80. Dreamt up by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million, the pipeline would feed Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. “We’re always very cautious about protecting our resources,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Elaine Fischer.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19831100 Lakewood-based ZeaChem, a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of wood and other materials into fuels and chemicals, was selected for a $232.5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the company said Thursday. ZeaChem said the conditional commitment from the USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program enables the financing and construction of its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery. The 25-million-gallon-per-year facility is being built in Boardman, Ore.

Generation Xers skipping flu shots - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/generation-xers-skipping-flu-shots/article_f88e2c76-48af-11e1-abcf-0019bb2963f4.html At least three Puebloans died from complications from H1N1 and Colorado saw 2,041 people hospitalized during the height of the outbreak. Dr. Ken Gershman, epidemiologist and chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said that during the 2010-11 season, cases leveled off, mainly because H1N1 was part of the year’s vaccine. In 2009, it was developed separately and given late in the year. Jon D. Miller, author of the report, was somewhat optimistic. “These results suggest that young adults in Generation X did reasonably well in their first encounter with a major epidemic.

Denver names panelists who will help pick police monitor - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832003 Mayor Michael Hancock on Thursday announced the five people who will help pick Denver's next police watchdog. The Office of the Independent Monitor was created in 2005 to monitor internal investigations of police officers and sheriff's deputies and make recommendations on discipline. It was created after two controversial police shootings. The first monitor, Richard Rosenthal, was sometimes at odds with the Denver Police Department. Many officers and safety officials believed he overstepped his role, while supporters said his tough approach was just what was needed.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129846/1001 When the U.S. economy is good, Aspen does “incredible.” So what happens when the U.S. economy is bad? “You all suck,” said Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. “You are a function of what people feel because they are coming here to spend their money.” But the outlook for Aspen isn't all doom and gloom.

Van Dusen drops out of Boulder County commissioner’s contest - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828203 Longmont Democrat Bill Van Dusen announced Thursday that he's decided to withdraw his candidacy for a Boulder County commissioner's seat. Van Dusen, an attorney, educator and small business owner, had been running for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners that's up for election in November. But on Jan. 8, Van Dusen finished second in a three-way contest to step into that seat early. A Boulder County Democratic Party committee chose Deb Gardner over Van Dusen and former Longmont City Councilman Tom McCoy to fill the vacancy created in December, when then-Commissioner Ben Pearlman resigned to become Boulder County attorney.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

Commissioner candidate to challenge incumbent | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129865/1001 The first Republican jumped into the county commissioner's race to challenge the Democratic incumbent. Mike Beltracchi, 51, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Stavney for the District 2 seat, running roughly from Eagle to Edwards. In his announcement, Beltracchi already drew a line in the sand over the county's open space tax.

Colorado new-home permits increase in 2011 - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832016 Colorado home builders, for the second year in a row, pulled more permits than they did the year before. Through November 2011, the state recorded 12,758 single-family and multifamily building permits, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a 10 percent increase from the 11,591 permits pulled in all of 2010. Colorado new-home sales also are expected to inch out a small gain in 2011, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. That bucks the national trend, where a 2.2 percent decline in December put 2011 new-home sales at their lowest level in 50 years of record keeping.

More stories in National/Economy | Colorado/Economy
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Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

Colorado AG weighs in on DPS, union fight over Innovation Schools Act - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831908 The Colorado attorney general's office issued an opinion this week backing Denver Public Schools in a dispute with teachers about the state's Innovation Schools Act. Because the opinion favors the school district — saying the act applies to planned new schools as well as existing schools — DPS is calling for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association to drop its lawsuit over the issue. "The attorney general's opinion makes it clear that the actions of DPS and the State Board of Education are fully consistent with the law," district spokesman Mike Vaughn said. "We think it's time to move beyond this lawsuit and focus more resources on the classroom and fewer on the courtroom." Union president Henry Roman said the suit won't be dropped.

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/UPDATES01/120127003/Poudre-Valley-Hospital-receives-top-national-nursing-award For the fifth year in a row, the nation's leading nurse association presented its top award to Poudre Valley Hospital for the outstanding achievements that nurses accomplish in patient care and safety. The American Nurses Association, which represents 3.1 million nurses in the United States, presented the Fort Collins hospital in Colorado with the Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality. The presentation was made Thursday in Las Vegas during the annual AHA nursing quality conference.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/SPORTS/120129845/1001 People who have been critical of the way the Basalt Regional Library District has been operated over the past year will be able to do something about it this winter. Three of the seven positions on the library district's board of trustees are up for appointment in March. One incumbent, Taylor Liebmann, has announced that he will not seek reappointment. He represents Pitkin County. Current board member Christine Tinner, who represents Basalt, has reapplied. Liz Gremillion, who represents Eagle County, has expressed an interest in returning. Applicants must live in the jurisdiction where they are applying. The terms are three years.

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129830/1001 While Summit School District starts exploring whether there will be enough growth to necessitate a new elementary school within the next 10 years, it is predicting some ups and downs in enrollment for next school year. Despite the opening of The Peak School this fall, the middle school's population is predicted to increase by about 6.2 percent, due to a large fifth-grade class getting ready to enter, according to assistant superintendent Karen Strakbein. About 20 students are expected to enroll in the new school, but an almost 40-child difference between the current fifth-grade class and sixth-grade class still means an uptick of students for SMS next year. The current fifth-grade consists of 268 students, while the sixth-grade has 206.

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/board-132419-thursday-meeting.html Falcon School District 49 school board member Chris Wright said Thursday that he will not be resigning from the board. "After 100's of communications from folks within and without the district, I have decided to withdraw my resignation and take some time to reconsider my options and review the thoughts of those who have pleaded with me to remain in public office on the d49 Board of Education," he said in an email. Wright said Monday morning that he planned to submit his resignation from the board at the special meeting Thursday night.

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/wright-132441-board-resign.html Falcon School District 49 board member Christopher Wright did not resign Thursday night as expected, although he was absent from the special meeting. Wright said Monday that he planned to resign. On Thursday, he changed his mind. In an email statement, he said communications from hundreds of people caused him to reconsider. The D-49 attorney advised the board to proceed as usual, since Wright’s resignation was retracted via email before being formally presented.

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129893/1001 Full-time teachers and staff in the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 will each receive a one-time stipend this year of $1,500, using funds from the $4.8 million mill levy override approved by district voters in November. Part-time employees will also receive a bonus of between $750 and $1,200, depending on the percentage of time they work. The plan was approved by the Re-1 school board at its regular meeting held at Basalt High School on Wednesday. It's possible the board could approve another bonus for employees of between $250 and $500 later this spring, using some of the remaining funds that are available for this school year.

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/city-schools-slate-later-opening/article_93d3623e-48a9-11e1-9f04-0019bb2963f4.html Pueblo City Schools district (D60) students will begin class after Labor Day in a move to escape the late August heat that plagued the system this year. Schools that follow the traditional calendar will begin classes on Sept. 4 as part of a new schedule approved by the school board Tuesday night.

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/cca-dolores-huerta-await-decision-on-joint-charter/article_f0f7575a-48ad-11e1-a0df-0019bb2963f4.html Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High charter schools will have to wait another two weeks to find out if the Pueblo City Schools district (D60) will approve a joint charter application. CCA and DHPH officials are seeking a single charter for a kindergarten through 12th-grade academy. Currently, there is one charter for CCA, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, and another for the high school.

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_19828552 Former University of Colorado President Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken was appointed today to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership on the Boulder campus. After serving as interim CU president in 2000, Bracken will fill the shoes of former CU President Hank Brown, who held the position from 2008-10. “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this appointment as the Newton Endowed Chair,” Bracken said in a statement.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832011 After more than a quarter-century buried in a concrete wall, a copper time capsule was recovered from an old Denver school Thursday morning, just one day before the building will be torn to the ground. "It's amazing when you live through a cycle," said Al Bernahardt, 62, the construction foreman for Gove Middle School when it was built in 1975. Bernahardt was nostalgic as he watched the school he built torn apart as he helped locate the time capsule.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

Longmont Mayor backs right for homosexuals to marry - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828075 Mayor Dennis Coombs has added his name to a list of U.S. mayors who support "marriage equality," the legal right for homosexuals to marry. Coombs is one of only two Colorado mayors on the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" list at freedomtomarry.org, along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The movement is chaired by the mayors of New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. Confirming his support for the issue on Thursday, Coombs said that this was his personal feeling and not anything that specifically bound the city of Longmont.

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129827/1001 At its Tuesday work session, the Frisco Town Council reviewed potential changes to the building code, which will likely include fee changes. According to Frisco community development director Jocelyn Mills, revisions to the code are designed to meet the goal of making her government branch “more friendly and efficient.” “We're really working toward practical, common-sense solutions,” she said.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Frederick-Firestone fire district opens new ‘nerve center’ space - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/carbon-valley-news/ci_19831321 For five years, the Frederick-Firestone fire district knew it needed more space. On Thursday, it luxuriated in it. "All of our training, our administration, our warehouse facilities, are all based out of here now," said Fire Chief Ted Poszywak as he showed off the district's new business and education center at its grand opening. "It is our nerve center. It just about is."

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/shelter-outgrows-its-building Every night and morning, guests replay a familiar game to jockey for space at the Homeward Bound homeless shelter. Because there aren’t enough bunks to house everyone, mattresses and bedding are pulled out for people to spread out on the floor, often sleeping head to head and foot to foot. In the morning, the mattresses are tucked back under the stationary bunks, and tables and chairs that were pushed off to the side to make room are repositioned for folks to sit down to breakfast. The 9,800-square-foot building at 2583 North Ave., which houses up to 167 people during the most frigid winter nights, long has been packed. To help alleviate the crowds of single people and families seeking shelter, a local overflow program offered for the past five years through local churches finds space for up to 30 single men each night. But church volunteers are getting weary of the added responsibilities that initially were dubbed as a temporary solution, Homeward Bound Executive Director Gi Moon said.

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Vets return to Vail slopes | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129863/1001 Some wear uniforms, some wear prosthetics but this week they all wear smiles. The Vail Veterans Program is hosting its latest group of military veterans, all wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Vail wins the award for most heroes per square foot. Take breakfast at the Larkspur. Heroes are packed around every table, asking and answering the question, “How fast does it go?”

Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831884 Douglas and Arapahoe counties logged big increases in suicides in 2011, while the tallies in other metro-area counties have remained about the same or experienced a slight decrease. While final numbers still are being compiled, Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas said the tally of 46 suicides last year is up from 36 the year before and nearly double the 26 counted in 2009. Arapahoe County recorded 103 suicides in 2011, up from 69 in 2010. In Jefferson and Boulder counties, the numbers remained virtually the same in 2011. Weld and Adams counties both logged decreases.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832017 Frontier Airlines is coming home, bringing its headquarters back to Denver with Thursday's announcement of a chief executive and a new senior management team that will be based here. David Siegel, a 20-year airline and travel veteran, was named CEO, president and interim chief operating officer of Frontier. In addition to serving in several chief executive positions, Siegal has been an independent director on the board of Frontier's parent company, Republic Airways Holdings. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said Siegel is "the right guy at the right time for the next step in the process" of putting Frontier "back on independent footing" as it seeks a new owner.

Boulder honors firefighters killed in training exercise 30 years ago today - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19827217 This morning, friends, family members and firefighters gathered at Boulder's Station 3 to remember William J. Duran and Scott L. Smith, and the fire that claimed their lives during a training accident 30 year ago today. The Boulder Fire Department's flags are flying at half-staff. It was a tragedy that left deep wounds in the two families and the Boulder Fire Department, and it led to national changes in standards for training exercises. Battalion Chief Gilbert Espinoza, who was on duty that day and counted Duran among his best friends, said the handful of firefighters still with the department who were serving that day consider it a duty and an honor to pass on the story to younger firefighters.

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19829817 A former Boulder County deputy accused of Internet exploitation of children told investigators in November that he has been obsessed with young girls for years, but it "escalated and intensified" after he investigated a homicide in the late 1980s in which he "located and recovered dismembered remains" of a victim he knew. Boulder County Judge John Stavely unsealed the arrest warrant affidavit for Rick Ferguson, 53, during a brief hearing in Boulder District Court on Thursday afternoon. Defense attorney Larry Mertes argued against unsealing the court document, saying that pretrial publicity would taint the local jury pool. Stavely said with the conclusion of the investigation, the public's right to access was in play and that juries are frequently successfully seated in Boulder County for cases that received pretrial coverage.

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/group-132432-springs-answers.html Members of an advocate group for victims of priest sexual abuse met in front of the headquarters of the Archidiocese of St. Louis Thursday afternoon to demand answers about Rev. Charles Robert Manning of Colorado Springs. The group, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is a national organization that acts as a watch-dog for sexual assault crimes brought against religious leaders. It wants Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis to clear up ambiguities in Manning’s history with the Catholic church after learning that Manning is being investigated in a sexual assault case in Colorado. Manning, formerly of three St. Louis Catholic parishes, came to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs in 2007. At a Saturday mass, Rev. Rafael Torres-Rico told the congregation that allegations of sexual assault on a minor have been brought against Manning.

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831645 Denver police have arrested a man with AIDS on suspicion of prostitution, police said. Darren Garcia, 31, was taken into custody Wednesday when officers arrested prostitution suspects along Colfax Avenue, police said. Garcia has eight prior arrests for prostitution, police said, including two previous arrests on suspicion of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS. Garcia was one of 14 people arrested Wednesday in the undercover SWAT sting. The other 13 were women.

Editorial: ASSET bill offers hope to all students - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830763 A reworked bill that would allow Colorado's illegal immigrant high school students to pay reduced tuition at state colleges and universities strikes the right balance. Those who have attended high school in Colorado for three years would be eligible for a new class of tuition — more than in-state tuition, but far less than out-of-state tuition. The ASSET bill, as it is being called, would offer hope for students who are educationally stranded because of their immigration status.

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The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Generation Xers skipping flu shots - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/generation-xers-skipping-flu-shots/article_f88e2c76-48af-11e1-abcf-0019bb2963f4.html At least three Puebloans died from complications from H1N1 and Colorado saw 2,041 people hospitalized during the height of the outbreak. Dr. Ken Gershman, epidemiologist and chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said that during the 2010-11 season, cases leveled off, mainly because H1N1 was part of the year’s vaccine. In 2009, it was developed separately and given late in the year. Jon D. Miller, author of the report, was somewhat optimistic. “These results suggest that young adults in Generation X did reasonably well in their first encounter with a major epidemic.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/UPDATES01/120127003/Poudre-Valley-Hospital-receives-top-national-nursing-award For the fifth year in a row, the nation's leading nurse association presented its top award to Poudre Valley Hospital for the outstanding achievements that nurses accomplish in patient care and safety. The American Nurses Association, which represents 3.1 million nurses in the United States, presented the Fort Collins hospital in Colorado with the Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality. The presentation was made Thursday in Las Vegas during the annual AHA nursing quality conference.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Frederick-Firestone fire district opens new ‘nerve center’ space - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/carbon-valley-news/ci_19831321 For five years, the Frederick-Firestone fire district knew it needed more space. On Thursday, it luxuriated in it. "All of our training, our administration, our warehouse facilities, are all based out of here now," said Fire Chief Ted Poszywak as he showed off the district's new business and education center at its grand opening. "It is our nerve center. It just about is."

Vets return to Vail slopes | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129863/1001 Some wear uniforms, some wear prosthetics but this week they all wear smiles. The Vail Veterans Program is hosting its latest group of military veterans, all wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Vail wins the award for most heroes per square foot. Take breakfast at the Larkspur. Heroes are packed around every table, asking and answering the question, “How fast does it go?”

Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831884 Douglas and Arapahoe counties logged big increases in suicides in 2011, while the tallies in other metro-area counties have remained about the same or experienced a slight decrease. While final numbers still are being compiled, Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas said the tally of 46 suicides last year is up from 36 the year before and nearly double the 26 counted in 2009. Arapahoe County recorded 103 suicides in 2011, up from 69 in 2010. In Jefferson and Boulder counties, the numbers remained virtually the same in 2011. Weld and Adams counties both logged decreases.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

Boulder honors firefighters killed in training exercise 30 years ago today - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19827217 This morning, friends, family members and firefighters gathered at Boulder's Station 3 to remember William J. Duran and Scott L. Smith, and the fire that claimed their lives during a training accident 30 year ago today. The Boulder Fire Department's flags are flying at half-staff. It was a tragedy that left deep wounds in the two families and the Boulder Fire Department, and it led to national changes in standards for training exercises. Battalion Chief Gilbert Espinoza, who was on duty that day and counted Duran among his best friends, said the handful of firefighters still with the department who were serving that day consider it a duty and an honor to pass on the story to younger firefighters.

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831645 Denver police have arrested a man with AIDS on suspicion of prostitution, police said. Darren Garcia, 31, was taken into custody Wednesday when officers arrested prostitution suspects along Colfax Avenue, police said. Garcia has eight prior arrests for prostitution, police said, including two previous arrests on suspicion of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS. Garcia was one of 14 people arrested Wednesday in the undercover SWAT sting. The other 13 were women.

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/shelter-outgrows-its-building Every night and morning, guests replay a familiar game to jockey for space at the Homeward Bound homeless shelter. Because there aren’t enough bunks to house everyone, mattresses and bedding are pulled out for people to spread out on the floor, often sleeping head to head and foot to foot. In the morning, the mattresses are tucked back under the stationary bunks, and tables and chairs that were pushed off to the side to make room are repositioned for folks to sit down to breakfast. The 9,800-square-foot building at 2583 North Ave., which houses up to 167 people during the most frigid winter nights, long has been packed. To help alleviate the crowds of single people and families seeking shelter, a local overflow program offered for the past five years through local churches finds space for up to 30 single men each night. But church volunteers are getting weary of the added responsibilities that initially were dubbed as a temporary solution, Homeward Bound Executive Director Gi Moon said.

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Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/as-democrats-shift-to-offense-obama-biden-address-house-retreat/2012/01/27/gIQAOxWqUQ_blog.html After two days of closed-door brainstorming sessions, briefings and panels featuring speakers including MSNBC’s Ed Schultz and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, the Democrats’ three-day “Reigniting the American Dream” conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay will conclude today with a 10:30 a.m. speech by Biden and a 1:15 p.m. address by Obama. Unlike last year’s meeting, this year’s retreat takes place days after the president’s combative State of the Union address — so lawmakers already have a sense of Obama’s likely message to his party. On the eve of the visit by the president and vice president, Democrats pointed to a new poll as a sign that they have reclaimed the momentum heading into 2012.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

U.S. economy grew at 2.8 percent rate | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/27/137132/us-economy-grew-at-28-percent.html The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the final three months of 2011, the government said Friday. The numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis were below the expectations of mainstream economists, most projecting 3 percent or higher. But the growth rate still points to a modest recovery, echoed by recent employment and manufacturing data.

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Bomb in Shiite neighborhood kills dozens in funeral procession - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-in-shiite-neighborhood-kills-dozens-in-funeral-procession/2012/01/27/gIQAD1H4UQ_story.html A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives amid a funeral procession here Friday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 60, a security official said. Mourners had gathered outside a hospital to receive the bodies of three people killed the night before, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The blast occurred in the Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, in the southeastern part of the city.

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137025/attack-on-nato-convoy-kills-4.html A suicide car bomber killed four Afghan civilians and wounded dozens Thursday in the southern province of Helmand, local officials said. The attack, which took place midmorning at a busy market in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, targeted armored vehicles that belonged to the U.S.-led NATO coalition. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the Taliban, which have their roots in southern Afghanistan. Thirty-one people were wounded, including three women who were visiting a doctor, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. He said a child with one of the women was among those killed.

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/surge-in-violence-killings-across-syria-un-security-council-set-to-meet/2012/01/27/gIQAKiVJVQ_story.html Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Activists in Homs said there were heavy casualties after a night of shelling and mortar fire, with military tanks again deployed across the city after being partially withdrawn last month at the outset of a monitoring mission by the Arab League. “In some areas, the shelling has not stopped for three days in a row. The regime is now waging full-scale war against the people,” said an activist in Homs who was contacted via Skype and uses the name Hadi al-Homsi. He described a “massacre” in the southeastern area of Karm al-Zeitoun, which is a focal point of military operations in the city.

Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

Costa Concordia’s captain lost precious time, official says | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137034/cruise-ships-captain-lost-precious.html The wasting of a "precious hour" by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of Italy's Coast Guard corps, Adm. Marco Brusco, made the remarks during a briefing to a parliament committee on the January 13 accident. "If Captain (Francesco) Schettino had not lost a precious hour ... it would have been possible to lower the lifeboats with calm, put the people at ease," Brusco said.

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120127,0,5568328.story Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, aiming for a knockout blow in next week's Florida primary, tore into Newt Gingrich in a televised debate Thursday night and vigorously defended his personal wealth as an asset in his presidential campaign. Romney was aggressive from the outset, starting with the issue of illegal immigration. Gingrich stood by a Spanish-language radio ad he had aired that said Romney was "anti-immigrant." Gingrich withdrew the ad after being admonished by Florida's popular Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney, noting that both his father and his wife's father were born outside the United States, said such language was "inexcusable."

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

Economic fairness eludes the GOP, but not Obama - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/economic-fairness-eludes-the-gop-but-not-obama/2012/01/26/gIQADOb3TQ_story.html If you heard a loud “gulp” Tuesday night after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked — that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

More stories in National/Opinion | Colorado/Opinion

Brazil buildings collapse; at least 4 dead, 18 missing - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-buildings-collapse-20120127,0,5791309.story Rescue workers in Brazil searched for survivors Thursday after three large buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, killing at least four people and leaving 18 or more missing.

A good pact on ‘super PACs’ - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-superpacs-20120127,0,908415.story The U.S. Senatecontest in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fascinating not just because it's one of the more competitive races for the upper house, or because it's likely to be the most expensive in history, but because of a strange and unusually honorable deal struck this week by the two candidates. Under their agreement, if an independent group such as a "super PAC" buys a TV ad backing one of the candidates, that candidate will donate an amount equal to half the cost of the ad to the charity of the opponent's choice. Thus, an ad placed independently by a super PAC could end up harming as well as helping its pick. To some, this pact is a flagrant violation of the free-speech rights of those individuals who contribute to super PACs. We think it's a sensible way of reducing the corrosive influence that independent political groups are having on our democracy in the wake of the Supreme Court's flawed Citizens United decision in 2010.

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ConocoPhillips’ oil roads in Alaska are an unwelcome intrusion - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/conocophillips-oil-roads-in-alaska-are-an-unwelcome-intrusion/2012/01/24/gIQAjoZ4TQ_story.html In the summer of 1998 I went to Prudhoe Bay, a major oil field on the North Slope of Alaska, prepared to listen carefully to oil companies eager to expand into the wilderness regions of the western Arctic. My priority was protection for Teshekpuk Lake, a large, aquamarine body of water at the center of globally important wetlands that draw nesting and breeding birds migrating from as far south as Chile and Argentina. The main environmental concern was the building of roads across the fragile expanses of tundra. Roads always beget more roads, generating networks that eventually destroy the wilderness character of the land and threaten wildlife, caribou herds and molting geese temporarily incapable of flight. I wanted to see firsthand if it would be possible to implement a new concept of roadless oil development.

More stories in National/Opinion | Colorado/Opinion

In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701269913/-1/News01/Obama-touts-natural-gas-in-Aurora His two-hour visit to Buckley Air Force base was his third Colorado stop in four months, and it came during a tour of swing states after his Tuesday night State of the Union address. The Colorado speech served as a highlight reel from Tuesday’s address, with an emphasis on energy. “For all our lives, America has been talking about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “Well, my administration has actually tried to do something about it.” U.S. oil production is at an eight-year high, and the country’s reliance on foreign oil is at a 16-year low, he said.

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831726 Hispanic Republicans Thursday denounced President Barack Obama, saying his policies have hurt the country and he is spending more time campaigning for president than actually serving as president. In a news conference at the state Capitol, Jefferson County Reps. Robert Ramirez and Libby Szabo — the lone two Hispanics in the GOP caucus — ripped Obama, who will be in Aurora this afternoon for a campaign stop to talk about energy. "He is here today, promising our military new energy resources, those mostly of green energy but he's not willing to talk to all of us," said Ramirez, of Westminster.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

President’s visit tickles two Colorado boys | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/windsor-brothers-meet-obama-cant-wait-to-tell-their-school-friends/56480/ Talked about two excited kids. The Turner boys — 9-year-old Colby and 11-year-old Cameron — had front-row seats at President Obama’s speech. The president autographed his book “The Audacity of Hope” for them. And the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force gave them medallions.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270349/Paul-make-appearance-CSU Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak at CSU in Fort Collins on Tuesday. A Ron Paul spokeswoman said the congressman is set to speak around 3 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, but logistics are still being finalized and further details would be provided closer to the event. The ballroom can hold about 1,100 people, and organizers say they plan to have local bands playing before Paul speaks. CSU officials said Paul's appearance is being organized by a student group and is not an official university event.

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110920/tipton-struggles-to-win-voter-approval-but-leads-in-early-poll Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado’s Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent. Of 569 individuals polled, 39 percent say incumbent Tipton deserves to be re-elected but only 36 percent approve of the job he is doing. Tipton’s job approval is 12 points lower than the 48 percent job approval then-Rep. John Salazar notched in a similar poll conducted in 2010. Tipton ended up beating Salazar, whose popularity was tested by votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act. “People are upset with the way Washington is conducting business– and it shows,” Pace said in a press release.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/immigrant-tuition-break-advances/article_b56b5cba-48ab-11e1-8415-0019bb2963f4.html A Pueblo lawmaker’s proposal to create a level of discount college tuition for illegal immigrants cleared a Senate panel Thursday on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democrats on the Senate Education Committee favored SB15, sponsored by Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver. They touted it as a boost to college revenue, a return on the investment the state has made in students’ public schooling and a bargain for the state, which would not subsidize any part of the students’ college costs. “We can’t and must not allow another generation of immigrants to struggle for the chance to contribute to American society,” Giron said. “These students were brought here as babies and small children. They worked hard, got good grades, have been accepted to college.”

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/homefood-business-bills-find-favor-in-first-hearin Committees in the Colorado House and Senate on Thursday simultaneously heard two bills introduced by local lawmakers designed to help Coloradans create their own home-food businesses. While the House Economic and Business Development Committee approved a measure offered by Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee supported another one introduced by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Both measures center on allowing would-be entrepreneurs to use their own home kitchens to produce products meant for local sale.

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/lawmakers-oppose-water-law-change/article_3911e38e-48a9-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html State lawmakers received applause Thursday from the Colorado Water Congress for their opposition to a pair of initiatives that would seriously alter Colorado water law. “If we don’t defeat these initiatives, those uneducated about water will take control and irrigated agriculture will cease to be important,” said Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, [R]-Sterling. The water congress, which represents multiple state water interests, is meeting for the 54th year at its annual convention. The CWC has opposed two initiatives by Richard Hamilton of Fairplay and his attorney Phil Doe of Littleton.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/go-ahead-mr-speaker-make-my-day/56239/ Watch out Frank McNulty: A legislative proposal could allow a certain deputy city attorney to pack heat. House Bill 1026 confers peace officer status on city attorneys, their assistants and such. Each jurisdiction will decide whether those staffers can be armed. Denver’s new deputy city attorney is Scott Martinez, a key player in last year’s congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. He worked on Democratic maps ultimately approved by the Colorado Supreme Court, to the dismay of Republicans.

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19826225 Broomfield Democrat Dianne Primavera will officially kick off her campaign for House District 33 in an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona's Mexican Grill, 2255 W. 136th Ave. Primavera, a two-term state representative who was defeated by a 330-vote margin in 2010, announced her candidacy in December. Primavera will face Republican David Pigott in the November election. Pigott, a lawyer at Denver firm Bloch and Chapleau LLC, on Nov. 17 filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the HD 33 seat and officially kicked off his campaign, his first for political office, earlier this month.

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279927/-1/News01/Colorado-Democrats-disqualify-Swonger-from-primary The Colorado Democratic Party has disqualified Patrick Swonger from its primary in the 59th state House District. From the day Swonger kicked off his run two weeks ago, people began contacting the party to complain he was ineligible given his insufficient tenure as a registered Democrat. The Colorado Democratic Party declined to identify who reported Swonger. Party rules stipulate that candidates must be registered for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832002 Gov. John Hickenlooper is recommending the privatization of Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund, despite the ongoing concerns of business groups. However, Hickenlooper also is recommending a few tweaks to the proposal, giving the state a slightly larger ownership stake in what would be the newly privatized mutual assurance company and creating a new fund for injured workers. "Most of the large policyholders I've talked to, almost without fail, they've been pretty enthusiastic" about the privatization proposal, Hickenlooper told reporters Thursday in a conference call from Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/judge-denies-effort-block-co-abortion-protester/ A judge Thursday denied the federal government's request to keep a longtime anti-abortion protester from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver's Planned Parenthood center. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department's argument that Kenneth Scott's actions make it "unreasonably difficult" for patients and employees to get to the clinic. "Great news," one of Scott's lawyers, Peter Breen, said of Brimmer's late-evening ruling.

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19831444 A judge has ruled that police violated two Occupy Boulder protesters' Fourth Amendment rights when officers opened tent flaps to see whether the people inside were sleeping. In a ruling received by attorneys Thursday, Boulder Municipal Judge Linda Cooke said the Occupy Boulder protesters did have a reasonable expectation of privacy while camping on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street. Police did not have warrants to search the tents, and as a result, the observations of the officers will be suppressed in court. The two protesters, P.J. Jentsch and Katie DeMichele, were ticketed Nov. 21 along with nine others at the site of the former Occupy Boulder protest. Police officers opened the flap to the tent where Jentsch and DeMichele were sleeping before issuing them a ticket for camping.

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-132411-consider-oil.html After concerns from county commissioners and a warning letter from the Attorney General’s Office about El Paso County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, county planning staff have come up with a revised proposal for the commission to consider at its Jan. 31 meeting. County spokesman Dave Rose said the commissioners will consider both the original and the new proposals in their discussions. “I think they’ll have a long and extensive discussion next Tuesday,” Rose said.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f22178bc9832347734804.txt What does a 550-mile-long pipeline draining water from the southwest corner of Wyoming to the Front Range have to do with San Miguel County? Enough for the Board of County Commissioners to draft a resolution opposing the proposed $9 billion project. The plan calls for more than 200,000 acre-feet per year to be pumped from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which stores water from the Green River — over the Continental Divide and into Denver. (An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water, and 200,000 acre-feet is just over a fifth of the Green River’s annual flow.) If the project is built, water will flow through a pair of 42-inch pipes along Interstate 80. Dreamt up by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million, the pipeline would feed Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. “We’re always very cautious about protecting our resources,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Elaine Fischer.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19831100 Lakewood-based ZeaChem, a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of wood and other materials into fuels and chemicals, was selected for a $232.5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the company said Thursday. ZeaChem said the conditional commitment from the USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program enables the financing and construction of its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery. The 25-million-gallon-per-year facility is being built in Boardman, Ore.

Generation Xers skipping flu shots - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/generation-xers-skipping-flu-shots/article_f88e2c76-48af-11e1-abcf-0019bb2963f4.html At least three Puebloans died from complications from H1N1 and Colorado saw 2,041 people hospitalized during the height of the outbreak. Dr. Ken Gershman, epidemiologist and chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said that during the 2010-11 season, cases leveled off, mainly because H1N1 was part of the year’s vaccine. In 2009, it was developed separately and given late in the year. Jon D. Miller, author of the report, was somewhat optimistic. “These results suggest that young adults in Generation X did reasonably well in their first encounter with a major epidemic.

Denver names panelists who will help pick police monitor - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832003 Mayor Michael Hancock on Thursday announced the five people who will help pick Denver's next police watchdog. The Office of the Independent Monitor was created in 2005 to monitor internal investigations of police officers and sheriff's deputies and make recommendations on discipline. It was created after two controversial police shootings. The first monitor, Richard Rosenthal, was sometimes at odds with the Denver Police Department. Many officers and safety officials believed he overstepped his role, while supporters said his tough approach was just what was needed.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129846/1001 When the U.S. economy is good, Aspen does “incredible.” So what happens when the U.S. economy is bad? “You all suck,” said Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. “You are a function of what people feel because they are coming here to spend their money.” But the outlook for Aspen isn't all doom and gloom.

Van Dusen drops out of Boulder County commissioner’s contest - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828203 Longmont Democrat Bill Van Dusen announced Thursday that he's decided to withdraw his candidacy for a Boulder County commissioner's seat. Van Dusen, an attorney, educator and small business owner, had been running for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners that's up for election in November. But on Jan. 8, Van Dusen finished second in a three-way contest to step into that seat early. A Boulder County Democratic Party committee chose Deb Gardner over Van Dusen and former Longmont City Councilman Tom McCoy to fill the vacancy created in December, when then-Commissioner Ben Pearlman resigned to become Boulder County attorney.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

Commissioner candidate to challenge incumbent | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129865/1001 The first Republican jumped into the county commissioner's race to challenge the Democratic incumbent. Mike Beltracchi, 51, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Stavney for the District 2 seat, running roughly from Eagle to Edwards. In his announcement, Beltracchi already drew a line in the sand over the county's open space tax.

Colorado new-home permits increase in 2011 - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832016 Colorado home builders, for the second year in a row, pulled more permits than they did the year before. Through November 2011, the state recorded 12,758 single-family and multifamily building permits, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a 10 percent increase from the 11,591 permits pulled in all of 2010. Colorado new-home sales also are expected to inch out a small gain in 2011, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. That bucks the national trend, where a 2.2 percent decline in December put 2011 new-home sales at their lowest level in 50 years of record keeping.

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Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

Colorado AG weighs in on DPS, union fight over Innovation Schools Act - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831908 The Colorado attorney general's office issued an opinion this week backing Denver Public Schools in a dispute with teachers about the state's Innovation Schools Act. Because the opinion favors the school district — saying the act applies to planned new schools as well as existing schools — DPS is calling for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association to drop its lawsuit over the issue. "The attorney general's opinion makes it clear that the actions of DPS and the State Board of Education are fully consistent with the law," district spokesman Mike Vaughn said. "We think it's time to move beyond this lawsuit and focus more resources on the classroom and fewer on the courtroom." Union president Henry Roman said the suit won't be dropped.

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/UPDATES01/120127003/Poudre-Valley-Hospital-receives-top-national-nursing-award For the fifth year in a row, the nation's leading nurse association presented its top award to Poudre Valley Hospital for the outstanding achievements that nurses accomplish in patient care and safety. The American Nurses Association, which represents 3.1 million nurses in the United States, presented the Fort Collins hospital in Colorado with the Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality. The presentation was made Thursday in Las Vegas during the annual AHA nursing quality conference.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/SPORTS/120129845/1001 People who have been critical of the way the Basalt Regional Library District has been operated over the past year will be able to do something about it this winter. Three of the seven positions on the library district's board of trustees are up for appointment in March. One incumbent, Taylor Liebmann, has announced that he will not seek reappointment. He represents Pitkin County. Current board member Christine Tinner, who represents Basalt, has reapplied. Liz Gremillion, who represents Eagle County, has expressed an interest in returning. Applicants must live in the jurisdiction where they are applying. The terms are three years.

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129830/1001 While Summit School District starts exploring whether there will be enough growth to necessitate a new elementary school within the next 10 years, it is predicting some ups and downs in enrollment for next school year. Despite the opening of The Peak School this fall, the middle school's population is predicted to increase by about 6.2 percent, due to a large fifth-grade class getting ready to enter, according to assistant superintendent Karen Strakbein. About 20 students are expected to enroll in the new school, but an almost 40-child difference between the current fifth-grade class and sixth-grade class still means an uptick of students for SMS next year. The current fifth-grade consists of 268 students, while the sixth-grade has 206.

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/board-132419-thursday-meeting.html Falcon School District 49 school board member Chris Wright said Thursday that he will not be resigning from the board. "After 100's of communications from folks within and without the district, I have decided to withdraw my resignation and take some time to reconsider my options and review the thoughts of those who have pleaded with me to remain in public office on the d49 Board of Education," he said in an email. Wright said Monday morning that he planned to submit his resignation from the board at the special meeting Thursday night.

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/wright-132441-board-resign.html Falcon School District 49 board member Christopher Wright did not resign Thursday night as expected, although he was absent from the special meeting. Wright said Monday that he planned to resign. On Thursday, he changed his mind. In an email statement, he said communications from hundreds of people caused him to reconsider. The D-49 attorney advised the board to proceed as usual, since Wright’s resignation was retracted via email before being formally presented.

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129893/1001 Full-time teachers and staff in the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 will each receive a one-time stipend this year of $1,500, using funds from the $4.8 million mill levy override approved by district voters in November. Part-time employees will also receive a bonus of between $750 and $1,200, depending on the percentage of time they work. The plan was approved by the Re-1 school board at its regular meeting held at Basalt High School on Wednesday. It's possible the board could approve another bonus for employees of between $250 and $500 later this spring, using some of the remaining funds that are available for this school year.

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/city-schools-slate-later-opening/article_93d3623e-48a9-11e1-9f04-0019bb2963f4.html Pueblo City Schools district (D60) students will begin class after Labor Day in a move to escape the late August heat that plagued the system this year. Schools that follow the traditional calendar will begin classes on Sept. 4 as part of a new schedule approved by the school board Tuesday night.

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/cca-dolores-huerta-await-decision-on-joint-charter/article_f0f7575a-48ad-11e1-a0df-0019bb2963f4.html Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High charter schools will have to wait another two weeks to find out if the Pueblo City Schools district (D60) will approve a joint charter application. CCA and DHPH officials are seeking a single charter for a kindergarten through 12th-grade academy. Currently, there is one charter for CCA, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, and another for the high school.

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_19828552 Former University of Colorado President Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken was appointed today to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership on the Boulder campus. After serving as interim CU president in 2000, Bracken will fill the shoes of former CU President Hank Brown, who held the position from 2008-10. “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this appointment as the Newton Endowed Chair,” Bracken said in a statement.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832011 After more than a quarter-century buried in a concrete wall, a copper time capsule was recovered from an old Denver school Thursday morning, just one day before the building will be torn to the ground. "It's amazing when you live through a cycle," said Al Bernahardt, 62, the construction foreman for Gove Middle School when it was built in 1975. Bernahardt was nostalgic as he watched the school he built torn apart as he helped locate the time capsule.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

Longmont Mayor backs right for homosexuals to marry - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828075 Mayor Dennis Coombs has added his name to a list of U.S. mayors who support "marriage equality," the legal right for homosexuals to marry. Coombs is one of only two Colorado mayors on the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" list at freedomtomarry.org, along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The movement is chaired by the mayors of New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. Confirming his support for the issue on Thursday, Coombs said that this was his personal feeling and not anything that specifically bound the city of Longmont.

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129827/1001 At its Tuesday work session, the Frisco Town Council reviewed potential changes to the building code, which will likely include fee changes. According to Frisco community development director Jocelyn Mills, revisions to the code are designed to meet the goal of making her government branch “more friendly and efficient.” “We're really working toward practical, common-sense solutions,” she said.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Frederick-Firestone fire district opens new ‘nerve center’ space - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/carbon-valley-news/ci_19831321 For five years, the Frederick-Firestone fire district knew it needed more space. On Thursday, it luxuriated in it. "All of our training, our administration, our warehouse facilities, are all based out of here now," said Fire Chief Ted Poszywak as he showed off the district's new business and education center at its grand opening. "It is our nerve center. It just about is."

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/shelter-outgrows-its-building Every night and morning, guests replay a familiar game to jockey for space at the Homeward Bound homeless shelter. Because there aren’t enough bunks to house everyone, mattresses and bedding are pulled out for people to spread out on the floor, often sleeping head to head and foot to foot. In the morning, the mattresses are tucked back under the stationary bunks, and tables and chairs that were pushed off to the side to make room are repositioned for folks to sit down to breakfast. The 9,800-square-foot building at 2583 North Ave., which houses up to 167 people during the most frigid winter nights, long has been packed. To help alleviate the crowds of single people and families seeking shelter, a local overflow program offered for the past five years through local churches finds space for up to 30 single men each night. But church volunteers are getting weary of the added responsibilities that initially were dubbed as a temporary solution, Homeward Bound Executive Director Gi Moon said.

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Vets return to Vail slopes | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129863/1001 Some wear uniforms, some wear prosthetics but this week they all wear smiles. The Vail Veterans Program is hosting its latest group of military veterans, all wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Vail wins the award for most heroes per square foot. Take breakfast at the Larkspur. Heroes are packed around every table, asking and answering the question, “How fast does it go?”

Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831884 Douglas and Arapahoe counties logged big increases in suicides in 2011, while the tallies in other metro-area counties have remained about the same or experienced a slight decrease. While final numbers still are being compiled, Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas said the tally of 46 suicides last year is up from 36 the year before and nearly double the 26 counted in 2009. Arapahoe County recorded 103 suicides in 2011, up from 69 in 2010. In Jefferson and Boulder counties, the numbers remained virtually the same in 2011. Weld and Adams counties both logged decreases.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832017 Frontier Airlines is coming home, bringing its headquarters back to Denver with Thursday's announcement of a chief executive and a new senior management team that will be based here. David Siegel, a 20-year airline and travel veteran, was named CEO, president and interim chief operating officer of Frontier. In addition to serving in several chief executive positions, Siegal has been an independent director on the board of Frontier's parent company, Republic Airways Holdings. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said Siegel is "the right guy at the right time for the next step in the process" of putting Frontier "back on independent footing" as it seeks a new owner.

Boulder honors firefighters killed in training exercise 30 years ago today - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19827217 This morning, friends, family members and firefighters gathered at Boulder's Station 3 to remember William J. Duran and Scott L. Smith, and the fire that claimed their lives during a training accident 30 year ago today. The Boulder Fire Department's flags are flying at half-staff. It was a tragedy that left deep wounds in the two families and the Boulder Fire Department, and it led to national changes in standards for training exercises. Battalion Chief Gilbert Espinoza, who was on duty that day and counted Duran among his best friends, said the handful of firefighters still with the department who were serving that day consider it a duty and an honor to pass on the story to younger firefighters.

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19829817 A former Boulder County deputy accused of Internet exploitation of children told investigators in November that he has been obsessed with young girls for years, but it "escalated and intensified" after he investigated a homicide in the late 1980s in which he "located and recovered dismembered remains" of a victim he knew. Boulder County Judge John Stavely unsealed the arrest warrant affidavit for Rick Ferguson, 53, during a brief hearing in Boulder District Court on Thursday afternoon. Defense attorney Larry Mertes argued against unsealing the court document, saying that pretrial publicity would taint the local jury pool. Stavely said with the conclusion of the investigation, the public's right to access was in play and that juries are frequently successfully seated in Boulder County for cases that received pretrial coverage.

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/group-132432-springs-answers.html Members of an advocate group for victims of priest sexual abuse met in front of the headquarters of the Archidiocese of St. Louis Thursday afternoon to demand answers about Rev. Charles Robert Manning of Colorado Springs. The group, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is a national organization that acts as a watch-dog for sexual assault crimes brought against religious leaders. It wants Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis to clear up ambiguities in Manning’s history with the Catholic church after learning that Manning is being investigated in a sexual assault case in Colorado. Manning, formerly of three St. Louis Catholic parishes, came to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs in 2007. At a Saturday mass, Rev. Rafael Torres-Rico told the congregation that allegations of sexual assault on a minor have been brought against Manning.

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831645 Denver police have arrested a man with AIDS on suspicion of prostitution, police said. Darren Garcia, 31, was taken into custody Wednesday when officers arrested prostitution suspects along Colfax Avenue, police said. Garcia has eight prior arrests for prostitution, police said, including two previous arrests on suspicion of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS. Garcia was one of 14 people arrested Wednesday in the undercover SWAT sting. The other 13 were women.

Editorial: ASSET bill offers hope to all students - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830763 A reworked bill that would allow Colorado's illegal immigrant high school students to pay reduced tuition at state colleges and universities strikes the right balance. Those who have attended high school in Colorado for three years would be eligible for a new class of tuition — more than in-state tuition, but far less than out-of-state tuition. The ASSET bill, as it is being called, would offer hope for students who are educationally stranded because of their immigration status.

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You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Vets return to Vail slopes | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129863/1001 Some wear uniforms, some wear prosthetics but this week they all wear smiles. The Vail Veterans Program is hosting its latest group of military veterans, all wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Vail wins the award for most heroes per square foot. Take breakfast at the Larkspur. Heroes are packed around every table, asking and answering the question, “How fast does it go?”

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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Editorial: ASSET bill offers hope to all students - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830763 A reworked bill that would allow Colorado's illegal immigrant high school students to pay reduced tuition at state colleges and universities strikes the right balance. Those who have attended high school in Colorado for three years would be eligible for a new class of tuition — more than in-state tuition, but far less than out-of-state tuition. The ASSET bill, as it is being called, would offer hope for students who are educationally stranded because of their immigration status.

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Right to know vs. anonymity in elections - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/editorials/ci_19829211 Voter integrity advocates worry that Colorado is poised to be at the forefront of a 2000 Bush/Gore Florida disaster if our elections process isn't cleared up. They fret that if Colorado, a swing state, turned out to be a major player in a federal election, our current process won't stand up to scrutiny. After reviewing a recent records request in Boulder County, the news over the recall of a county clerk in Saguache County, and the Colorado Constitution, their fears don't seem a stretch. The county clerks are aware of a potential problem. The approach to fix the problem may be a repeat of the 2007 legislative attempt to just exempt elections from public-records scrutiny, which is the wrong way to go. First, the law. Article 7, Section 8 of the Colorado Constitution states: "All elections by the people shall be by ballot, and in case paper ballots are required to be used, no ballots shall be marked in any way whereby the ballot can be identified as the ballot of the person casting it."

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Court defends us against GPS spies (poll) | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/opinion/spies-132425-fourth-view.html The Fourth Amendment right to protection against “unreasonable searches and seizures” has won an important battle. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week that police cannot attach a GPS tracking system to a vehicle without first getting a warrant from a judge. The decision was unanimous but produced multiple written opinions, guaranteeing litigation and appeals in related cases. The big victory was on the specific issue of actually invading someone’s property by attaching a tracking device to it. The main opinion was written by Justice Antonin Scalia and was joined by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Anthony M. Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Sonia Sotomayor.

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Life experience should be valued by universities | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/OPINION01/201270327/Life-experience-should-valued-by-universities?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p How much is experience worth when it comes to college credit? Some military veterans who have received some of the most expensive technical and professional training available anywhere have returned home to find that such experience doesn't count in the academic world. The same is true for others who return to colleges or universities to get a college degree, only to discover that they are required to take classes for credit on topics in which they already have become veritable experts.

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Trash from the past | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129898/1022 The exhausted 16-ounce Red Bull can was still lying in the gutter as I walked home. The thought to pick it up and carry it to a recycle bin 50 yards away didn't occur to me until later. I was different not so long ago. I used to pick up trash all the time. It started when I was a college student, walking along the Boulder Creek bike path to class every day for three years. I'll admit that I got a bit obsessive and weird — and even threatening — with my crusade. I simply got sick of watching endless amounts of plastic bags, bottles and tennis balls wash into the creek, wrapping on pylons and bobbing in eddies, with no one seeming to care. It was up to me, I decided. How could I hope — or expect — that other people would pick up trash when I wouldn't even touch it?

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Ditmer: A pine-scented gift from Colorado to the U.S. Capitol - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830768 Much of what comes out of Washington, D.C., is so divisive and vituperative that news with a positive outlook is doubly welcome. Especially when it comes from our own state and reflects the true American spirit of cooperating for a common benefit. Sound the drum roll ... a Colorado evergreen will be the 2012 Christmas tree in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington. It's a gift of the people — us — to the nation, to celebrate the great outdoors. The Christmas tree designation rotates among the U.S. Forest Service's seven regions and 155 forests. The 2012 tree will be from near Meeker, on the 2.3 million-acre White River National Forest. With more than 9 million visitors a year, White River is considered America's No. 1 forest for recreation.

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Cardiovascular disease is the enemy, not pizza, fries - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/guestopinion/ci_19829209 Colorado currently enjoys one of the lowest childhood obesity rates in the country. Unfortunately that is rapidly changing as rates of childhood obesity are steadily increasing. More of our children are being diagnosed with diseases once only seen in older adults, including heart disease, both high cholesterol, high blood pressure and even type 2 diabetes. These trends cannot continue to be ignored. Research from the University of Maryland has shown that children as young as eight to 10 years of age may already have high cholesterol and artery-clogging blood fats, a precursor to heart disease and stroke. I speak from experience, as in I underwent a quadruple bypass for severely blocked arteries while still in my 30s. I believe my previous diet, one that was high in trans fat, played a significant role in the early onset and severity of my disease.

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Urban renewal mess a communications failure | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/renewal-132427-urban-communications.html It’s hard to make good decisions when key pieces of information are not in front of you. Since September the Colorado Springs City Council and Mayor Steve Bach have been asked to make decisions on urban renewal projects — The Vineyards near the World Arena and the Ivywild School south of downtown. When pondering these projects it would have been, uh, useful for the officials to know that the revenues in the University Village urban renewal project were lagging and that the Urban Renewal Authority would be forced to default on the project’s bonds in December. The mayor and the council were kept in the dark about University Village’s difficulties, which had to have been apparent months ago.

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Climax revived - The Pueblo Chieftain: Editorials

http://www.chieftain.com/opinion/editorials/climax-revived/article_9365e7d6-4895-11e1-af27-0019bb2963f4.html THE CLIMAX Molybdenum Mine is scheduled to begin production anew by the end of March. Freeport McMoRan, which owns the mine, has invested about $700 million in modernizing the mine, which has been closed for most of the past 30 years. The mine employs about 280 people, and the company expects to hire another 70 or so this year. That’s good news for Lake County and Leadville, where traditionally most of the workers lived when the mine was going full bore. Over the past two years perhaps 500 or so people have worked on the mine upgrades, and most of them have lived in Leadville, bringing in a flow of tax money to local coffers.

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The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | New rules on airline pricing

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/OPINION01/701279950/-1/opinion01 New rules that require airlines to include taxes and fees in quoted prices went into effect Thursday. While hardly a panacea, the change should make it a bit easier for travelers to shop for airline tickets. The Department of Transportation now mandates that prospective ticket buyers be shown an “all-in” price, one that includes all required taxes and fees. Charges incurred at the ticket buyer’s option, such as fees for checked bags or an in-flight wireless Internet connection, are not covered by the rule.

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Vail Valley Voices: Keys for a Chinese Spring | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120127/EDITS/120129877/1021 2011 was a turning point in recent history. It witnessed the demise of many Middle Eastern dictatorships and the passing of North Korea's leader, Kim Jung Il. Will China follow a similar pattern in 2012? Are its internal conditions ripe for an uprising? Several dissimilarities exist between the Arab Spring and the possible circumstances leading to similar events in China. These include Arabic-Chinese cultural attitude differences regarding authority (a separate article) and a potential scenario's catalysts.

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Murphy: Tax off books, but not registers - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832010 The clerk at the Broncos Team Store on Thursday handed me the team visor and a receipt. $25 for the visor. Plus sales tax of 7.72 percent, or $1.93, for a total of $26.93. Whoops. The sales tax that voters approved in 1998 to pay for the stadium that houses the Broncos Team Store expired Dec. 31. That dropped Denver's sales tax on most items to 7.62 percent.

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To all parents - The Pueblo Chieftain: Editorials

http://www.chieftain.com/opinion/editorials/to-all-parents/article_6aabe296-4895-11e1-a3d5-0019bb2963f4.html LAST WEEK’S abduction of a 9-year-old Pueblo girl as she was walking the three blocks home from school brought out a stellar performance by Pueblo police, in concert with those in Colorado Springs. After about 12 hours of investigation, information gathered gave the Colorado Bureau of Investigation the go-ahead to issue a statewide Amber Alert. But it was the little girl who had the biggest hand in her escape from the man who kidnapped her, Jose Humberto Garcia, 29, of Pueblo.

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Guest Commentary: Let’s have a sensible debate on tourism - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830767 As I've followed the discussion of the potential relocation of the National Western Stock Show and the six proposals for tax increment financing at various new tourist venues around the state, I'm troubled by the misunderstanding that permeates much of the discussions. Let me approach the issue from an economist's point of view. First, we need to remember that tourism is Colorado's third-largest basic industry. In other words, only manufacturing and mining bring more new dollars into the state. It is new dollars generated by sectors such as manufacturing ($18 billion), mining ($11.6 billion), tourism ($8.8 billion) and agriculture ($2.4 billion) — any good or service sold outside of Colorado's borders — that produce the multiplier effects that provide jobs for the rest of us.

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Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/group-132432-springs-answers.html Members of an advocate group for victims of priest sexual abuse met in front of the headquarters of the Archidiocese of St. Louis Thursday afternoon to demand answers about Rev. Charles Robert Manning of Colorado Springs. The group, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is a national organization that acts as a watch-dog for sexual assault crimes brought against religious leaders. It wants Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis to clear up ambiguities in Manning’s history with the Catholic church after learning that Manning is being investigated in a sexual assault case in Colorado. Manning, formerly of three St. Louis Catholic parishes, came to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs in 2007. At a Saturday mass, Rev. Rafael Torres-Rico told the congregation that allegations of sexual assault on a minor have been brought against Manning.

As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/as-democrats-shift-to-offense-obama-biden-address-house-retreat/2012/01/27/gIQAOxWqUQ_blog.html After two days of closed-door brainstorming sessions, briefings and panels featuring speakers including MSNBC’s Ed Schultz and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, the Democrats’ three-day “Reigniting the American Dream” conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay will conclude today with a 10:30 a.m. speech by Biden and a 1:15 p.m. address by Obama. Unlike last year’s meeting, this year’s retreat takes place days after the president’s combative State of the Union address — so lawmakers already have a sense of Obama’s likely message to his party. On the eve of the visit by the president and vice president, Democrats pointed to a new poll as a sign that they have reclaimed the momentum heading into 2012.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

U.S. economy grew at 2.8 percent rate | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/27/137132/us-economy-grew-at-28-percent.html The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the final three months of 2011, the government said Friday. The numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis were below the expectations of mainstream economists, most projecting 3 percent or higher. But the growth rate still points to a modest recovery, echoed by recent employment and manufacturing data.

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Bomb in Shiite neighborhood kills dozens in funeral procession - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-in-shiite-neighborhood-kills-dozens-in-funeral-procession/2012/01/27/gIQAD1H4UQ_story.html A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives amid a funeral procession here Friday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 60, a security official said. Mourners had gathered outside a hospital to receive the bodies of three people killed the night before, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The blast occurred in the Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, in the southeastern part of the city.

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137025/attack-on-nato-convoy-kills-4.html A suicide car bomber killed four Afghan civilians and wounded dozens Thursday in the southern province of Helmand, local officials said. The attack, which took place midmorning at a busy market in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, targeted armored vehicles that belonged to the U.S.-led NATO coalition. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the Taliban, which have their roots in southern Afghanistan. Thirty-one people were wounded, including three women who were visiting a doctor, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. He said a child with one of the women was among those killed.

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/surge-in-violence-killings-across-syria-un-security-council-set-to-meet/2012/01/27/gIQAKiVJVQ_story.html Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Activists in Homs said there were heavy casualties after a night of shelling and mortar fire, with military tanks again deployed across the city after being partially withdrawn last month at the outset of a monitoring mission by the Arab League. “In some areas, the shelling has not stopped for three days in a row. The regime is now waging full-scale war against the people,” said an activist in Homs who was contacted via Skype and uses the name Hadi al-Homsi. He described a “massacre” in the southeastern area of Karm al-Zeitoun, which is a focal point of military operations in the city.

Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

Costa Concordia’s captain lost precious time, official says | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137034/cruise-ships-captain-lost-precious.html The wasting of a "precious hour" by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of Italy's Coast Guard corps, Adm. Marco Brusco, made the remarks during a briefing to a parliament committee on the January 13 accident. "If Captain (Francesco) Schettino had not lost a precious hour ... it would have been possible to lower the lifeboats with calm, put the people at ease," Brusco said.

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120127,0,5568328.story Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, aiming for a knockout blow in next week's Florida primary, tore into Newt Gingrich in a televised debate Thursday night and vigorously defended his personal wealth as an asset in his presidential campaign. Romney was aggressive from the outset, starting with the issue of illegal immigration. Gingrich stood by a Spanish-language radio ad he had aired that said Romney was "anti-immigrant." Gingrich withdrew the ad after being admonished by Florida's popular Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney, noting that both his father and his wife's father were born outside the United States, said such language was "inexcusable."

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

Economic fairness eludes the GOP, but not Obama - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/economic-fairness-eludes-the-gop-but-not-obama/2012/01/26/gIQADOb3TQ_story.html If you heard a loud “gulp” Tuesday night after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked — that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

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Brazil buildings collapse; at least 4 dead, 18 missing - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-buildings-collapse-20120127,0,5791309.story Rescue workers in Brazil searched for survivors Thursday after three large buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, killing at least four people and leaving 18 or more missing.

A good pact on ‘super PACs’ - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-superpacs-20120127,0,908415.story The U.S. Senatecontest in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fascinating not just because it's one of the more competitive races for the upper house, or because it's likely to be the most expensive in history, but because of a strange and unusually honorable deal struck this week by the two candidates. Under their agreement, if an independent group such as a "super PAC" buys a TV ad backing one of the candidates, that candidate will donate an amount equal to half the cost of the ad to the charity of the opponent's choice. Thus, an ad placed independently by a super PAC could end up harming as well as helping its pick. To some, this pact is a flagrant violation of the free-speech rights of those individuals who contribute to super PACs. We think it's a sensible way of reducing the corrosive influence that independent political groups are having on our democracy in the wake of the Supreme Court's flawed Citizens United decision in 2010.

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ConocoPhillips’ oil roads in Alaska are an unwelcome intrusion - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/conocophillips-oil-roads-in-alaska-are-an-unwelcome-intrusion/2012/01/24/gIQAjoZ4TQ_story.html In the summer of 1998 I went to Prudhoe Bay, a major oil field on the North Slope of Alaska, prepared to listen carefully to oil companies eager to expand into the wilderness regions of the western Arctic. My priority was protection for Teshekpuk Lake, a large, aquamarine body of water at the center of globally important wetlands that draw nesting and breeding birds migrating from as far south as Chile and Argentina. The main environmental concern was the building of roads across the fragile expanses of tundra. Roads always beget more roads, generating networks that eventually destroy the wilderness character of the land and threaten wildlife, caribou herds and molting geese temporarily incapable of flight. I wanted to see firsthand if it would be possible to implement a new concept of roadless oil development.

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In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701269913/-1/News01/Obama-touts-natural-gas-in-Aurora His two-hour visit to Buckley Air Force base was his third Colorado stop in four months, and it came during a tour of swing states after his Tuesday night State of the Union address. The Colorado speech served as a highlight reel from Tuesday’s address, with an emphasis on energy. “For all our lives, America has been talking about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “Well, my administration has actually tried to do something about it.” U.S. oil production is at an eight-year high, and the country’s reliance on foreign oil is at a 16-year low, he said.

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831726 Hispanic Republicans Thursday denounced President Barack Obama, saying his policies have hurt the country and he is spending more time campaigning for president than actually serving as president. In a news conference at the state Capitol, Jefferson County Reps. Robert Ramirez and Libby Szabo — the lone two Hispanics in the GOP caucus — ripped Obama, who will be in Aurora this afternoon for a campaign stop to talk about energy. "He is here today, promising our military new energy resources, those mostly of green energy but he's not willing to talk to all of us," said Ramirez, of Westminster.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

President’s visit tickles two Colorado boys | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/windsor-brothers-meet-obama-cant-wait-to-tell-their-school-friends/56480/ Talked about two excited kids. The Turner boys — 9-year-old Colby and 11-year-old Cameron — had front-row seats at President Obama’s speech. The president autographed his book “The Audacity of Hope” for them. And the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force gave them medallions.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270349/Paul-make-appearance-CSU Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak at CSU in Fort Collins on Tuesday. A Ron Paul spokeswoman said the congressman is set to speak around 3 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, but logistics are still being finalized and further details would be provided closer to the event. The ballroom can hold about 1,100 people, and organizers say they plan to have local bands playing before Paul speaks. CSU officials said Paul's appearance is being organized by a student group and is not an official university event.

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110920/tipton-struggles-to-win-voter-approval-but-leads-in-early-poll Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado’s Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent. Of 569 individuals polled, 39 percent say incumbent Tipton deserves to be re-elected but only 36 percent approve of the job he is doing. Tipton’s job approval is 12 points lower than the 48 percent job approval then-Rep. John Salazar notched in a similar poll conducted in 2010. Tipton ended up beating Salazar, whose popularity was tested by votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act. “People are upset with the way Washington is conducting business– and it shows,” Pace said in a press release.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/immigrant-tuition-break-advances/article_b56b5cba-48ab-11e1-8415-0019bb2963f4.html A Pueblo lawmaker’s proposal to create a level of discount college tuition for illegal immigrants cleared a Senate panel Thursday on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democrats on the Senate Education Committee favored SB15, sponsored by Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver. They touted it as a boost to college revenue, a return on the investment the state has made in students’ public schooling and a bargain for the state, which would not subsidize any part of the students’ college costs. “We can’t and must not allow another generation of immigrants to struggle for the chance to contribute to American society,” Giron said. “These students were brought here as babies and small children. They worked hard, got good grades, have been accepted to college.”

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/homefood-business-bills-find-favor-in-first-hearin Committees in the Colorado House and Senate on Thursday simultaneously heard two bills introduced by local lawmakers designed to help Coloradans create their own home-food businesses. While the House Economic and Business Development Committee approved a measure offered by Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee supported another one introduced by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Both measures center on allowing would-be entrepreneurs to use their own home kitchens to produce products meant for local sale.

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/lawmakers-oppose-water-law-change/article_3911e38e-48a9-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html State lawmakers received applause Thursday from the Colorado Water Congress for their opposition to a pair of initiatives that would seriously alter Colorado water law. “If we don’t defeat these initiatives, those uneducated about water will take control and irrigated agriculture will cease to be important,” said Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, [R]-Sterling. The water congress, which represents multiple state water interests, is meeting for the 54th year at its annual convention. The CWC has opposed two initiatives by Richard Hamilton of Fairplay and his attorney Phil Doe of Littleton.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/go-ahead-mr-speaker-make-my-day/56239/ Watch out Frank McNulty: A legislative proposal could allow a certain deputy city attorney to pack heat. House Bill 1026 confers peace officer status on city attorneys, their assistants and such. Each jurisdiction will decide whether those staffers can be armed. Denver’s new deputy city attorney is Scott Martinez, a key player in last year’s congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. He worked on Democratic maps ultimately approved by the Colorado Supreme Court, to the dismay of Republicans.

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19826225 Broomfield Democrat Dianne Primavera will officially kick off her campaign for House District 33 in an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona's Mexican Grill, 2255 W. 136th Ave. Primavera, a two-term state representative who was defeated by a 330-vote margin in 2010, announced her candidacy in December. Primavera will face Republican David Pigott in the November election. Pigott, a lawyer at Denver firm Bloch and Chapleau LLC, on Nov. 17 filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the HD 33 seat and officially kicked off his campaign, his first for political office, earlier this month.

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279927/-1/News01/Colorado-Democrats-disqualify-Swonger-from-primary The Colorado Democratic Party has disqualified Patrick Swonger from its primary in the 59th state House District. From the day Swonger kicked off his run two weeks ago, people began contacting the party to complain he was ineligible given his insufficient tenure as a registered Democrat. The Colorado Democratic Party declined to identify who reported Swonger. Party rules stipulate that candidates must be registered for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832002 Gov. John Hickenlooper is recommending the privatization of Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund, despite the ongoing concerns of business groups. However, Hickenlooper also is recommending a few tweaks to the proposal, giving the state a slightly larger ownership stake in what would be the newly privatized mutual assurance company and creating a new fund for injured workers. "Most of the large policyholders I've talked to, almost without fail, they've been pretty enthusiastic" about the privatization proposal, Hickenlooper told reporters Thursday in a conference call from Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/judge-denies-effort-block-co-abortion-protester/ A judge Thursday denied the federal government's request to keep a longtime anti-abortion protester from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver's Planned Parenthood center. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department's argument that Kenneth Scott's actions make it "unreasonably difficult" for patients and employees to get to the clinic. "Great news," one of Scott's lawyers, Peter Breen, said of Brimmer's late-evening ruling.

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19831444 A judge has ruled that police violated two Occupy Boulder protesters' Fourth Amendment rights when officers opened tent flaps to see whether the people inside were sleeping. In a ruling received by attorneys Thursday, Boulder Municipal Judge Linda Cooke said the Occupy Boulder protesters did have a reasonable expectation of privacy while camping on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street. Police did not have warrants to search the tents, and as a result, the observations of the officers will be suppressed in court. The two protesters, P.J. Jentsch and Katie DeMichele, were ticketed Nov. 21 along with nine others at the site of the former Occupy Boulder protest. Police officers opened the flap to the tent where Jentsch and DeMichele were sleeping before issuing them a ticket for camping.

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-132411-consider-oil.html After concerns from county commissioners and a warning letter from the Attorney General’s Office about El Paso County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, county planning staff have come up with a revised proposal for the commission to consider at its Jan. 31 meeting. County spokesman Dave Rose said the commissioners will consider both the original and the new proposals in their discussions. “I think they’ll have a long and extensive discussion next Tuesday,” Rose said.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f22178bc9832347734804.txt What does a 550-mile-long pipeline draining water from the southwest corner of Wyoming to the Front Range have to do with San Miguel County? Enough for the Board of County Commissioners to draft a resolution opposing the proposed $9 billion project. The plan calls for more than 200,000 acre-feet per year to be pumped from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which stores water from the Green River — over the Continental Divide and into Denver. (An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water, and 200,000 acre-feet is just over a fifth of the Green River’s annual flow.) If the project is built, water will flow through a pair of 42-inch pipes along Interstate 80. Dreamt up by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million, the pipeline would feed Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. “We’re always very cautious about protecting our resources,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Elaine Fischer.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19831100 Lakewood-based ZeaChem, a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of wood and other materials into fuels and chemicals, was selected for a $232.5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the company said Thursday. ZeaChem said the conditional commitment from the USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program enables the financing and construction of its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery. The 25-million-gallon-per-year facility is being built in Boardman, Ore.

Generation Xers skipping flu shots - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/generation-xers-skipping-flu-shots/article_f88e2c76-48af-11e1-abcf-0019bb2963f4.html At least three Puebloans died from complications from H1N1 and Colorado saw 2,041 people hospitalized during the height of the outbreak. Dr. Ken Gershman, epidemiologist and chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said that during the 2010-11 season, cases leveled off, mainly because H1N1 was part of the year’s vaccine. In 2009, it was developed separately and given late in the year. Jon D. Miller, author of the report, was somewhat optimistic. “These results suggest that young adults in Generation X did reasonably well in their first encounter with a major epidemic.

Denver names panelists who will help pick police monitor - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832003 Mayor Michael Hancock on Thursday announced the five people who will help pick Denver's next police watchdog. The Office of the Independent Monitor was created in 2005 to monitor internal investigations of police officers and sheriff's deputies and make recommendations on discipline. It was created after two controversial police shootings. The first monitor, Richard Rosenthal, was sometimes at odds with the Denver Police Department. Many officers and safety officials believed he overstepped his role, while supporters said his tough approach was just what was needed.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129846/1001 When the U.S. economy is good, Aspen does “incredible.” So what happens when the U.S. economy is bad? “You all suck,” said Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. “You are a function of what people feel because they are coming here to spend their money.” But the outlook for Aspen isn't all doom and gloom.

Van Dusen drops out of Boulder County commissioner’s contest - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828203 Longmont Democrat Bill Van Dusen announced Thursday that he's decided to withdraw his candidacy for a Boulder County commissioner's seat. Van Dusen, an attorney, educator and small business owner, had been running for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners that's up for election in November. But on Jan. 8, Van Dusen finished second in a three-way contest to step into that seat early. A Boulder County Democratic Party committee chose Deb Gardner over Van Dusen and former Longmont City Councilman Tom McCoy to fill the vacancy created in December, when then-Commissioner Ben Pearlman resigned to become Boulder County attorney.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

Commissioner candidate to challenge incumbent | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129865/1001 The first Republican jumped into the county commissioner's race to challenge the Democratic incumbent. Mike Beltracchi, 51, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Stavney for the District 2 seat, running roughly from Eagle to Edwards. In his announcement, Beltracchi already drew a line in the sand over the county's open space tax.

Colorado new-home permits increase in 2011 - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832016 Colorado home builders, for the second year in a row, pulled more permits than they did the year before. Through November 2011, the state recorded 12,758 single-family and multifamily building permits, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a 10 percent increase from the 11,591 permits pulled in all of 2010. Colorado new-home sales also are expected to inch out a small gain in 2011, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. That bucks the national trend, where a 2.2 percent decline in December put 2011 new-home sales at their lowest level in 50 years of record keeping.

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Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

Colorado AG weighs in on DPS, union fight over Innovation Schools Act - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831908 The Colorado attorney general's office issued an opinion this week backing Denver Public Schools in a dispute with teachers about the state's Innovation Schools Act. Because the opinion favors the school district — saying the act applies to planned new schools as well as existing schools — DPS is calling for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association to drop its lawsuit over the issue. "The attorney general's opinion makes it clear that the actions of DPS and the State Board of Education are fully consistent with the law," district spokesman Mike Vaughn said. "We think it's time to move beyond this lawsuit and focus more resources on the classroom and fewer on the courtroom." Union president Henry Roman said the suit won't be dropped.

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/UPDATES01/120127003/Poudre-Valley-Hospital-receives-top-national-nursing-award For the fifth year in a row, the nation's leading nurse association presented its top award to Poudre Valley Hospital for the outstanding achievements that nurses accomplish in patient care and safety. The American Nurses Association, which represents 3.1 million nurses in the United States, presented the Fort Collins hospital in Colorado with the Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality. The presentation was made Thursday in Las Vegas during the annual AHA nursing quality conference.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/SPORTS/120129845/1001 People who have been critical of the way the Basalt Regional Library District has been operated over the past year will be able to do something about it this winter. Three of the seven positions on the library district's board of trustees are up for appointment in March. One incumbent, Taylor Liebmann, has announced that he will not seek reappointment. He represents Pitkin County. Current board member Christine Tinner, who represents Basalt, has reapplied. Liz Gremillion, who represents Eagle County, has expressed an interest in returning. Applicants must live in the jurisdiction where they are applying. The terms are three years.

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129830/1001 While Summit School District starts exploring whether there will be enough growth to necessitate a new elementary school within the next 10 years, it is predicting some ups and downs in enrollment for next school year. Despite the opening of The Peak School this fall, the middle school's population is predicted to increase by about 6.2 percent, due to a large fifth-grade class getting ready to enter, according to assistant superintendent Karen Strakbein. About 20 students are expected to enroll in the new school, but an almost 40-child difference between the current fifth-grade class and sixth-grade class still means an uptick of students for SMS next year. The current fifth-grade consists of 268 students, while the sixth-grade has 206.

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/board-132419-thursday-meeting.html Falcon School District 49 school board member Chris Wright said Thursday that he will not be resigning from the board. "After 100's of communications from folks within and without the district, I have decided to withdraw my resignation and take some time to reconsider my options and review the thoughts of those who have pleaded with me to remain in public office on the d49 Board of Education," he said in an email. Wright said Monday morning that he planned to submit his resignation from the board at the special meeting Thursday night.

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/wright-132441-board-resign.html Falcon School District 49 board member Christopher Wright did not resign Thursday night as expected, although he was absent from the special meeting. Wright said Monday that he planned to resign. On Thursday, he changed his mind. In an email statement, he said communications from hundreds of people caused him to reconsider. The D-49 attorney advised the board to proceed as usual, since Wright’s resignation was retracted via email before being formally presented.

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129893/1001 Full-time teachers and staff in the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 will each receive a one-time stipend this year of $1,500, using funds from the $4.8 million mill levy override approved by district voters in November. Part-time employees will also receive a bonus of between $750 and $1,200, depending on the percentage of time they work. The plan was approved by the Re-1 school board at its regular meeting held at Basalt High School on Wednesday. It's possible the board could approve another bonus for employees of between $250 and $500 later this spring, using some of the remaining funds that are available for this school year.

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/city-schools-slate-later-opening/article_93d3623e-48a9-11e1-9f04-0019bb2963f4.html Pueblo City Schools district (D60) students will begin class after Labor Day in a move to escape the late August heat that plagued the system this year. Schools that follow the traditional calendar will begin classes on Sept. 4 as part of a new schedule approved by the school board Tuesday night.

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/cca-dolores-huerta-await-decision-on-joint-charter/article_f0f7575a-48ad-11e1-a0df-0019bb2963f4.html Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High charter schools will have to wait another two weeks to find out if the Pueblo City Schools district (D60) will approve a joint charter application. CCA and DHPH officials are seeking a single charter for a kindergarten through 12th-grade academy. Currently, there is one charter for CCA, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, and another for the high school.

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_19828552 Former University of Colorado President Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken was appointed today to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership on the Boulder campus. After serving as interim CU president in 2000, Bracken will fill the shoes of former CU President Hank Brown, who held the position from 2008-10. “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this appointment as the Newton Endowed Chair,” Bracken said in a statement.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832011 After more than a quarter-century buried in a concrete wall, a copper time capsule was recovered from an old Denver school Thursday morning, just one day before the building will be torn to the ground. "It's amazing when you live through a cycle," said Al Bernahardt, 62, the construction foreman for Gove Middle School when it was built in 1975. Bernahardt was nostalgic as he watched the school he built torn apart as he helped locate the time capsule.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

Longmont Mayor backs right for homosexuals to marry - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828075 Mayor Dennis Coombs has added his name to a list of U.S. mayors who support "marriage equality," the legal right for homosexuals to marry. Coombs is one of only two Colorado mayors on the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" list at freedomtomarry.org, along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The movement is chaired by the mayors of New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. Confirming his support for the issue on Thursday, Coombs said that this was his personal feeling and not anything that specifically bound the city of Longmont.

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129827/1001 At its Tuesday work session, the Frisco Town Council reviewed potential changes to the building code, which will likely include fee changes. According to Frisco community development director Jocelyn Mills, revisions to the code are designed to meet the goal of making her government branch “more friendly and efficient.” “We're really working toward practical, common-sense solutions,” she said.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Frederick-Firestone fire district opens new ‘nerve center’ space - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/carbon-valley-news/ci_19831321 For five years, the Frederick-Firestone fire district knew it needed more space. On Thursday, it luxuriated in it. "All of our training, our administration, our warehouse facilities, are all based out of here now," said Fire Chief Ted Poszywak as he showed off the district's new business and education center at its grand opening. "It is our nerve center. It just about is."

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/shelter-outgrows-its-building Every night and morning, guests replay a familiar game to jockey for space at the Homeward Bound homeless shelter. Because there aren’t enough bunks to house everyone, mattresses and bedding are pulled out for people to spread out on the floor, often sleeping head to head and foot to foot. In the morning, the mattresses are tucked back under the stationary bunks, and tables and chairs that were pushed off to the side to make room are repositioned for folks to sit down to breakfast. The 9,800-square-foot building at 2583 North Ave., which houses up to 167 people during the most frigid winter nights, long has been packed. To help alleviate the crowds of single people and families seeking shelter, a local overflow program offered for the past five years through local churches finds space for up to 30 single men each night. But church volunteers are getting weary of the added responsibilities that initially were dubbed as a temporary solution, Homeward Bound Executive Director Gi Moon said.

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Vets return to Vail slopes | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129863/1001 Some wear uniforms, some wear prosthetics but this week they all wear smiles. The Vail Veterans Program is hosting its latest group of military veterans, all wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Vail wins the award for most heroes per square foot. Take breakfast at the Larkspur. Heroes are packed around every table, asking and answering the question, “How fast does it go?”

Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831884 Douglas and Arapahoe counties logged big increases in suicides in 2011, while the tallies in other metro-area counties have remained about the same or experienced a slight decrease. While final numbers still are being compiled, Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas said the tally of 46 suicides last year is up from 36 the year before and nearly double the 26 counted in 2009. Arapahoe County recorded 103 suicides in 2011, up from 69 in 2010. In Jefferson and Boulder counties, the numbers remained virtually the same in 2011. Weld and Adams counties both logged decreases.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832017 Frontier Airlines is coming home, bringing its headquarters back to Denver with Thursday's announcement of a chief executive and a new senior management team that will be based here. David Siegel, a 20-year airline and travel veteran, was named CEO, president and interim chief operating officer of Frontier. In addition to serving in several chief executive positions, Siegal has been an independent director on the board of Frontier's parent company, Republic Airways Holdings. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said Siegel is "the right guy at the right time for the next step in the process" of putting Frontier "back on independent footing" as it seeks a new owner.

Boulder honors firefighters killed in training exercise 30 years ago today - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19827217 This morning, friends, family members and firefighters gathered at Boulder's Station 3 to remember William J. Duran and Scott L. Smith, and the fire that claimed their lives during a training accident 30 year ago today. The Boulder Fire Department's flags are flying at half-staff. It was a tragedy that left deep wounds in the two families and the Boulder Fire Department, and it led to national changes in standards for training exercises. Battalion Chief Gilbert Espinoza, who was on duty that day and counted Duran among his best friends, said the handful of firefighters still with the department who were serving that day consider it a duty and an honor to pass on the story to younger firefighters.

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19829817 A former Boulder County deputy accused of Internet exploitation of children told investigators in November that he has been obsessed with young girls for years, but it "escalated and intensified" after he investigated a homicide in the late 1980s in which he "located and recovered dismembered remains" of a victim he knew. Boulder County Judge John Stavely unsealed the arrest warrant affidavit for Rick Ferguson, 53, during a brief hearing in Boulder District Court on Thursday afternoon. Defense attorney Larry Mertes argued against unsealing the court document, saying that pretrial publicity would taint the local jury pool. Stavely said with the conclusion of the investigation, the public's right to access was in play and that juries are frequently successfully seated in Boulder County for cases that received pretrial coverage.

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/group-132432-springs-answers.html Members of an advocate group for victims of priest sexual abuse met in front of the headquarters of the Archidiocese of St. Louis Thursday afternoon to demand answers about Rev. Charles Robert Manning of Colorado Springs. The group, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is a national organization that acts as a watch-dog for sexual assault crimes brought against religious leaders. It wants Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis to clear up ambiguities in Manning’s history with the Catholic church after learning that Manning is being investigated in a sexual assault case in Colorado. Manning, formerly of three St. Louis Catholic parishes, came to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs in 2007. At a Saturday mass, Rev. Rafael Torres-Rico told the congregation that allegations of sexual assault on a minor have been brought against Manning.

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831645 Denver police have arrested a man with AIDS on suspicion of prostitution, police said. Darren Garcia, 31, was taken into custody Wednesday when officers arrested prostitution suspects along Colfax Avenue, police said. Garcia has eight prior arrests for prostitution, police said, including two previous arrests on suspicion of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS. Garcia was one of 14 people arrested Wednesday in the undercover SWAT sting. The other 13 were women.

Editorial: ASSET bill offers hope to all students - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830763 A reworked bill that would allow Colorado's illegal immigrant high school students to pay reduced tuition at state colleges and universities strikes the right balance. Those who have attended high school in Colorado for three years would be eligible for a new class of tuition — more than in-state tuition, but far less than out-of-state tuition. The ASSET bill, as it is being called, would offer hope for students who are educationally stranded because of their immigration status.

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Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832017 Frontier Airlines is coming home, bringing its headquarters back to Denver with Thursday's announcement of a chief executive and a new senior management team that will be based here. David Siegel, a 20-year airline and travel veteran, was named CEO, president and interim chief operating officer of Frontier. In addition to serving in several chief executive positions, Siegal has been an independent director on the board of Frontier's parent company, Republic Airways Holdings. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said Siegel is "the right guy at the right time for the next step in the process" of putting Frontier "back on independent footing" as it seeks a new owner.

As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/as-democrats-shift-to-offense-obama-biden-address-house-retreat/2012/01/27/gIQAOxWqUQ_blog.html After two days of closed-door brainstorming sessions, briefings and panels featuring speakers including MSNBC’s Ed Schultz and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, the Democrats’ three-day “Reigniting the American Dream” conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay will conclude today with a 10:30 a.m. speech by Biden and a 1:15 p.m. address by Obama. Unlike last year’s meeting, this year’s retreat takes place days after the president’s combative State of the Union address — so lawmakers already have a sense of Obama’s likely message to his party. On the eve of the visit by the president and vice president, Democrats pointed to a new poll as a sign that they have reclaimed the momentum heading into 2012.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

U.S. economy grew at 2.8 percent rate | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/27/137132/us-economy-grew-at-28-percent.html The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the final three months of 2011, the government said Friday. The numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis were below the expectations of mainstream economists, most projecting 3 percent or higher. But the growth rate still points to a modest recovery, echoed by recent employment and manufacturing data.

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Bomb in Shiite neighborhood kills dozens in funeral procession - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-in-shiite-neighborhood-kills-dozens-in-funeral-procession/2012/01/27/gIQAD1H4UQ_story.html A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives amid a funeral procession here Friday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 60, a security official said. Mourners had gathered outside a hospital to receive the bodies of three people killed the night before, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The blast occurred in the Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, in the southeastern part of the city.

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137025/attack-on-nato-convoy-kills-4.html A suicide car bomber killed four Afghan civilians and wounded dozens Thursday in the southern province of Helmand, local officials said. The attack, which took place midmorning at a busy market in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, targeted armored vehicles that belonged to the U.S.-led NATO coalition. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the Taliban, which have their roots in southern Afghanistan. Thirty-one people were wounded, including three women who were visiting a doctor, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. He said a child with one of the women was among those killed.

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/surge-in-violence-killings-across-syria-un-security-council-set-to-meet/2012/01/27/gIQAKiVJVQ_story.html Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Activists in Homs said there were heavy casualties after a night of shelling and mortar fire, with military tanks again deployed across the city after being partially withdrawn last month at the outset of a monitoring mission by the Arab League. “In some areas, the shelling has not stopped for three days in a row. The regime is now waging full-scale war against the people,” said an activist in Homs who was contacted via Skype and uses the name Hadi al-Homsi. He described a “massacre” in the southeastern area of Karm al-Zeitoun, which is a focal point of military operations in the city.

Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

Costa Concordia’s captain lost precious time, official says | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137034/cruise-ships-captain-lost-precious.html The wasting of a "precious hour" by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of Italy's Coast Guard corps, Adm. Marco Brusco, made the remarks during a briefing to a parliament committee on the January 13 accident. "If Captain (Francesco) Schettino had not lost a precious hour ... it would have been possible to lower the lifeboats with calm, put the people at ease," Brusco said.

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120127,0,5568328.story Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, aiming for a knockout blow in next week's Florida primary, tore into Newt Gingrich in a televised debate Thursday night and vigorously defended his personal wealth as an asset in his presidential campaign. Romney was aggressive from the outset, starting with the issue of illegal immigration. Gingrich stood by a Spanish-language radio ad he had aired that said Romney was "anti-immigrant." Gingrich withdrew the ad after being admonished by Florida's popular Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney, noting that both his father and his wife's father were born outside the United States, said such language was "inexcusable."

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

Economic fairness eludes the GOP, but not Obama - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/economic-fairness-eludes-the-gop-but-not-obama/2012/01/26/gIQADOb3TQ_story.html If you heard a loud “gulp” Tuesday night after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked — that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

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Brazil buildings collapse; at least 4 dead, 18 missing - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-buildings-collapse-20120127,0,5791309.story Rescue workers in Brazil searched for survivors Thursday after three large buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, killing at least four people and leaving 18 or more missing.

A good pact on ‘super PACs’ - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-superpacs-20120127,0,908415.story The U.S. Senatecontest in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fascinating not just because it's one of the more competitive races for the upper house, or because it's likely to be the most expensive in history, but because of a strange and unusually honorable deal struck this week by the two candidates. Under their agreement, if an independent group such as a "super PAC" buys a TV ad backing one of the candidates, that candidate will donate an amount equal to half the cost of the ad to the charity of the opponent's choice. Thus, an ad placed independently by a super PAC could end up harming as well as helping its pick. To some, this pact is a flagrant violation of the free-speech rights of those individuals who contribute to super PACs. We think it's a sensible way of reducing the corrosive influence that independent political groups are having on our democracy in the wake of the Supreme Court's flawed Citizens United decision in 2010.

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ConocoPhillips’ oil roads in Alaska are an unwelcome intrusion - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/conocophillips-oil-roads-in-alaska-are-an-unwelcome-intrusion/2012/01/24/gIQAjoZ4TQ_story.html In the summer of 1998 I went to Prudhoe Bay, a major oil field on the North Slope of Alaska, prepared to listen carefully to oil companies eager to expand into the wilderness regions of the western Arctic. My priority was protection for Teshekpuk Lake, a large, aquamarine body of water at the center of globally important wetlands that draw nesting and breeding birds migrating from as far south as Chile and Argentina. The main environmental concern was the building of roads across the fragile expanses of tundra. Roads always beget more roads, generating networks that eventually destroy the wilderness character of the land and threaten wildlife, caribou herds and molting geese temporarily incapable of flight. I wanted to see firsthand if it would be possible to implement a new concept of roadless oil development.

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In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701269913/-1/News01/Obama-touts-natural-gas-in-Aurora His two-hour visit to Buckley Air Force base was his third Colorado stop in four months, and it came during a tour of swing states after his Tuesday night State of the Union address. The Colorado speech served as a highlight reel from Tuesday’s address, with an emphasis on energy. “For all our lives, America has been talking about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “Well, my administration has actually tried to do something about it.” U.S. oil production is at an eight-year high, and the country’s reliance on foreign oil is at a 16-year low, he said.

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831726 Hispanic Republicans Thursday denounced President Barack Obama, saying his policies have hurt the country and he is spending more time campaigning for president than actually serving as president. In a news conference at the state Capitol, Jefferson County Reps. Robert Ramirez and Libby Szabo — the lone two Hispanics in the GOP caucus — ripped Obama, who will be in Aurora this afternoon for a campaign stop to talk about energy. "He is here today, promising our military new energy resources, those mostly of green energy but he's not willing to talk to all of us," said Ramirez, of Westminster.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

President’s visit tickles two Colorado boys | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/windsor-brothers-meet-obama-cant-wait-to-tell-their-school-friends/56480/ Talked about two excited kids. The Turner boys — 9-year-old Colby and 11-year-old Cameron — had front-row seats at President Obama’s speech. The president autographed his book “The Audacity of Hope” for them. And the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force gave them medallions.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270349/Paul-make-appearance-CSU Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak at CSU in Fort Collins on Tuesday. A Ron Paul spokeswoman said the congressman is set to speak around 3 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, but logistics are still being finalized and further details would be provided closer to the event. The ballroom can hold about 1,100 people, and organizers say they plan to have local bands playing before Paul speaks. CSU officials said Paul's appearance is being organized by a student group and is not an official university event.

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110920/tipton-struggles-to-win-voter-approval-but-leads-in-early-poll Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado’s Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent. Of 569 individuals polled, 39 percent say incumbent Tipton deserves to be re-elected but only 36 percent approve of the job he is doing. Tipton’s job approval is 12 points lower than the 48 percent job approval then-Rep. John Salazar notched in a similar poll conducted in 2010. Tipton ended up beating Salazar, whose popularity was tested by votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act. “People are upset with the way Washington is conducting business– and it shows,” Pace said in a press release.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/immigrant-tuition-break-advances/article_b56b5cba-48ab-11e1-8415-0019bb2963f4.html A Pueblo lawmaker’s proposal to create a level of discount college tuition for illegal immigrants cleared a Senate panel Thursday on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democrats on the Senate Education Committee favored SB15, sponsored by Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver. They touted it as a boost to college revenue, a return on the investment the state has made in students’ public schooling and a bargain for the state, which would not subsidize any part of the students’ college costs. “We can’t and must not allow another generation of immigrants to struggle for the chance to contribute to American society,” Giron said. “These students were brought here as babies and small children. They worked hard, got good grades, have been accepted to college.”

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/homefood-business-bills-find-favor-in-first-hearin Committees in the Colorado House and Senate on Thursday simultaneously heard two bills introduced by local lawmakers designed to help Coloradans create their own home-food businesses. While the House Economic and Business Development Committee approved a measure offered by Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee supported another one introduced by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Both measures center on allowing would-be entrepreneurs to use their own home kitchens to produce products meant for local sale.

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/lawmakers-oppose-water-law-change/article_3911e38e-48a9-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html State lawmakers received applause Thursday from the Colorado Water Congress for their opposition to a pair of initiatives that would seriously alter Colorado water law. “If we don’t defeat these initiatives, those uneducated about water will take control and irrigated agriculture will cease to be important,” said Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, [R]-Sterling. The water congress, which represents multiple state water interests, is meeting for the 54th year at its annual convention. The CWC has opposed two initiatives by Richard Hamilton of Fairplay and his attorney Phil Doe of Littleton.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/go-ahead-mr-speaker-make-my-day/56239/ Watch out Frank McNulty: A legislative proposal could allow a certain deputy city attorney to pack heat. House Bill 1026 confers peace officer status on city attorneys, their assistants and such. Each jurisdiction will decide whether those staffers can be armed. Denver’s new deputy city attorney is Scott Martinez, a key player in last year’s congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. He worked on Democratic maps ultimately approved by the Colorado Supreme Court, to the dismay of Republicans.

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19826225 Broomfield Democrat Dianne Primavera will officially kick off her campaign for House District 33 in an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona's Mexican Grill, 2255 W. 136th Ave. Primavera, a two-term state representative who was defeated by a 330-vote margin in 2010, announced her candidacy in December. Primavera will face Republican David Pigott in the November election. Pigott, a lawyer at Denver firm Bloch and Chapleau LLC, on Nov. 17 filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the HD 33 seat and officially kicked off his campaign, his first for political office, earlier this month.

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279927/-1/News01/Colorado-Democrats-disqualify-Swonger-from-primary The Colorado Democratic Party has disqualified Patrick Swonger from its primary in the 59th state House District. From the day Swonger kicked off his run two weeks ago, people began contacting the party to complain he was ineligible given his insufficient tenure as a registered Democrat. The Colorado Democratic Party declined to identify who reported Swonger. Party rules stipulate that candidates must be registered for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832002 Gov. John Hickenlooper is recommending the privatization of Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund, despite the ongoing concerns of business groups. However, Hickenlooper also is recommending a few tweaks to the proposal, giving the state a slightly larger ownership stake in what would be the newly privatized mutual assurance company and creating a new fund for injured workers. "Most of the large policyholders I've talked to, almost without fail, they've been pretty enthusiastic" about the privatization proposal, Hickenlooper told reporters Thursday in a conference call from Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/judge-denies-effort-block-co-abortion-protester/ A judge Thursday denied the federal government's request to keep a longtime anti-abortion protester from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver's Planned Parenthood center. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department's argument that Kenneth Scott's actions make it "unreasonably difficult" for patients and employees to get to the clinic. "Great news," one of Scott's lawyers, Peter Breen, said of Brimmer's late-evening ruling.

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19831444 A judge has ruled that police violated two Occupy Boulder protesters' Fourth Amendment rights when officers opened tent flaps to see whether the people inside were sleeping. In a ruling received by attorneys Thursday, Boulder Municipal Judge Linda Cooke said the Occupy Boulder protesters did have a reasonable expectation of privacy while camping on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street. Police did not have warrants to search the tents, and as a result, the observations of the officers will be suppressed in court. The two protesters, P.J. Jentsch and Katie DeMichele, were ticketed Nov. 21 along with nine others at the site of the former Occupy Boulder protest. Police officers opened the flap to the tent where Jentsch and DeMichele were sleeping before issuing them a ticket for camping.

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-132411-consider-oil.html After concerns from county commissioners and a warning letter from the Attorney General’s Office about El Paso County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, county planning staff have come up with a revised proposal for the commission to consider at its Jan. 31 meeting. County spokesman Dave Rose said the commissioners will consider both the original and the new proposals in their discussions. “I think they’ll have a long and extensive discussion next Tuesday,” Rose said.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f22178bc9832347734804.txt What does a 550-mile-long pipeline draining water from the southwest corner of Wyoming to the Front Range have to do with San Miguel County? Enough for the Board of County Commissioners to draft a resolution opposing the proposed $9 billion project. The plan calls for more than 200,000 acre-feet per year to be pumped from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which stores water from the Green River — over the Continental Divide and into Denver. (An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water, and 200,000 acre-feet is just over a fifth of the Green River’s annual flow.) If the project is built, water will flow through a pair of 42-inch pipes along Interstate 80. Dreamt up by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million, the pipeline would feed Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. “We’re always very cautious about protecting our resources,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Elaine Fischer.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19831100 Lakewood-based ZeaChem, a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of wood and other materials into fuels and chemicals, was selected for a $232.5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the company said Thursday. ZeaChem said the conditional commitment from the USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program enables the financing and construction of its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery. The 25-million-gallon-per-year facility is being built in Boardman, Ore.

Generation Xers skipping flu shots - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/generation-xers-skipping-flu-shots/article_f88e2c76-48af-11e1-abcf-0019bb2963f4.html At least three Puebloans died from complications from H1N1 and Colorado saw 2,041 people hospitalized during the height of the outbreak. Dr. Ken Gershman, epidemiologist and chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said that during the 2010-11 season, cases leveled off, mainly because H1N1 was part of the year’s vaccine. In 2009, it was developed separately and given late in the year. Jon D. Miller, author of the report, was somewhat optimistic. “These results suggest that young adults in Generation X did reasonably well in their first encounter with a major epidemic.

Denver names panelists who will help pick police monitor - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832003 Mayor Michael Hancock on Thursday announced the five people who will help pick Denver's next police watchdog. The Office of the Independent Monitor was created in 2005 to monitor internal investigations of police officers and sheriff's deputies and make recommendations on discipline. It was created after two controversial police shootings. The first monitor, Richard Rosenthal, was sometimes at odds with the Denver Police Department. Many officers and safety officials believed he overstepped his role, while supporters said his tough approach was just what was needed.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129846/1001 When the U.S. economy is good, Aspen does “incredible.” So what happens when the U.S. economy is bad? “You all suck,” said Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. “You are a function of what people feel because they are coming here to spend their money.” But the outlook for Aspen isn't all doom and gloom.

Van Dusen drops out of Boulder County commissioner’s contest - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828203 Longmont Democrat Bill Van Dusen announced Thursday that he's decided to withdraw his candidacy for a Boulder County commissioner's seat. Van Dusen, an attorney, educator and small business owner, had been running for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners that's up for election in November. But on Jan. 8, Van Dusen finished second in a three-way contest to step into that seat early. A Boulder County Democratic Party committee chose Deb Gardner over Van Dusen and former Longmont City Councilman Tom McCoy to fill the vacancy created in December, when then-Commissioner Ben Pearlman resigned to become Boulder County attorney.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

Commissioner candidate to challenge incumbent | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129865/1001 The first Republican jumped into the county commissioner's race to challenge the Democratic incumbent. Mike Beltracchi, 51, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Stavney for the District 2 seat, running roughly from Eagle to Edwards. In his announcement, Beltracchi already drew a line in the sand over the county's open space tax.

Colorado new-home permits increase in 2011 - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832016 Colorado home builders, for the second year in a row, pulled more permits than they did the year before. Through November 2011, the state recorded 12,758 single-family and multifamily building permits, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a 10 percent increase from the 11,591 permits pulled in all of 2010. Colorado new-home sales also are expected to inch out a small gain in 2011, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. That bucks the national trend, where a 2.2 percent decline in December put 2011 new-home sales at their lowest level in 50 years of record keeping.

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Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

Colorado AG weighs in on DPS, union fight over Innovation Schools Act - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831908 The Colorado attorney general's office issued an opinion this week backing Denver Public Schools in a dispute with teachers about the state's Innovation Schools Act. Because the opinion favors the school district — saying the act applies to planned new schools as well as existing schools — DPS is calling for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association to drop its lawsuit over the issue. "The attorney general's opinion makes it clear that the actions of DPS and the State Board of Education are fully consistent with the law," district spokesman Mike Vaughn said. "We think it's time to move beyond this lawsuit and focus more resources on the classroom and fewer on the courtroom." Union president Henry Roman said the suit won't be dropped.

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/UPDATES01/120127003/Poudre-Valley-Hospital-receives-top-national-nursing-award For the fifth year in a row, the nation's leading nurse association presented its top award to Poudre Valley Hospital for the outstanding achievements that nurses accomplish in patient care and safety. The American Nurses Association, which represents 3.1 million nurses in the United States, presented the Fort Collins hospital in Colorado with the Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality. The presentation was made Thursday in Las Vegas during the annual AHA nursing quality conference.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/SPORTS/120129845/1001 People who have been critical of the way the Basalt Regional Library District has been operated over the past year will be able to do something about it this winter. Three of the seven positions on the library district's board of trustees are up for appointment in March. One incumbent, Taylor Liebmann, has announced that he will not seek reappointment. He represents Pitkin County. Current board member Christine Tinner, who represents Basalt, has reapplied. Liz Gremillion, who represents Eagle County, has expressed an interest in returning. Applicants must live in the jurisdiction where they are applying. The terms are three years.

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129830/1001 While Summit School District starts exploring whether there will be enough growth to necessitate a new elementary school within the next 10 years, it is predicting some ups and downs in enrollment for next school year. Despite the opening of The Peak School this fall, the middle school's population is predicted to increase by about 6.2 percent, due to a large fifth-grade class getting ready to enter, according to assistant superintendent Karen Strakbein. About 20 students are expected to enroll in the new school, but an almost 40-child difference between the current fifth-grade class and sixth-grade class still means an uptick of students for SMS next year. The current fifth-grade consists of 268 students, while the sixth-grade has 206.

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/board-132419-thursday-meeting.html Falcon School District 49 school board member Chris Wright said Thursday that he will not be resigning from the board. "After 100's of communications from folks within and without the district, I have decided to withdraw my resignation and take some time to reconsider my options and review the thoughts of those who have pleaded with me to remain in public office on the d49 Board of Education," he said in an email. Wright said Monday morning that he planned to submit his resignation from the board at the special meeting Thursday night.

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/wright-132441-board-resign.html Falcon School District 49 board member Christopher Wright did not resign Thursday night as expected, although he was absent from the special meeting. Wright said Monday that he planned to resign. On Thursday, he changed his mind. In an email statement, he said communications from hundreds of people caused him to reconsider. The D-49 attorney advised the board to proceed as usual, since Wright’s resignation was retracted via email before being formally presented.

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129893/1001 Full-time teachers and staff in the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 will each receive a one-time stipend this year of $1,500, using funds from the $4.8 million mill levy override approved by district voters in November. Part-time employees will also receive a bonus of between $750 and $1,200, depending on the percentage of time they work. The plan was approved by the Re-1 school board at its regular meeting held at Basalt High School on Wednesday. It's possible the board could approve another bonus for employees of between $250 and $500 later this spring, using some of the remaining funds that are available for this school year.

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/city-schools-slate-later-opening/article_93d3623e-48a9-11e1-9f04-0019bb2963f4.html Pueblo City Schools district (D60) students will begin class after Labor Day in a move to escape the late August heat that plagued the system this year. Schools that follow the traditional calendar will begin classes on Sept. 4 as part of a new schedule approved by the school board Tuesday night.

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/cca-dolores-huerta-await-decision-on-joint-charter/article_f0f7575a-48ad-11e1-a0df-0019bb2963f4.html Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High charter schools will have to wait another two weeks to find out if the Pueblo City Schools district (D60) will approve a joint charter application. CCA and DHPH officials are seeking a single charter for a kindergarten through 12th-grade academy. Currently, there is one charter for CCA, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, and another for the high school.

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_19828552 Former University of Colorado President Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken was appointed today to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership on the Boulder campus. After serving as interim CU president in 2000, Bracken will fill the shoes of former CU President Hank Brown, who held the position from 2008-10. “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this appointment as the Newton Endowed Chair,” Bracken said in a statement.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832011 After more than a quarter-century buried in a concrete wall, a copper time capsule was recovered from an old Denver school Thursday morning, just one day before the building will be torn to the ground. "It's amazing when you live through a cycle," said Al Bernahardt, 62, the construction foreman for Gove Middle School when it was built in 1975. Bernahardt was nostalgic as he watched the school he built torn apart as he helped locate the time capsule.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

Longmont Mayor backs right for homosexuals to marry - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828075 Mayor Dennis Coombs has added his name to a list of U.S. mayors who support "marriage equality," the legal right for homosexuals to marry. Coombs is one of only two Colorado mayors on the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" list at freedomtomarry.org, along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The movement is chaired by the mayors of New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. Confirming his support for the issue on Thursday, Coombs said that this was his personal feeling and not anything that specifically bound the city of Longmont.

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129827/1001 At its Tuesday work session, the Frisco Town Council reviewed potential changes to the building code, which will likely include fee changes. According to Frisco community development director Jocelyn Mills, revisions to the code are designed to meet the goal of making her government branch “more friendly and efficient.” “We're really working toward practical, common-sense solutions,” she said.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Frederick-Firestone fire district opens new ‘nerve center’ space - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/carbon-valley-news/ci_19831321 For five years, the Frederick-Firestone fire district knew it needed more space. On Thursday, it luxuriated in it. "All of our training, our administration, our warehouse facilities, are all based out of here now," said Fire Chief Ted Poszywak as he showed off the district's new business and education center at its grand opening. "It is our nerve center. It just about is."

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/shelter-outgrows-its-building Every night and morning, guests replay a familiar game to jockey for space at the Homeward Bound homeless shelter. Because there aren’t enough bunks to house everyone, mattresses and bedding are pulled out for people to spread out on the floor, often sleeping head to head and foot to foot. In the morning, the mattresses are tucked back under the stationary bunks, and tables and chairs that were pushed off to the side to make room are repositioned for folks to sit down to breakfast. The 9,800-square-foot building at 2583 North Ave., which houses up to 167 people during the most frigid winter nights, long has been packed. To help alleviate the crowds of single people and families seeking shelter, a local overflow program offered for the past five years through local churches finds space for up to 30 single men each night. But church volunteers are getting weary of the added responsibilities that initially were dubbed as a temporary solution, Homeward Bound Executive Director Gi Moon said.

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Vets return to Vail slopes | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129863/1001 Some wear uniforms, some wear prosthetics but this week they all wear smiles. The Vail Veterans Program is hosting its latest group of military veterans, all wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Vail wins the award for most heroes per square foot. Take breakfast at the Larkspur. Heroes are packed around every table, asking and answering the question, “How fast does it go?”

Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831884 Douglas and Arapahoe counties logged big increases in suicides in 2011, while the tallies in other metro-area counties have remained about the same or experienced a slight decrease. While final numbers still are being compiled, Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas said the tally of 46 suicides last year is up from 36 the year before and nearly double the 26 counted in 2009. Arapahoe County recorded 103 suicides in 2011, up from 69 in 2010. In Jefferson and Boulder counties, the numbers remained virtually the same in 2011. Weld and Adams counties both logged decreases.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832017 Frontier Airlines is coming home, bringing its headquarters back to Denver with Thursday's announcement of a chief executive and a new senior management team that will be based here. David Siegel, a 20-year airline and travel veteran, was named CEO, president and interim chief operating officer of Frontier. In addition to serving in several chief executive positions, Siegal has been an independent director on the board of Frontier's parent company, Republic Airways Holdings. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said Siegel is "the right guy at the right time for the next step in the process" of putting Frontier "back on independent footing" as it seeks a new owner.

Boulder honors firefighters killed in training exercise 30 years ago today - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19827217 This morning, friends, family members and firefighters gathered at Boulder's Station 3 to remember William J. Duran and Scott L. Smith, and the fire that claimed their lives during a training accident 30 year ago today. The Boulder Fire Department's flags are flying at half-staff. It was a tragedy that left deep wounds in the two families and the Boulder Fire Department, and it led to national changes in standards for training exercises. Battalion Chief Gilbert Espinoza, who was on duty that day and counted Duran among his best friends, said the handful of firefighters still with the department who were serving that day consider it a duty and an honor to pass on the story to younger firefighters.

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19829817 A former Boulder County deputy accused of Internet exploitation of children told investigators in November that he has been obsessed with young girls for years, but it "escalated and intensified" after he investigated a homicide in the late 1980s in which he "located and recovered dismembered remains" of a victim he knew. Boulder County Judge John Stavely unsealed the arrest warrant affidavit for Rick Ferguson, 53, during a brief hearing in Boulder District Court on Thursday afternoon. Defense attorney Larry Mertes argued against unsealing the court document, saying that pretrial publicity would taint the local jury pool. Stavely said with the conclusion of the investigation, the public's right to access was in play and that juries are frequently successfully seated in Boulder County for cases that received pretrial coverage.

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/group-132432-springs-answers.html Members of an advocate group for victims of priest sexual abuse met in front of the headquarters of the Archidiocese of St. Louis Thursday afternoon to demand answers about Rev. Charles Robert Manning of Colorado Springs. The group, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is a national organization that acts as a watch-dog for sexual assault crimes brought against religious leaders. It wants Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis to clear up ambiguities in Manning’s history with the Catholic church after learning that Manning is being investigated in a sexual assault case in Colorado. Manning, formerly of three St. Louis Catholic parishes, came to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs in 2007. At a Saturday mass, Rev. Rafael Torres-Rico told the congregation that allegations of sexual assault on a minor have been brought against Manning.

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831645 Denver police have arrested a man with AIDS on suspicion of prostitution, police said. Darren Garcia, 31, was taken into custody Wednesday when officers arrested prostitution suspects along Colfax Avenue, police said. Garcia has eight prior arrests for prostitution, police said, including two previous arrests on suspicion of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS. Garcia was one of 14 people arrested Wednesday in the undercover SWAT sting. The other 13 were women.

Editorial: ASSET bill offers hope to all students - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830763 A reworked bill that would allow Colorado's illegal immigrant high school students to pay reduced tuition at state colleges and universities strikes the right balance. Those who have attended high school in Colorado for three years would be eligible for a new class of tuition — more than in-state tuition, but far less than out-of-state tuition. The ASSET bill, as it is being called, would offer hope for students who are educationally stranded because of their immigration status.

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Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/as-democrats-shift-to-offense-obama-biden-address-house-retreat/2012/01/27/gIQAOxWqUQ_blog.html After two days of closed-door brainstorming sessions, briefings and panels featuring speakers including MSNBC’s Ed Schultz and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, the Democrats’ three-day “Reigniting the American Dream” conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay will conclude today with a 10:30 a.m. speech by Biden and a 1:15 p.m. address by Obama. Unlike last year’s meeting, this year’s retreat takes place days after the president’s combative State of the Union address — so lawmakers already have a sense of Obama’s likely message to his party. On the eve of the visit by the president and vice president, Democrats pointed to a new poll as a sign that they have reclaimed the momentum heading into 2012.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

U.S. economy grew at 2.8 percent rate | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/27/137132/us-economy-grew-at-28-percent.html The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the final three months of 2011, the government said Friday. The numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis were below the expectations of mainstream economists, most projecting 3 percent or higher. But the growth rate still points to a modest recovery, echoed by recent employment and manufacturing data.

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Bomb in Shiite neighborhood kills dozens in funeral procession - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-in-shiite-neighborhood-kills-dozens-in-funeral-procession/2012/01/27/gIQAD1H4UQ_story.html A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives amid a funeral procession here Friday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 60, a security official said. Mourners had gathered outside a hospital to receive the bodies of three people killed the night before, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The blast occurred in the Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, in the southeastern part of the city.

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137025/attack-on-nato-convoy-kills-4.html A suicide car bomber killed four Afghan civilians and wounded dozens Thursday in the southern province of Helmand, local officials said. The attack, which took place midmorning at a busy market in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, targeted armored vehicles that belonged to the U.S.-led NATO coalition. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the Taliban, which have their roots in southern Afghanistan. Thirty-one people were wounded, including three women who were visiting a doctor, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. He said a child with one of the women was among those killed.

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/surge-in-violence-killings-across-syria-un-security-council-set-to-meet/2012/01/27/gIQAKiVJVQ_story.html Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Activists in Homs said there were heavy casualties after a night of shelling and mortar fire, with military tanks again deployed across the city after being partially withdrawn last month at the outset of a monitoring mission by the Arab League. “In some areas, the shelling has not stopped for three days in a row. The regime is now waging full-scale war against the people,” said an activist in Homs who was contacted via Skype and uses the name Hadi al-Homsi. He described a “massacre” in the southeastern area of Karm al-Zeitoun, which is a focal point of military operations in the city.

Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

Costa Concordia’s captain lost precious time, official says | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137034/cruise-ships-captain-lost-precious.html The wasting of a "precious hour" by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of Italy's Coast Guard corps, Adm. Marco Brusco, made the remarks during a briefing to a parliament committee on the January 13 accident. "If Captain (Francesco) Schettino had not lost a precious hour ... it would have been possible to lower the lifeboats with calm, put the people at ease," Brusco said.

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120127,0,5568328.story Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, aiming for a knockout blow in next week's Florida primary, tore into Newt Gingrich in a televised debate Thursday night and vigorously defended his personal wealth as an asset in his presidential campaign. Romney was aggressive from the outset, starting with the issue of illegal immigration. Gingrich stood by a Spanish-language radio ad he had aired that said Romney was "anti-immigrant." Gingrich withdrew the ad after being admonished by Florida's popular Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney, noting that both his father and his wife's father were born outside the United States, said such language was "inexcusable."

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

Economic fairness eludes the GOP, but not Obama - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/economic-fairness-eludes-the-gop-but-not-obama/2012/01/26/gIQADOb3TQ_story.html If you heard a loud “gulp” Tuesday night after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked — that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

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Brazil buildings collapse; at least 4 dead, 18 missing - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-buildings-collapse-20120127,0,5791309.story Rescue workers in Brazil searched for survivors Thursday after three large buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, killing at least four people and leaving 18 or more missing.

A good pact on ‘super PACs’ - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-superpacs-20120127,0,908415.story The U.S. Senatecontest in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fascinating not just because it's one of the more competitive races for the upper house, or because it's likely to be the most expensive in history, but because of a strange and unusually honorable deal struck this week by the two candidates. Under their agreement, if an independent group such as a "super PAC" buys a TV ad backing one of the candidates, that candidate will donate an amount equal to half the cost of the ad to the charity of the opponent's choice. Thus, an ad placed independently by a super PAC could end up harming as well as helping its pick. To some, this pact is a flagrant violation of the free-speech rights of those individuals who contribute to super PACs. We think it's a sensible way of reducing the corrosive influence that independent political groups are having on our democracy in the wake of the Supreme Court's flawed Citizens United decision in 2010.

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ConocoPhillips’ oil roads in Alaska are an unwelcome intrusion - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/conocophillips-oil-roads-in-alaska-are-an-unwelcome-intrusion/2012/01/24/gIQAjoZ4TQ_story.html In the summer of 1998 I went to Prudhoe Bay, a major oil field on the North Slope of Alaska, prepared to listen carefully to oil companies eager to expand into the wilderness regions of the western Arctic. My priority was protection for Teshekpuk Lake, a large, aquamarine body of water at the center of globally important wetlands that draw nesting and breeding birds migrating from as far south as Chile and Argentina. The main environmental concern was the building of roads across the fragile expanses of tundra. Roads always beget more roads, generating networks that eventually destroy the wilderness character of the land and threaten wildlife, caribou herds and molting geese temporarily incapable of flight. I wanted to see firsthand if it would be possible to implement a new concept of roadless oil development.

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In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701269913/-1/News01/Obama-touts-natural-gas-in-Aurora His two-hour visit to Buckley Air Force base was his third Colorado stop in four months, and it came during a tour of swing states after his Tuesday night State of the Union address. The Colorado speech served as a highlight reel from Tuesday’s address, with an emphasis on energy. “For all our lives, America has been talking about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “Well, my administration has actually tried to do something about it.” U.S. oil production is at an eight-year high, and the country’s reliance on foreign oil is at a 16-year low, he said.

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831726 Hispanic Republicans Thursday denounced President Barack Obama, saying his policies have hurt the country and he is spending more time campaigning for president than actually serving as president. In a news conference at the state Capitol, Jefferson County Reps. Robert Ramirez and Libby Szabo — the lone two Hispanics in the GOP caucus — ripped Obama, who will be in Aurora this afternoon for a campaign stop to talk about energy. "He is here today, promising our military new energy resources, those mostly of green energy but he's not willing to talk to all of us," said Ramirez, of Westminster.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

President’s visit tickles two Colorado boys | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/windsor-brothers-meet-obama-cant-wait-to-tell-their-school-friends/56480/ Talked about two excited kids. The Turner boys — 9-year-old Colby and 11-year-old Cameron — had front-row seats at President Obama’s speech. The president autographed his book “The Audacity of Hope” for them. And the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force gave them medallions.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270349/Paul-make-appearance-CSU Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak at CSU in Fort Collins on Tuesday. A Ron Paul spokeswoman said the congressman is set to speak around 3 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, but logistics are still being finalized and further details would be provided closer to the event. The ballroom can hold about 1,100 people, and organizers say they plan to have local bands playing before Paul speaks. CSU officials said Paul's appearance is being organized by a student group and is not an official university event.

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110920/tipton-struggles-to-win-voter-approval-but-leads-in-early-poll Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado’s Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent. Of 569 individuals polled, 39 percent say incumbent Tipton deserves to be re-elected but only 36 percent approve of the job he is doing. Tipton’s job approval is 12 points lower than the 48 percent job approval then-Rep. John Salazar notched in a similar poll conducted in 2010. Tipton ended up beating Salazar, whose popularity was tested by votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act. “People are upset with the way Washington is conducting business– and it shows,” Pace said in a press release.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/immigrant-tuition-break-advances/article_b56b5cba-48ab-11e1-8415-0019bb2963f4.html A Pueblo lawmaker’s proposal to create a level of discount college tuition for illegal immigrants cleared a Senate panel Thursday on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democrats on the Senate Education Committee favored SB15, sponsored by Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver. They touted it as a boost to college revenue, a return on the investment the state has made in students’ public schooling and a bargain for the state, which would not subsidize any part of the students’ college costs. “We can’t and must not allow another generation of immigrants to struggle for the chance to contribute to American society,” Giron said. “These students were brought here as babies and small children. They worked hard, got good grades, have been accepted to college.”

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/homefood-business-bills-find-favor-in-first-hearin Committees in the Colorado House and Senate on Thursday simultaneously heard two bills introduced by local lawmakers designed to help Coloradans create their own home-food businesses. While the House Economic and Business Development Committee approved a measure offered by Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee supported another one introduced by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Both measures center on allowing would-be entrepreneurs to use their own home kitchens to produce products meant for local sale.

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/lawmakers-oppose-water-law-change/article_3911e38e-48a9-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html State lawmakers received applause Thursday from the Colorado Water Congress for their opposition to a pair of initiatives that would seriously alter Colorado water law. “If we don’t defeat these initiatives, those uneducated about water will take control and irrigated agriculture will cease to be important,” said Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, [R]-Sterling. The water congress, which represents multiple state water interests, is meeting for the 54th year at its annual convention. The CWC has opposed two initiatives by Richard Hamilton of Fairplay and his attorney Phil Doe of Littleton.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/go-ahead-mr-speaker-make-my-day/56239/ Watch out Frank McNulty: A legislative proposal could allow a certain deputy city attorney to pack heat. House Bill 1026 confers peace officer status on city attorneys, their assistants and such. Each jurisdiction will decide whether those staffers can be armed. Denver’s new deputy city attorney is Scott Martinez, a key player in last year’s congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. He worked on Democratic maps ultimately approved by the Colorado Supreme Court, to the dismay of Republicans.

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19826225 Broomfield Democrat Dianne Primavera will officially kick off her campaign for House District 33 in an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona's Mexican Grill, 2255 W. 136th Ave. Primavera, a two-term state representative who was defeated by a 330-vote margin in 2010, announced her candidacy in December. Primavera will face Republican David Pigott in the November election. Pigott, a lawyer at Denver firm Bloch and Chapleau LLC, on Nov. 17 filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the HD 33 seat and officially kicked off his campaign, his first for political office, earlier this month.

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279927/-1/News01/Colorado-Democrats-disqualify-Swonger-from-primary The Colorado Democratic Party has disqualified Patrick Swonger from its primary in the 59th state House District. From the day Swonger kicked off his run two weeks ago, people began contacting the party to complain he was ineligible given his insufficient tenure as a registered Democrat. The Colorado Democratic Party declined to identify who reported Swonger. Party rules stipulate that candidates must be registered for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832002 Gov. John Hickenlooper is recommending the privatization of Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund, despite the ongoing concerns of business groups. However, Hickenlooper also is recommending a few tweaks to the proposal, giving the state a slightly larger ownership stake in what would be the newly privatized mutual assurance company and creating a new fund for injured workers. "Most of the large policyholders I've talked to, almost without fail, they've been pretty enthusiastic" about the privatization proposal, Hickenlooper told reporters Thursday in a conference call from Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/judge-denies-effort-block-co-abortion-protester/ A judge Thursday denied the federal government's request to keep a longtime anti-abortion protester from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver's Planned Parenthood center. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department's argument that Kenneth Scott's actions make it "unreasonably difficult" for patients and employees to get to the clinic. "Great news," one of Scott's lawyers, Peter Breen, said of Brimmer's late-evening ruling.

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19831444 A judge has ruled that police violated two Occupy Boulder protesters' Fourth Amendment rights when officers opened tent flaps to see whether the people inside were sleeping. In a ruling received by attorneys Thursday, Boulder Municipal Judge Linda Cooke said the Occupy Boulder protesters did have a reasonable expectation of privacy while camping on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street. Police did not have warrants to search the tents, and as a result, the observations of the officers will be suppressed in court. The two protesters, P.J. Jentsch and Katie DeMichele, were ticketed Nov. 21 along with nine others at the site of the former Occupy Boulder protest. Police officers opened the flap to the tent where Jentsch and DeMichele were sleeping before issuing them a ticket for camping.

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-132411-consider-oil.html After concerns from county commissioners and a warning letter from the Attorney General’s Office about El Paso County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, county planning staff have come up with a revised proposal for the commission to consider at its Jan. 31 meeting. County spokesman Dave Rose said the commissioners will consider both the original and the new proposals in their discussions. “I think they’ll have a long and extensive discussion next Tuesday,” Rose said.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f22178bc9832347734804.txt What does a 550-mile-long pipeline draining water from the southwest corner of Wyoming to the Front Range have to do with San Miguel County? Enough for the Board of County Commissioners to draft a resolution opposing the proposed $9 billion project. The plan calls for more than 200,000 acre-feet per year to be pumped from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which stores water from the Green River — over the Continental Divide and into Denver. (An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water, and 200,000 acre-feet is just over a fifth of the Green River’s annual flow.) If the project is built, water will flow through a pair of 42-inch pipes along Interstate 80. Dreamt up by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million, the pipeline would feed Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. “We’re always very cautious about protecting our resources,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Elaine Fischer.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19831100 Lakewood-based ZeaChem, a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of wood and other materials into fuels and chemicals, was selected for a $232.5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the company said Thursday. ZeaChem said the conditional commitment from the USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program enables the financing and construction of its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery. The 25-million-gallon-per-year facility is being built in Boardman, Ore.

Generation Xers skipping flu shots - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/generation-xers-skipping-flu-shots/article_f88e2c76-48af-11e1-abcf-0019bb2963f4.html At least three Puebloans died from complications from H1N1 and Colorado saw 2,041 people hospitalized during the height of the outbreak. Dr. Ken Gershman, epidemiologist and chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said that during the 2010-11 season, cases leveled off, mainly because H1N1 was part of the year’s vaccine. In 2009, it was developed separately and given late in the year. Jon D. Miller, author of the report, was somewhat optimistic. “These results suggest that young adults in Generation X did reasonably well in their first encounter with a major epidemic.

Denver names panelists who will help pick police monitor - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832003 Mayor Michael Hancock on Thursday announced the five people who will help pick Denver's next police watchdog. The Office of the Independent Monitor was created in 2005 to monitor internal investigations of police officers and sheriff's deputies and make recommendations on discipline. It was created after two controversial police shootings. The first monitor, Richard Rosenthal, was sometimes at odds with the Denver Police Department. Many officers and safety officials believed he overstepped his role, while supporters said his tough approach was just what was needed.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129846/1001 When the U.S. economy is good, Aspen does “incredible.” So what happens when the U.S. economy is bad? “You all suck,” said Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. “You are a function of what people feel because they are coming here to spend their money.” But the outlook for Aspen isn't all doom and gloom.

Van Dusen drops out of Boulder County commissioner’s contest - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828203 Longmont Democrat Bill Van Dusen announced Thursday that he's decided to withdraw his candidacy for a Boulder County commissioner's seat. Van Dusen, an attorney, educator and small business owner, had been running for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners that's up for election in November. But on Jan. 8, Van Dusen finished second in a three-way contest to step into that seat early. A Boulder County Democratic Party committee chose Deb Gardner over Van Dusen and former Longmont City Councilman Tom McCoy to fill the vacancy created in December, when then-Commissioner Ben Pearlman resigned to become Boulder County attorney.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

Commissioner candidate to challenge incumbent | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129865/1001 The first Republican jumped into the county commissioner's race to challenge the Democratic incumbent. Mike Beltracchi, 51, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Stavney for the District 2 seat, running roughly from Eagle to Edwards. In his announcement, Beltracchi already drew a line in the sand over the county's open space tax.

Colorado new-home permits increase in 2011 - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832016 Colorado home builders, for the second year in a row, pulled more permits than they did the year before. Through November 2011, the state recorded 12,758 single-family and multifamily building permits, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a 10 percent increase from the 11,591 permits pulled in all of 2010. Colorado new-home sales also are expected to inch out a small gain in 2011, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. That bucks the national trend, where a 2.2 percent decline in December put 2011 new-home sales at their lowest level in 50 years of record keeping.

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Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

Colorado AG weighs in on DPS, union fight over Innovation Schools Act - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831908 The Colorado attorney general's office issued an opinion this week backing Denver Public Schools in a dispute with teachers about the state's Innovation Schools Act. Because the opinion favors the school district — saying the act applies to planned new schools as well as existing schools — DPS is calling for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association to drop its lawsuit over the issue. "The attorney general's opinion makes it clear that the actions of DPS and the State Board of Education are fully consistent with the law," district spokesman Mike Vaughn said. "We think it's time to move beyond this lawsuit and focus more resources on the classroom and fewer on the courtroom." Union president Henry Roman said the suit won't be dropped.

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/UPDATES01/120127003/Poudre-Valley-Hospital-receives-top-national-nursing-award For the fifth year in a row, the nation's leading nurse association presented its top award to Poudre Valley Hospital for the outstanding achievements that nurses accomplish in patient care and safety. The American Nurses Association, which represents 3.1 million nurses in the United States, presented the Fort Collins hospital in Colorado with the Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality. The presentation was made Thursday in Las Vegas during the annual AHA nursing quality conference.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/SPORTS/120129845/1001 People who have been critical of the way the Basalt Regional Library District has been operated over the past year will be able to do something about it this winter. Three of the seven positions on the library district's board of trustees are up for appointment in March. One incumbent, Taylor Liebmann, has announced that he will not seek reappointment. He represents Pitkin County. Current board member Christine Tinner, who represents Basalt, has reapplied. Liz Gremillion, who represents Eagle County, has expressed an interest in returning. Applicants must live in the jurisdiction where they are applying. The terms are three years.

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129830/1001 While Summit School District starts exploring whether there will be enough growth to necessitate a new elementary school within the next 10 years, it is predicting some ups and downs in enrollment for next school year. Despite the opening of The Peak School this fall, the middle school's population is predicted to increase by about 6.2 percent, due to a large fifth-grade class getting ready to enter, according to assistant superintendent Karen Strakbein. About 20 students are expected to enroll in the new school, but an almost 40-child difference between the current fifth-grade class and sixth-grade class still means an uptick of students for SMS next year. The current fifth-grade consists of 268 students, while the sixth-grade has 206.

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/board-132419-thursday-meeting.html Falcon School District 49 school board member Chris Wright said Thursday that he will not be resigning from the board. "After 100's of communications from folks within and without the district, I have decided to withdraw my resignation and take some time to reconsider my options and review the thoughts of those who have pleaded with me to remain in public office on the d49 Board of Education," he said in an email. Wright said Monday morning that he planned to submit his resignation from the board at the special meeting Thursday night.

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/wright-132441-board-resign.html Falcon School District 49 board member Christopher Wright did not resign Thursday night as expected, although he was absent from the special meeting. Wright said Monday that he planned to resign. On Thursday, he changed his mind. In an email statement, he said communications from hundreds of people caused him to reconsider. The D-49 attorney advised the board to proceed as usual, since Wright’s resignation was retracted via email before being formally presented.

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129893/1001 Full-time teachers and staff in the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 will each receive a one-time stipend this year of $1,500, using funds from the $4.8 million mill levy override approved by district voters in November. Part-time employees will also receive a bonus of between $750 and $1,200, depending on the percentage of time they work. The plan was approved by the Re-1 school board at its regular meeting held at Basalt High School on Wednesday. It's possible the board could approve another bonus for employees of between $250 and $500 later this spring, using some of the remaining funds that are available for this school year.

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/city-schools-slate-later-opening/article_93d3623e-48a9-11e1-9f04-0019bb2963f4.html Pueblo City Schools district (D60) students will begin class after Labor Day in a move to escape the late August heat that plagued the system this year. Schools that follow the traditional calendar will begin classes on Sept. 4 as part of a new schedule approved by the school board Tuesday night.

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/cca-dolores-huerta-await-decision-on-joint-charter/article_f0f7575a-48ad-11e1-a0df-0019bb2963f4.html Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High charter schools will have to wait another two weeks to find out if the Pueblo City Schools district (D60) will approve a joint charter application. CCA and DHPH officials are seeking a single charter for a kindergarten through 12th-grade academy. Currently, there is one charter for CCA, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, and another for the high school.

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_19828552 Former University of Colorado President Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken was appointed today to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership on the Boulder campus. After serving as interim CU president in 2000, Bracken will fill the shoes of former CU President Hank Brown, who held the position from 2008-10. “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this appointment as the Newton Endowed Chair,” Bracken said in a statement.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832011 After more than a quarter-century buried in a concrete wall, a copper time capsule was recovered from an old Denver school Thursday morning, just one day before the building will be torn to the ground. "It's amazing when you live through a cycle," said Al Bernahardt, 62, the construction foreman for Gove Middle School when it was built in 1975. Bernahardt was nostalgic as he watched the school he built torn apart as he helped locate the time capsule.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

Longmont Mayor backs right for homosexuals to marry - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828075 Mayor Dennis Coombs has added his name to a list of U.S. mayors who support "marriage equality," the legal right for homosexuals to marry. Coombs is one of only two Colorado mayors on the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" list at freedomtomarry.org, along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The movement is chaired by the mayors of New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. Confirming his support for the issue on Thursday, Coombs said that this was his personal feeling and not anything that specifically bound the city of Longmont.

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129827/1001 At its Tuesday work session, the Frisco Town Council reviewed potential changes to the building code, which will likely include fee changes. According to Frisco community development director Jocelyn Mills, revisions to the code are designed to meet the goal of making her government branch “more friendly and efficient.” “We're really working toward practical, common-sense solutions,” she said.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Frederick-Firestone fire district opens new ‘nerve center’ space - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/carbon-valley-news/ci_19831321 For five years, the Frederick-Firestone fire district knew it needed more space. On Thursday, it luxuriated in it. "All of our training, our administration, our warehouse facilities, are all based out of here now," said Fire Chief Ted Poszywak as he showed off the district's new business and education center at its grand opening. "It is our nerve center. It just about is."

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/shelter-outgrows-its-building Every night and morning, guests replay a familiar game to jockey for space at the Homeward Bound homeless shelter. Because there aren’t enough bunks to house everyone, mattresses and bedding are pulled out for people to spread out on the floor, often sleeping head to head and foot to foot. In the morning, the mattresses are tucked back under the stationary bunks, and tables and chairs that were pushed off to the side to make room are repositioned for folks to sit down to breakfast. The 9,800-square-foot building at 2583 North Ave., which houses up to 167 people during the most frigid winter nights, long has been packed. To help alleviate the crowds of single people and families seeking shelter, a local overflow program offered for the past five years through local churches finds space for up to 30 single men each night. But church volunteers are getting weary of the added responsibilities that initially were dubbed as a temporary solution, Homeward Bound Executive Director Gi Moon said.

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Vets return to Vail slopes | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129863/1001 Some wear uniforms, some wear prosthetics but this week they all wear smiles. The Vail Veterans Program is hosting its latest group of military veterans, all wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Vail wins the award for most heroes per square foot. Take breakfast at the Larkspur. Heroes are packed around every table, asking and answering the question, “How fast does it go?”

Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831884 Douglas and Arapahoe counties logged big increases in suicides in 2011, while the tallies in other metro-area counties have remained about the same or experienced a slight decrease. While final numbers still are being compiled, Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas said the tally of 46 suicides last year is up from 36 the year before and nearly double the 26 counted in 2009. Arapahoe County recorded 103 suicides in 2011, up from 69 in 2010. In Jefferson and Boulder counties, the numbers remained virtually the same in 2011. Weld and Adams counties both logged decreases.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832017 Frontier Airlines is coming home, bringing its headquarters back to Denver with Thursday's announcement of a chief executive and a new senior management team that will be based here. David Siegel, a 20-year airline and travel veteran, was named CEO, president and interim chief operating officer of Frontier. In addition to serving in several chief executive positions, Siegal has been an independent director on the board of Frontier's parent company, Republic Airways Holdings. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said Siegel is "the right guy at the right time for the next step in the process" of putting Frontier "back on independent footing" as it seeks a new owner.

Boulder honors firefighters killed in training exercise 30 years ago today - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19827217 This morning, friends, family members and firefighters gathered at Boulder's Station 3 to remember William J. Duran and Scott L. Smith, and the fire that claimed their lives during a training accident 30 year ago today. The Boulder Fire Department's flags are flying at half-staff. It was a tragedy that left deep wounds in the two families and the Boulder Fire Department, and it led to national changes in standards for training exercises. Battalion Chief Gilbert Espinoza, who was on duty that day and counted Duran among his best friends, said the handful of firefighters still with the department who were serving that day consider it a duty and an honor to pass on the story to younger firefighters.

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19829817 A former Boulder County deputy accused of Internet exploitation of children told investigators in November that he has been obsessed with young girls for years, but it "escalated and intensified" after he investigated a homicide in the late 1980s in which he "located and recovered dismembered remains" of a victim he knew. Boulder County Judge John Stavely unsealed the arrest warrant affidavit for Rick Ferguson, 53, during a brief hearing in Boulder District Court on Thursday afternoon. Defense attorney Larry Mertes argued against unsealing the court document, saying that pretrial publicity would taint the local jury pool. Stavely said with the conclusion of the investigation, the public's right to access was in play and that juries are frequently successfully seated in Boulder County for cases that received pretrial coverage.

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/group-132432-springs-answers.html Members of an advocate group for victims of priest sexual abuse met in front of the headquarters of the Archidiocese of St. Louis Thursday afternoon to demand answers about Rev. Charles Robert Manning of Colorado Springs. The group, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is a national organization that acts as a watch-dog for sexual assault crimes brought against religious leaders. It wants Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis to clear up ambiguities in Manning’s history with the Catholic church after learning that Manning is being investigated in a sexual assault case in Colorado. Manning, formerly of three St. Louis Catholic parishes, came to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs in 2007. At a Saturday mass, Rev. Rafael Torres-Rico told the congregation that allegations of sexual assault on a minor have been brought against Manning.

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831645 Denver police have arrested a man with AIDS on suspicion of prostitution, police said. Darren Garcia, 31, was taken into custody Wednesday when officers arrested prostitution suspects along Colfax Avenue, police said. Garcia has eight prior arrests for prostitution, police said, including two previous arrests on suspicion of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS. Garcia was one of 14 people arrested Wednesday in the undercover SWAT sting. The other 13 were women.

Editorial: ASSET bill offers hope to all students - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830763 A reworked bill that would allow Colorado's illegal immigrant high school students to pay reduced tuition at state colleges and universities strikes the right balance. Those who have attended high school in Colorado for three years would be eligible for a new class of tuition — more than in-state tuition, but far less than out-of-state tuition. The ASSET bill, as it is being called, would offer hope for students who are educationally stranded because of their immigration status.

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U.S. economy grew at 2.8 percent rate | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/27/137132/us-economy-grew-at-28-percent.html The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the final three months of 2011, the government said Friday. The numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis were below the expectations of mainstream economists, most projecting 3 percent or higher. But the growth rate still points to a modest recovery, echoed by recent employment and manufacturing data.

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Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/as-democrats-shift-to-offense-obama-biden-address-house-retreat/2012/01/27/gIQAOxWqUQ_blog.html After two days of closed-door brainstorming sessions, briefings and panels featuring speakers including MSNBC’s Ed Schultz and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, the Democrats’ three-day “Reigniting the American Dream” conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay will conclude today with a 10:30 a.m. speech by Biden and a 1:15 p.m. address by Obama. Unlike last year’s meeting, this year’s retreat takes place days after the president’s combative State of the Union address — so lawmakers already have a sense of Obama’s likely message to his party. On the eve of the visit by the president and vice president, Democrats pointed to a new poll as a sign that they have reclaimed the momentum heading into 2012.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

U.S. economy grew at 2.8 percent rate | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/27/137132/us-economy-grew-at-28-percent.html The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the final three months of 2011, the government said Friday. The numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis were below the expectations of mainstream economists, most projecting 3 percent or higher. But the growth rate still points to a modest recovery, echoed by recent employment and manufacturing data.

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Bomb in Shiite neighborhood kills dozens in funeral procession - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-in-shiite-neighborhood-kills-dozens-in-funeral-procession/2012/01/27/gIQAD1H4UQ_story.html A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives amid a funeral procession here Friday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 60, a security official said. Mourners had gathered outside a hospital to receive the bodies of three people killed the night before, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The blast occurred in the Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, in the southeastern part of the city.

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137025/attack-on-nato-convoy-kills-4.html A suicide car bomber killed four Afghan civilians and wounded dozens Thursday in the southern province of Helmand, local officials said. The attack, which took place midmorning at a busy market in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, targeted armored vehicles that belonged to the U.S.-led NATO coalition. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the Taliban, which have their roots in southern Afghanistan. Thirty-one people were wounded, including three women who were visiting a doctor, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. He said a child with one of the women was among those killed.

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/surge-in-violence-killings-across-syria-un-security-council-set-to-meet/2012/01/27/gIQAKiVJVQ_story.html Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Activists in Homs said there were heavy casualties after a night of shelling and mortar fire, with military tanks again deployed across the city after being partially withdrawn last month at the outset of a monitoring mission by the Arab League. “In some areas, the shelling has not stopped for three days in a row. The regime is now waging full-scale war against the people,” said an activist in Homs who was contacted via Skype and uses the name Hadi al-Homsi. He described a “massacre” in the southeastern area of Karm al-Zeitoun, which is a focal point of military operations in the city.

Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

Costa Concordia’s captain lost precious time, official says | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137034/cruise-ships-captain-lost-precious.html The wasting of a "precious hour" by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of Italy's Coast Guard corps, Adm. Marco Brusco, made the remarks during a briefing to a parliament committee on the January 13 accident. "If Captain (Francesco) Schettino had not lost a precious hour ... it would have been possible to lower the lifeboats with calm, put the people at ease," Brusco said.

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120127,0,5568328.story Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, aiming for a knockout blow in next week's Florida primary, tore into Newt Gingrich in a televised debate Thursday night and vigorously defended his personal wealth as an asset in his presidential campaign. Romney was aggressive from the outset, starting with the issue of illegal immigration. Gingrich stood by a Spanish-language radio ad he had aired that said Romney was "anti-immigrant." Gingrich withdrew the ad after being admonished by Florida's popular Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney, noting that both his father and his wife's father were born outside the United States, said such language was "inexcusable."

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

Economic fairness eludes the GOP, but not Obama - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/economic-fairness-eludes-the-gop-but-not-obama/2012/01/26/gIQADOb3TQ_story.html If you heard a loud “gulp” Tuesday night after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked — that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

More stories in National/Opinion | Colorado/Opinion

Brazil buildings collapse; at least 4 dead, 18 missing - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-buildings-collapse-20120127,0,5791309.story Rescue workers in Brazil searched for survivors Thursday after three large buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, killing at least four people and leaving 18 or more missing.

A good pact on ‘super PACs’ - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-superpacs-20120127,0,908415.story The U.S. Senatecontest in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fascinating not just because it's one of the more competitive races for the upper house, or because it's likely to be the most expensive in history, but because of a strange and unusually honorable deal struck this week by the two candidates. Under their agreement, if an independent group such as a "super PAC" buys a TV ad backing one of the candidates, that candidate will donate an amount equal to half the cost of the ad to the charity of the opponent's choice. Thus, an ad placed independently by a super PAC could end up harming as well as helping its pick. To some, this pact is a flagrant violation of the free-speech rights of those individuals who contribute to super PACs. We think it's a sensible way of reducing the corrosive influence that independent political groups are having on our democracy in the wake of the Supreme Court's flawed Citizens United decision in 2010.

More stories in National/Opinion | Colorado/Opinion

ConocoPhillips’ oil roads in Alaska are an unwelcome intrusion - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/conocophillips-oil-roads-in-alaska-are-an-unwelcome-intrusion/2012/01/24/gIQAjoZ4TQ_story.html In the summer of 1998 I went to Prudhoe Bay, a major oil field on the North Slope of Alaska, prepared to listen carefully to oil companies eager to expand into the wilderness regions of the western Arctic. My priority was protection for Teshekpuk Lake, a large, aquamarine body of water at the center of globally important wetlands that draw nesting and breeding birds migrating from as far south as Chile and Argentina. The main environmental concern was the building of roads across the fragile expanses of tundra. Roads always beget more roads, generating networks that eventually destroy the wilderness character of the land and threaten wildlife, caribou herds and molting geese temporarily incapable of flight. I wanted to see firsthand if it would be possible to implement a new concept of roadless oil development.

More stories in National/Opinion | Colorado/Opinion

In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701269913/-1/News01/Obama-touts-natural-gas-in-Aurora His two-hour visit to Buckley Air Force base was his third Colorado stop in four months, and it came during a tour of swing states after his Tuesday night State of the Union address. The Colorado speech served as a highlight reel from Tuesday’s address, with an emphasis on energy. “For all our lives, America has been talking about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “Well, my administration has actually tried to do something about it.” U.S. oil production is at an eight-year high, and the country’s reliance on foreign oil is at a 16-year low, he said.

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831726 Hispanic Republicans Thursday denounced President Barack Obama, saying his policies have hurt the country and he is spending more time campaigning for president than actually serving as president. In a news conference at the state Capitol, Jefferson County Reps. Robert Ramirez and Libby Szabo — the lone two Hispanics in the GOP caucus — ripped Obama, who will be in Aurora this afternoon for a campaign stop to talk about energy. "He is here today, promising our military new energy resources, those mostly of green energy but he's not willing to talk to all of us," said Ramirez, of Westminster.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

President’s visit tickles two Colorado boys | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/windsor-brothers-meet-obama-cant-wait-to-tell-their-school-friends/56480/ Talked about two excited kids. The Turner boys — 9-year-old Colby and 11-year-old Cameron — had front-row seats at President Obama’s speech. The president autographed his book “The Audacity of Hope” for them. And the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force gave them medallions.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270349/Paul-make-appearance-CSU Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak at CSU in Fort Collins on Tuesday. A Ron Paul spokeswoman said the congressman is set to speak around 3 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, but logistics are still being finalized and further details would be provided closer to the event. The ballroom can hold about 1,100 people, and organizers say they plan to have local bands playing before Paul speaks. CSU officials said Paul's appearance is being organized by a student group and is not an official university event.

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110920/tipton-struggles-to-win-voter-approval-but-leads-in-early-poll Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado’s Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent. Of 569 individuals polled, 39 percent say incumbent Tipton deserves to be re-elected but only 36 percent approve of the job he is doing. Tipton’s job approval is 12 points lower than the 48 percent job approval then-Rep. John Salazar notched in a similar poll conducted in 2010. Tipton ended up beating Salazar, whose popularity was tested by votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act. “People are upset with the way Washington is conducting business– and it shows,” Pace said in a press release.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/immigrant-tuition-break-advances/article_b56b5cba-48ab-11e1-8415-0019bb2963f4.html A Pueblo lawmaker’s proposal to create a level of discount college tuition for illegal immigrants cleared a Senate panel Thursday on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democrats on the Senate Education Committee favored SB15, sponsored by Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver. They touted it as a boost to college revenue, a return on the investment the state has made in students’ public schooling and a bargain for the state, which would not subsidize any part of the students’ college costs. “We can’t and must not allow another generation of immigrants to struggle for the chance to contribute to American society,” Giron said. “These students were brought here as babies and small children. They worked hard, got good grades, have been accepted to college.”

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/homefood-business-bills-find-favor-in-first-hearin Committees in the Colorado House and Senate on Thursday simultaneously heard two bills introduced by local lawmakers designed to help Coloradans create their own home-food businesses. While the House Economic and Business Development Committee approved a measure offered by Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee supported another one introduced by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Both measures center on allowing would-be entrepreneurs to use their own home kitchens to produce products meant for local sale.

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/lawmakers-oppose-water-law-change/article_3911e38e-48a9-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html State lawmakers received applause Thursday from the Colorado Water Congress for their opposition to a pair of initiatives that would seriously alter Colorado water law. “If we don’t defeat these initiatives, those uneducated about water will take control and irrigated agriculture will cease to be important,” said Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, [R]-Sterling. The water congress, which represents multiple state water interests, is meeting for the 54th year at its annual convention. The CWC has opposed two initiatives by Richard Hamilton of Fairplay and his attorney Phil Doe of Littleton.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/go-ahead-mr-speaker-make-my-day/56239/ Watch out Frank McNulty: A legislative proposal could allow a certain deputy city attorney to pack heat. House Bill 1026 confers peace officer status on city attorneys, their assistants and such. Each jurisdiction will decide whether those staffers can be armed. Denver’s new deputy city attorney is Scott Martinez, a key player in last year’s congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. He worked on Democratic maps ultimately approved by the Colorado Supreme Court, to the dismay of Republicans.

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19826225 Broomfield Democrat Dianne Primavera will officially kick off her campaign for House District 33 in an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona's Mexican Grill, 2255 W. 136th Ave. Primavera, a two-term state representative who was defeated by a 330-vote margin in 2010, announced her candidacy in December. Primavera will face Republican David Pigott in the November election. Pigott, a lawyer at Denver firm Bloch and Chapleau LLC, on Nov. 17 filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the HD 33 seat and officially kicked off his campaign, his first for political office, earlier this month.

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279927/-1/News01/Colorado-Democrats-disqualify-Swonger-from-primary The Colorado Democratic Party has disqualified Patrick Swonger from its primary in the 59th state House District. From the day Swonger kicked off his run two weeks ago, people began contacting the party to complain he was ineligible given his insufficient tenure as a registered Democrat. The Colorado Democratic Party declined to identify who reported Swonger. Party rules stipulate that candidates must be registered for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832002 Gov. John Hickenlooper is recommending the privatization of Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund, despite the ongoing concerns of business groups. However, Hickenlooper also is recommending a few tweaks to the proposal, giving the state a slightly larger ownership stake in what would be the newly privatized mutual assurance company and creating a new fund for injured workers. "Most of the large policyholders I've talked to, almost without fail, they've been pretty enthusiastic" about the privatization proposal, Hickenlooper told reporters Thursday in a conference call from Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/judge-denies-effort-block-co-abortion-protester/ A judge Thursday denied the federal government's request to keep a longtime anti-abortion protester from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver's Planned Parenthood center. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department's argument that Kenneth Scott's actions make it "unreasonably difficult" for patients and employees to get to the clinic. "Great news," one of Scott's lawyers, Peter Breen, said of Brimmer's late-evening ruling.

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19831444 A judge has ruled that police violated two Occupy Boulder protesters' Fourth Amendment rights when officers opened tent flaps to see whether the people inside were sleeping. In a ruling received by attorneys Thursday, Boulder Municipal Judge Linda Cooke said the Occupy Boulder protesters did have a reasonable expectation of privacy while camping on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street. Police did not have warrants to search the tents, and as a result, the observations of the officers will be suppressed in court. The two protesters, P.J. Jentsch and Katie DeMichele, were ticketed Nov. 21 along with nine others at the site of the former Occupy Boulder protest. Police officers opened the flap to the tent where Jentsch and DeMichele were sleeping before issuing them a ticket for camping.

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-132411-consider-oil.html After concerns from county commissioners and a warning letter from the Attorney General’s Office about El Paso County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, county planning staff have come up with a revised proposal for the commission to consider at its Jan. 31 meeting. County spokesman Dave Rose said the commissioners will consider both the original and the new proposals in their discussions. “I think they’ll have a long and extensive discussion next Tuesday,” Rose said.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f22178bc9832347734804.txt What does a 550-mile-long pipeline draining water from the southwest corner of Wyoming to the Front Range have to do with San Miguel County? Enough for the Board of County Commissioners to draft a resolution opposing the proposed $9 billion project. The plan calls for more than 200,000 acre-feet per year to be pumped from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which stores water from the Green River — over the Continental Divide and into Denver. (An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water, and 200,000 acre-feet is just over a fifth of the Green River’s annual flow.) If the project is built, water will flow through a pair of 42-inch pipes along Interstate 80. Dreamt up by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million, the pipeline would feed Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. “We’re always very cautious about protecting our resources,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Elaine Fischer.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19831100 Lakewood-based ZeaChem, a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of wood and other materials into fuels and chemicals, was selected for a $232.5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the company said Thursday. ZeaChem said the conditional commitment from the USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program enables the financing and construction of its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery. The 25-million-gallon-per-year facility is being built in Boardman, Ore.

Generation Xers skipping flu shots - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/generation-xers-skipping-flu-shots/article_f88e2c76-48af-11e1-abcf-0019bb2963f4.html At least three Puebloans died from complications from H1N1 and Colorado saw 2,041 people hospitalized during the height of the outbreak. Dr. Ken Gershman, epidemiologist and chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said that during the 2010-11 season, cases leveled off, mainly because H1N1 was part of the year’s vaccine. In 2009, it was developed separately and given late in the year. Jon D. Miller, author of the report, was somewhat optimistic. “These results suggest that young adults in Generation X did reasonably well in their first encounter with a major epidemic.

Denver names panelists who will help pick police monitor - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832003 Mayor Michael Hancock on Thursday announced the five people who will help pick Denver's next police watchdog. The Office of the Independent Monitor was created in 2005 to monitor internal investigations of police officers and sheriff's deputies and make recommendations on discipline. It was created after two controversial police shootings. The first monitor, Richard Rosenthal, was sometimes at odds with the Denver Police Department. Many officers and safety officials believed he overstepped his role, while supporters said his tough approach was just what was needed.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129846/1001 When the U.S. economy is good, Aspen does “incredible.” So what happens when the U.S. economy is bad? “You all suck,” said Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. “You are a function of what people feel because they are coming here to spend their money.” But the outlook for Aspen isn't all doom and gloom.

Van Dusen drops out of Boulder County commissioner’s contest - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828203 Longmont Democrat Bill Van Dusen announced Thursday that he's decided to withdraw his candidacy for a Boulder County commissioner's seat. Van Dusen, an attorney, educator and small business owner, had been running for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners that's up for election in November. But on Jan. 8, Van Dusen finished second in a three-way contest to step into that seat early. A Boulder County Democratic Party committee chose Deb Gardner over Van Dusen and former Longmont City Councilman Tom McCoy to fill the vacancy created in December, when then-Commissioner Ben Pearlman resigned to become Boulder County attorney.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

Commissioner candidate to challenge incumbent | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129865/1001 The first Republican jumped into the county commissioner's race to challenge the Democratic incumbent. Mike Beltracchi, 51, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Stavney for the District 2 seat, running roughly from Eagle to Edwards. In his announcement, Beltracchi already drew a line in the sand over the county's open space tax.

Colorado new-home permits increase in 2011 - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832016 Colorado home builders, for the second year in a row, pulled more permits than they did the year before. Through November 2011, the state recorded 12,758 single-family and multifamily building permits, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a 10 percent increase from the 11,591 permits pulled in all of 2010. Colorado new-home sales also are expected to inch out a small gain in 2011, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. That bucks the national trend, where a 2.2 percent decline in December put 2011 new-home sales at their lowest level in 50 years of record keeping.

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Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

Colorado AG weighs in on DPS, union fight over Innovation Schools Act - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831908 The Colorado attorney general's office issued an opinion this week backing Denver Public Schools in a dispute with teachers about the state's Innovation Schools Act. Because the opinion favors the school district — saying the act applies to planned new schools as well as existing schools — DPS is calling for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association to drop its lawsuit over the issue. "The attorney general's opinion makes it clear that the actions of DPS and the State Board of Education are fully consistent with the law," district spokesman Mike Vaughn said. "We think it's time to move beyond this lawsuit and focus more resources on the classroom and fewer on the courtroom." Union president Henry Roman said the suit won't be dropped.

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/UPDATES01/120127003/Poudre-Valley-Hospital-receives-top-national-nursing-award For the fifth year in a row, the nation's leading nurse association presented its top award to Poudre Valley Hospital for the outstanding achievements that nurses accomplish in patient care and safety. The American Nurses Association, which represents 3.1 million nurses in the United States, presented the Fort Collins hospital in Colorado with the Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality. The presentation was made Thursday in Las Vegas during the annual AHA nursing quality conference.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/SPORTS/120129845/1001 People who have been critical of the way the Basalt Regional Library District has been operated over the past year will be able to do something about it this winter. Three of the seven positions on the library district's board of trustees are up for appointment in March. One incumbent, Taylor Liebmann, has announced that he will not seek reappointment. He represents Pitkin County. Current board member Christine Tinner, who represents Basalt, has reapplied. Liz Gremillion, who represents Eagle County, has expressed an interest in returning. Applicants must live in the jurisdiction where they are applying. The terms are three years.

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129830/1001 While Summit School District starts exploring whether there will be enough growth to necessitate a new elementary school within the next 10 years, it is predicting some ups and downs in enrollment for next school year. Despite the opening of The Peak School this fall, the middle school's population is predicted to increase by about 6.2 percent, due to a large fifth-grade class getting ready to enter, according to assistant superintendent Karen Strakbein. About 20 students are expected to enroll in the new school, but an almost 40-child difference between the current fifth-grade class and sixth-grade class still means an uptick of students for SMS next year. The current fifth-grade consists of 268 students, while the sixth-grade has 206.

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/board-132419-thursday-meeting.html Falcon School District 49 school board member Chris Wright said Thursday that he will not be resigning from the board. "After 100's of communications from folks within and without the district, I have decided to withdraw my resignation and take some time to reconsider my options and review the thoughts of those who have pleaded with me to remain in public office on the d49 Board of Education," he said in an email. Wright said Monday morning that he planned to submit his resignation from the board at the special meeting Thursday night.

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/wright-132441-board-resign.html Falcon School District 49 board member Christopher Wright did not resign Thursday night as expected, although he was absent from the special meeting. Wright said Monday that he planned to resign. On Thursday, he changed his mind. In an email statement, he said communications from hundreds of people caused him to reconsider. The D-49 attorney advised the board to proceed as usual, since Wright’s resignation was retracted via email before being formally presented.

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129893/1001 Full-time teachers and staff in the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 will each receive a one-time stipend this year of $1,500, using funds from the $4.8 million mill levy override approved by district voters in November. Part-time employees will also receive a bonus of between $750 and $1,200, depending on the percentage of time they work. The plan was approved by the Re-1 school board at its regular meeting held at Basalt High School on Wednesday. It's possible the board could approve another bonus for employees of between $250 and $500 later this spring, using some of the remaining funds that are available for this school year.

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/city-schools-slate-later-opening/article_93d3623e-48a9-11e1-9f04-0019bb2963f4.html Pueblo City Schools district (D60) students will begin class after Labor Day in a move to escape the late August heat that plagued the system this year. Schools that follow the traditional calendar will begin classes on Sept. 4 as part of a new schedule approved by the school board Tuesday night.

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/cca-dolores-huerta-await-decision-on-joint-charter/article_f0f7575a-48ad-11e1-a0df-0019bb2963f4.html Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High charter schools will have to wait another two weeks to find out if the Pueblo City Schools district (D60) will approve a joint charter application. CCA and DHPH officials are seeking a single charter for a kindergarten through 12th-grade academy. Currently, there is one charter for CCA, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, and another for the high school.

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_19828552 Former University of Colorado President Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken was appointed today to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership on the Boulder campus. After serving as interim CU president in 2000, Bracken will fill the shoes of former CU President Hank Brown, who held the position from 2008-10. “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this appointment as the Newton Endowed Chair,” Bracken said in a statement.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832011 After more than a quarter-century buried in a concrete wall, a copper time capsule was recovered from an old Denver school Thursday morning, just one day before the building will be torn to the ground. "It's amazing when you live through a cycle," said Al Bernahardt, 62, the construction foreman for Gove Middle School when it was built in 1975. Bernahardt was nostalgic as he watched the school he built torn apart as he helped locate the time capsule.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

Longmont Mayor backs right for homosexuals to marry - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828075 Mayor Dennis Coombs has added his name to a list of U.S. mayors who support "marriage equality," the legal right for homosexuals to marry. Coombs is one of only two Colorado mayors on the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" list at freedomtomarry.org, along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The movement is chaired by the mayors of New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. Confirming his support for the issue on Thursday, Coombs said that this was his personal feeling and not anything that specifically bound the city of Longmont.

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129827/1001 At its Tuesday work session, the Frisco Town Council reviewed potential changes to the building code, which will likely include fee changes. According to Frisco community development director Jocelyn Mills, revisions to the code are designed to meet the goal of making her government branch “more friendly and efficient.” “We're really working toward practical, common-sense solutions,” she said.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Frederick-Firestone fire district opens new ‘nerve center’ space - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/carbon-valley-news/ci_19831321 For five years, the Frederick-Firestone fire district knew it needed more space. On Thursday, it luxuriated in it. "All of our training, our administration, our warehouse facilities, are all based out of here now," said Fire Chief Ted Poszywak as he showed off the district's new business and education center at its grand opening. "It is our nerve center. It just about is."

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/shelter-outgrows-its-building Every night and morning, guests replay a familiar game to jockey for space at the Homeward Bound homeless shelter. Because there aren’t enough bunks to house everyone, mattresses and bedding are pulled out for people to spread out on the floor, often sleeping head to head and foot to foot. In the morning, the mattresses are tucked back under the stationary bunks, and tables and chairs that were pushed off to the side to make room are repositioned for folks to sit down to breakfast. The 9,800-square-foot building at 2583 North Ave., which houses up to 167 people during the most frigid winter nights, long has been packed. To help alleviate the crowds of single people and families seeking shelter, a local overflow program offered for the past five years through local churches finds space for up to 30 single men each night. But church volunteers are getting weary of the added responsibilities that initially were dubbed as a temporary solution, Homeward Bound Executive Director Gi Moon said.

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Vets return to Vail slopes | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129863/1001 Some wear uniforms, some wear prosthetics but this week they all wear smiles. The Vail Veterans Program is hosting its latest group of military veterans, all wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Vail wins the award for most heroes per square foot. Take breakfast at the Larkspur. Heroes are packed around every table, asking and answering the question, “How fast does it go?”

Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831884 Douglas and Arapahoe counties logged big increases in suicides in 2011, while the tallies in other metro-area counties have remained about the same or experienced a slight decrease. While final numbers still are being compiled, Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas said the tally of 46 suicides last year is up from 36 the year before and nearly double the 26 counted in 2009. Arapahoe County recorded 103 suicides in 2011, up from 69 in 2010. In Jefferson and Boulder counties, the numbers remained virtually the same in 2011. Weld and Adams counties both logged decreases.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832017 Frontier Airlines is coming home, bringing its headquarters back to Denver with Thursday's announcement of a chief executive and a new senior management team that will be based here. David Siegel, a 20-year airline and travel veteran, was named CEO, president and interim chief operating officer of Frontier. In addition to serving in several chief executive positions, Siegal has been an independent director on the board of Frontier's parent company, Republic Airways Holdings. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said Siegel is "the right guy at the right time for the next step in the process" of putting Frontier "back on independent footing" as it seeks a new owner.

Boulder honors firefighters killed in training exercise 30 years ago today - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19827217 This morning, friends, family members and firefighters gathered at Boulder's Station 3 to remember William J. Duran and Scott L. Smith, and the fire that claimed their lives during a training accident 30 year ago today. The Boulder Fire Department's flags are flying at half-staff. It was a tragedy that left deep wounds in the two families and the Boulder Fire Department, and it led to national changes in standards for training exercises. Battalion Chief Gilbert Espinoza, who was on duty that day and counted Duran among his best friends, said the handful of firefighters still with the department who were serving that day consider it a duty and an honor to pass on the story to younger firefighters.

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19829817 A former Boulder County deputy accused of Internet exploitation of children told investigators in November that he has been obsessed with young girls for years, but it "escalated and intensified" after he investigated a homicide in the late 1980s in which he "located and recovered dismembered remains" of a victim he knew. Boulder County Judge John Stavely unsealed the arrest warrant affidavit for Rick Ferguson, 53, during a brief hearing in Boulder District Court on Thursday afternoon. Defense attorney Larry Mertes argued against unsealing the court document, saying that pretrial publicity would taint the local jury pool. Stavely said with the conclusion of the investigation, the public's right to access was in play and that juries are frequently successfully seated in Boulder County for cases that received pretrial coverage.

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/group-132432-springs-answers.html Members of an advocate group for victims of priest sexual abuse met in front of the headquarters of the Archidiocese of St. Louis Thursday afternoon to demand answers about Rev. Charles Robert Manning of Colorado Springs. The group, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is a national organization that acts as a watch-dog for sexual assault crimes brought against religious leaders. It wants Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis to clear up ambiguities in Manning’s history with the Catholic church after learning that Manning is being investigated in a sexual assault case in Colorado. Manning, formerly of three St. Louis Catholic parishes, came to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs in 2007. At a Saturday mass, Rev. Rafael Torres-Rico told the congregation that allegations of sexual assault on a minor have been brought against Manning.

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831645 Denver police have arrested a man with AIDS on suspicion of prostitution, police said. Darren Garcia, 31, was taken into custody Wednesday when officers arrested prostitution suspects along Colfax Avenue, police said. Garcia has eight prior arrests for prostitution, police said, including two previous arrests on suspicion of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS. Garcia was one of 14 people arrested Wednesday in the undercover SWAT sting. The other 13 were women.

Editorial: ASSET bill offers hope to all students - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830763 A reworked bill that would allow Colorado's illegal immigrant high school students to pay reduced tuition at state colleges and universities strikes the right balance. Those who have attended high school in Colorado for three years would be eligible for a new class of tuition — more than in-state tuition, but far less than out-of-state tuition. The ASSET bill, as it is being called, would offer hope for students who are educationally stranded because of their immigration status.

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As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/as-democrats-shift-to-offense-obama-biden-address-house-retreat/2012/01/27/gIQAOxWqUQ_blog.html After two days of closed-door brainstorming sessions, briefings and panels featuring speakers including MSNBC’s Ed Schultz and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, the Democrats’ three-day “Reigniting the American Dream” conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay will conclude today with a 10:30 a.m. speech by Biden and a 1:15 p.m. address by Obama. Unlike last year’s meeting, this year’s retreat takes place days after the president’s combative State of the Union address — so lawmakers already have a sense of Obama’s likely message to his party. On the eve of the visit by the president and vice president, Democrats pointed to a new poll as a sign that they have reclaimed the momentum heading into 2012.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

U.S. economy grew at 2.8 percent rate | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/27/137132/us-economy-grew-at-28-percent.html The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the final three months of 2011, the government said Friday. The numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis were below the expectations of mainstream economists, most projecting 3 percent or higher. But the growth rate still points to a modest recovery, echoed by recent employment and manufacturing data.

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Bomb in Shiite neighborhood kills dozens in funeral procession - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-in-shiite-neighborhood-kills-dozens-in-funeral-procession/2012/01/27/gIQAD1H4UQ_story.html A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives amid a funeral procession here Friday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 60, a security official said. Mourners had gathered outside a hospital to receive the bodies of three people killed the night before, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The blast occurred in the Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, in the southeastern part of the city.

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137025/attack-on-nato-convoy-kills-4.html A suicide car bomber killed four Afghan civilians and wounded dozens Thursday in the southern province of Helmand, local officials said. The attack, which took place midmorning at a busy market in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, targeted armored vehicles that belonged to the U.S.-led NATO coalition. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the Taliban, which have their roots in southern Afghanistan. Thirty-one people were wounded, including three women who were visiting a doctor, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. He said a child with one of the women was among those killed.

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/surge-in-violence-killings-across-syria-un-security-council-set-to-meet/2012/01/27/gIQAKiVJVQ_story.html Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Activists in Homs said there were heavy casualties after a night of shelling and mortar fire, with military tanks again deployed across the city after being partially withdrawn last month at the outset of a monitoring mission by the Arab League. “In some areas, the shelling has not stopped for three days in a row. The regime is now waging full-scale war against the people,” said an activist in Homs who was contacted via Skype and uses the name Hadi al-Homsi. He described a “massacre” in the southeastern area of Karm al-Zeitoun, which is a focal point of military operations in the city.

Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

Costa Concordia’s captain lost precious time, official says | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137034/cruise-ships-captain-lost-precious.html The wasting of a "precious hour" by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of Italy's Coast Guard corps, Adm. Marco Brusco, made the remarks during a briefing to a parliament committee on the January 13 accident. "If Captain (Francesco) Schettino had not lost a precious hour ... it would have been possible to lower the lifeboats with calm, put the people at ease," Brusco said.

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120127,0,5568328.story Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, aiming for a knockout blow in next week's Florida primary, tore into Newt Gingrich in a televised debate Thursday night and vigorously defended his personal wealth as an asset in his presidential campaign. Romney was aggressive from the outset, starting with the issue of illegal immigration. Gingrich stood by a Spanish-language radio ad he had aired that said Romney was "anti-immigrant." Gingrich withdrew the ad after being admonished by Florida's popular Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney, noting that both his father and his wife's father were born outside the United States, said such language was "inexcusable."

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

Economic fairness eludes the GOP, but not Obama - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/economic-fairness-eludes-the-gop-but-not-obama/2012/01/26/gIQADOb3TQ_story.html If you heard a loud “gulp” Tuesday night after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked — that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

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Brazil buildings collapse; at least 4 dead, 18 missing - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-buildings-collapse-20120127,0,5791309.story Rescue workers in Brazil searched for survivors Thursday after three large buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, killing at least four people and leaving 18 or more missing.

A good pact on ‘super PACs’ - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-superpacs-20120127,0,908415.story The U.S. Senatecontest in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fascinating not just because it's one of the more competitive races for the upper house, or because it's likely to be the most expensive in history, but because of a strange and unusually honorable deal struck this week by the two candidates. Under their agreement, if an independent group such as a "super PAC" buys a TV ad backing one of the candidates, that candidate will donate an amount equal to half the cost of the ad to the charity of the opponent's choice. Thus, an ad placed independently by a super PAC could end up harming as well as helping its pick. To some, this pact is a flagrant violation of the free-speech rights of those individuals who contribute to super PACs. We think it's a sensible way of reducing the corrosive influence that independent political groups are having on our democracy in the wake of the Supreme Court's flawed Citizens United decision in 2010.

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ConocoPhillips’ oil roads in Alaska are an unwelcome intrusion - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/conocophillips-oil-roads-in-alaska-are-an-unwelcome-intrusion/2012/01/24/gIQAjoZ4TQ_story.html In the summer of 1998 I went to Prudhoe Bay, a major oil field on the North Slope of Alaska, prepared to listen carefully to oil companies eager to expand into the wilderness regions of the western Arctic. My priority was protection for Teshekpuk Lake, a large, aquamarine body of water at the center of globally important wetlands that draw nesting and breeding birds migrating from as far south as Chile and Argentina. The main environmental concern was the building of roads across the fragile expanses of tundra. Roads always beget more roads, generating networks that eventually destroy the wilderness character of the land and threaten wildlife, caribou herds and molting geese temporarily incapable of flight. I wanted to see firsthand if it would be possible to implement a new concept of roadless oil development.

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In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701269913/-1/News01/Obama-touts-natural-gas-in-Aurora His two-hour visit to Buckley Air Force base was his third Colorado stop in four months, and it came during a tour of swing states after his Tuesday night State of the Union address. The Colorado speech served as a highlight reel from Tuesday’s address, with an emphasis on energy. “For all our lives, America has been talking about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “Well, my administration has actually tried to do something about it.” U.S. oil production is at an eight-year high, and the country’s reliance on foreign oil is at a 16-year low, he said.

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831726 Hispanic Republicans Thursday denounced President Barack Obama, saying his policies have hurt the country and he is spending more time campaigning for president than actually serving as president. In a news conference at the state Capitol, Jefferson County Reps. Robert Ramirez and Libby Szabo — the lone two Hispanics in the GOP caucus — ripped Obama, who will be in Aurora this afternoon for a campaign stop to talk about energy. "He is here today, promising our military new energy resources, those mostly of green energy but he's not willing to talk to all of us," said Ramirez, of Westminster.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

President’s visit tickles two Colorado boys | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/windsor-brothers-meet-obama-cant-wait-to-tell-their-school-friends/56480/ Talked about two excited kids. The Turner boys — 9-year-old Colby and 11-year-old Cameron — had front-row seats at President Obama’s speech. The president autographed his book “The Audacity of Hope” for them. And the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force gave them medallions.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270349/Paul-make-appearance-CSU Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak at CSU in Fort Collins on Tuesday. A Ron Paul spokeswoman said the congressman is set to speak around 3 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, but logistics are still being finalized and further details would be provided closer to the event. The ballroom can hold about 1,100 people, and organizers say they plan to have local bands playing before Paul speaks. CSU officials said Paul's appearance is being organized by a student group and is not an official university event.

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110920/tipton-struggles-to-win-voter-approval-but-leads-in-early-poll Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado’s Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent. Of 569 individuals polled, 39 percent say incumbent Tipton deserves to be re-elected but only 36 percent approve of the job he is doing. Tipton’s job approval is 12 points lower than the 48 percent job approval then-Rep. John Salazar notched in a similar poll conducted in 2010. Tipton ended up beating Salazar, whose popularity was tested by votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act. “People are upset with the way Washington is conducting business– and it shows,” Pace said in a press release.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/immigrant-tuition-break-advances/article_b56b5cba-48ab-11e1-8415-0019bb2963f4.html A Pueblo lawmaker’s proposal to create a level of discount college tuition for illegal immigrants cleared a Senate panel Thursday on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democrats on the Senate Education Committee favored SB15, sponsored by Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver. They touted it as a boost to college revenue, a return on the investment the state has made in students’ public schooling and a bargain for the state, which would not subsidize any part of the students’ college costs. “We can’t and must not allow another generation of immigrants to struggle for the chance to contribute to American society,” Giron said. “These students were brought here as babies and small children. They worked hard, got good grades, have been accepted to college.”

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/homefood-business-bills-find-favor-in-first-hearin Committees in the Colorado House and Senate on Thursday simultaneously heard two bills introduced by local lawmakers designed to help Coloradans create their own home-food businesses. While the House Economic and Business Development Committee approved a measure offered by Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee supported another one introduced by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Both measures center on allowing would-be entrepreneurs to use their own home kitchens to produce products meant for local sale.

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/lawmakers-oppose-water-law-change/article_3911e38e-48a9-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html State lawmakers received applause Thursday from the Colorado Water Congress for their opposition to a pair of initiatives that would seriously alter Colorado water law. “If we don’t defeat these initiatives, those uneducated about water will take control and irrigated agriculture will cease to be important,” said Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, [R]-Sterling. The water congress, which represents multiple state water interests, is meeting for the 54th year at its annual convention. The CWC has opposed two initiatives by Richard Hamilton of Fairplay and his attorney Phil Doe of Littleton.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/go-ahead-mr-speaker-make-my-day/56239/ Watch out Frank McNulty: A legislative proposal could allow a certain deputy city attorney to pack heat. House Bill 1026 confers peace officer status on city attorneys, their assistants and such. Each jurisdiction will decide whether those staffers can be armed. Denver’s new deputy city attorney is Scott Martinez, a key player in last year’s congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. He worked on Democratic maps ultimately approved by the Colorado Supreme Court, to the dismay of Republicans.

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19826225 Broomfield Democrat Dianne Primavera will officially kick off her campaign for House District 33 in an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona's Mexican Grill, 2255 W. 136th Ave. Primavera, a two-term state representative who was defeated by a 330-vote margin in 2010, announced her candidacy in December. Primavera will face Republican David Pigott in the November election. Pigott, a lawyer at Denver firm Bloch and Chapleau LLC, on Nov. 17 filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the HD 33 seat and officially kicked off his campaign, his first for political office, earlier this month.

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279927/-1/News01/Colorado-Democrats-disqualify-Swonger-from-primary The Colorado Democratic Party has disqualified Patrick Swonger from its primary in the 59th state House District. From the day Swonger kicked off his run two weeks ago, people began contacting the party to complain he was ineligible given his insufficient tenure as a registered Democrat. The Colorado Democratic Party declined to identify who reported Swonger. Party rules stipulate that candidates must be registered for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832002 Gov. John Hickenlooper is recommending the privatization of Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund, despite the ongoing concerns of business groups. However, Hickenlooper also is recommending a few tweaks to the proposal, giving the state a slightly larger ownership stake in what would be the newly privatized mutual assurance company and creating a new fund for injured workers. "Most of the large policyholders I've talked to, almost without fail, they've been pretty enthusiastic" about the privatization proposal, Hickenlooper told reporters Thursday in a conference call from Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/judge-denies-effort-block-co-abortion-protester/ A judge Thursday denied the federal government's request to keep a longtime anti-abortion protester from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver's Planned Parenthood center. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department's argument that Kenneth Scott's actions make it "unreasonably difficult" for patients and employees to get to the clinic. "Great news," one of Scott's lawyers, Peter Breen, said of Brimmer's late-evening ruling.

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19831444 A judge has ruled that police violated two Occupy Boulder protesters' Fourth Amendment rights when officers opened tent flaps to see whether the people inside were sleeping. In a ruling received by attorneys Thursday, Boulder Municipal Judge Linda Cooke said the Occupy Boulder protesters did have a reasonable expectation of privacy while camping on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street. Police did not have warrants to search the tents, and as a result, the observations of the officers will be suppressed in court. The two protesters, P.J. Jentsch and Katie DeMichele, were ticketed Nov. 21 along with nine others at the site of the former Occupy Boulder protest. Police officers opened the flap to the tent where Jentsch and DeMichele were sleeping before issuing them a ticket for camping.

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-132411-consider-oil.html After concerns from county commissioners and a warning letter from the Attorney General’s Office about El Paso County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, county planning staff have come up with a revised proposal for the commission to consider at its Jan. 31 meeting. County spokesman Dave Rose said the commissioners will consider both the original and the new proposals in their discussions. “I think they’ll have a long and extensive discussion next Tuesday,” Rose said.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f22178bc9832347734804.txt What does a 550-mile-long pipeline draining water from the southwest corner of Wyoming to the Front Range have to do with San Miguel County? Enough for the Board of County Commissioners to draft a resolution opposing the proposed $9 billion project. The plan calls for more than 200,000 acre-feet per year to be pumped from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which stores water from the Green River — over the Continental Divide and into Denver. (An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water, and 200,000 acre-feet is just over a fifth of the Green River’s annual flow.) If the project is built, water will flow through a pair of 42-inch pipes along Interstate 80. Dreamt up by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million, the pipeline would feed Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. “We’re always very cautious about protecting our resources,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Elaine Fischer.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19831100 Lakewood-based ZeaChem, a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of wood and other materials into fuels and chemicals, was selected for a $232.5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the company said Thursday. ZeaChem said the conditional commitment from the USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program enables the financing and construction of its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery. The 25-million-gallon-per-year facility is being built in Boardman, Ore.

Generation Xers skipping flu shots - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/generation-xers-skipping-flu-shots/article_f88e2c76-48af-11e1-abcf-0019bb2963f4.html At least three Puebloans died from complications from H1N1 and Colorado saw 2,041 people hospitalized during the height of the outbreak. Dr. Ken Gershman, epidemiologist and chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said that during the 2010-11 season, cases leveled off, mainly because H1N1 was part of the year’s vaccine. In 2009, it was developed separately and given late in the year. Jon D. Miller, author of the report, was somewhat optimistic. “These results suggest that young adults in Generation X did reasonably well in their first encounter with a major epidemic.

Denver names panelists who will help pick police monitor - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832003 Mayor Michael Hancock on Thursday announced the five people who will help pick Denver's next police watchdog. The Office of the Independent Monitor was created in 2005 to monitor internal investigations of police officers and sheriff's deputies and make recommendations on discipline. It was created after two controversial police shootings. The first monitor, Richard Rosenthal, was sometimes at odds with the Denver Police Department. Many officers and safety officials believed he overstepped his role, while supporters said his tough approach was just what was needed.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129846/1001 When the U.S. economy is good, Aspen does “incredible.” So what happens when the U.S. economy is bad? “You all suck,” said Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. “You are a function of what people feel because they are coming here to spend their money.” But the outlook for Aspen isn't all doom and gloom.

Van Dusen drops out of Boulder County commissioner’s contest - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828203 Longmont Democrat Bill Van Dusen announced Thursday that he's decided to withdraw his candidacy for a Boulder County commissioner's seat. Van Dusen, an attorney, educator and small business owner, had been running for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners that's up for election in November. But on Jan. 8, Van Dusen finished second in a three-way contest to step into that seat early. A Boulder County Democratic Party committee chose Deb Gardner over Van Dusen and former Longmont City Councilman Tom McCoy to fill the vacancy created in December, when then-Commissioner Ben Pearlman resigned to become Boulder County attorney.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

Commissioner candidate to challenge incumbent | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129865/1001 The first Republican jumped into the county commissioner's race to challenge the Democratic incumbent. Mike Beltracchi, 51, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Stavney for the District 2 seat, running roughly from Eagle to Edwards. In his announcement, Beltracchi already drew a line in the sand over the county's open space tax.

Colorado new-home permits increase in 2011 - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832016 Colorado home builders, for the second year in a row, pulled more permits than they did the year before. Through November 2011, the state recorded 12,758 single-family and multifamily building permits, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a 10 percent increase from the 11,591 permits pulled in all of 2010. Colorado new-home sales also are expected to inch out a small gain in 2011, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. That bucks the national trend, where a 2.2 percent decline in December put 2011 new-home sales at their lowest level in 50 years of record keeping.

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Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

Colorado AG weighs in on DPS, union fight over Innovation Schools Act - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831908 The Colorado attorney general's office issued an opinion this week backing Denver Public Schools in a dispute with teachers about the state's Innovation Schools Act. Because the opinion favors the school district — saying the act applies to planned new schools as well as existing schools — DPS is calling for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association to drop its lawsuit over the issue. "The attorney general's opinion makes it clear that the actions of DPS and the State Board of Education are fully consistent with the law," district spokesman Mike Vaughn said. "We think it's time to move beyond this lawsuit and focus more resources on the classroom and fewer on the courtroom." Union president Henry Roman said the suit won't be dropped.

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/UPDATES01/120127003/Poudre-Valley-Hospital-receives-top-national-nursing-award For the fifth year in a row, the nation's leading nurse association presented its top award to Poudre Valley Hospital for the outstanding achievements that nurses accomplish in patient care and safety. The American Nurses Association, which represents 3.1 million nurses in the United States, presented the Fort Collins hospital in Colorado with the Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality. The presentation was made Thursday in Las Vegas during the annual AHA nursing quality conference.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/SPORTS/120129845/1001 People who have been critical of the way the Basalt Regional Library District has been operated over the past year will be able to do something about it this winter. Three of the seven positions on the library district's board of trustees are up for appointment in March. One incumbent, Taylor Liebmann, has announced that he will not seek reappointment. He represents Pitkin County. Current board member Christine Tinner, who represents Basalt, has reapplied. Liz Gremillion, who represents Eagle County, has expressed an interest in returning. Applicants must live in the jurisdiction where they are applying. The terms are three years.

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129830/1001 While Summit School District starts exploring whether there will be enough growth to necessitate a new elementary school within the next 10 years, it is predicting some ups and downs in enrollment for next school year. Despite the opening of The Peak School this fall, the middle school's population is predicted to increase by about 6.2 percent, due to a large fifth-grade class getting ready to enter, according to assistant superintendent Karen Strakbein. About 20 students are expected to enroll in the new school, but an almost 40-child difference between the current fifth-grade class and sixth-grade class still means an uptick of students for SMS next year. The current fifth-grade consists of 268 students, while the sixth-grade has 206.

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/board-132419-thursday-meeting.html Falcon School District 49 school board member Chris Wright said Thursday that he will not be resigning from the board. "After 100's of communications from folks within and without the district, I have decided to withdraw my resignation and take some time to reconsider my options and review the thoughts of those who have pleaded with me to remain in public office on the d49 Board of Education," he said in an email. Wright said Monday morning that he planned to submit his resignation from the board at the special meeting Thursday night.

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/wright-132441-board-resign.html Falcon School District 49 board member Christopher Wright did not resign Thursday night as expected, although he was absent from the special meeting. Wright said Monday that he planned to resign. On Thursday, he changed his mind. In an email statement, he said communications from hundreds of people caused him to reconsider. The D-49 attorney advised the board to proceed as usual, since Wright’s resignation was retracted via email before being formally presented.

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129893/1001 Full-time teachers and staff in the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 will each receive a one-time stipend this year of $1,500, using funds from the $4.8 million mill levy override approved by district voters in November. Part-time employees will also receive a bonus of between $750 and $1,200, depending on the percentage of time they work. The plan was approved by the Re-1 school board at its regular meeting held at Basalt High School on Wednesday. It's possible the board could approve another bonus for employees of between $250 and $500 later this spring, using some of the remaining funds that are available for this school year.

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/city-schools-slate-later-opening/article_93d3623e-48a9-11e1-9f04-0019bb2963f4.html Pueblo City Schools district (D60) students will begin class after Labor Day in a move to escape the late August heat that plagued the system this year. Schools that follow the traditional calendar will begin classes on Sept. 4 as part of a new schedule approved by the school board Tuesday night.

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/cca-dolores-huerta-await-decision-on-joint-charter/article_f0f7575a-48ad-11e1-a0df-0019bb2963f4.html Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High charter schools will have to wait another two weeks to find out if the Pueblo City Schools district (D60) will approve a joint charter application. CCA and DHPH officials are seeking a single charter for a kindergarten through 12th-grade academy. Currently, there is one charter for CCA, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, and another for the high school.

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_19828552 Former University of Colorado President Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken was appointed today to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership on the Boulder campus. After serving as interim CU president in 2000, Bracken will fill the shoes of former CU President Hank Brown, who held the position from 2008-10. “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this appointment as the Newton Endowed Chair,” Bracken said in a statement.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832011 After more than a quarter-century buried in a concrete wall, a copper time capsule was recovered from an old Denver school Thursday morning, just one day before the building will be torn to the ground. "It's amazing when you live through a cycle," said Al Bernahardt, 62, the construction foreman for Gove Middle School when it was built in 1975. Bernahardt was nostalgic as he watched the school he built torn apart as he helped locate the time capsule.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

Longmont Mayor backs right for homosexuals to marry - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828075 Mayor Dennis Coombs has added his name to a list of U.S. mayors who support "marriage equality," the legal right for homosexuals to marry. Coombs is one of only two Colorado mayors on the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" list at freedomtomarry.org, along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The movement is chaired by the mayors of New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. Confirming his support for the issue on Thursday, Coombs said that this was his personal feeling and not anything that specifically bound the city of Longmont.

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129827/1001 At its Tuesday work session, the Frisco Town Council reviewed potential changes to the building code, which will likely include fee changes. According to Frisco community development director Jocelyn Mills, revisions to the code are designed to meet the goal of making her government branch “more friendly and efficient.” “We're really working toward practical, common-sense solutions,” she said.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Frederick-Firestone fire district opens new ‘nerve center’ space - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/carbon-valley-news/ci_19831321 For five years, the Frederick-Firestone fire district knew it needed more space. On Thursday, it luxuriated in it. "All of our training, our administration, our warehouse facilities, are all based out of here now," said Fire Chief Ted Poszywak as he showed off the district's new business and education center at its grand opening. "It is our nerve center. It just about is."

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/shelter-outgrows-its-building Every night and morning, guests replay a familiar game to jockey for space at the Homeward Bound homeless shelter. Because there aren’t enough bunks to house everyone, mattresses and bedding are pulled out for people to spread out on the floor, often sleeping head to head and foot to foot. In the morning, the mattresses are tucked back under the stationary bunks, and tables and chairs that were pushed off to the side to make room are repositioned for folks to sit down to breakfast. The 9,800-square-foot building at 2583 North Ave., which houses up to 167 people during the most frigid winter nights, long has been packed. To help alleviate the crowds of single people and families seeking shelter, a local overflow program offered for the past five years through local churches finds space for up to 30 single men each night. But church volunteers are getting weary of the added responsibilities that initially were dubbed as a temporary solution, Homeward Bound Executive Director Gi Moon said.

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Vets return to Vail slopes | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129863/1001 Some wear uniforms, some wear prosthetics but this week they all wear smiles. The Vail Veterans Program is hosting its latest group of military veterans, all wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Vail wins the award for most heroes per square foot. Take breakfast at the Larkspur. Heroes are packed around every table, asking and answering the question, “How fast does it go?”

Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831884 Douglas and Arapahoe counties logged big increases in suicides in 2011, while the tallies in other metro-area counties have remained about the same or experienced a slight decrease. While final numbers still are being compiled, Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas said the tally of 46 suicides last year is up from 36 the year before and nearly double the 26 counted in 2009. Arapahoe County recorded 103 suicides in 2011, up from 69 in 2010. In Jefferson and Boulder counties, the numbers remained virtually the same in 2011. Weld and Adams counties both logged decreases.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832017 Frontier Airlines is coming home, bringing its headquarters back to Denver with Thursday's announcement of a chief executive and a new senior management team that will be based here. David Siegel, a 20-year airline and travel veteran, was named CEO, president and interim chief operating officer of Frontier. In addition to serving in several chief executive positions, Siegal has been an independent director on the board of Frontier's parent company, Republic Airways Holdings. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said Siegel is "the right guy at the right time for the next step in the process" of putting Frontier "back on independent footing" as it seeks a new owner.

Boulder honors firefighters killed in training exercise 30 years ago today - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19827217 This morning, friends, family members and firefighters gathered at Boulder's Station 3 to remember William J. Duran and Scott L. Smith, and the fire that claimed their lives during a training accident 30 year ago today. The Boulder Fire Department's flags are flying at half-staff. It was a tragedy that left deep wounds in the two families and the Boulder Fire Department, and it led to national changes in standards for training exercises. Battalion Chief Gilbert Espinoza, who was on duty that day and counted Duran among his best friends, said the handful of firefighters still with the department who were serving that day consider it a duty and an honor to pass on the story to younger firefighters.

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19829817 A former Boulder County deputy accused of Internet exploitation of children told investigators in November that he has been obsessed with young girls for years, but it "escalated and intensified" after he investigated a homicide in the late 1980s in which he "located and recovered dismembered remains" of a victim he knew. Boulder County Judge John Stavely unsealed the arrest warrant affidavit for Rick Ferguson, 53, during a brief hearing in Boulder District Court on Thursday afternoon. Defense attorney Larry Mertes argued against unsealing the court document, saying that pretrial publicity would taint the local jury pool. Stavely said with the conclusion of the investigation, the public's right to access was in play and that juries are frequently successfully seated in Boulder County for cases that received pretrial coverage.

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/group-132432-springs-answers.html Members of an advocate group for victims of priest sexual abuse met in front of the headquarters of the Archidiocese of St. Louis Thursday afternoon to demand answers about Rev. Charles Robert Manning of Colorado Springs. The group, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is a national organization that acts as a watch-dog for sexual assault crimes brought against religious leaders. It wants Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis to clear up ambiguities in Manning’s history with the Catholic church after learning that Manning is being investigated in a sexual assault case in Colorado. Manning, formerly of three St. Louis Catholic parishes, came to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs in 2007. At a Saturday mass, Rev. Rafael Torres-Rico told the congregation that allegations of sexual assault on a minor have been brought against Manning.

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831645 Denver police have arrested a man with AIDS on suspicion of prostitution, police said. Darren Garcia, 31, was taken into custody Wednesday when officers arrested prostitution suspects along Colfax Avenue, police said. Garcia has eight prior arrests for prostitution, police said, including two previous arrests on suspicion of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS. Garcia was one of 14 people arrested Wednesday in the undercover SWAT sting. The other 13 were women.

Editorial: ASSET bill offers hope to all students - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830763 A reworked bill that would allow Colorado's illegal immigrant high school students to pay reduced tuition at state colleges and universities strikes the right balance. Those who have attended high school in Colorado for three years would be eligible for a new class of tuition — more than in-state tuition, but far less than out-of-state tuition. The ASSET bill, as it is being called, would offer hope for students who are educationally stranded because of their immigration status.

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Bomb in Shiite neighborhood kills dozens in funeral procession - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-in-shiite-neighborhood-kills-dozens-in-funeral-procession/2012/01/27/gIQAD1H4UQ_story.html A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives amid a funeral procession here Friday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 60, a security official said. Mourners had gathered outside a hospital to receive the bodies of three people killed the night before, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The blast occurred in the Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, in the southeastern part of the city.

Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

Costa Concordia’s captain lost precious time, official says | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137034/cruise-ships-captain-lost-precious.html The wasting of a "precious hour" by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of Italy's Coast Guard corps, Adm. Marco Brusco, made the remarks during a briefing to a parliament committee on the January 13 accident. "If Captain (Francesco) Schettino had not lost a precious hour ... it would have been possible to lower the lifeboats with calm, put the people at ease," Brusco said.

Brazil buildings collapse; at least 4 dead, 18 missing - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-buildings-collapse-20120127,0,5791309.story Rescue workers in Brazil searched for survivors Thursday after three large buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, killing at least four people and leaving 18 or more missing.

As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/as-democrats-shift-to-offense-obama-biden-address-house-retreat/2012/01/27/gIQAOxWqUQ_blog.html After two days of closed-door brainstorming sessions, briefings and panels featuring speakers including MSNBC’s Ed Schultz and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, the Democrats’ three-day “Reigniting the American Dream” conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay will conclude today with a 10:30 a.m. speech by Biden and a 1:15 p.m. address by Obama. Unlike last year’s meeting, this year’s retreat takes place days after the president’s combative State of the Union address — so lawmakers already have a sense of Obama’s likely message to his party. On the eve of the visit by the president and vice president, Democrats pointed to a new poll as a sign that they have reclaimed the momentum heading into 2012.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

U.S. economy grew at 2.8 percent rate | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/27/137132/us-economy-grew-at-28-percent.html The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the final three months of 2011, the government said Friday. The numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis were below the expectations of mainstream economists, most projecting 3 percent or higher. But the growth rate still points to a modest recovery, echoed by recent employment and manufacturing data.

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Bomb in Shiite neighborhood kills dozens in funeral procession - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-in-shiite-neighborhood-kills-dozens-in-funeral-procession/2012/01/27/gIQAD1H4UQ_story.html A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives amid a funeral procession here Friday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 60, a security official said. Mourners had gathered outside a hospital to receive the bodies of three people killed the night before, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The blast occurred in the Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, in the southeastern part of the city.

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137025/attack-on-nato-convoy-kills-4.html A suicide car bomber killed four Afghan civilians and wounded dozens Thursday in the southern province of Helmand, local officials said. The attack, which took place midmorning at a busy market in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, targeted armored vehicles that belonged to the U.S.-led NATO coalition. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the Taliban, which have their roots in southern Afghanistan. Thirty-one people were wounded, including three women who were visiting a doctor, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. He said a child with one of the women was among those killed.

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/surge-in-violence-killings-across-syria-un-security-council-set-to-meet/2012/01/27/gIQAKiVJVQ_story.html Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Activists in Homs said there were heavy casualties after a night of shelling and mortar fire, with military tanks again deployed across the city after being partially withdrawn last month at the outset of a monitoring mission by the Arab League. “In some areas, the shelling has not stopped for three days in a row. The regime is now waging full-scale war against the people,” said an activist in Homs who was contacted via Skype and uses the name Hadi al-Homsi. He described a “massacre” in the southeastern area of Karm al-Zeitoun, which is a focal point of military operations in the city.

Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

Costa Concordia’s captain lost precious time, official says | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137034/cruise-ships-captain-lost-precious.html The wasting of a "precious hour" by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of Italy's Coast Guard corps, Adm. Marco Brusco, made the remarks during a briefing to a parliament committee on the January 13 accident. "If Captain (Francesco) Schettino had not lost a precious hour ... it would have been possible to lower the lifeboats with calm, put the people at ease," Brusco said.

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120127,0,5568328.story Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, aiming for a knockout blow in next week's Florida primary, tore into Newt Gingrich in a televised debate Thursday night and vigorously defended his personal wealth as an asset in his presidential campaign. Romney was aggressive from the outset, starting with the issue of illegal immigration. Gingrich stood by a Spanish-language radio ad he had aired that said Romney was "anti-immigrant." Gingrich withdrew the ad after being admonished by Florida's popular Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney, noting that both his father and his wife's father were born outside the United States, said such language was "inexcusable."

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

Economic fairness eludes the GOP, but not Obama - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/economic-fairness-eludes-the-gop-but-not-obama/2012/01/26/gIQADOb3TQ_story.html If you heard a loud “gulp” Tuesday night after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked — that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

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Brazil buildings collapse; at least 4 dead, 18 missing - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-buildings-collapse-20120127,0,5791309.story Rescue workers in Brazil searched for survivors Thursday after three large buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, killing at least four people and leaving 18 or more missing.

A good pact on ‘super PACs’ - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-superpacs-20120127,0,908415.story The U.S. Senatecontest in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fascinating not just because it's one of the more competitive races for the upper house, or because it's likely to be the most expensive in history, but because of a strange and unusually honorable deal struck this week by the two candidates. Under their agreement, if an independent group such as a "super PAC" buys a TV ad backing one of the candidates, that candidate will donate an amount equal to half the cost of the ad to the charity of the opponent's choice. Thus, an ad placed independently by a super PAC could end up harming as well as helping its pick. To some, this pact is a flagrant violation of the free-speech rights of those individuals who contribute to super PACs. We think it's a sensible way of reducing the corrosive influence that independent political groups are having on our democracy in the wake of the Supreme Court's flawed Citizens United decision in 2010.

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ConocoPhillips’ oil roads in Alaska are an unwelcome intrusion - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/conocophillips-oil-roads-in-alaska-are-an-unwelcome-intrusion/2012/01/24/gIQAjoZ4TQ_story.html In the summer of 1998 I went to Prudhoe Bay, a major oil field on the North Slope of Alaska, prepared to listen carefully to oil companies eager to expand into the wilderness regions of the western Arctic. My priority was protection for Teshekpuk Lake, a large, aquamarine body of water at the center of globally important wetlands that draw nesting and breeding birds migrating from as far south as Chile and Argentina. The main environmental concern was the building of roads across the fragile expanses of tundra. Roads always beget more roads, generating networks that eventually destroy the wilderness character of the land and threaten wildlife, caribou herds and molting geese temporarily incapable of flight. I wanted to see firsthand if it would be possible to implement a new concept of roadless oil development.

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In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701269913/-1/News01/Obama-touts-natural-gas-in-Aurora His two-hour visit to Buckley Air Force base was his third Colorado stop in four months, and it came during a tour of swing states after his Tuesday night State of the Union address. The Colorado speech served as a highlight reel from Tuesday’s address, with an emphasis on energy. “For all our lives, America has been talking about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “Well, my administration has actually tried to do something about it.” U.S. oil production is at an eight-year high, and the country’s reliance on foreign oil is at a 16-year low, he said.

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831726 Hispanic Republicans Thursday denounced President Barack Obama, saying his policies have hurt the country and he is spending more time campaigning for president than actually serving as president. In a news conference at the state Capitol, Jefferson County Reps. Robert Ramirez and Libby Szabo — the lone two Hispanics in the GOP caucus — ripped Obama, who will be in Aurora this afternoon for a campaign stop to talk about energy. "He is here today, promising our military new energy resources, those mostly of green energy but he's not willing to talk to all of us," said Ramirez, of Westminster.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

President’s visit tickles two Colorado boys | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/windsor-brothers-meet-obama-cant-wait-to-tell-their-school-friends/56480/ Talked about two excited kids. The Turner boys — 9-year-old Colby and 11-year-old Cameron — had front-row seats at President Obama’s speech. The president autographed his book “The Audacity of Hope” for them. And the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force gave them medallions.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270349/Paul-make-appearance-CSU Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak at CSU in Fort Collins on Tuesday. A Ron Paul spokeswoman said the congressman is set to speak around 3 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, but logistics are still being finalized and further details would be provided closer to the event. The ballroom can hold about 1,100 people, and organizers say they plan to have local bands playing before Paul speaks. CSU officials said Paul's appearance is being organized by a student group and is not an official university event.

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110920/tipton-struggles-to-win-voter-approval-but-leads-in-early-poll Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado’s Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent. Of 569 individuals polled, 39 percent say incumbent Tipton deserves to be re-elected but only 36 percent approve of the job he is doing. Tipton’s job approval is 12 points lower than the 48 percent job approval then-Rep. John Salazar notched in a similar poll conducted in 2010. Tipton ended up beating Salazar, whose popularity was tested by votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act. “People are upset with the way Washington is conducting business– and it shows,” Pace said in a press release.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/immigrant-tuition-break-advances/article_b56b5cba-48ab-11e1-8415-0019bb2963f4.html A Pueblo lawmaker’s proposal to create a level of discount college tuition for illegal immigrants cleared a Senate panel Thursday on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democrats on the Senate Education Committee favored SB15, sponsored by Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver. They touted it as a boost to college revenue, a return on the investment the state has made in students’ public schooling and a bargain for the state, which would not subsidize any part of the students’ college costs. “We can’t and must not allow another generation of immigrants to struggle for the chance to contribute to American society,” Giron said. “These students were brought here as babies and small children. They worked hard, got good grades, have been accepted to college.”

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/homefood-business-bills-find-favor-in-first-hearin Committees in the Colorado House and Senate on Thursday simultaneously heard two bills introduced by local lawmakers designed to help Coloradans create their own home-food businesses. While the House Economic and Business Development Committee approved a measure offered by Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee supported another one introduced by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Both measures center on allowing would-be entrepreneurs to use their own home kitchens to produce products meant for local sale.

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/lawmakers-oppose-water-law-change/article_3911e38e-48a9-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html State lawmakers received applause Thursday from the Colorado Water Congress for their opposition to a pair of initiatives that would seriously alter Colorado water law. “If we don’t defeat these initiatives, those uneducated about water will take control and irrigated agriculture will cease to be important,” said Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, [R]-Sterling. The water congress, which represents multiple state water interests, is meeting for the 54th year at its annual convention. The CWC has opposed two initiatives by Richard Hamilton of Fairplay and his attorney Phil Doe of Littleton.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/go-ahead-mr-speaker-make-my-day/56239/ Watch out Frank McNulty: A legislative proposal could allow a certain deputy city attorney to pack heat. House Bill 1026 confers peace officer status on city attorneys, their assistants and such. Each jurisdiction will decide whether those staffers can be armed. Denver’s new deputy city attorney is Scott Martinez, a key player in last year’s congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. He worked on Democratic maps ultimately approved by the Colorado Supreme Court, to the dismay of Republicans.

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19826225 Broomfield Democrat Dianne Primavera will officially kick off her campaign for House District 33 in an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona's Mexican Grill, 2255 W. 136th Ave. Primavera, a two-term state representative who was defeated by a 330-vote margin in 2010, announced her candidacy in December. Primavera will face Republican David Pigott in the November election. Pigott, a lawyer at Denver firm Bloch and Chapleau LLC, on Nov. 17 filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the HD 33 seat and officially kicked off his campaign, his first for political office, earlier this month.

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279927/-1/News01/Colorado-Democrats-disqualify-Swonger-from-primary The Colorado Democratic Party has disqualified Patrick Swonger from its primary in the 59th state House District. From the day Swonger kicked off his run two weeks ago, people began contacting the party to complain he was ineligible given his insufficient tenure as a registered Democrat. The Colorado Democratic Party declined to identify who reported Swonger. Party rules stipulate that candidates must be registered for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832002 Gov. John Hickenlooper is recommending the privatization of Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund, despite the ongoing concerns of business groups. However, Hickenlooper also is recommending a few tweaks to the proposal, giving the state a slightly larger ownership stake in what would be the newly privatized mutual assurance company and creating a new fund for injured workers. "Most of the large policyholders I've talked to, almost without fail, they've been pretty enthusiastic" about the privatization proposal, Hickenlooper told reporters Thursday in a conference call from Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/judge-denies-effort-block-co-abortion-protester/ A judge Thursday denied the federal government's request to keep a longtime anti-abortion protester from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver's Planned Parenthood center. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department's argument that Kenneth Scott's actions make it "unreasonably difficult" for patients and employees to get to the clinic. "Great news," one of Scott's lawyers, Peter Breen, said of Brimmer's late-evening ruling.

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19831444 A judge has ruled that police violated two Occupy Boulder protesters' Fourth Amendment rights when officers opened tent flaps to see whether the people inside were sleeping. In a ruling received by attorneys Thursday, Boulder Municipal Judge Linda Cooke said the Occupy Boulder protesters did have a reasonable expectation of privacy while camping on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street. Police did not have warrants to search the tents, and as a result, the observations of the officers will be suppressed in court. The two protesters, P.J. Jentsch and Katie DeMichele, were ticketed Nov. 21 along with nine others at the site of the former Occupy Boulder protest. Police officers opened the flap to the tent where Jentsch and DeMichele were sleeping before issuing them a ticket for camping.

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-132411-consider-oil.html After concerns from county commissioners and a warning letter from the Attorney General’s Office about El Paso County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, county planning staff have come up with a revised proposal for the commission to consider at its Jan. 31 meeting. County spokesman Dave Rose said the commissioners will consider both the original and the new proposals in their discussions. “I think they’ll have a long and extensive discussion next Tuesday,” Rose said.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f22178bc9832347734804.txt What does a 550-mile-long pipeline draining water from the southwest corner of Wyoming to the Front Range have to do with San Miguel County? Enough for the Board of County Commissioners to draft a resolution opposing the proposed $9 billion project. The plan calls for more than 200,000 acre-feet per year to be pumped from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which stores water from the Green River — over the Continental Divide and into Denver. (An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water, and 200,000 acre-feet is just over a fifth of the Green River’s annual flow.) If the project is built, water will flow through a pair of 42-inch pipes along Interstate 80. Dreamt up by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million, the pipeline would feed Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. “We’re always very cautious about protecting our resources,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Elaine Fischer.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19831100 Lakewood-based ZeaChem, a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of wood and other materials into fuels and chemicals, was selected for a $232.5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the company said Thursday. ZeaChem said the conditional commitment from the USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program enables the financing and construction of its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery. The 25-million-gallon-per-year facility is being built in Boardman, Ore.

Generation Xers skipping flu shots - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/generation-xers-skipping-flu-shots/article_f88e2c76-48af-11e1-abcf-0019bb2963f4.html At least three Puebloans died from complications from H1N1 and Colorado saw 2,041 people hospitalized during the height of the outbreak. Dr. Ken Gershman, epidemiologist and chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said that during the 2010-11 season, cases leveled off, mainly because H1N1 was part of the year’s vaccine. In 2009, it was developed separately and given late in the year. Jon D. Miller, author of the report, was somewhat optimistic. “These results suggest that young adults in Generation X did reasonably well in their first encounter with a major epidemic.

Denver names panelists who will help pick police monitor - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832003 Mayor Michael Hancock on Thursday announced the five people who will help pick Denver's next police watchdog. The Office of the Independent Monitor was created in 2005 to monitor internal investigations of police officers and sheriff's deputies and make recommendations on discipline. It was created after two controversial police shootings. The first monitor, Richard Rosenthal, was sometimes at odds with the Denver Police Department. Many officers and safety officials believed he overstepped his role, while supporters said his tough approach was just what was needed.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129846/1001 When the U.S. economy is good, Aspen does “incredible.” So what happens when the U.S. economy is bad? “You all suck,” said Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. “You are a function of what people feel because they are coming here to spend their money.” But the outlook for Aspen isn't all doom and gloom.

Van Dusen drops out of Boulder County commissioner’s contest - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828203 Longmont Democrat Bill Van Dusen announced Thursday that he's decided to withdraw his candidacy for a Boulder County commissioner's seat. Van Dusen, an attorney, educator and small business owner, had been running for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners that's up for election in November. But on Jan. 8, Van Dusen finished second in a three-way contest to step into that seat early. A Boulder County Democratic Party committee chose Deb Gardner over Van Dusen and former Longmont City Councilman Tom McCoy to fill the vacancy created in December, when then-Commissioner Ben Pearlman resigned to become Boulder County attorney.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

Commissioner candidate to challenge incumbent | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129865/1001 The first Republican jumped into the county commissioner's race to challenge the Democratic incumbent. Mike Beltracchi, 51, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Stavney for the District 2 seat, running roughly from Eagle to Edwards. In his announcement, Beltracchi already drew a line in the sand over the county's open space tax.

Colorado new-home permits increase in 2011 - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832016 Colorado home builders, for the second year in a row, pulled more permits than they did the year before. Through November 2011, the state recorded 12,758 single-family and multifamily building permits, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a 10 percent increase from the 11,591 permits pulled in all of 2010. Colorado new-home sales also are expected to inch out a small gain in 2011, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. That bucks the national trend, where a 2.2 percent decline in December put 2011 new-home sales at their lowest level in 50 years of record keeping.

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Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

Colorado AG weighs in on DPS, union fight over Innovation Schools Act - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831908 The Colorado attorney general's office issued an opinion this week backing Denver Public Schools in a dispute with teachers about the state's Innovation Schools Act. Because the opinion favors the school district — saying the act applies to planned new schools as well as existing schools — DPS is calling for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association to drop its lawsuit over the issue. "The attorney general's opinion makes it clear that the actions of DPS and the State Board of Education are fully consistent with the law," district spokesman Mike Vaughn said. "We think it's time to move beyond this lawsuit and focus more resources on the classroom and fewer on the courtroom." Union president Henry Roman said the suit won't be dropped.

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/UPDATES01/120127003/Poudre-Valley-Hospital-receives-top-national-nursing-award For the fifth year in a row, the nation's leading nurse association presented its top award to Poudre Valley Hospital for the outstanding achievements that nurses accomplish in patient care and safety. The American Nurses Association, which represents 3.1 million nurses in the United States, presented the Fort Collins hospital in Colorado with the Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality. The presentation was made Thursday in Las Vegas during the annual AHA nursing quality conference.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/SPORTS/120129845/1001 People who have been critical of the way the Basalt Regional Library District has been operated over the past year will be able to do something about it this winter. Three of the seven positions on the library district's board of trustees are up for appointment in March. One incumbent, Taylor Liebmann, has announced that he will not seek reappointment. He represents Pitkin County. Current board member Christine Tinner, who represents Basalt, has reapplied. Liz Gremillion, who represents Eagle County, has expressed an interest in returning. Applicants must live in the jurisdiction where they are applying. The terms are three years.

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129830/1001 While Summit School District starts exploring whether there will be enough growth to necessitate a new elementary school within the next 10 years, it is predicting some ups and downs in enrollment for next school year. Despite the opening of The Peak School this fall, the middle school's population is predicted to increase by about 6.2 percent, due to a large fifth-grade class getting ready to enter, according to assistant superintendent Karen Strakbein. About 20 students are expected to enroll in the new school, but an almost 40-child difference between the current fifth-grade class and sixth-grade class still means an uptick of students for SMS next year. The current fifth-grade consists of 268 students, while the sixth-grade has 206.

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/board-132419-thursday-meeting.html Falcon School District 49 school board member Chris Wright said Thursday that he will not be resigning from the board. "After 100's of communications from folks within and without the district, I have decided to withdraw my resignation and take some time to reconsider my options and review the thoughts of those who have pleaded with me to remain in public office on the d49 Board of Education," he said in an email. Wright said Monday morning that he planned to submit his resignation from the board at the special meeting Thursday night.

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/wright-132441-board-resign.html Falcon School District 49 board member Christopher Wright did not resign Thursday night as expected, although he was absent from the special meeting. Wright said Monday that he planned to resign. On Thursday, he changed his mind. In an email statement, he said communications from hundreds of people caused him to reconsider. The D-49 attorney advised the board to proceed as usual, since Wright’s resignation was retracted via email before being formally presented.

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129893/1001 Full-time teachers and staff in the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 will each receive a one-time stipend this year of $1,500, using funds from the $4.8 million mill levy override approved by district voters in November. Part-time employees will also receive a bonus of between $750 and $1,200, depending on the percentage of time they work. The plan was approved by the Re-1 school board at its regular meeting held at Basalt High School on Wednesday. It's possible the board could approve another bonus for employees of between $250 and $500 later this spring, using some of the remaining funds that are available for this school year.

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/city-schools-slate-later-opening/article_93d3623e-48a9-11e1-9f04-0019bb2963f4.html Pueblo City Schools district (D60) students will begin class after Labor Day in a move to escape the late August heat that plagued the system this year. Schools that follow the traditional calendar will begin classes on Sept. 4 as part of a new schedule approved by the school board Tuesday night.

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/cca-dolores-huerta-await-decision-on-joint-charter/article_f0f7575a-48ad-11e1-a0df-0019bb2963f4.html Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High charter schools will have to wait another two weeks to find out if the Pueblo City Schools district (D60) will approve a joint charter application. CCA and DHPH officials are seeking a single charter for a kindergarten through 12th-grade academy. Currently, there is one charter for CCA, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, and another for the high school.

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_19828552 Former University of Colorado President Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken was appointed today to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership on the Boulder campus. After serving as interim CU president in 2000, Bracken will fill the shoes of former CU President Hank Brown, who held the position from 2008-10. “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this appointment as the Newton Endowed Chair,” Bracken said in a statement.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832011 After more than a quarter-century buried in a concrete wall, a copper time capsule was recovered from an old Denver school Thursday morning, just one day before the building will be torn to the ground. "It's amazing when you live through a cycle," said Al Bernahardt, 62, the construction foreman for Gove Middle School when it was built in 1975. Bernahardt was nostalgic as he watched the school he built torn apart as he helped locate the time capsule.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

Longmont Mayor backs right for homosexuals to marry - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828075 Mayor Dennis Coombs has added his name to a list of U.S. mayors who support "marriage equality," the legal right for homosexuals to marry. Coombs is one of only two Colorado mayors on the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" list at freedomtomarry.org, along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The movement is chaired by the mayors of New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. Confirming his support for the issue on Thursday, Coombs said that this was his personal feeling and not anything that specifically bound the city of Longmont.

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129827/1001 At its Tuesday work session, the Frisco Town Council reviewed potential changes to the building code, which will likely include fee changes. According to Frisco community development director Jocelyn Mills, revisions to the code are designed to meet the goal of making her government branch “more friendly and efficient.” “We're really working toward practical, common-sense solutions,” she said.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Frederick-Firestone fire district opens new ‘nerve center’ space - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/carbon-valley-news/ci_19831321 For five years, the Frederick-Firestone fire district knew it needed more space. On Thursday, it luxuriated in it. "All of our training, our administration, our warehouse facilities, are all based out of here now," said Fire Chief Ted Poszywak as he showed off the district's new business and education center at its grand opening. "It is our nerve center. It just about is."

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/shelter-outgrows-its-building Every night and morning, guests replay a familiar game to jockey for space at the Homeward Bound homeless shelter. Because there aren’t enough bunks to house everyone, mattresses and bedding are pulled out for people to spread out on the floor, often sleeping head to head and foot to foot. In the morning, the mattresses are tucked back under the stationary bunks, and tables and chairs that were pushed off to the side to make room are repositioned for folks to sit down to breakfast. The 9,800-square-foot building at 2583 North Ave., which houses up to 167 people during the most frigid winter nights, long has been packed. To help alleviate the crowds of single people and families seeking shelter, a local overflow program offered for the past five years through local churches finds space for up to 30 single men each night. But church volunteers are getting weary of the added responsibilities that initially were dubbed as a temporary solution, Homeward Bound Executive Director Gi Moon said.

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Vets return to Vail slopes | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129863/1001 Some wear uniforms, some wear prosthetics but this week they all wear smiles. The Vail Veterans Program is hosting its latest group of military veterans, all wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Vail wins the award for most heroes per square foot. Take breakfast at the Larkspur. Heroes are packed around every table, asking and answering the question, “How fast does it go?”

Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831884 Douglas and Arapahoe counties logged big increases in suicides in 2011, while the tallies in other metro-area counties have remained about the same or experienced a slight decrease. While final numbers still are being compiled, Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas said the tally of 46 suicides last year is up from 36 the year before and nearly double the 26 counted in 2009. Arapahoe County recorded 103 suicides in 2011, up from 69 in 2010. In Jefferson and Boulder counties, the numbers remained virtually the same in 2011. Weld and Adams counties both logged decreases.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832017 Frontier Airlines is coming home, bringing its headquarters back to Denver with Thursday's announcement of a chief executive and a new senior management team that will be based here. David Siegel, a 20-year airline and travel veteran, was named CEO, president and interim chief operating officer of Frontier. In addition to serving in several chief executive positions, Siegal has been an independent director on the board of Frontier's parent company, Republic Airways Holdings. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said Siegel is "the right guy at the right time for the next step in the process" of putting Frontier "back on independent footing" as it seeks a new owner.

Boulder honors firefighters killed in training exercise 30 years ago today - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19827217 This morning, friends, family members and firefighters gathered at Boulder's Station 3 to remember William J. Duran and Scott L. Smith, and the fire that claimed their lives during a training accident 30 year ago today. The Boulder Fire Department's flags are flying at half-staff. It was a tragedy that left deep wounds in the two families and the Boulder Fire Department, and it led to national changes in standards for training exercises. Battalion Chief Gilbert Espinoza, who was on duty that day and counted Duran among his best friends, said the handful of firefighters still with the department who were serving that day consider it a duty and an honor to pass on the story to younger firefighters.

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19829817 A former Boulder County deputy accused of Internet exploitation of children told investigators in November that he has been obsessed with young girls for years, but it "escalated and intensified" after he investigated a homicide in the late 1980s in which he "located and recovered dismembered remains" of a victim he knew. Boulder County Judge John Stavely unsealed the arrest warrant affidavit for Rick Ferguson, 53, during a brief hearing in Boulder District Court on Thursday afternoon. Defense attorney Larry Mertes argued against unsealing the court document, saying that pretrial publicity would taint the local jury pool. Stavely said with the conclusion of the investigation, the public's right to access was in play and that juries are frequently successfully seated in Boulder County for cases that received pretrial coverage.

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/group-132432-springs-answers.html Members of an advocate group for victims of priest sexual abuse met in front of the headquarters of the Archidiocese of St. Louis Thursday afternoon to demand answers about Rev. Charles Robert Manning of Colorado Springs. The group, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is a national organization that acts as a watch-dog for sexual assault crimes brought against religious leaders. It wants Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis to clear up ambiguities in Manning’s history with the Catholic church after learning that Manning is being investigated in a sexual assault case in Colorado. Manning, formerly of three St. Louis Catholic parishes, came to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs in 2007. At a Saturday mass, Rev. Rafael Torres-Rico told the congregation that allegations of sexual assault on a minor have been brought against Manning.

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831645 Denver police have arrested a man with AIDS on suspicion of prostitution, police said. Darren Garcia, 31, was taken into custody Wednesday when officers arrested prostitution suspects along Colfax Avenue, police said. Garcia has eight prior arrests for prostitution, police said, including two previous arrests on suspicion of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS. Garcia was one of 14 people arrested Wednesday in the undercover SWAT sting. The other 13 were women.

Editorial: ASSET bill offers hope to all students - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830763 A reworked bill that would allow Colorado's illegal immigrant high school students to pay reduced tuition at state colleges and universities strikes the right balance. Those who have attended high school in Colorado for three years would be eligible for a new class of tuition — more than in-state tuition, but far less than out-of-state tuition. The ASSET bill, as it is being called, would offer hope for students who are educationally stranded because of their immigration status.

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As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/as-democrats-shift-to-offense-obama-biden-address-house-retreat/2012/01/27/gIQAOxWqUQ_blog.html After two days of closed-door brainstorming sessions, briefings and panels featuring speakers including MSNBC’s Ed Schultz and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, the Democrats’ three-day “Reigniting the American Dream” conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay will conclude today with a 10:30 a.m. speech by Biden and a 1:15 p.m. address by Obama. Unlike last year’s meeting, this year’s retreat takes place days after the president’s combative State of the Union address — so lawmakers already have a sense of Obama’s likely message to his party. On the eve of the visit by the president and vice president, Democrats pointed to a new poll as a sign that they have reclaimed the momentum heading into 2012.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

U.S. economy grew at 2.8 percent rate | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/27/137132/us-economy-grew-at-28-percent.html The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the final three months of 2011, the government said Friday. The numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis were below the expectations of mainstream economists, most projecting 3 percent or higher. But the growth rate still points to a modest recovery, echoed by recent employment and manufacturing data.

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Bomb in Shiite neighborhood kills dozens in funeral procession - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-in-shiite-neighborhood-kills-dozens-in-funeral-procession/2012/01/27/gIQAD1H4UQ_story.html A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives amid a funeral procession here Friday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 60, a security official said. Mourners had gathered outside a hospital to receive the bodies of three people killed the night before, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The blast occurred in the Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, in the southeastern part of the city.

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137025/attack-on-nato-convoy-kills-4.html A suicide car bomber killed four Afghan civilians and wounded dozens Thursday in the southern province of Helmand, local officials said. The attack, which took place midmorning at a busy market in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, targeted armored vehicles that belonged to the U.S.-led NATO coalition. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the Taliban, which have their roots in southern Afghanistan. Thirty-one people were wounded, including three women who were visiting a doctor, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. He said a child with one of the women was among those killed.

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/surge-in-violence-killings-across-syria-un-security-council-set-to-meet/2012/01/27/gIQAKiVJVQ_story.html Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Activists in Homs said there were heavy casualties after a night of shelling and mortar fire, with military tanks again deployed across the city after being partially withdrawn last month at the outset of a monitoring mission by the Arab League. “In some areas, the shelling has not stopped for three days in a row. The regime is now waging full-scale war against the people,” said an activist in Homs who was contacted via Skype and uses the name Hadi al-Homsi. He described a “massacre” in the southeastern area of Karm al-Zeitoun, which is a focal point of military operations in the city.

Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

Costa Concordia’s captain lost precious time, official says | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137034/cruise-ships-captain-lost-precious.html The wasting of a "precious hour" by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of Italy's Coast Guard corps, Adm. Marco Brusco, made the remarks during a briefing to a parliament committee on the January 13 accident. "If Captain (Francesco) Schettino had not lost a precious hour ... it would have been possible to lower the lifeboats with calm, put the people at ease," Brusco said.

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120127,0,5568328.story Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, aiming for a knockout blow in next week's Florida primary, tore into Newt Gingrich in a televised debate Thursday night and vigorously defended his personal wealth as an asset in his presidential campaign. Romney was aggressive from the outset, starting with the issue of illegal immigration. Gingrich stood by a Spanish-language radio ad he had aired that said Romney was "anti-immigrant." Gingrich withdrew the ad after being admonished by Florida's popular Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney, noting that both his father and his wife's father were born outside the United States, said such language was "inexcusable."

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

Economic fairness eludes the GOP, but not Obama - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/economic-fairness-eludes-the-gop-but-not-obama/2012/01/26/gIQADOb3TQ_story.html If you heard a loud “gulp” Tuesday night after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked — that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

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Brazil buildings collapse; at least 4 dead, 18 missing - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-buildings-collapse-20120127,0,5791309.story Rescue workers in Brazil searched for survivors Thursday after three large buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, killing at least four people and leaving 18 or more missing.

A good pact on ‘super PACs’ - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-superpacs-20120127,0,908415.story The U.S. Senatecontest in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fascinating not just because it's one of the more competitive races for the upper house, or because it's likely to be the most expensive in history, but because of a strange and unusually honorable deal struck this week by the two candidates. Under their agreement, if an independent group such as a "super PAC" buys a TV ad backing one of the candidates, that candidate will donate an amount equal to half the cost of the ad to the charity of the opponent's choice. Thus, an ad placed independently by a super PAC could end up harming as well as helping its pick. To some, this pact is a flagrant violation of the free-speech rights of those individuals who contribute to super PACs. We think it's a sensible way of reducing the corrosive influence that independent political groups are having on our democracy in the wake of the Supreme Court's flawed Citizens United decision in 2010.

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ConocoPhillips’ oil roads in Alaska are an unwelcome intrusion - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/conocophillips-oil-roads-in-alaska-are-an-unwelcome-intrusion/2012/01/24/gIQAjoZ4TQ_story.html In the summer of 1998 I went to Prudhoe Bay, a major oil field on the North Slope of Alaska, prepared to listen carefully to oil companies eager to expand into the wilderness regions of the western Arctic. My priority was protection for Teshekpuk Lake, a large, aquamarine body of water at the center of globally important wetlands that draw nesting and breeding birds migrating from as far south as Chile and Argentina. The main environmental concern was the building of roads across the fragile expanses of tundra. Roads always beget more roads, generating networks that eventually destroy the wilderness character of the land and threaten wildlife, caribou herds and molting geese temporarily incapable of flight. I wanted to see firsthand if it would be possible to implement a new concept of roadless oil development.

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In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701269913/-1/News01/Obama-touts-natural-gas-in-Aurora His two-hour visit to Buckley Air Force base was his third Colorado stop in four months, and it came during a tour of swing states after his Tuesday night State of the Union address. The Colorado speech served as a highlight reel from Tuesday’s address, with an emphasis on energy. “For all our lives, America has been talking about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “Well, my administration has actually tried to do something about it.” U.S. oil production is at an eight-year high, and the country’s reliance on foreign oil is at a 16-year low, he said.

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831726 Hispanic Republicans Thursday denounced President Barack Obama, saying his policies have hurt the country and he is spending more time campaigning for president than actually serving as president. In a news conference at the state Capitol, Jefferson County Reps. Robert Ramirez and Libby Szabo — the lone two Hispanics in the GOP caucus — ripped Obama, who will be in Aurora this afternoon for a campaign stop to talk about energy. "He is here today, promising our military new energy resources, those mostly of green energy but he's not willing to talk to all of us," said Ramirez, of Westminster.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

President’s visit tickles two Colorado boys | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/windsor-brothers-meet-obama-cant-wait-to-tell-their-school-friends/56480/ Talked about two excited kids. The Turner boys — 9-year-old Colby and 11-year-old Cameron — had front-row seats at President Obama’s speech. The president autographed his book “The Audacity of Hope” for them. And the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force gave them medallions.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270349/Paul-make-appearance-CSU Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak at CSU in Fort Collins on Tuesday. A Ron Paul spokeswoman said the congressman is set to speak around 3 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, but logistics are still being finalized and further details would be provided closer to the event. The ballroom can hold about 1,100 people, and organizers say they plan to have local bands playing before Paul speaks. CSU officials said Paul's appearance is being organized by a student group and is not an official university event.

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110920/tipton-struggles-to-win-voter-approval-but-leads-in-early-poll Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado’s Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent. Of 569 individuals polled, 39 percent say incumbent Tipton deserves to be re-elected but only 36 percent approve of the job he is doing. Tipton’s job approval is 12 points lower than the 48 percent job approval then-Rep. John Salazar notched in a similar poll conducted in 2010. Tipton ended up beating Salazar, whose popularity was tested by votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act. “People are upset with the way Washington is conducting business– and it shows,” Pace said in a press release.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/immigrant-tuition-break-advances/article_b56b5cba-48ab-11e1-8415-0019bb2963f4.html A Pueblo lawmaker’s proposal to create a level of discount college tuition for illegal immigrants cleared a Senate panel Thursday on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democrats on the Senate Education Committee favored SB15, sponsored by Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver. They touted it as a boost to college revenue, a return on the investment the state has made in students’ public schooling and a bargain for the state, which would not subsidize any part of the students’ college costs. “We can’t and must not allow another generation of immigrants to struggle for the chance to contribute to American society,” Giron said. “These students were brought here as babies and small children. They worked hard, got good grades, have been accepted to college.”

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/homefood-business-bills-find-favor-in-first-hearin Committees in the Colorado House and Senate on Thursday simultaneously heard two bills introduced by local lawmakers designed to help Coloradans create their own home-food businesses. While the House Economic and Business Development Committee approved a measure offered by Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee supported another one introduced by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Both measures center on allowing would-be entrepreneurs to use their own home kitchens to produce products meant for local sale.

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/lawmakers-oppose-water-law-change/article_3911e38e-48a9-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html State lawmakers received applause Thursday from the Colorado Water Congress for their opposition to a pair of initiatives that would seriously alter Colorado water law. “If we don’t defeat these initiatives, those uneducated about water will take control and irrigated agriculture will cease to be important,” said Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, [R]-Sterling. The water congress, which represents multiple state water interests, is meeting for the 54th year at its annual convention. The CWC has opposed two initiatives by Richard Hamilton of Fairplay and his attorney Phil Doe of Littleton.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/go-ahead-mr-speaker-make-my-day/56239/ Watch out Frank McNulty: A legislative proposal could allow a certain deputy city attorney to pack heat. House Bill 1026 confers peace officer status on city attorneys, their assistants and such. Each jurisdiction will decide whether those staffers can be armed. Denver’s new deputy city attorney is Scott Martinez, a key player in last year’s congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. He worked on Democratic maps ultimately approved by the Colorado Supreme Court, to the dismay of Republicans.

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19826225 Broomfield Democrat Dianne Primavera will officially kick off her campaign for House District 33 in an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona's Mexican Grill, 2255 W. 136th Ave. Primavera, a two-term state representative who was defeated by a 330-vote margin in 2010, announced her candidacy in December. Primavera will face Republican David Pigott in the November election. Pigott, a lawyer at Denver firm Bloch and Chapleau LLC, on Nov. 17 filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the HD 33 seat and officially kicked off his campaign, his first for political office, earlier this month.

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279927/-1/News01/Colorado-Democrats-disqualify-Swonger-from-primary The Colorado Democratic Party has disqualified Patrick Swonger from its primary in the 59th state House District. From the day Swonger kicked off his run two weeks ago, people began contacting the party to complain he was ineligible given his insufficient tenure as a registered Democrat. The Colorado Democratic Party declined to identify who reported Swonger. Party rules stipulate that candidates must be registered for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832002 Gov. John Hickenlooper is recommending the privatization of Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund, despite the ongoing concerns of business groups. However, Hickenlooper also is recommending a few tweaks to the proposal, giving the state a slightly larger ownership stake in what would be the newly privatized mutual assurance company and creating a new fund for injured workers. "Most of the large policyholders I've talked to, almost without fail, they've been pretty enthusiastic" about the privatization proposal, Hickenlooper told reporters Thursday in a conference call from Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/judge-denies-effort-block-co-abortion-protester/ A judge Thursday denied the federal government's request to keep a longtime anti-abortion protester from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver's Planned Parenthood center. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department's argument that Kenneth Scott's actions make it "unreasonably difficult" for patients and employees to get to the clinic. "Great news," one of Scott's lawyers, Peter Breen, said of Brimmer's late-evening ruling.

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19831444 A judge has ruled that police violated two Occupy Boulder protesters' Fourth Amendment rights when officers opened tent flaps to see whether the people inside were sleeping. In a ruling received by attorneys Thursday, Boulder Municipal Judge Linda Cooke said the Occupy Boulder protesters did have a reasonable expectation of privacy while camping on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street. Police did not have warrants to search the tents, and as a result, the observations of the officers will be suppressed in court. The two protesters, P.J. Jentsch and Katie DeMichele, were ticketed Nov. 21 along with nine others at the site of the former Occupy Boulder protest. Police officers opened the flap to the tent where Jentsch and DeMichele were sleeping before issuing them a ticket for camping.

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-132411-consider-oil.html After concerns from county commissioners and a warning letter from the Attorney General’s Office about El Paso County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, county planning staff have come up with a revised proposal for the commission to consider at its Jan. 31 meeting. County spokesman Dave Rose said the commissioners will consider both the original and the new proposals in their discussions. “I think they’ll have a long and extensive discussion next Tuesday,” Rose said.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f22178bc9832347734804.txt What does a 550-mile-long pipeline draining water from the southwest corner of Wyoming to the Front Range have to do with San Miguel County? Enough for the Board of County Commissioners to draft a resolution opposing the proposed $9 billion project. The plan calls for more than 200,000 acre-feet per year to be pumped from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which stores water from the Green River — over the Continental Divide and into Denver. (An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water, and 200,000 acre-feet is just over a fifth of the Green River’s annual flow.) If the project is built, water will flow through a pair of 42-inch pipes along Interstate 80. Dreamt up by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million, the pipeline would feed Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. “We’re always very cautious about protecting our resources,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Elaine Fischer.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19831100 Lakewood-based ZeaChem, a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of wood and other materials into fuels and chemicals, was selected for a $232.5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the company said Thursday. ZeaChem said the conditional commitment from the USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program enables the financing and construction of its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery. The 25-million-gallon-per-year facility is being built in Boardman, Ore.

Generation Xers skipping flu shots - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/generation-xers-skipping-flu-shots/article_f88e2c76-48af-11e1-abcf-0019bb2963f4.html At least three Puebloans died from complications from H1N1 and Colorado saw 2,041 people hospitalized during the height of the outbreak. Dr. Ken Gershman, epidemiologist and chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said that during the 2010-11 season, cases leveled off, mainly because H1N1 was part of the year’s vaccine. In 2009, it was developed separately and given late in the year. Jon D. Miller, author of the report, was somewhat optimistic. “These results suggest that young adults in Generation X did reasonably well in their first encounter with a major epidemic.

Denver names panelists who will help pick police monitor - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832003 Mayor Michael Hancock on Thursday announced the five people who will help pick Denver's next police watchdog. The Office of the Independent Monitor was created in 2005 to monitor internal investigations of police officers and sheriff's deputies and make recommendations on discipline. It was created after two controversial police shootings. The first monitor, Richard Rosenthal, was sometimes at odds with the Denver Police Department. Many officers and safety officials believed he overstepped his role, while supporters said his tough approach was just what was needed.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129846/1001 When the U.S. economy is good, Aspen does “incredible.” So what happens when the U.S. economy is bad? “You all suck,” said Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. “You are a function of what people feel because they are coming here to spend their money.” But the outlook for Aspen isn't all doom and gloom.

Van Dusen drops out of Boulder County commissioner’s contest - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828203 Longmont Democrat Bill Van Dusen announced Thursday that he's decided to withdraw his candidacy for a Boulder County commissioner's seat. Van Dusen, an attorney, educator and small business owner, had been running for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners that's up for election in November. But on Jan. 8, Van Dusen finished second in a three-way contest to step into that seat early. A Boulder County Democratic Party committee chose Deb Gardner over Van Dusen and former Longmont City Councilman Tom McCoy to fill the vacancy created in December, when then-Commissioner Ben Pearlman resigned to become Boulder County attorney.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

Commissioner candidate to challenge incumbent | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129865/1001 The first Republican jumped into the county commissioner's race to challenge the Democratic incumbent. Mike Beltracchi, 51, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Stavney for the District 2 seat, running roughly from Eagle to Edwards. In his announcement, Beltracchi already drew a line in the sand over the county's open space tax.

Colorado new-home permits increase in 2011 - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832016 Colorado home builders, for the second year in a row, pulled more permits than they did the year before. Through November 2011, the state recorded 12,758 single-family and multifamily building permits, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a 10 percent increase from the 11,591 permits pulled in all of 2010. Colorado new-home sales also are expected to inch out a small gain in 2011, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. That bucks the national trend, where a 2.2 percent decline in December put 2011 new-home sales at their lowest level in 50 years of record keeping.

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Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

Colorado AG weighs in on DPS, union fight over Innovation Schools Act - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831908 The Colorado attorney general's office issued an opinion this week backing Denver Public Schools in a dispute with teachers about the state's Innovation Schools Act. Because the opinion favors the school district — saying the act applies to planned new schools as well as existing schools — DPS is calling for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association to drop its lawsuit over the issue. "The attorney general's opinion makes it clear that the actions of DPS and the State Board of Education are fully consistent with the law," district spokesman Mike Vaughn said. "We think it's time to move beyond this lawsuit and focus more resources on the classroom and fewer on the courtroom." Union president Henry Roman said the suit won't be dropped.

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/UPDATES01/120127003/Poudre-Valley-Hospital-receives-top-national-nursing-award For the fifth year in a row, the nation's leading nurse association presented its top award to Poudre Valley Hospital for the outstanding achievements that nurses accomplish in patient care and safety. The American Nurses Association, which represents 3.1 million nurses in the United States, presented the Fort Collins hospital in Colorado with the Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality. The presentation was made Thursday in Las Vegas during the annual AHA nursing quality conference.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/SPORTS/120129845/1001 People who have been critical of the way the Basalt Regional Library District has been operated over the past year will be able to do something about it this winter. Three of the seven positions on the library district's board of trustees are up for appointment in March. One incumbent, Taylor Liebmann, has announced that he will not seek reappointment. He represents Pitkin County. Current board member Christine Tinner, who represents Basalt, has reapplied. Liz Gremillion, who represents Eagle County, has expressed an interest in returning. Applicants must live in the jurisdiction where they are applying. The terms are three years.

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129830/1001 While Summit School District starts exploring whether there will be enough growth to necessitate a new elementary school within the next 10 years, it is predicting some ups and downs in enrollment for next school year. Despite the opening of The Peak School this fall, the middle school's population is predicted to increase by about 6.2 percent, due to a large fifth-grade class getting ready to enter, according to assistant superintendent Karen Strakbein. About 20 students are expected to enroll in the new school, but an almost 40-child difference between the current fifth-grade class and sixth-grade class still means an uptick of students for SMS next year. The current fifth-grade consists of 268 students, while the sixth-grade has 206.

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/board-132419-thursday-meeting.html Falcon School District 49 school board member Chris Wright said Thursday that he will not be resigning from the board. "After 100's of communications from folks within and without the district, I have decided to withdraw my resignation and take some time to reconsider my options and review the thoughts of those who have pleaded with me to remain in public office on the d49 Board of Education," he said in an email. Wright said Monday morning that he planned to submit his resignation from the board at the special meeting Thursday night.

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/wright-132441-board-resign.html Falcon School District 49 board member Christopher Wright did not resign Thursday night as expected, although he was absent from the special meeting. Wright said Monday that he planned to resign. On Thursday, he changed his mind. In an email statement, he said communications from hundreds of people caused him to reconsider. The D-49 attorney advised the board to proceed as usual, since Wright’s resignation was retracted via email before being formally presented.

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129893/1001 Full-time teachers and staff in the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 will each receive a one-time stipend this year of $1,500, using funds from the $4.8 million mill levy override approved by district voters in November. Part-time employees will also receive a bonus of between $750 and $1,200, depending on the percentage of time they work. The plan was approved by the Re-1 school board at its regular meeting held at Basalt High School on Wednesday. It's possible the board could approve another bonus for employees of between $250 and $500 later this spring, using some of the remaining funds that are available for this school year.

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/city-schools-slate-later-opening/article_93d3623e-48a9-11e1-9f04-0019bb2963f4.html Pueblo City Schools district (D60) students will begin class after Labor Day in a move to escape the late August heat that plagued the system this year. Schools that follow the traditional calendar will begin classes on Sept. 4 as part of a new schedule approved by the school board Tuesday night.

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/cca-dolores-huerta-await-decision-on-joint-charter/article_f0f7575a-48ad-11e1-a0df-0019bb2963f4.html Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High charter schools will have to wait another two weeks to find out if the Pueblo City Schools district (D60) will approve a joint charter application. CCA and DHPH officials are seeking a single charter for a kindergarten through 12th-grade academy. Currently, there is one charter for CCA, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, and another for the high school.

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_19828552 Former University of Colorado President Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken was appointed today to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership on the Boulder campus. After serving as interim CU president in 2000, Bracken will fill the shoes of former CU President Hank Brown, who held the position from 2008-10. “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this appointment as the Newton Endowed Chair,” Bracken said in a statement.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832011 After more than a quarter-century buried in a concrete wall, a copper time capsule was recovered from an old Denver school Thursday morning, just one day before the building will be torn to the ground. "It's amazing when you live through a cycle," said Al Bernahardt, 62, the construction foreman for Gove Middle School when it was built in 1975. Bernahardt was nostalgic as he watched the school he built torn apart as he helped locate the time capsule.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

Longmont Mayor backs right for homosexuals to marry - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828075 Mayor Dennis Coombs has added his name to a list of U.S. mayors who support "marriage equality," the legal right for homosexuals to marry. Coombs is one of only two Colorado mayors on the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" list at freedomtomarry.org, along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The movement is chaired by the mayors of New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. Confirming his support for the issue on Thursday, Coombs said that this was his personal feeling and not anything that specifically bound the city of Longmont.

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129827/1001 At its Tuesday work session, the Frisco Town Council reviewed potential changes to the building code, which will likely include fee changes. According to Frisco community development director Jocelyn Mills, revisions to the code are designed to meet the goal of making her government branch “more friendly and efficient.” “We're really working toward practical, common-sense solutions,” she said.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Frederick-Firestone fire district opens new ‘nerve center’ space - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/carbon-valley-news/ci_19831321 For five years, the Frederick-Firestone fire district knew it needed more space. On Thursday, it luxuriated in it. "All of our training, our administration, our warehouse facilities, are all based out of here now," said Fire Chief Ted Poszywak as he showed off the district's new business and education center at its grand opening. "It is our nerve center. It just about is."

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/shelter-outgrows-its-building Every night and morning, guests replay a familiar game to jockey for space at the Homeward Bound homeless shelter. Because there aren’t enough bunks to house everyone, mattresses and bedding are pulled out for people to spread out on the floor, often sleeping head to head and foot to foot. In the morning, the mattresses are tucked back under the stationary bunks, and tables and chairs that were pushed off to the side to make room are repositioned for folks to sit down to breakfast. The 9,800-square-foot building at 2583 North Ave., which houses up to 167 people during the most frigid winter nights, long has been packed. To help alleviate the crowds of single people and families seeking shelter, a local overflow program offered for the past five years through local churches finds space for up to 30 single men each night. But church volunteers are getting weary of the added responsibilities that initially were dubbed as a temporary solution, Homeward Bound Executive Director Gi Moon said.

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Vets return to Vail slopes | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129863/1001 Some wear uniforms, some wear prosthetics but this week they all wear smiles. The Vail Veterans Program is hosting its latest group of military veterans, all wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Vail wins the award for most heroes per square foot. Take breakfast at the Larkspur. Heroes are packed around every table, asking and answering the question, “How fast does it go?”

Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831884 Douglas and Arapahoe counties logged big increases in suicides in 2011, while the tallies in other metro-area counties have remained about the same or experienced a slight decrease. While final numbers still are being compiled, Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas said the tally of 46 suicides last year is up from 36 the year before and nearly double the 26 counted in 2009. Arapahoe County recorded 103 suicides in 2011, up from 69 in 2010. In Jefferson and Boulder counties, the numbers remained virtually the same in 2011. Weld and Adams counties both logged decreases.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832017 Frontier Airlines is coming home, bringing its headquarters back to Denver with Thursday's announcement of a chief executive and a new senior management team that will be based here. David Siegel, a 20-year airline and travel veteran, was named CEO, president and interim chief operating officer of Frontier. In addition to serving in several chief executive positions, Siegal has been an independent director on the board of Frontier's parent company, Republic Airways Holdings. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said Siegel is "the right guy at the right time for the next step in the process" of putting Frontier "back on independent footing" as it seeks a new owner.

Boulder honors firefighters killed in training exercise 30 years ago today - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19827217 This morning, friends, family members and firefighters gathered at Boulder's Station 3 to remember William J. Duran and Scott L. Smith, and the fire that claimed their lives during a training accident 30 year ago today. The Boulder Fire Department's flags are flying at half-staff. It was a tragedy that left deep wounds in the two families and the Boulder Fire Department, and it led to national changes in standards for training exercises. Battalion Chief Gilbert Espinoza, who was on duty that day and counted Duran among his best friends, said the handful of firefighters still with the department who were serving that day consider it a duty and an honor to pass on the story to younger firefighters.

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19829817 A former Boulder County deputy accused of Internet exploitation of children told investigators in November that he has been obsessed with young girls for years, but it "escalated and intensified" after he investigated a homicide in the late 1980s in which he "located and recovered dismembered remains" of a victim he knew. Boulder County Judge John Stavely unsealed the arrest warrant affidavit for Rick Ferguson, 53, during a brief hearing in Boulder District Court on Thursday afternoon. Defense attorney Larry Mertes argued against unsealing the court document, saying that pretrial publicity would taint the local jury pool. Stavely said with the conclusion of the investigation, the public's right to access was in play and that juries are frequently successfully seated in Boulder County for cases that received pretrial coverage.

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/group-132432-springs-answers.html Members of an advocate group for victims of priest sexual abuse met in front of the headquarters of the Archidiocese of St. Louis Thursday afternoon to demand answers about Rev. Charles Robert Manning of Colorado Springs. The group, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is a national organization that acts as a watch-dog for sexual assault crimes brought against religious leaders. It wants Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis to clear up ambiguities in Manning’s history with the Catholic church after learning that Manning is being investigated in a sexual assault case in Colorado. Manning, formerly of three St. Louis Catholic parishes, came to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs in 2007. At a Saturday mass, Rev. Rafael Torres-Rico told the congregation that allegations of sexual assault on a minor have been brought against Manning.

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831645 Denver police have arrested a man with AIDS on suspicion of prostitution, police said. Darren Garcia, 31, was taken into custody Wednesday when officers arrested prostitution suspects along Colfax Avenue, police said. Garcia has eight prior arrests for prostitution, police said, including two previous arrests on suspicion of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS. Garcia was one of 14 people arrested Wednesday in the undercover SWAT sting. The other 13 were women.

Editorial: ASSET bill offers hope to all students - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830763 A reworked bill that would allow Colorado's illegal immigrant high school students to pay reduced tuition at state colleges and universities strikes the right balance. Those who have attended high school in Colorado for three years would be eligible for a new class of tuition — more than in-state tuition, but far less than out-of-state tuition. The ASSET bill, as it is being called, would offer hope for students who are educationally stranded because of their immigration status.

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As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/as-democrats-shift-to-offense-obama-biden-address-house-retreat/2012/01/27/gIQAOxWqUQ_blog.html After two days of closed-door brainstorming sessions, briefings and panels featuring speakers including MSNBC’s Ed Schultz and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, the Democrats’ three-day “Reigniting the American Dream” conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay will conclude today with a 10:30 a.m. speech by Biden and a 1:15 p.m. address by Obama. Unlike last year’s meeting, this year’s retreat takes place days after the president’s combative State of the Union address — so lawmakers already have a sense of Obama’s likely message to his party. On the eve of the visit by the president and vice president, Democrats pointed to a new poll as a sign that they have reclaimed the momentum heading into 2012.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

U.S. economy grew at 2.8 percent rate | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/27/137132/us-economy-grew-at-28-percent.html The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the final three months of 2011, the government said Friday. The numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis were below the expectations of mainstream economists, most projecting 3 percent or higher. But the growth rate still points to a modest recovery, echoed by recent employment and manufacturing data.

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Bomb in Shiite neighborhood kills dozens in funeral procession - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-in-shiite-neighborhood-kills-dozens-in-funeral-procession/2012/01/27/gIQAD1H4UQ_story.html A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives amid a funeral procession here Friday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 60, a security official said. Mourners had gathered outside a hospital to receive the bodies of three people killed the night before, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The blast occurred in the Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, in the southeastern part of the city.

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137025/attack-on-nato-convoy-kills-4.html A suicide car bomber killed four Afghan civilians and wounded dozens Thursday in the southern province of Helmand, local officials said. The attack, which took place midmorning at a busy market in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, targeted armored vehicles that belonged to the U.S.-led NATO coalition. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the Taliban, which have their roots in southern Afghanistan. Thirty-one people were wounded, including three women who were visiting a doctor, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. He said a child with one of the women was among those killed.

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/surge-in-violence-killings-across-syria-un-security-council-set-to-meet/2012/01/27/gIQAKiVJVQ_story.html Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Activists in Homs said there were heavy casualties after a night of shelling and mortar fire, with military tanks again deployed across the city after being partially withdrawn last month at the outset of a monitoring mission by the Arab League. “In some areas, the shelling has not stopped for three days in a row. The regime is now waging full-scale war against the people,” said an activist in Homs who was contacted via Skype and uses the name Hadi al-Homsi. He described a “massacre” in the southeastern area of Karm al-Zeitoun, which is a focal point of military operations in the city.

Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

Costa Concordia’s captain lost precious time, official says | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137034/cruise-ships-captain-lost-precious.html The wasting of a "precious hour" by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of Italy's Coast Guard corps, Adm. Marco Brusco, made the remarks during a briefing to a parliament committee on the January 13 accident. "If Captain (Francesco) Schettino had not lost a precious hour ... it would have been possible to lower the lifeboats with calm, put the people at ease," Brusco said.

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120127,0,5568328.story Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, aiming for a knockout blow in next week's Florida primary, tore into Newt Gingrich in a televised debate Thursday night and vigorously defended his personal wealth as an asset in his presidential campaign. Romney was aggressive from the outset, starting with the issue of illegal immigration. Gingrich stood by a Spanish-language radio ad he had aired that said Romney was "anti-immigrant." Gingrich withdrew the ad after being admonished by Florida's popular Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney, noting that both his father and his wife's father were born outside the United States, said such language was "inexcusable."

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

Economic fairness eludes the GOP, but not Obama - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/economic-fairness-eludes-the-gop-but-not-obama/2012/01/26/gIQADOb3TQ_story.html If you heard a loud “gulp” Tuesday night after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked — that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

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Brazil buildings collapse; at least 4 dead, 18 missing - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-buildings-collapse-20120127,0,5791309.story Rescue workers in Brazil searched for survivors Thursday after three large buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, killing at least four people and leaving 18 or more missing.

A good pact on ‘super PACs’ - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-superpacs-20120127,0,908415.story The U.S. Senatecontest in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fascinating not just because it's one of the more competitive races for the upper house, or because it's likely to be the most expensive in history, but because of a strange and unusually honorable deal struck this week by the two candidates. Under their agreement, if an independent group such as a "super PAC" buys a TV ad backing one of the candidates, that candidate will donate an amount equal to half the cost of the ad to the charity of the opponent's choice. Thus, an ad placed independently by a super PAC could end up harming as well as helping its pick. To some, this pact is a flagrant violation of the free-speech rights of those individuals who contribute to super PACs. We think it's a sensible way of reducing the corrosive influence that independent political groups are having on our democracy in the wake of the Supreme Court's flawed Citizens United decision in 2010.

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ConocoPhillips’ oil roads in Alaska are an unwelcome intrusion - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/conocophillips-oil-roads-in-alaska-are-an-unwelcome-intrusion/2012/01/24/gIQAjoZ4TQ_story.html In the summer of 1998 I went to Prudhoe Bay, a major oil field on the North Slope of Alaska, prepared to listen carefully to oil companies eager to expand into the wilderness regions of the western Arctic. My priority was protection for Teshekpuk Lake, a large, aquamarine body of water at the center of globally important wetlands that draw nesting and breeding birds migrating from as far south as Chile and Argentina. The main environmental concern was the building of roads across the fragile expanses of tundra. Roads always beget more roads, generating networks that eventually destroy the wilderness character of the land and threaten wildlife, caribou herds and molting geese temporarily incapable of flight. I wanted to see firsthand if it would be possible to implement a new concept of roadless oil development.

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In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701269913/-1/News01/Obama-touts-natural-gas-in-Aurora His two-hour visit to Buckley Air Force base was his third Colorado stop in four months, and it came during a tour of swing states after his Tuesday night State of the Union address. The Colorado speech served as a highlight reel from Tuesday’s address, with an emphasis on energy. “For all our lives, America has been talking about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “Well, my administration has actually tried to do something about it.” U.S. oil production is at an eight-year high, and the country’s reliance on foreign oil is at a 16-year low, he said.

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831726 Hispanic Republicans Thursday denounced President Barack Obama, saying his policies have hurt the country and he is spending more time campaigning for president than actually serving as president. In a news conference at the state Capitol, Jefferson County Reps. Robert Ramirez and Libby Szabo — the lone two Hispanics in the GOP caucus — ripped Obama, who will be in Aurora this afternoon for a campaign stop to talk about energy. "He is here today, promising our military new energy resources, those mostly of green energy but he's not willing to talk to all of us," said Ramirez, of Westminster.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

President’s visit tickles two Colorado boys | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/windsor-brothers-meet-obama-cant-wait-to-tell-their-school-friends/56480/ Talked about two excited kids. The Turner boys — 9-year-old Colby and 11-year-old Cameron — had front-row seats at President Obama’s speech. The president autographed his book “The Audacity of Hope” for them. And the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force gave them medallions.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270349/Paul-make-appearance-CSU Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak at CSU in Fort Collins on Tuesday. A Ron Paul spokeswoman said the congressman is set to speak around 3 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, but logistics are still being finalized and further details would be provided closer to the event. The ballroom can hold about 1,100 people, and organizers say they plan to have local bands playing before Paul speaks. CSU officials said Paul's appearance is being organized by a student group and is not an official university event.

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110920/tipton-struggles-to-win-voter-approval-but-leads-in-early-poll Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado’s Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent. Of 569 individuals polled, 39 percent say incumbent Tipton deserves to be re-elected but only 36 percent approve of the job he is doing. Tipton’s job approval is 12 points lower than the 48 percent job approval then-Rep. John Salazar notched in a similar poll conducted in 2010. Tipton ended up beating Salazar, whose popularity was tested by votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act. “People are upset with the way Washington is conducting business– and it shows,” Pace said in a press release.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/immigrant-tuition-break-advances/article_b56b5cba-48ab-11e1-8415-0019bb2963f4.html A Pueblo lawmaker’s proposal to create a level of discount college tuition for illegal immigrants cleared a Senate panel Thursday on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democrats on the Senate Education Committee favored SB15, sponsored by Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver. They touted it as a boost to college revenue, a return on the investment the state has made in students’ public schooling and a bargain for the state, which would not subsidize any part of the students’ college costs. “We can’t and must not allow another generation of immigrants to struggle for the chance to contribute to American society,” Giron said. “These students were brought here as babies and small children. They worked hard, got good grades, have been accepted to college.”

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/homefood-business-bills-find-favor-in-first-hearin Committees in the Colorado House and Senate on Thursday simultaneously heard two bills introduced by local lawmakers designed to help Coloradans create their own home-food businesses. While the House Economic and Business Development Committee approved a measure offered by Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee supported another one introduced by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Both measures center on allowing would-be entrepreneurs to use their own home kitchens to produce products meant for local sale.

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/lawmakers-oppose-water-law-change/article_3911e38e-48a9-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html State lawmakers received applause Thursday from the Colorado Water Congress for their opposition to a pair of initiatives that would seriously alter Colorado water law. “If we don’t defeat these initiatives, those uneducated about water will take control and irrigated agriculture will cease to be important,” said Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, [R]-Sterling. The water congress, which represents multiple state water interests, is meeting for the 54th year at its annual convention. The CWC has opposed two initiatives by Richard Hamilton of Fairplay and his attorney Phil Doe of Littleton.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/go-ahead-mr-speaker-make-my-day/56239/ Watch out Frank McNulty: A legislative proposal could allow a certain deputy city attorney to pack heat. House Bill 1026 confers peace officer status on city attorneys, their assistants and such. Each jurisdiction will decide whether those staffers can be armed. Denver’s new deputy city attorney is Scott Martinez, a key player in last year’s congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. He worked on Democratic maps ultimately approved by the Colorado Supreme Court, to the dismay of Republicans.

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19826225 Broomfield Democrat Dianne Primavera will officially kick off her campaign for House District 33 in an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona's Mexican Grill, 2255 W. 136th Ave. Primavera, a two-term state representative who was defeated by a 330-vote margin in 2010, announced her candidacy in December. Primavera will face Republican David Pigott in the November election. Pigott, a lawyer at Denver firm Bloch and Chapleau LLC, on Nov. 17 filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the HD 33 seat and officially kicked off his campaign, his first for political office, earlier this month.

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279927/-1/News01/Colorado-Democrats-disqualify-Swonger-from-primary The Colorado Democratic Party has disqualified Patrick Swonger from its primary in the 59th state House District. From the day Swonger kicked off his run two weeks ago, people began contacting the party to complain he was ineligible given his insufficient tenure as a registered Democrat. The Colorado Democratic Party declined to identify who reported Swonger. Party rules stipulate that candidates must be registered for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832002 Gov. John Hickenlooper is recommending the privatization of Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund, despite the ongoing concerns of business groups. However, Hickenlooper also is recommending a few tweaks to the proposal, giving the state a slightly larger ownership stake in what would be the newly privatized mutual assurance company and creating a new fund for injured workers. "Most of the large policyholders I've talked to, almost without fail, they've been pretty enthusiastic" about the privatization proposal, Hickenlooper told reporters Thursday in a conference call from Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/judge-denies-effort-block-co-abortion-protester/ A judge Thursday denied the federal government's request to keep a longtime anti-abortion protester from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver's Planned Parenthood center. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department's argument that Kenneth Scott's actions make it "unreasonably difficult" for patients and employees to get to the clinic. "Great news," one of Scott's lawyers, Peter Breen, said of Brimmer's late-evening ruling.

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19831444 A judge has ruled that police violated two Occupy Boulder protesters' Fourth Amendment rights when officers opened tent flaps to see whether the people inside were sleeping. In a ruling received by attorneys Thursday, Boulder Municipal Judge Linda Cooke said the Occupy Boulder protesters did have a reasonable expectation of privacy while camping on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street. Police did not have warrants to search the tents, and as a result, the observations of the officers will be suppressed in court. The two protesters, P.J. Jentsch and Katie DeMichele, were ticketed Nov. 21 along with nine others at the site of the former Occupy Boulder protest. Police officers opened the flap to the tent where Jentsch and DeMichele were sleeping before issuing them a ticket for camping.

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-132411-consider-oil.html After concerns from county commissioners and a warning letter from the Attorney General’s Office about El Paso County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, county planning staff have come up with a revised proposal for the commission to consider at its Jan. 31 meeting. County spokesman Dave Rose said the commissioners will consider both the original and the new proposals in their discussions. “I think they’ll have a long and extensive discussion next Tuesday,” Rose said.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f22178bc9832347734804.txt What does a 550-mile-long pipeline draining water from the southwest corner of Wyoming to the Front Range have to do with San Miguel County? Enough for the Board of County Commissioners to draft a resolution opposing the proposed $9 billion project. The plan calls for more than 200,000 acre-feet per year to be pumped from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which stores water from the Green River — over the Continental Divide and into Denver. (An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water, and 200,000 acre-feet is just over a fifth of the Green River’s annual flow.) If the project is built, water will flow through a pair of 42-inch pipes along Interstate 80. Dreamt up by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million, the pipeline would feed Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. “We’re always very cautious about protecting our resources,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Elaine Fischer.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19831100 Lakewood-based ZeaChem, a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of wood and other materials into fuels and chemicals, was selected for a $232.5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the company said Thursday. ZeaChem said the conditional commitment from the USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program enables the financing and construction of its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery. The 25-million-gallon-per-year facility is being built in Boardman, Ore.

Generation Xers skipping flu shots - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/generation-xers-skipping-flu-shots/article_f88e2c76-48af-11e1-abcf-0019bb2963f4.html At least three Puebloans died from complications from H1N1 and Colorado saw 2,041 people hospitalized during the height of the outbreak. Dr. Ken Gershman, epidemiologist and chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said that during the 2010-11 season, cases leveled off, mainly because H1N1 was part of the year’s vaccine. In 2009, it was developed separately and given late in the year. Jon D. Miller, author of the report, was somewhat optimistic. “These results suggest that young adults in Generation X did reasonably well in their first encounter with a major epidemic.

Denver names panelists who will help pick police monitor - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832003 Mayor Michael Hancock on Thursday announced the five people who will help pick Denver's next police watchdog. The Office of the Independent Monitor was created in 2005 to monitor internal investigations of police officers and sheriff's deputies and make recommendations on discipline. It was created after two controversial police shootings. The first monitor, Richard Rosenthal, was sometimes at odds with the Denver Police Department. Many officers and safety officials believed he overstepped his role, while supporters said his tough approach was just what was needed.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129846/1001 When the U.S. economy is good, Aspen does “incredible.” So what happens when the U.S. economy is bad? “You all suck,” said Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. “You are a function of what people feel because they are coming here to spend their money.” But the outlook for Aspen isn't all doom and gloom.

Van Dusen drops out of Boulder County commissioner’s contest - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828203 Longmont Democrat Bill Van Dusen announced Thursday that he's decided to withdraw his candidacy for a Boulder County commissioner's seat. Van Dusen, an attorney, educator and small business owner, had been running for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners that's up for election in November. But on Jan. 8, Van Dusen finished second in a three-way contest to step into that seat early. A Boulder County Democratic Party committee chose Deb Gardner over Van Dusen and former Longmont City Councilman Tom McCoy to fill the vacancy created in December, when then-Commissioner Ben Pearlman resigned to become Boulder County attorney.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

Commissioner candidate to challenge incumbent | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129865/1001 The first Republican jumped into the county commissioner's race to challenge the Democratic incumbent. Mike Beltracchi, 51, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Stavney for the District 2 seat, running roughly from Eagle to Edwards. In his announcement, Beltracchi already drew a line in the sand over the county's open space tax.

Colorado new-home permits increase in 2011 - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832016 Colorado home builders, for the second year in a row, pulled more permits than they did the year before. Through November 2011, the state recorded 12,758 single-family and multifamily building permits, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a 10 percent increase from the 11,591 permits pulled in all of 2010. Colorado new-home sales also are expected to inch out a small gain in 2011, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. That bucks the national trend, where a 2.2 percent decline in December put 2011 new-home sales at their lowest level in 50 years of record keeping.

More stories in National/Economy | Colorado/Economy
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Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

Colorado AG weighs in on DPS, union fight over Innovation Schools Act - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831908 The Colorado attorney general's office issued an opinion this week backing Denver Public Schools in a dispute with teachers about the state's Innovation Schools Act. Because the opinion favors the school district — saying the act applies to planned new schools as well as existing schools — DPS is calling for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association to drop its lawsuit over the issue. "The attorney general's opinion makes it clear that the actions of DPS and the State Board of Education are fully consistent with the law," district spokesman Mike Vaughn said. "We think it's time to move beyond this lawsuit and focus more resources on the classroom and fewer on the courtroom." Union president Henry Roman said the suit won't be dropped.

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/UPDATES01/120127003/Poudre-Valley-Hospital-receives-top-national-nursing-award For the fifth year in a row, the nation's leading nurse association presented its top award to Poudre Valley Hospital for the outstanding achievements that nurses accomplish in patient care and safety. The American Nurses Association, which represents 3.1 million nurses in the United States, presented the Fort Collins hospital in Colorado with the Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality. The presentation was made Thursday in Las Vegas during the annual AHA nursing quality conference.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/SPORTS/120129845/1001 People who have been critical of the way the Basalt Regional Library District has been operated over the past year will be able to do something about it this winter. Three of the seven positions on the library district's board of trustees are up for appointment in March. One incumbent, Taylor Liebmann, has announced that he will not seek reappointment. He represents Pitkin County. Current board member Christine Tinner, who represents Basalt, has reapplied. Liz Gremillion, who represents Eagle County, has expressed an interest in returning. Applicants must live in the jurisdiction where they are applying. The terms are three years.

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129830/1001 While Summit School District starts exploring whether there will be enough growth to necessitate a new elementary school within the next 10 years, it is predicting some ups and downs in enrollment for next school year. Despite the opening of The Peak School this fall, the middle school's population is predicted to increase by about 6.2 percent, due to a large fifth-grade class getting ready to enter, according to assistant superintendent Karen Strakbein. About 20 students are expected to enroll in the new school, but an almost 40-child difference between the current fifth-grade class and sixth-grade class still means an uptick of students for SMS next year. The current fifth-grade consists of 268 students, while the sixth-grade has 206.

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/board-132419-thursday-meeting.html Falcon School District 49 school board member Chris Wright said Thursday that he will not be resigning from the board. "After 100's of communications from folks within and without the district, I have decided to withdraw my resignation and take some time to reconsider my options and review the thoughts of those who have pleaded with me to remain in public office on the d49 Board of Education," he said in an email. Wright said Monday morning that he planned to submit his resignation from the board at the special meeting Thursday night.

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/wright-132441-board-resign.html Falcon School District 49 board member Christopher Wright did not resign Thursday night as expected, although he was absent from the special meeting. Wright said Monday that he planned to resign. On Thursday, he changed his mind. In an email statement, he said communications from hundreds of people caused him to reconsider. The D-49 attorney advised the board to proceed as usual, since Wright’s resignation was retracted via email before being formally presented.

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129893/1001 Full-time teachers and staff in the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 will each receive a one-time stipend this year of $1,500, using funds from the $4.8 million mill levy override approved by district voters in November. Part-time employees will also receive a bonus of between $750 and $1,200, depending on the percentage of time they work. The plan was approved by the Re-1 school board at its regular meeting held at Basalt High School on Wednesday. It's possible the board could approve another bonus for employees of between $250 and $500 later this spring, using some of the remaining funds that are available for this school year.

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/city-schools-slate-later-opening/article_93d3623e-48a9-11e1-9f04-0019bb2963f4.html Pueblo City Schools district (D60) students will begin class after Labor Day in a move to escape the late August heat that plagued the system this year. Schools that follow the traditional calendar will begin classes on Sept. 4 as part of a new schedule approved by the school board Tuesday night.

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/cca-dolores-huerta-await-decision-on-joint-charter/article_f0f7575a-48ad-11e1-a0df-0019bb2963f4.html Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High charter schools will have to wait another two weeks to find out if the Pueblo City Schools district (D60) will approve a joint charter application. CCA and DHPH officials are seeking a single charter for a kindergarten through 12th-grade academy. Currently, there is one charter for CCA, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, and another for the high school.

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_19828552 Former University of Colorado President Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken was appointed today to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership on the Boulder campus. After serving as interim CU president in 2000, Bracken will fill the shoes of former CU President Hank Brown, who held the position from 2008-10. “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this appointment as the Newton Endowed Chair,” Bracken said in a statement.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832011 After more than a quarter-century buried in a concrete wall, a copper time capsule was recovered from an old Denver school Thursday morning, just one day before the building will be torn to the ground. "It's amazing when you live through a cycle," said Al Bernahardt, 62, the construction foreman for Gove Middle School when it was built in 1975. Bernahardt was nostalgic as he watched the school he built torn apart as he helped locate the time capsule.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

Longmont Mayor backs right for homosexuals to marry - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828075 Mayor Dennis Coombs has added his name to a list of U.S. mayors who support "marriage equality," the legal right for homosexuals to marry. Coombs is one of only two Colorado mayors on the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" list at freedomtomarry.org, along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The movement is chaired by the mayors of New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. Confirming his support for the issue on Thursday, Coombs said that this was his personal feeling and not anything that specifically bound the city of Longmont.

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129827/1001 At its Tuesday work session, the Frisco Town Council reviewed potential changes to the building code, which will likely include fee changes. According to Frisco community development director Jocelyn Mills, revisions to the code are designed to meet the goal of making her government branch “more friendly and efficient.” “We're really working toward practical, common-sense solutions,” she said.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Frederick-Firestone fire district opens new ‘nerve center’ space - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/carbon-valley-news/ci_19831321 For five years, the Frederick-Firestone fire district knew it needed more space. On Thursday, it luxuriated in it. "All of our training, our administration, our warehouse facilities, are all based out of here now," said Fire Chief Ted Poszywak as he showed off the district's new business and education center at its grand opening. "It is our nerve center. It just about is."

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/shelter-outgrows-its-building Every night and morning, guests replay a familiar game to jockey for space at the Homeward Bound homeless shelter. Because there aren’t enough bunks to house everyone, mattresses and bedding are pulled out for people to spread out on the floor, often sleeping head to head and foot to foot. In the morning, the mattresses are tucked back under the stationary bunks, and tables and chairs that were pushed off to the side to make room are repositioned for folks to sit down to breakfast. The 9,800-square-foot building at 2583 North Ave., which houses up to 167 people during the most frigid winter nights, long has been packed. To help alleviate the crowds of single people and families seeking shelter, a local overflow program offered for the past five years through local churches finds space for up to 30 single men each night. But church volunteers are getting weary of the added responsibilities that initially were dubbed as a temporary solution, Homeward Bound Executive Director Gi Moon said.

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Vets return to Vail slopes | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129863/1001 Some wear uniforms, some wear prosthetics but this week they all wear smiles. The Vail Veterans Program is hosting its latest group of military veterans, all wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Vail wins the award for most heroes per square foot. Take breakfast at the Larkspur. Heroes are packed around every table, asking and answering the question, “How fast does it go?”

Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831884 Douglas and Arapahoe counties logged big increases in suicides in 2011, while the tallies in other metro-area counties have remained about the same or experienced a slight decrease. While final numbers still are being compiled, Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas said the tally of 46 suicides last year is up from 36 the year before and nearly double the 26 counted in 2009. Arapahoe County recorded 103 suicides in 2011, up from 69 in 2010. In Jefferson and Boulder counties, the numbers remained virtually the same in 2011. Weld and Adams counties both logged decreases.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832017 Frontier Airlines is coming home, bringing its headquarters back to Denver with Thursday's announcement of a chief executive and a new senior management team that will be based here. David Siegel, a 20-year airline and travel veteran, was named CEO, president and interim chief operating officer of Frontier. In addition to serving in several chief executive positions, Siegal has been an independent director on the board of Frontier's parent company, Republic Airways Holdings. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said Siegel is "the right guy at the right time for the next step in the process" of putting Frontier "back on independent footing" as it seeks a new owner.

Boulder honors firefighters killed in training exercise 30 years ago today - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19827217 This morning, friends, family members and firefighters gathered at Boulder's Station 3 to remember William J. Duran and Scott L. Smith, and the fire that claimed their lives during a training accident 30 year ago today. The Boulder Fire Department's flags are flying at half-staff. It was a tragedy that left deep wounds in the two families and the Boulder Fire Department, and it led to national changes in standards for training exercises. Battalion Chief Gilbert Espinoza, who was on duty that day and counted Duran among his best friends, said the handful of firefighters still with the department who were serving that day consider it a duty and an honor to pass on the story to younger firefighters.

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19829817 A former Boulder County deputy accused of Internet exploitation of children told investigators in November that he has been obsessed with young girls for years, but it "escalated and intensified" after he investigated a homicide in the late 1980s in which he "located and recovered dismembered remains" of a victim he knew. Boulder County Judge John Stavely unsealed the arrest warrant affidavit for Rick Ferguson, 53, during a brief hearing in Boulder District Court on Thursday afternoon. Defense attorney Larry Mertes argued against unsealing the court document, saying that pretrial publicity would taint the local jury pool. Stavely said with the conclusion of the investigation, the public's right to access was in play and that juries are frequently successfully seated in Boulder County for cases that received pretrial coverage.

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/group-132432-springs-answers.html Members of an advocate group for victims of priest sexual abuse met in front of the headquarters of the Archidiocese of St. Louis Thursday afternoon to demand answers about Rev. Charles Robert Manning of Colorado Springs. The group, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is a national organization that acts as a watch-dog for sexual assault crimes brought against religious leaders. It wants Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis to clear up ambiguities in Manning’s history with the Catholic church after learning that Manning is being investigated in a sexual assault case in Colorado. Manning, formerly of three St. Louis Catholic parishes, came to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs in 2007. At a Saturday mass, Rev. Rafael Torres-Rico told the congregation that allegations of sexual assault on a minor have been brought against Manning.

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831645 Denver police have arrested a man with AIDS on suspicion of prostitution, police said. Darren Garcia, 31, was taken into custody Wednesday when officers arrested prostitution suspects along Colfax Avenue, police said. Garcia has eight prior arrests for prostitution, police said, including two previous arrests on suspicion of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS. Garcia was one of 14 people arrested Wednesday in the undercover SWAT sting. The other 13 were women.

Editorial: ASSET bill offers hope to all students - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830763 A reworked bill that would allow Colorado's illegal immigrant high school students to pay reduced tuition at state colleges and universities strikes the right balance. Those who have attended high school in Colorado for three years would be eligible for a new class of tuition — more than in-state tuition, but far less than out-of-state tuition. The ASSET bill, as it is being called, would offer hope for students who are educationally stranded because of their immigration status.

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As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/as-democrats-shift-to-offense-obama-biden-address-house-retreat/2012/01/27/gIQAOxWqUQ_blog.html After two days of closed-door brainstorming sessions, briefings and panels featuring speakers including MSNBC’s Ed Schultz and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, the Democrats’ three-day “Reigniting the American Dream” conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay will conclude today with a 10:30 a.m. speech by Biden and a 1:15 p.m. address by Obama. Unlike last year’s meeting, this year’s retreat takes place days after the president’s combative State of the Union address — so lawmakers already have a sense of Obama’s likely message to his party. On the eve of the visit by the president and vice president, Democrats pointed to a new poll as a sign that they have reclaimed the momentum heading into 2012.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

U.S. economy grew at 2.8 percent rate | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/27/137132/us-economy-grew-at-28-percent.html The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the final three months of 2011, the government said Friday. The numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis were below the expectations of mainstream economists, most projecting 3 percent or higher. But the growth rate still points to a modest recovery, echoed by recent employment and manufacturing data.

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Bomb in Shiite neighborhood kills dozens in funeral procession - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-in-shiite-neighborhood-kills-dozens-in-funeral-procession/2012/01/27/gIQAD1H4UQ_story.html A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives amid a funeral procession here Friday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 60, a security official said. Mourners had gathered outside a hospital to receive the bodies of three people killed the night before, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The blast occurred in the Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, in the southeastern part of the city.

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137025/attack-on-nato-convoy-kills-4.html A suicide car bomber killed four Afghan civilians and wounded dozens Thursday in the southern province of Helmand, local officials said. The attack, which took place midmorning at a busy market in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, targeted armored vehicles that belonged to the U.S.-led NATO coalition. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the Taliban, which have their roots in southern Afghanistan. Thirty-one people were wounded, including three women who were visiting a doctor, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. He said a child with one of the women was among those killed.

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/surge-in-violence-killings-across-syria-un-security-council-set-to-meet/2012/01/27/gIQAKiVJVQ_story.html Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Activists in Homs said there were heavy casualties after a night of shelling and mortar fire, with military tanks again deployed across the city after being partially withdrawn last month at the outset of a monitoring mission by the Arab League. “In some areas, the shelling has not stopped for three days in a row. The regime is now waging full-scale war against the people,” said an activist in Homs who was contacted via Skype and uses the name Hadi al-Homsi. He described a “massacre” in the southeastern area of Karm al-Zeitoun, which is a focal point of military operations in the city.

Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

Costa Concordia’s captain lost precious time, official says | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137034/cruise-ships-captain-lost-precious.html The wasting of a "precious hour" by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of Italy's Coast Guard corps, Adm. Marco Brusco, made the remarks during a briefing to a parliament committee on the January 13 accident. "If Captain (Francesco) Schettino had not lost a precious hour ... it would have been possible to lower the lifeboats with calm, put the people at ease," Brusco said.

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120127,0,5568328.story Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, aiming for a knockout blow in next week's Florida primary, tore into Newt Gingrich in a televised debate Thursday night and vigorously defended his personal wealth as an asset in his presidential campaign. Romney was aggressive from the outset, starting with the issue of illegal immigration. Gingrich stood by a Spanish-language radio ad he had aired that said Romney was "anti-immigrant." Gingrich withdrew the ad after being admonished by Florida's popular Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney, noting that both his father and his wife's father were born outside the United States, said such language was "inexcusable."

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

Economic fairness eludes the GOP, but not Obama - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/economic-fairness-eludes-the-gop-but-not-obama/2012/01/26/gIQADOb3TQ_story.html If you heard a loud “gulp” Tuesday night after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked — that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

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Brazil buildings collapse; at least 4 dead, 18 missing - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-buildings-collapse-20120127,0,5791309.story Rescue workers in Brazil searched for survivors Thursday after three large buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, killing at least four people and leaving 18 or more missing.

A good pact on ‘super PACs’ - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-superpacs-20120127,0,908415.story The U.S. Senatecontest in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fascinating not just because it's one of the more competitive races for the upper house, or because it's likely to be the most expensive in history, but because of a strange and unusually honorable deal struck this week by the two candidates. Under their agreement, if an independent group such as a "super PAC" buys a TV ad backing one of the candidates, that candidate will donate an amount equal to half the cost of the ad to the charity of the opponent's choice. Thus, an ad placed independently by a super PAC could end up harming as well as helping its pick. To some, this pact is a flagrant violation of the free-speech rights of those individuals who contribute to super PACs. We think it's a sensible way of reducing the corrosive influence that independent political groups are having on our democracy in the wake of the Supreme Court's flawed Citizens United decision in 2010.

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ConocoPhillips’ oil roads in Alaska are an unwelcome intrusion - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/conocophillips-oil-roads-in-alaska-are-an-unwelcome-intrusion/2012/01/24/gIQAjoZ4TQ_story.html In the summer of 1998 I went to Prudhoe Bay, a major oil field on the North Slope of Alaska, prepared to listen carefully to oil companies eager to expand into the wilderness regions of the western Arctic. My priority was protection for Teshekpuk Lake, a large, aquamarine body of water at the center of globally important wetlands that draw nesting and breeding birds migrating from as far south as Chile and Argentina. The main environmental concern was the building of roads across the fragile expanses of tundra. Roads always beget more roads, generating networks that eventually destroy the wilderness character of the land and threaten wildlife, caribou herds and molting geese temporarily incapable of flight. I wanted to see firsthand if it would be possible to implement a new concept of roadless oil development.

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In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701269913/-1/News01/Obama-touts-natural-gas-in-Aurora His two-hour visit to Buckley Air Force base was his third Colorado stop in four months, and it came during a tour of swing states after his Tuesday night State of the Union address. The Colorado speech served as a highlight reel from Tuesday’s address, with an emphasis on energy. “For all our lives, America has been talking about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “Well, my administration has actually tried to do something about it.” U.S. oil production is at an eight-year high, and the country’s reliance on foreign oil is at a 16-year low, he said.

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831726 Hispanic Republicans Thursday denounced President Barack Obama, saying his policies have hurt the country and he is spending more time campaigning for president than actually serving as president. In a news conference at the state Capitol, Jefferson County Reps. Robert Ramirez and Libby Szabo — the lone two Hispanics in the GOP caucus — ripped Obama, who will be in Aurora this afternoon for a campaign stop to talk about energy. "He is here today, promising our military new energy resources, those mostly of green energy but he's not willing to talk to all of us," said Ramirez, of Westminster.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

President’s visit tickles two Colorado boys | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/windsor-brothers-meet-obama-cant-wait-to-tell-their-school-friends/56480/ Talked about two excited kids. The Turner boys — 9-year-old Colby and 11-year-old Cameron — had front-row seats at President Obama’s speech. The president autographed his book “The Audacity of Hope” for them. And the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force gave them medallions.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270349/Paul-make-appearance-CSU Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak at CSU in Fort Collins on Tuesday. A Ron Paul spokeswoman said the congressman is set to speak around 3 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, but logistics are still being finalized and further details would be provided closer to the event. The ballroom can hold about 1,100 people, and organizers say they plan to have local bands playing before Paul speaks. CSU officials said Paul's appearance is being organized by a student group and is not an official university event.

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110920/tipton-struggles-to-win-voter-approval-but-leads-in-early-poll Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado’s Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent. Of 569 individuals polled, 39 percent say incumbent Tipton deserves to be re-elected but only 36 percent approve of the job he is doing. Tipton’s job approval is 12 points lower than the 48 percent job approval then-Rep. John Salazar notched in a similar poll conducted in 2010. Tipton ended up beating Salazar, whose popularity was tested by votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act. “People are upset with the way Washington is conducting business– and it shows,” Pace said in a press release.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/immigrant-tuition-break-advances/article_b56b5cba-48ab-11e1-8415-0019bb2963f4.html A Pueblo lawmaker’s proposal to create a level of discount college tuition for illegal immigrants cleared a Senate panel Thursday on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democrats on the Senate Education Committee favored SB15, sponsored by Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver. They touted it as a boost to college revenue, a return on the investment the state has made in students’ public schooling and a bargain for the state, which would not subsidize any part of the students’ college costs. “We can’t and must not allow another generation of immigrants to struggle for the chance to contribute to American society,” Giron said. “These students were brought here as babies and small children. They worked hard, got good grades, have been accepted to college.”

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/homefood-business-bills-find-favor-in-first-hearin Committees in the Colorado House and Senate on Thursday simultaneously heard two bills introduced by local lawmakers designed to help Coloradans create their own home-food businesses. While the House Economic and Business Development Committee approved a measure offered by Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee supported another one introduced by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Both measures center on allowing would-be entrepreneurs to use their own home kitchens to produce products meant for local sale.

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/lawmakers-oppose-water-law-change/article_3911e38e-48a9-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html State lawmakers received applause Thursday from the Colorado Water Congress for their opposition to a pair of initiatives that would seriously alter Colorado water law. “If we don’t defeat these initiatives, those uneducated about water will take control and irrigated agriculture will cease to be important,” said Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, [R]-Sterling. The water congress, which represents multiple state water interests, is meeting for the 54th year at its annual convention. The CWC has opposed two initiatives by Richard Hamilton of Fairplay and his attorney Phil Doe of Littleton.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/go-ahead-mr-speaker-make-my-day/56239/ Watch out Frank McNulty: A legislative proposal could allow a certain deputy city attorney to pack heat. House Bill 1026 confers peace officer status on city attorneys, their assistants and such. Each jurisdiction will decide whether those staffers can be armed. Denver’s new deputy city attorney is Scott Martinez, a key player in last year’s congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. He worked on Democratic maps ultimately approved by the Colorado Supreme Court, to the dismay of Republicans.

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19826225 Broomfield Democrat Dianne Primavera will officially kick off her campaign for House District 33 in an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona's Mexican Grill, 2255 W. 136th Ave. Primavera, a two-term state representative who was defeated by a 330-vote margin in 2010, announced her candidacy in December. Primavera will face Republican David Pigott in the November election. Pigott, a lawyer at Denver firm Bloch and Chapleau LLC, on Nov. 17 filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the HD 33 seat and officially kicked off his campaign, his first for political office, earlier this month.

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279927/-1/News01/Colorado-Democrats-disqualify-Swonger-from-primary The Colorado Democratic Party has disqualified Patrick Swonger from its primary in the 59th state House District. From the day Swonger kicked off his run two weeks ago, people began contacting the party to complain he was ineligible given his insufficient tenure as a registered Democrat. The Colorado Democratic Party declined to identify who reported Swonger. Party rules stipulate that candidates must be registered for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832002 Gov. John Hickenlooper is recommending the privatization of Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund, despite the ongoing concerns of business groups. However, Hickenlooper also is recommending a few tweaks to the proposal, giving the state a slightly larger ownership stake in what would be the newly privatized mutual assurance company and creating a new fund for injured workers. "Most of the large policyholders I've talked to, almost without fail, they've been pretty enthusiastic" about the privatization proposal, Hickenlooper told reporters Thursday in a conference call from Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/judge-denies-effort-block-co-abortion-protester/ A judge Thursday denied the federal government's request to keep a longtime anti-abortion protester from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver's Planned Parenthood center. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department's argument that Kenneth Scott's actions make it "unreasonably difficult" for patients and employees to get to the clinic. "Great news," one of Scott's lawyers, Peter Breen, said of Brimmer's late-evening ruling.

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19831444 A judge has ruled that police violated two Occupy Boulder protesters' Fourth Amendment rights when officers opened tent flaps to see whether the people inside were sleeping. In a ruling received by attorneys Thursday, Boulder Municipal Judge Linda Cooke said the Occupy Boulder protesters did have a reasonable expectation of privacy while camping on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street. Police did not have warrants to search the tents, and as a result, the observations of the officers will be suppressed in court. The two protesters, P.J. Jentsch and Katie DeMichele, were ticketed Nov. 21 along with nine others at the site of the former Occupy Boulder protest. Police officers opened the flap to the tent where Jentsch and DeMichele were sleeping before issuing them a ticket for camping.

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-132411-consider-oil.html After concerns from county commissioners and a warning letter from the Attorney General’s Office about El Paso County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, county planning staff have come up with a revised proposal for the commission to consider at its Jan. 31 meeting. County spokesman Dave Rose said the commissioners will consider both the original and the new proposals in their discussions. “I think they’ll have a long and extensive discussion next Tuesday,” Rose said.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f22178bc9832347734804.txt What does a 550-mile-long pipeline draining water from the southwest corner of Wyoming to the Front Range have to do with San Miguel County? Enough for the Board of County Commissioners to draft a resolution opposing the proposed $9 billion project. The plan calls for more than 200,000 acre-feet per year to be pumped from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which stores water from the Green River — over the Continental Divide and into Denver. (An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water, and 200,000 acre-feet is just over a fifth of the Green River’s annual flow.) If the project is built, water will flow through a pair of 42-inch pipes along Interstate 80. Dreamt up by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million, the pipeline would feed Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. “We’re always very cautious about protecting our resources,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Elaine Fischer.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19831100 Lakewood-based ZeaChem, a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of wood and other materials into fuels and chemicals, was selected for a $232.5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the company said Thursday. ZeaChem said the conditional commitment from the USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program enables the financing and construction of its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery. The 25-million-gallon-per-year facility is being built in Boardman, Ore.

Generation Xers skipping flu shots - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/generation-xers-skipping-flu-shots/article_f88e2c76-48af-11e1-abcf-0019bb2963f4.html At least three Puebloans died from complications from H1N1 and Colorado saw 2,041 people hospitalized during the height of the outbreak. Dr. Ken Gershman, epidemiologist and chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said that during the 2010-11 season, cases leveled off, mainly because H1N1 was part of the year’s vaccine. In 2009, it was developed separately and given late in the year. Jon D. Miller, author of the report, was somewhat optimistic. “These results suggest that young adults in Generation X did reasonably well in their first encounter with a major epidemic.

Denver names panelists who will help pick police monitor - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832003 Mayor Michael Hancock on Thursday announced the five people who will help pick Denver's next police watchdog. The Office of the Independent Monitor was created in 2005 to monitor internal investigations of police officers and sheriff's deputies and make recommendations on discipline. It was created after two controversial police shootings. The first monitor, Richard Rosenthal, was sometimes at odds with the Denver Police Department. Many officers and safety officials believed he overstepped his role, while supporters said his tough approach was just what was needed.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129846/1001 When the U.S. economy is good, Aspen does “incredible.” So what happens when the U.S. economy is bad? “You all suck,” said Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. “You are a function of what people feel because they are coming here to spend their money.” But the outlook for Aspen isn't all doom and gloom.

Van Dusen drops out of Boulder County commissioner’s contest - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828203 Longmont Democrat Bill Van Dusen announced Thursday that he's decided to withdraw his candidacy for a Boulder County commissioner's seat. Van Dusen, an attorney, educator and small business owner, had been running for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners that's up for election in November. But on Jan. 8, Van Dusen finished second in a three-way contest to step into that seat early. A Boulder County Democratic Party committee chose Deb Gardner over Van Dusen and former Longmont City Councilman Tom McCoy to fill the vacancy created in December, when then-Commissioner Ben Pearlman resigned to become Boulder County attorney.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

Commissioner candidate to challenge incumbent | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129865/1001 The first Republican jumped into the county commissioner's race to challenge the Democratic incumbent. Mike Beltracchi, 51, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Stavney for the District 2 seat, running roughly from Eagle to Edwards. In his announcement, Beltracchi already drew a line in the sand over the county's open space tax.

Colorado new-home permits increase in 2011 - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832016 Colorado home builders, for the second year in a row, pulled more permits than they did the year before. Through November 2011, the state recorded 12,758 single-family and multifamily building permits, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a 10 percent increase from the 11,591 permits pulled in all of 2010. Colorado new-home sales also are expected to inch out a small gain in 2011, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. That bucks the national trend, where a 2.2 percent decline in December put 2011 new-home sales at their lowest level in 50 years of record keeping.

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Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

Colorado AG weighs in on DPS, union fight over Innovation Schools Act - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831908 The Colorado attorney general's office issued an opinion this week backing Denver Public Schools in a dispute with teachers about the state's Innovation Schools Act. Because the opinion favors the school district — saying the act applies to planned new schools as well as existing schools — DPS is calling for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association to drop its lawsuit over the issue. "The attorney general's opinion makes it clear that the actions of DPS and the State Board of Education are fully consistent with the law," district spokesman Mike Vaughn said. "We think it's time to move beyond this lawsuit and focus more resources on the classroom and fewer on the courtroom." Union president Henry Roman said the suit won't be dropped.

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/UPDATES01/120127003/Poudre-Valley-Hospital-receives-top-national-nursing-award For the fifth year in a row, the nation's leading nurse association presented its top award to Poudre Valley Hospital for the outstanding achievements that nurses accomplish in patient care and safety. The American Nurses Association, which represents 3.1 million nurses in the United States, presented the Fort Collins hospital in Colorado with the Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality. The presentation was made Thursday in Las Vegas during the annual AHA nursing quality conference.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/SPORTS/120129845/1001 People who have been critical of the way the Basalt Regional Library District has been operated over the past year will be able to do something about it this winter. Three of the seven positions on the library district's board of trustees are up for appointment in March. One incumbent, Taylor Liebmann, has announced that he will not seek reappointment. He represents Pitkin County. Current board member Christine Tinner, who represents Basalt, has reapplied. Liz Gremillion, who represents Eagle County, has expressed an interest in returning. Applicants must live in the jurisdiction where they are applying. The terms are three years.

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129830/1001 While Summit School District starts exploring whether there will be enough growth to necessitate a new elementary school within the next 10 years, it is predicting some ups and downs in enrollment for next school year. Despite the opening of The Peak School this fall, the middle school's population is predicted to increase by about 6.2 percent, due to a large fifth-grade class getting ready to enter, according to assistant superintendent Karen Strakbein. About 20 students are expected to enroll in the new school, but an almost 40-child difference between the current fifth-grade class and sixth-grade class still means an uptick of students for SMS next year. The current fifth-grade consists of 268 students, while the sixth-grade has 206.

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/board-132419-thursday-meeting.html Falcon School District 49 school board member Chris Wright said Thursday that he will not be resigning from the board. "After 100's of communications from folks within and without the district, I have decided to withdraw my resignation and take some time to reconsider my options and review the thoughts of those who have pleaded with me to remain in public office on the d49 Board of Education," he said in an email. Wright said Monday morning that he planned to submit his resignation from the board at the special meeting Thursday night.

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/wright-132441-board-resign.html Falcon School District 49 board member Christopher Wright did not resign Thursday night as expected, although he was absent from the special meeting. Wright said Monday that he planned to resign. On Thursday, he changed his mind. In an email statement, he said communications from hundreds of people caused him to reconsider. The D-49 attorney advised the board to proceed as usual, since Wright’s resignation was retracted via email before being formally presented.

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129893/1001 Full-time teachers and staff in the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 will each receive a one-time stipend this year of $1,500, using funds from the $4.8 million mill levy override approved by district voters in November. Part-time employees will also receive a bonus of between $750 and $1,200, depending on the percentage of time they work. The plan was approved by the Re-1 school board at its regular meeting held at Basalt High School on Wednesday. It's possible the board could approve another bonus for employees of between $250 and $500 later this spring, using some of the remaining funds that are available for this school year.

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/city-schools-slate-later-opening/article_93d3623e-48a9-11e1-9f04-0019bb2963f4.html Pueblo City Schools district (D60) students will begin class after Labor Day in a move to escape the late August heat that plagued the system this year. Schools that follow the traditional calendar will begin classes on Sept. 4 as part of a new schedule approved by the school board Tuesday night.

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/cca-dolores-huerta-await-decision-on-joint-charter/article_f0f7575a-48ad-11e1-a0df-0019bb2963f4.html Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High charter schools will have to wait another two weeks to find out if the Pueblo City Schools district (D60) will approve a joint charter application. CCA and DHPH officials are seeking a single charter for a kindergarten through 12th-grade academy. Currently, there is one charter for CCA, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, and another for the high school.

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_19828552 Former University of Colorado President Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken was appointed today to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership on the Boulder campus. After serving as interim CU president in 2000, Bracken will fill the shoes of former CU President Hank Brown, who held the position from 2008-10. “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this appointment as the Newton Endowed Chair,” Bracken said in a statement.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832011 After more than a quarter-century buried in a concrete wall, a copper time capsule was recovered from an old Denver school Thursday morning, just one day before the building will be torn to the ground. "It's amazing when you live through a cycle," said Al Bernahardt, 62, the construction foreman for Gove Middle School when it was built in 1975. Bernahardt was nostalgic as he watched the school he built torn apart as he helped locate the time capsule.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

Longmont Mayor backs right for homosexuals to marry - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828075 Mayor Dennis Coombs has added his name to a list of U.S. mayors who support "marriage equality," the legal right for homosexuals to marry. Coombs is one of only two Colorado mayors on the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" list at freedomtomarry.org, along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The movement is chaired by the mayors of New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. Confirming his support for the issue on Thursday, Coombs said that this was his personal feeling and not anything that specifically bound the city of Longmont.

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129827/1001 At its Tuesday work session, the Frisco Town Council reviewed potential changes to the building code, which will likely include fee changes. According to Frisco community development director Jocelyn Mills, revisions to the code are designed to meet the goal of making her government branch “more friendly and efficient.” “We're really working toward practical, common-sense solutions,” she said.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Frederick-Firestone fire district opens new ‘nerve center’ space - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/carbon-valley-news/ci_19831321 For five years, the Frederick-Firestone fire district knew it needed more space. On Thursday, it luxuriated in it. "All of our training, our administration, our warehouse facilities, are all based out of here now," said Fire Chief Ted Poszywak as he showed off the district's new business and education center at its grand opening. "It is our nerve center. It just about is."

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/shelter-outgrows-its-building Every night and morning, guests replay a familiar game to jockey for space at the Homeward Bound homeless shelter. Because there aren’t enough bunks to house everyone, mattresses and bedding are pulled out for people to spread out on the floor, often sleeping head to head and foot to foot. In the morning, the mattresses are tucked back under the stationary bunks, and tables and chairs that were pushed off to the side to make room are repositioned for folks to sit down to breakfast. The 9,800-square-foot building at 2583 North Ave., which houses up to 167 people during the most frigid winter nights, long has been packed. To help alleviate the crowds of single people and families seeking shelter, a local overflow program offered for the past five years through local churches finds space for up to 30 single men each night. But church volunteers are getting weary of the added responsibilities that initially were dubbed as a temporary solution, Homeward Bound Executive Director Gi Moon said.

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Vets return to Vail slopes | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129863/1001 Some wear uniforms, some wear prosthetics but this week they all wear smiles. The Vail Veterans Program is hosting its latest group of military veterans, all wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Vail wins the award for most heroes per square foot. Take breakfast at the Larkspur. Heroes are packed around every table, asking and answering the question, “How fast does it go?”

Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831884 Douglas and Arapahoe counties logged big increases in suicides in 2011, while the tallies in other metro-area counties have remained about the same or experienced a slight decrease. While final numbers still are being compiled, Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas said the tally of 46 suicides last year is up from 36 the year before and nearly double the 26 counted in 2009. Arapahoe County recorded 103 suicides in 2011, up from 69 in 2010. In Jefferson and Boulder counties, the numbers remained virtually the same in 2011. Weld and Adams counties both logged decreases.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832017 Frontier Airlines is coming home, bringing its headquarters back to Denver with Thursday's announcement of a chief executive and a new senior management team that will be based here. David Siegel, a 20-year airline and travel veteran, was named CEO, president and interim chief operating officer of Frontier. In addition to serving in several chief executive positions, Siegal has been an independent director on the board of Frontier's parent company, Republic Airways Holdings. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said Siegel is "the right guy at the right time for the next step in the process" of putting Frontier "back on independent footing" as it seeks a new owner.

Boulder honors firefighters killed in training exercise 30 years ago today - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19827217 This morning, friends, family members and firefighters gathered at Boulder's Station 3 to remember William J. Duran and Scott L. Smith, and the fire that claimed their lives during a training accident 30 year ago today. The Boulder Fire Department's flags are flying at half-staff. It was a tragedy that left deep wounds in the two families and the Boulder Fire Department, and it led to national changes in standards for training exercises. Battalion Chief Gilbert Espinoza, who was on duty that day and counted Duran among his best friends, said the handful of firefighters still with the department who were serving that day consider it a duty and an honor to pass on the story to younger firefighters.

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19829817 A former Boulder County deputy accused of Internet exploitation of children told investigators in November that he has been obsessed with young girls for years, but it "escalated and intensified" after he investigated a homicide in the late 1980s in which he "located and recovered dismembered remains" of a victim he knew. Boulder County Judge John Stavely unsealed the arrest warrant affidavit for Rick Ferguson, 53, during a brief hearing in Boulder District Court on Thursday afternoon. Defense attorney Larry Mertes argued against unsealing the court document, saying that pretrial publicity would taint the local jury pool. Stavely said with the conclusion of the investigation, the public's right to access was in play and that juries are frequently successfully seated in Boulder County for cases that received pretrial coverage.

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/group-132432-springs-answers.html Members of an advocate group for victims of priest sexual abuse met in front of the headquarters of the Archidiocese of St. Louis Thursday afternoon to demand answers about Rev. Charles Robert Manning of Colorado Springs. The group, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is a national organization that acts as a watch-dog for sexual assault crimes brought against religious leaders. It wants Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis to clear up ambiguities in Manning’s history with the Catholic church after learning that Manning is being investigated in a sexual assault case in Colorado. Manning, formerly of three St. Louis Catholic parishes, came to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs in 2007. At a Saturday mass, Rev. Rafael Torres-Rico told the congregation that allegations of sexual assault on a minor have been brought against Manning.

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831645 Denver police have arrested a man with AIDS on suspicion of prostitution, police said. Darren Garcia, 31, was taken into custody Wednesday when officers arrested prostitution suspects along Colfax Avenue, police said. Garcia has eight prior arrests for prostitution, police said, including two previous arrests on suspicion of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS. Garcia was one of 14 people arrested Wednesday in the undercover SWAT sting. The other 13 were women.

Editorial: ASSET bill offers hope to all students - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830763 A reworked bill that would allow Colorado's illegal immigrant high school students to pay reduced tuition at state colleges and universities strikes the right balance. Those who have attended high school in Colorado for three years would be eligible for a new class of tuition — more than in-state tuition, but far less than out-of-state tuition. The ASSET bill, as it is being called, would offer hope for students who are educationally stranded because of their immigration status.

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As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/as-democrats-shift-to-offense-obama-biden-address-house-retreat/2012/01/27/gIQAOxWqUQ_blog.html After two days of closed-door brainstorming sessions, briefings and panels featuring speakers including MSNBC’s Ed Schultz and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, the Democrats’ three-day “Reigniting the American Dream” conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay will conclude today with a 10:30 a.m. speech by Biden and a 1:15 p.m. address by Obama. Unlike last year’s meeting, this year’s retreat takes place days after the president’s combative State of the Union address — so lawmakers already have a sense of Obama’s likely message to his party. On the eve of the visit by the president and vice president, Democrats pointed to a new poll as a sign that they have reclaimed the momentum heading into 2012.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

U.S. economy grew at 2.8 percent rate | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/27/137132/us-economy-grew-at-28-percent.html The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the final three months of 2011, the government said Friday. The numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis were below the expectations of mainstream economists, most projecting 3 percent or higher. But the growth rate still points to a modest recovery, echoed by recent employment and manufacturing data.

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Bomb in Shiite neighborhood kills dozens in funeral procession - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-in-shiite-neighborhood-kills-dozens-in-funeral-procession/2012/01/27/gIQAD1H4UQ_story.html A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives amid a funeral procession here Friday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 60, a security official said. Mourners had gathered outside a hospital to receive the bodies of three people killed the night before, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The blast occurred in the Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, in the southeastern part of the city.

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137025/attack-on-nato-convoy-kills-4.html A suicide car bomber killed four Afghan civilians and wounded dozens Thursday in the southern province of Helmand, local officials said. The attack, which took place midmorning at a busy market in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, targeted armored vehicles that belonged to the U.S.-led NATO coalition. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the Taliban, which have their roots in southern Afghanistan. Thirty-one people were wounded, including three women who were visiting a doctor, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. He said a child with one of the women was among those killed.

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/surge-in-violence-killings-across-syria-un-security-council-set-to-meet/2012/01/27/gIQAKiVJVQ_story.html Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Activists in Homs said there were heavy casualties after a night of shelling and mortar fire, with military tanks again deployed across the city after being partially withdrawn last month at the outset of a monitoring mission by the Arab League. “In some areas, the shelling has not stopped for three days in a row. The regime is now waging full-scale war against the people,” said an activist in Homs who was contacted via Skype and uses the name Hadi al-Homsi. He described a “massacre” in the southeastern area of Karm al-Zeitoun, which is a focal point of military operations in the city.

Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

Costa Concordia’s captain lost precious time, official says | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137034/cruise-ships-captain-lost-precious.html The wasting of a "precious hour" by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of Italy's Coast Guard corps, Adm. Marco Brusco, made the remarks during a briefing to a parliament committee on the January 13 accident. "If Captain (Francesco) Schettino had not lost a precious hour ... it would have been possible to lower the lifeboats with calm, put the people at ease," Brusco said.

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120127,0,5568328.story Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, aiming for a knockout blow in next week's Florida primary, tore into Newt Gingrich in a televised debate Thursday night and vigorously defended his personal wealth as an asset in his presidential campaign. Romney was aggressive from the outset, starting with the issue of illegal immigration. Gingrich stood by a Spanish-language radio ad he had aired that said Romney was "anti-immigrant." Gingrich withdrew the ad after being admonished by Florida's popular Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney, noting that both his father and his wife's father were born outside the United States, said such language was "inexcusable."

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

Economic fairness eludes the GOP, but not Obama - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/economic-fairness-eludes-the-gop-but-not-obama/2012/01/26/gIQADOb3TQ_story.html If you heard a loud “gulp” Tuesday night after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked — that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

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Brazil buildings collapse; at least 4 dead, 18 missing - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-buildings-collapse-20120127,0,5791309.story Rescue workers in Brazil searched for survivors Thursday after three large buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, killing at least four people and leaving 18 or more missing.

A good pact on ‘super PACs’ - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-superpacs-20120127,0,908415.story The U.S. Senatecontest in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fascinating not just because it's one of the more competitive races for the upper house, or because it's likely to be the most expensive in history, but because of a strange and unusually honorable deal struck this week by the two candidates. Under their agreement, if an independent group such as a "super PAC" buys a TV ad backing one of the candidates, that candidate will donate an amount equal to half the cost of the ad to the charity of the opponent's choice. Thus, an ad placed independently by a super PAC could end up harming as well as helping its pick. To some, this pact is a flagrant violation of the free-speech rights of those individuals who contribute to super PACs. We think it's a sensible way of reducing the corrosive influence that independent political groups are having on our democracy in the wake of the Supreme Court's flawed Citizens United decision in 2010.

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ConocoPhillips’ oil roads in Alaska are an unwelcome intrusion - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/conocophillips-oil-roads-in-alaska-are-an-unwelcome-intrusion/2012/01/24/gIQAjoZ4TQ_story.html In the summer of 1998 I went to Prudhoe Bay, a major oil field on the North Slope of Alaska, prepared to listen carefully to oil companies eager to expand into the wilderness regions of the western Arctic. My priority was protection for Teshekpuk Lake, a large, aquamarine body of water at the center of globally important wetlands that draw nesting and breeding birds migrating from as far south as Chile and Argentina. The main environmental concern was the building of roads across the fragile expanses of tundra. Roads always beget more roads, generating networks that eventually destroy the wilderness character of the land and threaten wildlife, caribou herds and molting geese temporarily incapable of flight. I wanted to see firsthand if it would be possible to implement a new concept of roadless oil development.

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In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701269913/-1/News01/Obama-touts-natural-gas-in-Aurora His two-hour visit to Buckley Air Force base was his third Colorado stop in four months, and it came during a tour of swing states after his Tuesday night State of the Union address. The Colorado speech served as a highlight reel from Tuesday’s address, with an emphasis on energy. “For all our lives, America has been talking about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “Well, my administration has actually tried to do something about it.” U.S. oil production is at an eight-year high, and the country’s reliance on foreign oil is at a 16-year low, he said.

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831726 Hispanic Republicans Thursday denounced President Barack Obama, saying his policies have hurt the country and he is spending more time campaigning for president than actually serving as president. In a news conference at the state Capitol, Jefferson County Reps. Robert Ramirez and Libby Szabo — the lone two Hispanics in the GOP caucus — ripped Obama, who will be in Aurora this afternoon for a campaign stop to talk about energy. "He is here today, promising our military new energy resources, those mostly of green energy but he's not willing to talk to all of us," said Ramirez, of Westminster.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

President’s visit tickles two Colorado boys | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/windsor-brothers-meet-obama-cant-wait-to-tell-their-school-friends/56480/ Talked about two excited kids. The Turner boys — 9-year-old Colby and 11-year-old Cameron — had front-row seats at President Obama’s speech. The president autographed his book “The Audacity of Hope” for them. And the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force gave them medallions.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270349/Paul-make-appearance-CSU Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak at CSU in Fort Collins on Tuesday. A Ron Paul spokeswoman said the congressman is set to speak around 3 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, but logistics are still being finalized and further details would be provided closer to the event. The ballroom can hold about 1,100 people, and organizers say they plan to have local bands playing before Paul speaks. CSU officials said Paul's appearance is being organized by a student group and is not an official university event.

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110920/tipton-struggles-to-win-voter-approval-but-leads-in-early-poll Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado’s Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent. Of 569 individuals polled, 39 percent say incumbent Tipton deserves to be re-elected but only 36 percent approve of the job he is doing. Tipton’s job approval is 12 points lower than the 48 percent job approval then-Rep. John Salazar notched in a similar poll conducted in 2010. Tipton ended up beating Salazar, whose popularity was tested by votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act. “People are upset with the way Washington is conducting business– and it shows,” Pace said in a press release.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/immigrant-tuition-break-advances/article_b56b5cba-48ab-11e1-8415-0019bb2963f4.html A Pueblo lawmaker’s proposal to create a level of discount college tuition for illegal immigrants cleared a Senate panel Thursday on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democrats on the Senate Education Committee favored SB15, sponsored by Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver. They touted it as a boost to college revenue, a return on the investment the state has made in students’ public schooling and a bargain for the state, which would not subsidize any part of the students’ college costs. “We can’t and must not allow another generation of immigrants to struggle for the chance to contribute to American society,” Giron said. “These students were brought here as babies and small children. They worked hard, got good grades, have been accepted to college.”

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/homefood-business-bills-find-favor-in-first-hearin Committees in the Colorado House and Senate on Thursday simultaneously heard two bills introduced by local lawmakers designed to help Coloradans create their own home-food businesses. While the House Economic and Business Development Committee approved a measure offered by Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee supported another one introduced by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Both measures center on allowing would-be entrepreneurs to use their own home kitchens to produce products meant for local sale.

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/lawmakers-oppose-water-law-change/article_3911e38e-48a9-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html State lawmakers received applause Thursday from the Colorado Water Congress for their opposition to a pair of initiatives that would seriously alter Colorado water law. “If we don’t defeat these initiatives, those uneducated about water will take control and irrigated agriculture will cease to be important,” said Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, [R]-Sterling. The water congress, which represents multiple state water interests, is meeting for the 54th year at its annual convention. The CWC has opposed two initiatives by Richard Hamilton of Fairplay and his attorney Phil Doe of Littleton.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/go-ahead-mr-speaker-make-my-day/56239/ Watch out Frank McNulty: A legislative proposal could allow a certain deputy city attorney to pack heat. House Bill 1026 confers peace officer status on city attorneys, their assistants and such. Each jurisdiction will decide whether those staffers can be armed. Denver’s new deputy city attorney is Scott Martinez, a key player in last year’s congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. He worked on Democratic maps ultimately approved by the Colorado Supreme Court, to the dismay of Republicans.

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19826225 Broomfield Democrat Dianne Primavera will officially kick off her campaign for House District 33 in an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona's Mexican Grill, 2255 W. 136th Ave. Primavera, a two-term state representative who was defeated by a 330-vote margin in 2010, announced her candidacy in December. Primavera will face Republican David Pigott in the November election. Pigott, a lawyer at Denver firm Bloch and Chapleau LLC, on Nov. 17 filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the HD 33 seat and officially kicked off his campaign, his first for political office, earlier this month.

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279927/-1/News01/Colorado-Democrats-disqualify-Swonger-from-primary The Colorado Democratic Party has disqualified Patrick Swonger from its primary in the 59th state House District. From the day Swonger kicked off his run two weeks ago, people began contacting the party to complain he was ineligible given his insufficient tenure as a registered Democrat. The Colorado Democratic Party declined to identify who reported Swonger. Party rules stipulate that candidates must be registered for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832002 Gov. John Hickenlooper is recommending the privatization of Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund, despite the ongoing concerns of business groups. However, Hickenlooper also is recommending a few tweaks to the proposal, giving the state a slightly larger ownership stake in what would be the newly privatized mutual assurance company and creating a new fund for injured workers. "Most of the large policyholders I've talked to, almost without fail, they've been pretty enthusiastic" about the privatization proposal, Hickenlooper told reporters Thursday in a conference call from Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/judge-denies-effort-block-co-abortion-protester/ A judge Thursday denied the federal government's request to keep a longtime anti-abortion protester from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver's Planned Parenthood center. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department's argument that Kenneth Scott's actions make it "unreasonably difficult" for patients and employees to get to the clinic. "Great news," one of Scott's lawyers, Peter Breen, said of Brimmer's late-evening ruling.

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19831444 A judge has ruled that police violated two Occupy Boulder protesters' Fourth Amendment rights when officers opened tent flaps to see whether the people inside were sleeping. In a ruling received by attorneys Thursday, Boulder Municipal Judge Linda Cooke said the Occupy Boulder protesters did have a reasonable expectation of privacy while camping on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street. Police did not have warrants to search the tents, and as a result, the observations of the officers will be suppressed in court. The two protesters, P.J. Jentsch and Katie DeMichele, were ticketed Nov. 21 along with nine others at the site of the former Occupy Boulder protest. Police officers opened the flap to the tent where Jentsch and DeMichele were sleeping before issuing them a ticket for camping.

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-132411-consider-oil.html After concerns from county commissioners and a warning letter from the Attorney General’s Office about El Paso County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, county planning staff have come up with a revised proposal for the commission to consider at its Jan. 31 meeting. County spokesman Dave Rose said the commissioners will consider both the original and the new proposals in their discussions. “I think they’ll have a long and extensive discussion next Tuesday,” Rose said.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f22178bc9832347734804.txt What does a 550-mile-long pipeline draining water from the southwest corner of Wyoming to the Front Range have to do with San Miguel County? Enough for the Board of County Commissioners to draft a resolution opposing the proposed $9 billion project. The plan calls for more than 200,000 acre-feet per year to be pumped from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which stores water from the Green River — over the Continental Divide and into Denver. (An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water, and 200,000 acre-feet is just over a fifth of the Green River’s annual flow.) If the project is built, water will flow through a pair of 42-inch pipes along Interstate 80. Dreamt up by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million, the pipeline would feed Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. “We’re always very cautious about protecting our resources,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Elaine Fischer.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19831100 Lakewood-based ZeaChem, a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of wood and other materials into fuels and chemicals, was selected for a $232.5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the company said Thursday. ZeaChem said the conditional commitment from the USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program enables the financing and construction of its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery. The 25-million-gallon-per-year facility is being built in Boardman, Ore.

Generation Xers skipping flu shots - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/generation-xers-skipping-flu-shots/article_f88e2c76-48af-11e1-abcf-0019bb2963f4.html At least three Puebloans died from complications from H1N1 and Colorado saw 2,041 people hospitalized during the height of the outbreak. Dr. Ken Gershman, epidemiologist and chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said that during the 2010-11 season, cases leveled off, mainly because H1N1 was part of the year’s vaccine. In 2009, it was developed separately and given late in the year. Jon D. Miller, author of the report, was somewhat optimistic. “These results suggest that young adults in Generation X did reasonably well in their first encounter with a major epidemic.

Denver names panelists who will help pick police monitor - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832003 Mayor Michael Hancock on Thursday announced the five people who will help pick Denver's next police watchdog. The Office of the Independent Monitor was created in 2005 to monitor internal investigations of police officers and sheriff's deputies and make recommendations on discipline. It was created after two controversial police shootings. The first monitor, Richard Rosenthal, was sometimes at odds with the Denver Police Department. Many officers and safety officials believed he overstepped his role, while supporters said his tough approach was just what was needed.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129846/1001 When the U.S. economy is good, Aspen does “incredible.” So what happens when the U.S. economy is bad? “You all suck,” said Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. “You are a function of what people feel because they are coming here to spend their money.” But the outlook for Aspen isn't all doom and gloom.

Van Dusen drops out of Boulder County commissioner’s contest - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828203 Longmont Democrat Bill Van Dusen announced Thursday that he's decided to withdraw his candidacy for a Boulder County commissioner's seat. Van Dusen, an attorney, educator and small business owner, had been running for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners that's up for election in November. But on Jan. 8, Van Dusen finished second in a three-way contest to step into that seat early. A Boulder County Democratic Party committee chose Deb Gardner over Van Dusen and former Longmont City Councilman Tom McCoy to fill the vacancy created in December, when then-Commissioner Ben Pearlman resigned to become Boulder County attorney.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

Commissioner candidate to challenge incumbent | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129865/1001 The first Republican jumped into the county commissioner's race to challenge the Democratic incumbent. Mike Beltracchi, 51, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Stavney for the District 2 seat, running roughly from Eagle to Edwards. In his announcement, Beltracchi already drew a line in the sand over the county's open space tax.

Colorado new-home permits increase in 2011 - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832016 Colorado home builders, for the second year in a row, pulled more permits than they did the year before. Through November 2011, the state recorded 12,758 single-family and multifamily building permits, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a 10 percent increase from the 11,591 permits pulled in all of 2010. Colorado new-home sales also are expected to inch out a small gain in 2011, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. That bucks the national trend, where a 2.2 percent decline in December put 2011 new-home sales at their lowest level in 50 years of record keeping.

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Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

Colorado AG weighs in on DPS, union fight over Innovation Schools Act - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831908 The Colorado attorney general's office issued an opinion this week backing Denver Public Schools in a dispute with teachers about the state's Innovation Schools Act. Because the opinion favors the school district — saying the act applies to planned new schools as well as existing schools — DPS is calling for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association to drop its lawsuit over the issue. "The attorney general's opinion makes it clear that the actions of DPS and the State Board of Education are fully consistent with the law," district spokesman Mike Vaughn said. "We think it's time to move beyond this lawsuit and focus more resources on the classroom and fewer on the courtroom." Union president Henry Roman said the suit won't be dropped.

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/UPDATES01/120127003/Poudre-Valley-Hospital-receives-top-national-nursing-award For the fifth year in a row, the nation's leading nurse association presented its top award to Poudre Valley Hospital for the outstanding achievements that nurses accomplish in patient care and safety. The American Nurses Association, which represents 3.1 million nurses in the United States, presented the Fort Collins hospital in Colorado with the Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality. The presentation was made Thursday in Las Vegas during the annual AHA nursing quality conference.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/SPORTS/120129845/1001 People who have been critical of the way the Basalt Regional Library District has been operated over the past year will be able to do something about it this winter. Three of the seven positions on the library district's board of trustees are up for appointment in March. One incumbent, Taylor Liebmann, has announced that he will not seek reappointment. He represents Pitkin County. Current board member Christine Tinner, who represents Basalt, has reapplied. Liz Gremillion, who represents Eagle County, has expressed an interest in returning. Applicants must live in the jurisdiction where they are applying. The terms are three years.

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129830/1001 While Summit School District starts exploring whether there will be enough growth to necessitate a new elementary school within the next 10 years, it is predicting some ups and downs in enrollment for next school year. Despite the opening of The Peak School this fall, the middle school's population is predicted to increase by about 6.2 percent, due to a large fifth-grade class getting ready to enter, according to assistant superintendent Karen Strakbein. About 20 students are expected to enroll in the new school, but an almost 40-child difference between the current fifth-grade class and sixth-grade class still means an uptick of students for SMS next year. The current fifth-grade consists of 268 students, while the sixth-grade has 206.

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/board-132419-thursday-meeting.html Falcon School District 49 school board member Chris Wright said Thursday that he will not be resigning from the board. "After 100's of communications from folks within and without the district, I have decided to withdraw my resignation and take some time to reconsider my options and review the thoughts of those who have pleaded with me to remain in public office on the d49 Board of Education," he said in an email. Wright said Monday morning that he planned to submit his resignation from the board at the special meeting Thursday night.

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/wright-132441-board-resign.html Falcon School District 49 board member Christopher Wright did not resign Thursday night as expected, although he was absent from the special meeting. Wright said Monday that he planned to resign. On Thursday, he changed his mind. In an email statement, he said communications from hundreds of people caused him to reconsider. The D-49 attorney advised the board to proceed as usual, since Wright’s resignation was retracted via email before being formally presented.

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129893/1001 Full-time teachers and staff in the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 will each receive a one-time stipend this year of $1,500, using funds from the $4.8 million mill levy override approved by district voters in November. Part-time employees will also receive a bonus of between $750 and $1,200, depending on the percentage of time they work. The plan was approved by the Re-1 school board at its regular meeting held at Basalt High School on Wednesday. It's possible the board could approve another bonus for employees of between $250 and $500 later this spring, using some of the remaining funds that are available for this school year.

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/city-schools-slate-later-opening/article_93d3623e-48a9-11e1-9f04-0019bb2963f4.html Pueblo City Schools district (D60) students will begin class after Labor Day in a move to escape the late August heat that plagued the system this year. Schools that follow the traditional calendar will begin classes on Sept. 4 as part of a new schedule approved by the school board Tuesday night.

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/cca-dolores-huerta-await-decision-on-joint-charter/article_f0f7575a-48ad-11e1-a0df-0019bb2963f4.html Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High charter schools will have to wait another two weeks to find out if the Pueblo City Schools district (D60) will approve a joint charter application. CCA and DHPH officials are seeking a single charter for a kindergarten through 12th-grade academy. Currently, there is one charter for CCA, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, and another for the high school.

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_19828552 Former University of Colorado President Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken was appointed today to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership on the Boulder campus. After serving as interim CU president in 2000, Bracken will fill the shoes of former CU President Hank Brown, who held the position from 2008-10. “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this appointment as the Newton Endowed Chair,” Bracken said in a statement.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832011 After more than a quarter-century buried in a concrete wall, a copper time capsule was recovered from an old Denver school Thursday morning, just one day before the building will be torn to the ground. "It's amazing when you live through a cycle," said Al Bernahardt, 62, the construction foreman for Gove Middle School when it was built in 1975. Bernahardt was nostalgic as he watched the school he built torn apart as he helped locate the time capsule.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

Longmont Mayor backs right for homosexuals to marry - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828075 Mayor Dennis Coombs has added his name to a list of U.S. mayors who support "marriage equality," the legal right for homosexuals to marry. Coombs is one of only two Colorado mayors on the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" list at freedomtomarry.org, along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The movement is chaired by the mayors of New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. Confirming his support for the issue on Thursday, Coombs said that this was his personal feeling and not anything that specifically bound the city of Longmont.

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129827/1001 At its Tuesday work session, the Frisco Town Council reviewed potential changes to the building code, which will likely include fee changes. According to Frisco community development director Jocelyn Mills, revisions to the code are designed to meet the goal of making her government branch “more friendly and efficient.” “We're really working toward practical, common-sense solutions,” she said.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Frederick-Firestone fire district opens new ‘nerve center’ space - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/carbon-valley-news/ci_19831321 For five years, the Frederick-Firestone fire district knew it needed more space. On Thursday, it luxuriated in it. "All of our training, our administration, our warehouse facilities, are all based out of here now," said Fire Chief Ted Poszywak as he showed off the district's new business and education center at its grand opening. "It is our nerve center. It just about is."

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/shelter-outgrows-its-building Every night and morning, guests replay a familiar game to jockey for space at the Homeward Bound homeless shelter. Because there aren’t enough bunks to house everyone, mattresses and bedding are pulled out for people to spread out on the floor, often sleeping head to head and foot to foot. In the morning, the mattresses are tucked back under the stationary bunks, and tables and chairs that were pushed off to the side to make room are repositioned for folks to sit down to breakfast. The 9,800-square-foot building at 2583 North Ave., which houses up to 167 people during the most frigid winter nights, long has been packed. To help alleviate the crowds of single people and families seeking shelter, a local overflow program offered for the past five years through local churches finds space for up to 30 single men each night. But church volunteers are getting weary of the added responsibilities that initially were dubbed as a temporary solution, Homeward Bound Executive Director Gi Moon said.

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Vets return to Vail slopes | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129863/1001 Some wear uniforms, some wear prosthetics but this week they all wear smiles. The Vail Veterans Program is hosting its latest group of military veterans, all wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Vail wins the award for most heroes per square foot. Take breakfast at the Larkspur. Heroes are packed around every table, asking and answering the question, “How fast does it go?”

Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831884 Douglas and Arapahoe counties logged big increases in suicides in 2011, while the tallies in other metro-area counties have remained about the same or experienced a slight decrease. While final numbers still are being compiled, Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas said the tally of 46 suicides last year is up from 36 the year before and nearly double the 26 counted in 2009. Arapahoe County recorded 103 suicides in 2011, up from 69 in 2010. In Jefferson and Boulder counties, the numbers remained virtually the same in 2011. Weld and Adams counties both logged decreases.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832017 Frontier Airlines is coming home, bringing its headquarters back to Denver with Thursday's announcement of a chief executive and a new senior management team that will be based here. David Siegel, a 20-year airline and travel veteran, was named CEO, president and interim chief operating officer of Frontier. In addition to serving in several chief executive positions, Siegal has been an independent director on the board of Frontier's parent company, Republic Airways Holdings. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said Siegel is "the right guy at the right time for the next step in the process" of putting Frontier "back on independent footing" as it seeks a new owner.

Boulder honors firefighters killed in training exercise 30 years ago today - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19827217 This morning, friends, family members and firefighters gathered at Boulder's Station 3 to remember William J. Duran and Scott L. Smith, and the fire that claimed their lives during a training accident 30 year ago today. The Boulder Fire Department's flags are flying at half-staff. It was a tragedy that left deep wounds in the two families and the Boulder Fire Department, and it led to national changes in standards for training exercises. Battalion Chief Gilbert Espinoza, who was on duty that day and counted Duran among his best friends, said the handful of firefighters still with the department who were serving that day consider it a duty and an honor to pass on the story to younger firefighters.

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19829817 A former Boulder County deputy accused of Internet exploitation of children told investigators in November that he has been obsessed with young girls for years, but it "escalated and intensified" after he investigated a homicide in the late 1980s in which he "located and recovered dismembered remains" of a victim he knew. Boulder County Judge John Stavely unsealed the arrest warrant affidavit for Rick Ferguson, 53, during a brief hearing in Boulder District Court on Thursday afternoon. Defense attorney Larry Mertes argued against unsealing the court document, saying that pretrial publicity would taint the local jury pool. Stavely said with the conclusion of the investigation, the public's right to access was in play and that juries are frequently successfully seated in Boulder County for cases that received pretrial coverage.

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/group-132432-springs-answers.html Members of an advocate group for victims of priest sexual abuse met in front of the headquarters of the Archidiocese of St. Louis Thursday afternoon to demand answers about Rev. Charles Robert Manning of Colorado Springs. The group, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is a national organization that acts as a watch-dog for sexual assault crimes brought against religious leaders. It wants Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis to clear up ambiguities in Manning’s history with the Catholic church after learning that Manning is being investigated in a sexual assault case in Colorado. Manning, formerly of three St. Louis Catholic parishes, came to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs in 2007. At a Saturday mass, Rev. Rafael Torres-Rico told the congregation that allegations of sexual assault on a minor have been brought against Manning.

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831645 Denver police have arrested a man with AIDS on suspicion of prostitution, police said. Darren Garcia, 31, was taken into custody Wednesday when officers arrested prostitution suspects along Colfax Avenue, police said. Garcia has eight prior arrests for prostitution, police said, including two previous arrests on suspicion of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS. Garcia was one of 14 people arrested Wednesday in the undercover SWAT sting. The other 13 were women.

Editorial: ASSET bill offers hope to all students - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830763 A reworked bill that would allow Colorado's illegal immigrant high school students to pay reduced tuition at state colleges and universities strikes the right balance. Those who have attended high school in Colorado for three years would be eligible for a new class of tuition — more than in-state tuition, but far less than out-of-state tuition. The ASSET bill, as it is being called, would offer hope for students who are educationally stranded because of their immigration status.

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As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/as-democrats-shift-to-offense-obama-biden-address-house-retreat/2012/01/27/gIQAOxWqUQ_blog.html After two days of closed-door brainstorming sessions, briefings and panels featuring speakers including MSNBC’s Ed Schultz and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, the Democrats’ three-day “Reigniting the American Dream” conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay will conclude today with a 10:30 a.m. speech by Biden and a 1:15 p.m. address by Obama. Unlike last year’s meeting, this year’s retreat takes place days after the president’s combative State of the Union address — so lawmakers already have a sense of Obama’s likely message to his party. On the eve of the visit by the president and vice president, Democrats pointed to a new poll as a sign that they have reclaimed the momentum heading into 2012.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

U.S. economy grew at 2.8 percent rate | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/27/137132/us-economy-grew-at-28-percent.html The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the final three months of 2011, the government said Friday. The numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis were below the expectations of mainstream economists, most projecting 3 percent or higher. But the growth rate still points to a modest recovery, echoed by recent employment and manufacturing data.

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Bomb in Shiite neighborhood kills dozens in funeral procession - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-in-shiite-neighborhood-kills-dozens-in-funeral-procession/2012/01/27/gIQAD1H4UQ_story.html A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives amid a funeral procession here Friday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 60, a security official said. Mourners had gathered outside a hospital to receive the bodies of three people killed the night before, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The blast occurred in the Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, in the southeastern part of the city.

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137025/attack-on-nato-convoy-kills-4.html A suicide car bomber killed four Afghan civilians and wounded dozens Thursday in the southern province of Helmand, local officials said. The attack, which took place midmorning at a busy market in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, targeted armored vehicles that belonged to the U.S.-led NATO coalition. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the Taliban, which have their roots in southern Afghanistan. Thirty-one people were wounded, including three women who were visiting a doctor, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. He said a child with one of the women was among those killed.

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/surge-in-violence-killings-across-syria-un-security-council-set-to-meet/2012/01/27/gIQAKiVJVQ_story.html Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Activists in Homs said there were heavy casualties after a night of shelling and mortar fire, with military tanks again deployed across the city after being partially withdrawn last month at the outset of a monitoring mission by the Arab League. “In some areas, the shelling has not stopped for three days in a row. The regime is now waging full-scale war against the people,” said an activist in Homs who was contacted via Skype and uses the name Hadi al-Homsi. He described a “massacre” in the southeastern area of Karm al-Zeitoun, which is a focal point of military operations in the city.

Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

Costa Concordia’s captain lost precious time, official says | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137034/cruise-ships-captain-lost-precious.html The wasting of a "precious hour" by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of Italy's Coast Guard corps, Adm. Marco Brusco, made the remarks during a briefing to a parliament committee on the January 13 accident. "If Captain (Francesco) Schettino had not lost a precious hour ... it would have been possible to lower the lifeboats with calm, put the people at ease," Brusco said.

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120127,0,5568328.story Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, aiming for a knockout blow in next week's Florida primary, tore into Newt Gingrich in a televised debate Thursday night and vigorously defended his personal wealth as an asset in his presidential campaign. Romney was aggressive from the outset, starting with the issue of illegal immigration. Gingrich stood by a Spanish-language radio ad he had aired that said Romney was "anti-immigrant." Gingrich withdrew the ad after being admonished by Florida's popular Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney, noting that both his father and his wife's father were born outside the United States, said such language was "inexcusable."

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

Economic fairness eludes the GOP, but not Obama - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/economic-fairness-eludes-the-gop-but-not-obama/2012/01/26/gIQADOb3TQ_story.html If you heard a loud “gulp” Tuesday night after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked — that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

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Brazil buildings collapse; at least 4 dead, 18 missing - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-buildings-collapse-20120127,0,5791309.story Rescue workers in Brazil searched for survivors Thursday after three large buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, killing at least four people and leaving 18 or more missing.

A good pact on ‘super PACs’ - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-superpacs-20120127,0,908415.story The U.S. Senatecontest in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fascinating not just because it's one of the more competitive races for the upper house, or because it's likely to be the most expensive in history, but because of a strange and unusually honorable deal struck this week by the two candidates. Under their agreement, if an independent group such as a "super PAC" buys a TV ad backing one of the candidates, that candidate will donate an amount equal to half the cost of the ad to the charity of the opponent's choice. Thus, an ad placed independently by a super PAC could end up harming as well as helping its pick. To some, this pact is a flagrant violation of the free-speech rights of those individuals who contribute to super PACs. We think it's a sensible way of reducing the corrosive influence that independent political groups are having on our democracy in the wake of the Supreme Court's flawed Citizens United decision in 2010.

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ConocoPhillips’ oil roads in Alaska are an unwelcome intrusion - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/conocophillips-oil-roads-in-alaska-are-an-unwelcome-intrusion/2012/01/24/gIQAjoZ4TQ_story.html In the summer of 1998 I went to Prudhoe Bay, a major oil field on the North Slope of Alaska, prepared to listen carefully to oil companies eager to expand into the wilderness regions of the western Arctic. My priority was protection for Teshekpuk Lake, a large, aquamarine body of water at the center of globally important wetlands that draw nesting and breeding birds migrating from as far south as Chile and Argentina. The main environmental concern was the building of roads across the fragile expanses of tundra. Roads always beget more roads, generating networks that eventually destroy the wilderness character of the land and threaten wildlife, caribou herds and molting geese temporarily incapable of flight. I wanted to see firsthand if it would be possible to implement a new concept of roadless oil development.

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In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701269913/-1/News01/Obama-touts-natural-gas-in-Aurora His two-hour visit to Buckley Air Force base was his third Colorado stop in four months, and it came during a tour of swing states after his Tuesday night State of the Union address. The Colorado speech served as a highlight reel from Tuesday’s address, with an emphasis on energy. “For all our lives, America has been talking about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “Well, my administration has actually tried to do something about it.” U.S. oil production is at an eight-year high, and the country’s reliance on foreign oil is at a 16-year low, he said.

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831726 Hispanic Republicans Thursday denounced President Barack Obama, saying his policies have hurt the country and he is spending more time campaigning for president than actually serving as president. In a news conference at the state Capitol, Jefferson County Reps. Robert Ramirez and Libby Szabo — the lone two Hispanics in the GOP caucus — ripped Obama, who will be in Aurora this afternoon for a campaign stop to talk about energy. "He is here today, promising our military new energy resources, those mostly of green energy but he's not willing to talk to all of us," said Ramirez, of Westminster.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

President’s visit tickles two Colorado boys | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/windsor-brothers-meet-obama-cant-wait-to-tell-their-school-friends/56480/ Talked about two excited kids. The Turner boys — 9-year-old Colby and 11-year-old Cameron — had front-row seats at President Obama’s speech. The president autographed his book “The Audacity of Hope” for them. And the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force gave them medallions.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270349/Paul-make-appearance-CSU Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak at CSU in Fort Collins on Tuesday. A Ron Paul spokeswoman said the congressman is set to speak around 3 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, but logistics are still being finalized and further details would be provided closer to the event. The ballroom can hold about 1,100 people, and organizers say they plan to have local bands playing before Paul speaks. CSU officials said Paul's appearance is being organized by a student group and is not an official university event.

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110920/tipton-struggles-to-win-voter-approval-but-leads-in-early-poll Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado’s Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent. Of 569 individuals polled, 39 percent say incumbent Tipton deserves to be re-elected but only 36 percent approve of the job he is doing. Tipton’s job approval is 12 points lower than the 48 percent job approval then-Rep. John Salazar notched in a similar poll conducted in 2010. Tipton ended up beating Salazar, whose popularity was tested by votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act. “People are upset with the way Washington is conducting business– and it shows,” Pace said in a press release.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/immigrant-tuition-break-advances/article_b56b5cba-48ab-11e1-8415-0019bb2963f4.html A Pueblo lawmaker’s proposal to create a level of discount college tuition for illegal immigrants cleared a Senate panel Thursday on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democrats on the Senate Education Committee favored SB15, sponsored by Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver. They touted it as a boost to college revenue, a return on the investment the state has made in students’ public schooling and a bargain for the state, which would not subsidize any part of the students’ college costs. “We can’t and must not allow another generation of immigrants to struggle for the chance to contribute to American society,” Giron said. “These students were brought here as babies and small children. They worked hard, got good grades, have been accepted to college.”

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/homefood-business-bills-find-favor-in-first-hearin Committees in the Colorado House and Senate on Thursday simultaneously heard two bills introduced by local lawmakers designed to help Coloradans create their own home-food businesses. While the House Economic and Business Development Committee approved a measure offered by Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee supported another one introduced by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Both measures center on allowing would-be entrepreneurs to use their own home kitchens to produce products meant for local sale.

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/lawmakers-oppose-water-law-change/article_3911e38e-48a9-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html State lawmakers received applause Thursday from the Colorado Water Congress for their opposition to a pair of initiatives that would seriously alter Colorado water law. “If we don’t defeat these initiatives, those uneducated about water will take control and irrigated agriculture will cease to be important,” said Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, [R]-Sterling. The water congress, which represents multiple state water interests, is meeting for the 54th year at its annual convention. The CWC has opposed two initiatives by Richard Hamilton of Fairplay and his attorney Phil Doe of Littleton.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/go-ahead-mr-speaker-make-my-day/56239/ Watch out Frank McNulty: A legislative proposal could allow a certain deputy city attorney to pack heat. House Bill 1026 confers peace officer status on city attorneys, their assistants and such. Each jurisdiction will decide whether those staffers can be armed. Denver’s new deputy city attorney is Scott Martinez, a key player in last year’s congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. He worked on Democratic maps ultimately approved by the Colorado Supreme Court, to the dismay of Republicans.

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19826225 Broomfield Democrat Dianne Primavera will officially kick off her campaign for House District 33 in an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona's Mexican Grill, 2255 W. 136th Ave. Primavera, a two-term state representative who was defeated by a 330-vote margin in 2010, announced her candidacy in December. Primavera will face Republican David Pigott in the November election. Pigott, a lawyer at Denver firm Bloch and Chapleau LLC, on Nov. 17 filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the HD 33 seat and officially kicked off his campaign, his first for political office, earlier this month.

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279927/-1/News01/Colorado-Democrats-disqualify-Swonger-from-primary The Colorado Democratic Party has disqualified Patrick Swonger from its primary in the 59th state House District. From the day Swonger kicked off his run two weeks ago, people began contacting the party to complain he was ineligible given his insufficient tenure as a registered Democrat. The Colorado Democratic Party declined to identify who reported Swonger. Party rules stipulate that candidates must be registered for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832002 Gov. John Hickenlooper is recommending the privatization of Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund, despite the ongoing concerns of business groups. However, Hickenlooper also is recommending a few tweaks to the proposal, giving the state a slightly larger ownership stake in what would be the newly privatized mutual assurance company and creating a new fund for injured workers. "Most of the large policyholders I've talked to, almost without fail, they've been pretty enthusiastic" about the privatization proposal, Hickenlooper told reporters Thursday in a conference call from Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/judge-denies-effort-block-co-abortion-protester/ A judge Thursday denied the federal government's request to keep a longtime anti-abortion protester from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver's Planned Parenthood center. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department's argument that Kenneth Scott's actions make it "unreasonably difficult" for patients and employees to get to the clinic. "Great news," one of Scott's lawyers, Peter Breen, said of Brimmer's late-evening ruling.

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19831444 A judge has ruled that police violated two Occupy Boulder protesters' Fourth Amendment rights when officers opened tent flaps to see whether the people inside were sleeping. In a ruling received by attorneys Thursday, Boulder Municipal Judge Linda Cooke said the Occupy Boulder protesters did have a reasonable expectation of privacy while camping on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street. Police did not have warrants to search the tents, and as a result, the observations of the officers will be suppressed in court. The two protesters, P.J. Jentsch and Katie DeMichele, were ticketed Nov. 21 along with nine others at the site of the former Occupy Boulder protest. Police officers opened the flap to the tent where Jentsch and DeMichele were sleeping before issuing them a ticket for camping.

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-132411-consider-oil.html After concerns from county commissioners and a warning letter from the Attorney General’s Office about El Paso County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, county planning staff have come up with a revised proposal for the commission to consider at its Jan. 31 meeting. County spokesman Dave Rose said the commissioners will consider both the original and the new proposals in their discussions. “I think they’ll have a long and extensive discussion next Tuesday,” Rose said.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f22178bc9832347734804.txt What does a 550-mile-long pipeline draining water from the southwest corner of Wyoming to the Front Range have to do with San Miguel County? Enough for the Board of County Commissioners to draft a resolution opposing the proposed $9 billion project. The plan calls for more than 200,000 acre-feet per year to be pumped from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which stores water from the Green River — over the Continental Divide and into Denver. (An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water, and 200,000 acre-feet is just over a fifth of the Green River’s annual flow.) If the project is built, water will flow through a pair of 42-inch pipes along Interstate 80. Dreamt up by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million, the pipeline would feed Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. “We’re always very cautious about protecting our resources,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Elaine Fischer.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19831100 Lakewood-based ZeaChem, a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of wood and other materials into fuels and chemicals, was selected for a $232.5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the company said Thursday. ZeaChem said the conditional commitment from the USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program enables the financing and construction of its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery. The 25-million-gallon-per-year facility is being built in Boardman, Ore.

Generation Xers skipping flu shots - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/generation-xers-skipping-flu-shots/article_f88e2c76-48af-11e1-abcf-0019bb2963f4.html At least three Puebloans died from complications from H1N1 and Colorado saw 2,041 people hospitalized during the height of the outbreak. Dr. Ken Gershman, epidemiologist and chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said that during the 2010-11 season, cases leveled off, mainly because H1N1 was part of the year’s vaccine. In 2009, it was developed separately and given late in the year. Jon D. Miller, author of the report, was somewhat optimistic. “These results suggest that young adults in Generation X did reasonably well in their first encounter with a major epidemic.

Denver names panelists who will help pick police monitor - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832003 Mayor Michael Hancock on Thursday announced the five people who will help pick Denver's next police watchdog. The Office of the Independent Monitor was created in 2005 to monitor internal investigations of police officers and sheriff's deputies and make recommendations on discipline. It was created after two controversial police shootings. The first monitor, Richard Rosenthal, was sometimes at odds with the Denver Police Department. Many officers and safety officials believed he overstepped his role, while supporters said his tough approach was just what was needed.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129846/1001 When the U.S. economy is good, Aspen does “incredible.” So what happens when the U.S. economy is bad? “You all suck,” said Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. “You are a function of what people feel because they are coming here to spend their money.” But the outlook for Aspen isn't all doom and gloom.

Van Dusen drops out of Boulder County commissioner’s contest - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828203 Longmont Democrat Bill Van Dusen announced Thursday that he's decided to withdraw his candidacy for a Boulder County commissioner's seat. Van Dusen, an attorney, educator and small business owner, had been running for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners that's up for election in November. But on Jan. 8, Van Dusen finished second in a three-way contest to step into that seat early. A Boulder County Democratic Party committee chose Deb Gardner over Van Dusen and former Longmont City Councilman Tom McCoy to fill the vacancy created in December, when then-Commissioner Ben Pearlman resigned to become Boulder County attorney.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

Commissioner candidate to challenge incumbent | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129865/1001 The first Republican jumped into the county commissioner's race to challenge the Democratic incumbent. Mike Beltracchi, 51, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Stavney for the District 2 seat, running roughly from Eagle to Edwards. In his announcement, Beltracchi already drew a line in the sand over the county's open space tax.

Colorado new-home permits increase in 2011 - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832016 Colorado home builders, for the second year in a row, pulled more permits than they did the year before. Through November 2011, the state recorded 12,758 single-family and multifamily building permits, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a 10 percent increase from the 11,591 permits pulled in all of 2010. Colorado new-home sales also are expected to inch out a small gain in 2011, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. That bucks the national trend, where a 2.2 percent decline in December put 2011 new-home sales at their lowest level in 50 years of record keeping.

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Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

Colorado AG weighs in on DPS, union fight over Innovation Schools Act - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831908 The Colorado attorney general's office issued an opinion this week backing Denver Public Schools in a dispute with teachers about the state's Innovation Schools Act. Because the opinion favors the school district — saying the act applies to planned new schools as well as existing schools — DPS is calling for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association to drop its lawsuit over the issue. "The attorney general's opinion makes it clear that the actions of DPS and the State Board of Education are fully consistent with the law," district spokesman Mike Vaughn said. "We think it's time to move beyond this lawsuit and focus more resources on the classroom and fewer on the courtroom." Union president Henry Roman said the suit won't be dropped.

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/UPDATES01/120127003/Poudre-Valley-Hospital-receives-top-national-nursing-award For the fifth year in a row, the nation's leading nurse association presented its top award to Poudre Valley Hospital for the outstanding achievements that nurses accomplish in patient care and safety. The American Nurses Association, which represents 3.1 million nurses in the United States, presented the Fort Collins hospital in Colorado with the Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality. The presentation was made Thursday in Las Vegas during the annual AHA nursing quality conference.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/SPORTS/120129845/1001 People who have been critical of the way the Basalt Regional Library District has been operated over the past year will be able to do something about it this winter. Three of the seven positions on the library district's board of trustees are up for appointment in March. One incumbent, Taylor Liebmann, has announced that he will not seek reappointment. He represents Pitkin County. Current board member Christine Tinner, who represents Basalt, has reapplied. Liz Gremillion, who represents Eagle County, has expressed an interest in returning. Applicants must live in the jurisdiction where they are applying. The terms are three years.

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129830/1001 While Summit School District starts exploring whether there will be enough growth to necessitate a new elementary school within the next 10 years, it is predicting some ups and downs in enrollment for next school year. Despite the opening of The Peak School this fall, the middle school's population is predicted to increase by about 6.2 percent, due to a large fifth-grade class getting ready to enter, according to assistant superintendent Karen Strakbein. About 20 students are expected to enroll in the new school, but an almost 40-child difference between the current fifth-grade class and sixth-grade class still means an uptick of students for SMS next year. The current fifth-grade consists of 268 students, while the sixth-grade has 206.

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/board-132419-thursday-meeting.html Falcon School District 49 school board member Chris Wright said Thursday that he will not be resigning from the board. "After 100's of communications from folks within and without the district, I have decided to withdraw my resignation and take some time to reconsider my options and review the thoughts of those who have pleaded with me to remain in public office on the d49 Board of Education," he said in an email. Wright said Monday morning that he planned to submit his resignation from the board at the special meeting Thursday night.

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/wright-132441-board-resign.html Falcon School District 49 board member Christopher Wright did not resign Thursday night as expected, although he was absent from the special meeting. Wright said Monday that he planned to resign. On Thursday, he changed his mind. In an email statement, he said communications from hundreds of people caused him to reconsider. The D-49 attorney advised the board to proceed as usual, since Wright’s resignation was retracted via email before being formally presented.

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129893/1001 Full-time teachers and staff in the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 will each receive a one-time stipend this year of $1,500, using funds from the $4.8 million mill levy override approved by district voters in November. Part-time employees will also receive a bonus of between $750 and $1,200, depending on the percentage of time they work. The plan was approved by the Re-1 school board at its regular meeting held at Basalt High School on Wednesday. It's possible the board could approve another bonus for employees of between $250 and $500 later this spring, using some of the remaining funds that are available for this school year.

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/city-schools-slate-later-opening/article_93d3623e-48a9-11e1-9f04-0019bb2963f4.html Pueblo City Schools district (D60) students will begin class after Labor Day in a move to escape the late August heat that plagued the system this year. Schools that follow the traditional calendar will begin classes on Sept. 4 as part of a new schedule approved by the school board Tuesday night.

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/cca-dolores-huerta-await-decision-on-joint-charter/article_f0f7575a-48ad-11e1-a0df-0019bb2963f4.html Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High charter schools will have to wait another two weeks to find out if the Pueblo City Schools district (D60) will approve a joint charter application. CCA and DHPH officials are seeking a single charter for a kindergarten through 12th-grade academy. Currently, there is one charter for CCA, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, and another for the high school.

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_19828552 Former University of Colorado President Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken was appointed today to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership on the Boulder campus. After serving as interim CU president in 2000, Bracken will fill the shoes of former CU President Hank Brown, who held the position from 2008-10. “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this appointment as the Newton Endowed Chair,” Bracken said in a statement.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832011 After more than a quarter-century buried in a concrete wall, a copper time capsule was recovered from an old Denver school Thursday morning, just one day before the building will be torn to the ground. "It's amazing when you live through a cycle," said Al Bernahardt, 62, the construction foreman for Gove Middle School when it was built in 1975. Bernahardt was nostalgic as he watched the school he built torn apart as he helped locate the time capsule.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

Longmont Mayor backs right for homosexuals to marry - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828075 Mayor Dennis Coombs has added his name to a list of U.S. mayors who support "marriage equality," the legal right for homosexuals to marry. Coombs is one of only two Colorado mayors on the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" list at freedomtomarry.org, along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The movement is chaired by the mayors of New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. Confirming his support for the issue on Thursday, Coombs said that this was his personal feeling and not anything that specifically bound the city of Longmont.

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129827/1001 At its Tuesday work session, the Frisco Town Council reviewed potential changes to the building code, which will likely include fee changes. According to Frisco community development director Jocelyn Mills, revisions to the code are designed to meet the goal of making her government branch “more friendly and efficient.” “We're really working toward practical, common-sense solutions,” she said.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Frederick-Firestone fire district opens new ‘nerve center’ space - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/carbon-valley-news/ci_19831321 For five years, the Frederick-Firestone fire district knew it needed more space. On Thursday, it luxuriated in it. "All of our training, our administration, our warehouse facilities, are all based out of here now," said Fire Chief Ted Poszywak as he showed off the district's new business and education center at its grand opening. "It is our nerve center. It just about is."

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/shelter-outgrows-its-building Every night and morning, guests replay a familiar game to jockey for space at the Homeward Bound homeless shelter. Because there aren’t enough bunks to house everyone, mattresses and bedding are pulled out for people to spread out on the floor, often sleeping head to head and foot to foot. In the morning, the mattresses are tucked back under the stationary bunks, and tables and chairs that were pushed off to the side to make room are repositioned for folks to sit down to breakfast. The 9,800-square-foot building at 2583 North Ave., which houses up to 167 people during the most frigid winter nights, long has been packed. To help alleviate the crowds of single people and families seeking shelter, a local overflow program offered for the past five years through local churches finds space for up to 30 single men each night. But church volunteers are getting weary of the added responsibilities that initially were dubbed as a temporary solution, Homeward Bound Executive Director Gi Moon said.

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Vets return to Vail slopes | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129863/1001 Some wear uniforms, some wear prosthetics but this week they all wear smiles. The Vail Veterans Program is hosting its latest group of military veterans, all wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Vail wins the award for most heroes per square foot. Take breakfast at the Larkspur. Heroes are packed around every table, asking and answering the question, “How fast does it go?”

Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831884 Douglas and Arapahoe counties logged big increases in suicides in 2011, while the tallies in other metro-area counties have remained about the same or experienced a slight decrease. While final numbers still are being compiled, Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas said the tally of 46 suicides last year is up from 36 the year before and nearly double the 26 counted in 2009. Arapahoe County recorded 103 suicides in 2011, up from 69 in 2010. In Jefferson and Boulder counties, the numbers remained virtually the same in 2011. Weld and Adams counties both logged decreases.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832017 Frontier Airlines is coming home, bringing its headquarters back to Denver with Thursday's announcement of a chief executive and a new senior management team that will be based here. David Siegel, a 20-year airline and travel veteran, was named CEO, president and interim chief operating officer of Frontier. In addition to serving in several chief executive positions, Siegal has been an independent director on the board of Frontier's parent company, Republic Airways Holdings. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said Siegel is "the right guy at the right time for the next step in the process" of putting Frontier "back on independent footing" as it seeks a new owner.

Boulder honors firefighters killed in training exercise 30 years ago today - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19827217 This morning, friends, family members and firefighters gathered at Boulder's Station 3 to remember William J. Duran and Scott L. Smith, and the fire that claimed their lives during a training accident 30 year ago today. The Boulder Fire Department's flags are flying at half-staff. It was a tragedy that left deep wounds in the two families and the Boulder Fire Department, and it led to national changes in standards for training exercises. Battalion Chief Gilbert Espinoza, who was on duty that day and counted Duran among his best friends, said the handful of firefighters still with the department who were serving that day consider it a duty and an honor to pass on the story to younger firefighters.

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19829817 A former Boulder County deputy accused of Internet exploitation of children told investigators in November that he has been obsessed with young girls for years, but it "escalated and intensified" after he investigated a homicide in the late 1980s in which he "located and recovered dismembered remains" of a victim he knew. Boulder County Judge John Stavely unsealed the arrest warrant affidavit for Rick Ferguson, 53, during a brief hearing in Boulder District Court on Thursday afternoon. Defense attorney Larry Mertes argued against unsealing the court document, saying that pretrial publicity would taint the local jury pool. Stavely said with the conclusion of the investigation, the public's right to access was in play and that juries are frequently successfully seated in Boulder County for cases that received pretrial coverage.

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/group-132432-springs-answers.html Members of an advocate group for victims of priest sexual abuse met in front of the headquarters of the Archidiocese of St. Louis Thursday afternoon to demand answers about Rev. Charles Robert Manning of Colorado Springs. The group, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is a national organization that acts as a watch-dog for sexual assault crimes brought against religious leaders. It wants Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis to clear up ambiguities in Manning’s history with the Catholic church after learning that Manning is being investigated in a sexual assault case in Colorado. Manning, formerly of three St. Louis Catholic parishes, came to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs in 2007. At a Saturday mass, Rev. Rafael Torres-Rico told the congregation that allegations of sexual assault on a minor have been brought against Manning.

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831645 Denver police have arrested a man with AIDS on suspicion of prostitution, police said. Darren Garcia, 31, was taken into custody Wednesday when officers arrested prostitution suspects along Colfax Avenue, police said. Garcia has eight prior arrests for prostitution, police said, including two previous arrests on suspicion of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS. Garcia was one of 14 people arrested Wednesday in the undercover SWAT sting. The other 13 were women.

Editorial: ASSET bill offers hope to all students - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830763 A reworked bill that would allow Colorado's illegal immigrant high school students to pay reduced tuition at state colleges and universities strikes the right balance. Those who have attended high school in Colorado for three years would be eligible for a new class of tuition — more than in-state tuition, but far less than out-of-state tuition. The ASSET bill, as it is being called, would offer hope for students who are educationally stranded because of their immigration status.

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Economic fairness eludes the GOP, but not Obama - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/economic-fairness-eludes-the-gop-but-not-obama/2012/01/26/gIQADOb3TQ_story.html If you heard a loud “gulp” Tuesday night after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked — that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

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A good pact on ‘super PACs’ - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-superpacs-20120127,0,908415.story The U.S. Senatecontest in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fascinating not just because it's one of the more competitive races for the upper house, or because it's likely to be the most expensive in history, but because of a strange and unusually honorable deal struck this week by the two candidates. Under their agreement, if an independent group such as a "super PAC" buys a TV ad backing one of the candidates, that candidate will donate an amount equal to half the cost of the ad to the charity of the opponent's choice. Thus, an ad placed independently by a super PAC could end up harming as well as helping its pick. To some, this pact is a flagrant violation of the free-speech rights of those individuals who contribute to super PACs. We think it's a sensible way of reducing the corrosive influence that independent political groups are having on our democracy in the wake of the Supreme Court's flawed Citizens United decision in 2010.

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ConocoPhillips’ oil roads in Alaska are an unwelcome intrusion - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/conocophillips-oil-roads-in-alaska-are-an-unwelcome-intrusion/2012/01/24/gIQAjoZ4TQ_story.html In the summer of 1998 I went to Prudhoe Bay, a major oil field on the North Slope of Alaska, prepared to listen carefully to oil companies eager to expand into the wilderness regions of the western Arctic. My priority was protection for Teshekpuk Lake, a large, aquamarine body of water at the center of globally important wetlands that draw nesting and breeding birds migrating from as far south as Chile and Argentina. The main environmental concern was the building of roads across the fragile expanses of tundra. Roads always beget more roads, generating networks that eventually destroy the wilderness character of the land and threaten wildlife, caribou herds and molting geese temporarily incapable of flight. I wanted to see firsthand if it would be possible to implement a new concept of roadless oil development.

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As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/as-democrats-shift-to-offense-obama-biden-address-house-retreat/2012/01/27/gIQAOxWqUQ_blog.html After two days of closed-door brainstorming sessions, briefings and panels featuring speakers including MSNBC’s Ed Schultz and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, the Democrats’ three-day “Reigniting the American Dream” conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay will conclude today with a 10:30 a.m. speech by Biden and a 1:15 p.m. address by Obama. Unlike last year’s meeting, this year’s retreat takes place days after the president’s combative State of the Union address — so lawmakers already have a sense of Obama’s likely message to his party. On the eve of the visit by the president and vice president, Democrats pointed to a new poll as a sign that they have reclaimed the momentum heading into 2012.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

U.S. economy grew at 2.8 percent rate | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/27/137132/us-economy-grew-at-28-percent.html The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the final three months of 2011, the government said Friday. The numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis were below the expectations of mainstream economists, most projecting 3 percent or higher. But the growth rate still points to a modest recovery, echoed by recent employment and manufacturing data.

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Bomb in Shiite neighborhood kills dozens in funeral procession - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-in-shiite-neighborhood-kills-dozens-in-funeral-procession/2012/01/27/gIQAD1H4UQ_story.html A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives amid a funeral procession here Friday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 60, a security official said. Mourners had gathered outside a hospital to receive the bodies of three people killed the night before, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The blast occurred in the Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, in the southeastern part of the city.

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137025/attack-on-nato-convoy-kills-4.html A suicide car bomber killed four Afghan civilians and wounded dozens Thursday in the southern province of Helmand, local officials said. The attack, which took place midmorning at a busy market in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, targeted armored vehicles that belonged to the U.S.-led NATO coalition. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the Taliban, which have their roots in southern Afghanistan. Thirty-one people were wounded, including three women who were visiting a doctor, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. He said a child with one of the women was among those killed.

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/surge-in-violence-killings-across-syria-un-security-council-set-to-meet/2012/01/27/gIQAKiVJVQ_story.html Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Activists in Homs said there were heavy casualties after a night of shelling and mortar fire, with military tanks again deployed across the city after being partially withdrawn last month at the outset of a monitoring mission by the Arab League. “In some areas, the shelling has not stopped for three days in a row. The regime is now waging full-scale war against the people,” said an activist in Homs who was contacted via Skype and uses the name Hadi al-Homsi. He described a “massacre” in the southeastern area of Karm al-Zeitoun, which is a focal point of military operations in the city.

Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

Costa Concordia’s captain lost precious time, official says | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137034/cruise-ships-captain-lost-precious.html The wasting of a "precious hour" by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of Italy's Coast Guard corps, Adm. Marco Brusco, made the remarks during a briefing to a parliament committee on the January 13 accident. "If Captain (Francesco) Schettino had not lost a precious hour ... it would have been possible to lower the lifeboats with calm, put the people at ease," Brusco said.

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120127,0,5568328.story Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, aiming for a knockout blow in next week's Florida primary, tore into Newt Gingrich in a televised debate Thursday night and vigorously defended his personal wealth as an asset in his presidential campaign. Romney was aggressive from the outset, starting with the issue of illegal immigration. Gingrich stood by a Spanish-language radio ad he had aired that said Romney was "anti-immigrant." Gingrich withdrew the ad after being admonished by Florida's popular Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney, noting that both his father and his wife's father were born outside the United States, said such language was "inexcusable."

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

Economic fairness eludes the GOP, but not Obama - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/economic-fairness-eludes-the-gop-but-not-obama/2012/01/26/gIQADOb3TQ_story.html If you heard a loud “gulp” Tuesday night after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked — that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

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Brazil buildings collapse; at least 4 dead, 18 missing - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-buildings-collapse-20120127,0,5791309.story Rescue workers in Brazil searched for survivors Thursday after three large buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, killing at least four people and leaving 18 or more missing.

A good pact on ‘super PACs’ - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-superpacs-20120127,0,908415.story The U.S. Senatecontest in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fascinating not just because it's one of the more competitive races for the upper house, or because it's likely to be the most expensive in history, but because of a strange and unusually honorable deal struck this week by the two candidates. Under their agreement, if an independent group such as a "super PAC" buys a TV ad backing one of the candidates, that candidate will donate an amount equal to half the cost of the ad to the charity of the opponent's choice. Thus, an ad placed independently by a super PAC could end up harming as well as helping its pick. To some, this pact is a flagrant violation of the free-speech rights of those individuals who contribute to super PACs. We think it's a sensible way of reducing the corrosive influence that independent political groups are having on our democracy in the wake of the Supreme Court's flawed Citizens United decision in 2010.

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ConocoPhillips’ oil roads in Alaska are an unwelcome intrusion - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/conocophillips-oil-roads-in-alaska-are-an-unwelcome-intrusion/2012/01/24/gIQAjoZ4TQ_story.html In the summer of 1998 I went to Prudhoe Bay, a major oil field on the North Slope of Alaska, prepared to listen carefully to oil companies eager to expand into the wilderness regions of the western Arctic. My priority was protection for Teshekpuk Lake, a large, aquamarine body of water at the center of globally important wetlands that draw nesting and breeding birds migrating from as far south as Chile and Argentina. The main environmental concern was the building of roads across the fragile expanses of tundra. Roads always beget more roads, generating networks that eventually destroy the wilderness character of the land and threaten wildlife, caribou herds and molting geese temporarily incapable of flight. I wanted to see firsthand if it would be possible to implement a new concept of roadless oil development.

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In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701269913/-1/News01/Obama-touts-natural-gas-in-Aurora His two-hour visit to Buckley Air Force base was his third Colorado stop in four months, and it came during a tour of swing states after his Tuesday night State of the Union address. The Colorado speech served as a highlight reel from Tuesday’s address, with an emphasis on energy. “For all our lives, America has been talking about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “Well, my administration has actually tried to do something about it.” U.S. oil production is at an eight-year high, and the country’s reliance on foreign oil is at a 16-year low, he said.

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831726 Hispanic Republicans Thursday denounced President Barack Obama, saying his policies have hurt the country and he is spending more time campaigning for president than actually serving as president. In a news conference at the state Capitol, Jefferson County Reps. Robert Ramirez and Libby Szabo — the lone two Hispanics in the GOP caucus — ripped Obama, who will be in Aurora this afternoon for a campaign stop to talk about energy. "He is here today, promising our military new energy resources, those mostly of green energy but he's not willing to talk to all of us," said Ramirez, of Westminster.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

President’s visit tickles two Colorado boys | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/windsor-brothers-meet-obama-cant-wait-to-tell-their-school-friends/56480/ Talked about two excited kids. The Turner boys — 9-year-old Colby and 11-year-old Cameron — had front-row seats at President Obama’s speech. The president autographed his book “The Audacity of Hope” for them. And the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force gave them medallions.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270349/Paul-make-appearance-CSU Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak at CSU in Fort Collins on Tuesday. A Ron Paul spokeswoman said the congressman is set to speak around 3 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, but logistics are still being finalized and further details would be provided closer to the event. The ballroom can hold about 1,100 people, and organizers say they plan to have local bands playing before Paul speaks. CSU officials said Paul's appearance is being organized by a student group and is not an official university event.

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110920/tipton-struggles-to-win-voter-approval-but-leads-in-early-poll Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado’s Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent. Of 569 individuals polled, 39 percent say incumbent Tipton deserves to be re-elected but only 36 percent approve of the job he is doing. Tipton’s job approval is 12 points lower than the 48 percent job approval then-Rep. John Salazar notched in a similar poll conducted in 2010. Tipton ended up beating Salazar, whose popularity was tested by votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act. “People are upset with the way Washington is conducting business– and it shows,” Pace said in a press release.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/immigrant-tuition-break-advances/article_b56b5cba-48ab-11e1-8415-0019bb2963f4.html A Pueblo lawmaker’s proposal to create a level of discount college tuition for illegal immigrants cleared a Senate panel Thursday on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democrats on the Senate Education Committee favored SB15, sponsored by Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver. They touted it as a boost to college revenue, a return on the investment the state has made in students’ public schooling and a bargain for the state, which would not subsidize any part of the students’ college costs. “We can’t and must not allow another generation of immigrants to struggle for the chance to contribute to American society,” Giron said. “These students were brought here as babies and small children. They worked hard, got good grades, have been accepted to college.”

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/homefood-business-bills-find-favor-in-first-hearin Committees in the Colorado House and Senate on Thursday simultaneously heard two bills introduced by local lawmakers designed to help Coloradans create their own home-food businesses. While the House Economic and Business Development Committee approved a measure offered by Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee supported another one introduced by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Both measures center on allowing would-be entrepreneurs to use their own home kitchens to produce products meant for local sale.

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/lawmakers-oppose-water-law-change/article_3911e38e-48a9-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html State lawmakers received applause Thursday from the Colorado Water Congress for their opposition to a pair of initiatives that would seriously alter Colorado water law. “If we don’t defeat these initiatives, those uneducated about water will take control and irrigated agriculture will cease to be important,” said Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, [R]-Sterling. The water congress, which represents multiple state water interests, is meeting for the 54th year at its annual convention. The CWC has opposed two initiatives by Richard Hamilton of Fairplay and his attorney Phil Doe of Littleton.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/go-ahead-mr-speaker-make-my-day/56239/ Watch out Frank McNulty: A legislative proposal could allow a certain deputy city attorney to pack heat. House Bill 1026 confers peace officer status on city attorneys, their assistants and such. Each jurisdiction will decide whether those staffers can be armed. Denver’s new deputy city attorney is Scott Martinez, a key player in last year’s congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. He worked on Democratic maps ultimately approved by the Colorado Supreme Court, to the dismay of Republicans.

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19826225 Broomfield Democrat Dianne Primavera will officially kick off her campaign for House District 33 in an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona's Mexican Grill, 2255 W. 136th Ave. Primavera, a two-term state representative who was defeated by a 330-vote margin in 2010, announced her candidacy in December. Primavera will face Republican David Pigott in the November election. Pigott, a lawyer at Denver firm Bloch and Chapleau LLC, on Nov. 17 filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the HD 33 seat and officially kicked off his campaign, his first for political office, earlier this month.

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279927/-1/News01/Colorado-Democrats-disqualify-Swonger-from-primary The Colorado Democratic Party has disqualified Patrick Swonger from its primary in the 59th state House District. From the day Swonger kicked off his run two weeks ago, people began contacting the party to complain he was ineligible given his insufficient tenure as a registered Democrat. The Colorado Democratic Party declined to identify who reported Swonger. Party rules stipulate that candidates must be registered for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832002 Gov. John Hickenlooper is recommending the privatization of Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund, despite the ongoing concerns of business groups. However, Hickenlooper also is recommending a few tweaks to the proposal, giving the state a slightly larger ownership stake in what would be the newly privatized mutual assurance company and creating a new fund for injured workers. "Most of the large policyholders I've talked to, almost without fail, they've been pretty enthusiastic" about the privatization proposal, Hickenlooper told reporters Thursday in a conference call from Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/judge-denies-effort-block-co-abortion-protester/ A judge Thursday denied the federal government's request to keep a longtime anti-abortion protester from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver's Planned Parenthood center. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department's argument that Kenneth Scott's actions make it "unreasonably difficult" for patients and employees to get to the clinic. "Great news," one of Scott's lawyers, Peter Breen, said of Brimmer's late-evening ruling.

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19831444 A judge has ruled that police violated two Occupy Boulder protesters' Fourth Amendment rights when officers opened tent flaps to see whether the people inside were sleeping. In a ruling received by attorneys Thursday, Boulder Municipal Judge Linda Cooke said the Occupy Boulder protesters did have a reasonable expectation of privacy while camping on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street. Police did not have warrants to search the tents, and as a result, the observations of the officers will be suppressed in court. The two protesters, P.J. Jentsch and Katie DeMichele, were ticketed Nov. 21 along with nine others at the site of the former Occupy Boulder protest. Police officers opened the flap to the tent where Jentsch and DeMichele were sleeping before issuing them a ticket for camping.

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-132411-consider-oil.html After concerns from county commissioners and a warning letter from the Attorney General’s Office about El Paso County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, county planning staff have come up with a revised proposal for the commission to consider at its Jan. 31 meeting. County spokesman Dave Rose said the commissioners will consider both the original and the new proposals in their discussions. “I think they’ll have a long and extensive discussion next Tuesday,” Rose said.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f22178bc9832347734804.txt What does a 550-mile-long pipeline draining water from the southwest corner of Wyoming to the Front Range have to do with San Miguel County? Enough for the Board of County Commissioners to draft a resolution opposing the proposed $9 billion project. The plan calls for more than 200,000 acre-feet per year to be pumped from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which stores water from the Green River — over the Continental Divide and into Denver. (An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water, and 200,000 acre-feet is just over a fifth of the Green River’s annual flow.) If the project is built, water will flow through a pair of 42-inch pipes along Interstate 80. Dreamt up by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million, the pipeline would feed Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. “We’re always very cautious about protecting our resources,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Elaine Fischer.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt per gallon of water. And since the late 1980s the Bureau of Reclamation has been tasked with removing that salt from the Dolores before it meets the Colorado River, a process commonly known as desalination. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the Paradox Valley Unit, which intercepts brine and disposes of it by injecting it back underground into a 15,932-foot deep well located south of Bedrock.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Wildlife officials consider wolves to control elk

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279916/-1/News01/Wildlife-officials-consider-wolves-to-control-elk Federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number of elk in Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a proposal that is drawing criticism from hunters and ranchers and support from environmentalists. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service planner Laurie Shannon says it’s not the preferred alternative, but it’s an option for controlling elk herds that have taken a heavy toll on the cottonwoods and willows lining stream banks. “Right now, it’s a question. You have a lot of elk, a lot of people would say you need a large predator. We may not move forward with it, but right now it’s on the table,” Shannon told The Pueblo Chieftain.

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19831100 Lakewood-based ZeaChem, a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of wood and other materials into fuels and chemicals, was selected for a $232.5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the company said Thursday. ZeaChem said the conditional commitment from the USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program enables the financing and construction of its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery. The 25-million-gallon-per-year facility is being built in Boardman, Ore.

Generation Xers skipping flu shots - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/generation-xers-skipping-flu-shots/article_f88e2c76-48af-11e1-abcf-0019bb2963f4.html At least three Puebloans died from complications from H1N1 and Colorado saw 2,041 people hospitalized during the height of the outbreak. Dr. Ken Gershman, epidemiologist and chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said that during the 2010-11 season, cases leveled off, mainly because H1N1 was part of the year’s vaccine. In 2009, it was developed separately and given late in the year. Jon D. Miller, author of the report, was somewhat optimistic. “These results suggest that young adults in Generation X did reasonably well in their first encounter with a major epidemic.

Denver names panelists who will help pick police monitor - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832003 Mayor Michael Hancock on Thursday announced the five people who will help pick Denver's next police watchdog. The Office of the Independent Monitor was created in 2005 to monitor internal investigations of police officers and sheriff's deputies and make recommendations on discipline. It was created after two controversial police shootings. The first monitor, Richard Rosenthal, was sometimes at odds with the Denver Police Department. Many officers and safety officials believed he overstepped his role, while supporters said his tough approach was just what was needed.

Mayor offers input on Memorial lease | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132423-lease-memorial.html Mayor Steve Bach on Thursday released a list of questions and commitments that the city needs to address as it negotiates to lease city-owned Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Hospital. In a letter to City Council, Bach asked that the city seek outside legal counsel, limit negotiations to a maximum of six months, that voters have final say on the lease agreement, that University Hospital deliver a plan for Memorial’s pension obligations, that University offer commitments for TriCare, Medicare and indigent care, and that the proceeds from the lease agreement go into a special account instead of the city’s general fund.

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129846/1001 When the U.S. economy is good, Aspen does “incredible.” So what happens when the U.S. economy is bad? “You all suck,” said Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. “You are a function of what people feel because they are coming here to spend their money.” But the outlook for Aspen isn't all doom and gloom.

Van Dusen drops out of Boulder County commissioner’s contest - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828203 Longmont Democrat Bill Van Dusen announced Thursday that he's decided to withdraw his candidacy for a Boulder County commissioner's seat. Van Dusen, an attorney, educator and small business owner, had been running for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners that's up for election in November. But on Jan. 8, Van Dusen finished second in a three-way contest to step into that seat early. A Boulder County Democratic Party committee chose Deb Gardner over Van Dusen and former Longmont City Councilman Tom McCoy to fill the vacancy created in December, when then-Commissioner Ben Pearlman resigned to become Boulder County attorney.

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831919 Authorities Thursday unsealed the indictment against 16 people accused of being part of a wide-ranging marijuana-distribution ring that investigators took down Wednesday. The suspects are charged with 69 counts ranging from marijuana distribution and conspiracy to money laundering and violations of the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act. On at least five separate occasions between September and January, the ring is accused of having distributed more than 5 pounds of marijuana, according to the indictment. In at least one instance — an August shipment to New Jersey — the ring is accused of sending pot through the mail. In another instance, in September, members of the ring are accused of distributing 20 pounds of marijuana to Kearney, Neb.

Commissioner candidate to challenge incumbent | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129865/1001 The first Republican jumped into the county commissioner's race to challenge the Democratic incumbent. Mike Beltracchi, 51, will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Stavney for the District 2 seat, running roughly from Eagle to Edwards. In his announcement, Beltracchi already drew a line in the sand over the county's open space tax.

Colorado new-home permits increase in 2011 - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832016 Colorado home builders, for the second year in a row, pulled more permits than they did the year before. Through November 2011, the state recorded 12,758 single-family and multifamily building permits, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a 10 percent increase from the 11,591 permits pulled in all of 2010. Colorado new-home sales also are expected to inch out a small gain in 2011, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. That bucks the national trend, where a 2.2 percent decline in December put 2011 new-home sales at their lowest level in 50 years of record keeping.

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Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

http://www.gazette.com/articles/members-132435-council-project.html Several City Council members expressed frustration Thursday that no one told them about financial problems with one of the most prominent urban renewal projects in Colorado Springs before they were asked to sign off on another project. Council members said it was hard to say whether they would have voted differently in September when they approved the creation of a special taxing district for a nearly $1 billion business park called the Vineyards Data Center on the city’s south side. But they said knowing about the financial troubles of the other project, on North Nevada Avenue, would have prompted them to delve deeper.

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129823/1001 A proposed policy requiring trash collected in Summit County to be disposed of locally may boost the landfill's falling revenues, but it won't solve the bigger problem: the facility's unsustainable financial dependence on garbage. The county-owned landfill revenues have dropped more than 30 percent in recent years, as high prices drive many haulers to take Summit County trash to cheaper dumps on the Front Range. Now the county is appealing to the town governments for mandates that would require haulers to bring trash collected locally to the Summit County landfill.

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19832266 Boulder County should sell the northernmost portion of the former Cherry Creek Tree Farm to the owners of a nearby organic farm, the county's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday night. Under the proposal, which next will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners, Jason and Natalie Condon, the owners of Isabelle Farm, would pay Boulder County $300,000 for an 18-acre parcel of county-owned property southwest of U.S. Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, with the intention of converting the property to a market farm. Committee member Sue Cass said the county staff's report of what the Condons have planned for the land "conjures up childhood memories of what a farm should look like."

Colorado AG weighs in on DPS, union fight over Innovation Schools Act - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831908 The Colorado attorney general's office issued an opinion this week backing Denver Public Schools in a dispute with teachers about the state's Innovation Schools Act. Because the opinion favors the school district — saying the act applies to planned new schools as well as existing schools — DPS is calling for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association to drop its lawsuit over the issue. "The attorney general's opinion makes it clear that the actions of DPS and the State Board of Education are fully consistent with the law," district spokesman Mike Vaughn said. "We think it's time to move beyond this lawsuit and focus more resources on the classroom and fewer on the courtroom." Union president Henry Roman said the suit won't be dropped.

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270351/GEDs-jail-way-better-person- Anthony Harvey dropped out of eighth grade and went on to become an established small-business owner in Fort Collins. But it wasn't until he was charged with running one of Northern Colorado's largest cocaine-trafficking operations that he got his GED, or General Educational Development, diploma. "The rug's been pulled out from under my feet," said Harvey, 35, of Fort Collins, adding that he "finally" had the time for the test.

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/UPDATES01/120127003/Poudre-Valley-Hospital-receives-top-national-nursing-award For the fifth year in a row, the nation's leading nurse association presented its top award to Poudre Valley Hospital for the outstanding achievements that nurses accomplish in patient care and safety. The American Nurses Association, which represents 3.1 million nurses in the United States, presented the Fort Collins hospital in Colorado with the Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality. The presentation was made Thursday in Las Vegas during the annual AHA nursing quality conference.

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120126/UPDATES01/120126015/League-Women-Voters-honor-new-voters On Feb. 1, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will launch the annual ideas contest for high school students in Thompson Valley and Poudre school districts. Any high school-age student can enter by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Why I Look Forward to Voting.” Two students from each high school will win Perkins cherry pies, delivered to them at school during the week of Feb. 20.

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120127/SPORTS/120129845/1001 People who have been critical of the way the Basalt Regional Library District has been operated over the past year will be able to do something about it this winter. Three of the seven positions on the library district's board of trustees are up for appointment in March. One incumbent, Taylor Liebmann, has announced that he will not seek reappointment. He represents Pitkin County. Current board member Christine Tinner, who represents Basalt, has reapplied. Liz Gremillion, who represents Eagle County, has expressed an interest in returning. Applicants must live in the jurisdiction where they are applying. The terms are three years.

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129830/1001 While Summit School District starts exploring whether there will be enough growth to necessitate a new elementary school within the next 10 years, it is predicting some ups and downs in enrollment for next school year. Despite the opening of The Peak School this fall, the middle school's population is predicted to increase by about 6.2 percent, due to a large fifth-grade class getting ready to enter, according to assistant superintendent Karen Strakbein. About 20 students are expected to enroll in the new school, but an almost 40-child difference between the current fifth-grade class and sixth-grade class still means an uptick of students for SMS next year. The current fifth-grade consists of 268 students, while the sixth-grade has 206.

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/board-132419-thursday-meeting.html Falcon School District 49 school board member Chris Wright said Thursday that he will not be resigning from the board. "After 100's of communications from folks within and without the district, I have decided to withdraw my resignation and take some time to reconsider my options and review the thoughts of those who have pleaded with me to remain in public office on the d49 Board of Education," he said in an email. Wright said Monday morning that he planned to submit his resignation from the board at the special meeting Thursday night.

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/wright-132441-board-resign.html Falcon School District 49 board member Christopher Wright did not resign Thursday night as expected, although he was absent from the special meeting. Wright said Monday that he planned to resign. On Thursday, he changed his mind. In an email statement, he said communications from hundreds of people caused him to reconsider. The D-49 attorney advised the board to proceed as usual, since Wright’s resignation was retracted via email before being formally presented.

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120127/VALLEYNEWS/120129893/1001 Full-time teachers and staff in the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 will each receive a one-time stipend this year of $1,500, using funds from the $4.8 million mill levy override approved by district voters in November. Part-time employees will also receive a bonus of between $750 and $1,200, depending on the percentage of time they work. The plan was approved by the Re-1 school board at its regular meeting held at Basalt High School on Wednesday. It's possible the board could approve another bonus for employees of between $250 and $500 later this spring, using some of the remaining funds that are available for this school year.

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/city-schools-slate-later-opening/article_93d3623e-48a9-11e1-9f04-0019bb2963f4.html Pueblo City Schools district (D60) students will begin class after Labor Day in a move to escape the late August heat that plagued the system this year. Schools that follow the traditional calendar will begin classes on Sept. 4 as part of a new schedule approved by the school board Tuesday night.

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/cca-dolores-huerta-await-decision-on-joint-charter/article_f0f7575a-48ad-11e1-a0df-0019bb2963f4.html Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High charter schools will have to wait another two weeks to find out if the Pueblo City Schools district (D60) will approve a joint charter application. CCA and DHPH officials are seeking a single charter for a kindergarten through 12th-grade academy. Currently, there is one charter for CCA, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, and another for the high school.

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_19828552 Former University of Colorado President Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken was appointed today to the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership on the Boulder campus. After serving as interim CU president in 2000, Bracken will fill the shoes of former CU President Hank Brown, who held the position from 2008-10. “It is an honor and a privilege to accept this appointment as the Newton Endowed Chair,” Bracken said in a statement.

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/talk-on-immigration-issues-set-saturday/article_cd9c574a-48af-11e1-abed-0019bb2963f4.html There are as many facets to America's immigration problem as there are faces in this community, and all others nationwide. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo hopes to put a human face on many aspects of the issue with a free talk set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 110 S. La Crosse Ave. Fawn-Amber Montoya, an assistant history professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, will be the speaker. Montoya also is associated with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_19830773 The Boulder Valley School District's Native American population is small, with students scattered among schools. So the annual American Indian Youth Leadership Institute conference, held Thursday at the University of Colorado, serves as the main way for students to connect -- both with each other and their heritage. "It's a chance to meet different students and come together," said Brooke Sanders, a senior at Broomfield's Holy Family High School who helped organize the conference. "We can learn and be a part of something with other native students. It's a great opportunity for us to express ourselves."

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832011 After more than a quarter-century buried in a concrete wall, a copper time capsule was recovered from an old Denver school Thursday morning, just one day before the building will be torn to the ground. "It's amazing when you live through a cycle," said Al Bernahardt, 62, the construction foreman for Gove Middle School when it was built in 1975. Bernahardt was nostalgic as he watched the school he built torn apart as he helped locate the time capsule.

Longmont High parents get straight answers regarding TB case - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19831119 About 50 concerned parents of Longmont High School students showed up at Longs Peak Middle School on Thursday night for an update on the tuberculosis situation at the high school. Questions about who is being tested and why, what the difference is between "latent" and "active" tuberculosis, and even whether all 1,200 Longmont High students should be tested were some of the questions fielded by Dr. Randall Reves, medical director of the Denver Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program. "We did find more positive tests than we expected to see" in the first batch of testing, Reves told the audience.

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19830215 Rubbish, compost and other waste left out on curbs is one of the biggest reasons why cities that lie on the fringe of wildlife habitat are having to deal with bears that make their way into neighborhoods and parks, wildlife experts say. In Boulder, the City Council for years has talked about following the lead of cities such as Aspen that require the use of bear-resistant trash bins. But, historically, the idea hasn't gained traction. Now, Boulder is working with officials at Western Disposal -- the largest trash-hauling company in the city -- to develop a pilot program that would test bear-resistant trash bins in select areas of the city this year.

Longmont Mayor backs right for homosexuals to marry - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19828075 Mayor Dennis Coombs has added his name to a list of U.S. mayors who support "marriage equality," the legal right for homosexuals to marry. Coombs is one of only two Colorado mayors on the "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" list at freedomtomarry.org, along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The movement is chaired by the mayors of New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. Confirming his support for the issue on Thursday, Coombs said that this was his personal feeling and not anything that specifically bound the city of Longmont.

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129827/1001 At its Tuesday work session, the Frisco Town Council reviewed potential changes to the building code, which will likely include fee changes. According to Frisco community development director Jocelyn Mills, revisions to the code are designed to meet the goal of making her government branch “more friendly and efficient.” “We're really working toward practical, common-sense solutions,” she said.

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129872/1001 What they talked about: Strehler and Hildreth updated the council about plans for the new facility, which will be built at the town's current maintenance facility at Swift Gulch. The $12 million transit center — which is expected to create 300 jobs over 18 months of construction — will provide storage and maintenance spaces for buses owned by the town and the county's ECO Transit agency.

Frederick-Firestone fire district opens new ‘nerve center’ space - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/carbon-valley-news/ci_19831321 For five years, the Frederick-Firestone fire district knew it needed more space. On Thursday, it luxuriated in it. "All of our training, our administration, our warehouse facilities, are all based out of here now," said Fire Chief Ted Poszywak as he showed off the district's new business and education center at its grand opening. "It is our nerve center. It just about is."

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/shelter-outgrows-its-building Every night and morning, guests replay a familiar game to jockey for space at the Homeward Bound homeless shelter. Because there aren’t enough bunks to house everyone, mattresses and bedding are pulled out for people to spread out on the floor, often sleeping head to head and foot to foot. In the morning, the mattresses are tucked back under the stationary bunks, and tables and chairs that were pushed off to the side to make room are repositioned for folks to sit down to breakfast. The 9,800-square-foot building at 2583 North Ave., which houses up to 167 people during the most frigid winter nights, long has been packed. To help alleviate the crowds of single people and families seeking shelter, a local overflow program offered for the past five years through local churches finds space for up to 30 single men each night. But church volunteers are getting weary of the added responsibilities that initially were dubbed as a temporary solution, Homeward Bound Executive Director Gi Moon said.

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Vets return to Vail slopes | VailDaily.com

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120126/NEWS/120129863/1001 Some wear uniforms, some wear prosthetics but this week they all wear smiles. The Vail Veterans Program is hosting its latest group of military veterans, all wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Vail wins the award for most heroes per square foot. Take breakfast at the Larkspur. Heroes are packed around every table, asking and answering the question, “How fast does it go?”

Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831884 Douglas and Arapahoe counties logged big increases in suicides in 2011, while the tallies in other metro-area counties have remained about the same or experienced a slight decrease. While final numbers still are being compiled, Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas said the tally of 46 suicides last year is up from 36 the year before and nearly double the 26 counted in 2009. Arapahoe County recorded 103 suicides in 2011, up from 69 in 2010. In Jefferson and Boulder counties, the numbers remained virtually the same in 2011. Weld and Adams counties both logged decreases.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | A little TLC for Animas River

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279931/-1/News01/A-little-TLC-for-Animas-River Because of the high volume of water – a peak of more than 5,000 cubic feet per second in an average year – and debris that can flow in the river, several large boulders have been dislodged, creating safety hazards for boaters, according to a city news release. “Whenever there’s a safety concern, we will get in the river and address it before the water starts coming up in the spring,” said Cathy Metz, director of parks and recreation for the city. Additionally, the Glacier Club subdivision, located up the Animas Valley, donated large boulders that were uncovered when developers were doing excavation work and were hauled to Santa Rita Park for use in the whitewater park.

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/news/tweet-132407-clerk-office.html No, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office is not in the habit of being a gossipmonger, despite what its Tweets might convey. Sometime just after midnight Thursday, a Tweet from the county office went out to an unknown number of people, telling them that "some real nasty things are being said about you. ... I can't believe what was said...." The Tweet includes a link that takes people to a fake Twitter site. The clerk's office was hacked -- and apologized for the "inconvenience" to its followers in another, legitimate Tweet. "It's not a big deal at all," said Alissa Vander Veen, chief deputy in the clerk and recorder’s office. "We just had to change our password this morning."

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120127/NEWS/120129829/1001 If the proposal passes state and local approval, Green Mountain Reservoir users may say good-bye to day-use fees. After a nationwide inventory and review of recreation fees within the U.S. Forest Service, the agency's Washington Office staff is proposing substantial fee reductions in high-impact recreation areas, or HIRAs. Green Mountain Reservoir has previously been categorized as a HIRA, a Forest Service designation that allows the agency to charge fees for use of a broad area, even if it doesn't fit the legal definition of a fee-permitted area. Currently, fees are due at the Cataract Lake Trailhead, where rough parking amenities are provided without other site improvements. Among other similar charges, a day-use permit is also required to access the lake shore.

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19832017 Frontier Airlines is coming home, bringing its headquarters back to Denver with Thursday's announcement of a chief executive and a new senior management team that will be based here. David Siegel, a 20-year airline and travel veteran, was named CEO, president and interim chief operating officer of Frontier. In addition to serving in several chief executive positions, Siegal has been an independent director on the board of Frontier's parent company, Republic Airways Holdings. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said Siegel is "the right guy at the right time for the next step in the process" of putting Frontier "back on independent footing" as it seeks a new owner.

Boulder honors firefighters killed in training exercise 30 years ago today - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19827217 This morning, friends, family members and firefighters gathered at Boulder's Station 3 to remember William J. Duran and Scott L. Smith, and the fire that claimed their lives during a training accident 30 year ago today. The Boulder Fire Department's flags are flying at half-staff. It was a tragedy that left deep wounds in the two families and the Boulder Fire Department, and it led to national changes in standards for training exercises. Battalion Chief Gilbert Espinoza, who was on duty that day and counted Duran among his best friends, said the handful of firefighters still with the department who were serving that day consider it a duty and an honor to pass on the story to younger firefighters.

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_19829817 A former Boulder County deputy accused of Internet exploitation of children told investigators in November that he has been obsessed with young girls for years, but it "escalated and intensified" after he investigated a homicide in the late 1980s in which he "located and recovered dismembered remains" of a victim he knew. Boulder County Judge John Stavely unsealed the arrest warrant affidavit for Rick Ferguson, 53, during a brief hearing in Boulder District Court on Thursday afternoon. Defense attorney Larry Mertes argued against unsealing the court document, saying that pretrial publicity would taint the local jury pool. Stavely said with the conclusion of the investigation, the public's right to access was in play and that juries are frequently successfully seated in Boulder County for cases that received pretrial coverage.

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/colangelo-132440-woman-passed.html Air Force Academy cadet Stephen Colangelo said he heard the lock on a dorm room “click” on Nov. 4. He banged on the door and after about a minute, Cadet Stephan Claxton opened it. That’s when Colangelo and other cadets said they saw a passed-out woman who may have been sexually assaulted. Military prosecutors focused on the events of that night during a hearing Thursday to determine whether Claxton, a junior, will be tried on suspicion of abusive sexual contact, wrongful sexual contact, assault and underage drinking. A prosecutor alluded to three possible victims, but Claxton’s formal charges involve two.

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Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/group-132432-springs-answers.html Members of an advocate group for victims of priest sexual abuse met in front of the headquarters of the Archidiocese of St. Louis Thursday afternoon to demand answers about Rev. Charles Robert Manning of Colorado Springs. The group, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is a national organization that acts as a watch-dog for sexual assault crimes brought against religious leaders. It wants Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis to clear up ambiguities in Manning’s history with the Catholic church after learning that Manning is being investigated in a sexual assault case in Colorado. Manning, formerly of three St. Louis Catholic parishes, came to St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs in 2007. At a Saturday mass, Rev. Rafael Torres-Rico told the congregation that allegations of sexual assault on a minor have been brought against Manning.

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831645 Denver police have arrested a man with AIDS on suspicion of prostitution, police said. Darren Garcia, 31, was taken into custody Wednesday when officers arrested prostitution suspects along Colfax Avenue, police said. Garcia has eight prior arrests for prostitution, police said, including two previous arrests on suspicion of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS. Garcia was one of 14 people arrested Wednesday in the undercover SWAT sting. The other 13 were women.

Editorial: ASSET bill offers hope to all students - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_19830763 A reworked bill that would allow Colorado's illegal immigrant high school students to pay reduced tuition at state colleges and universities strikes the right balance. Those who have attended high school in Colorado for three years would be eligible for a new class of tuition — more than in-state tuition, but far less than out-of-state tuition. The ASSET bill, as it is being called, would offer hope for students who are educationally stranded because of their immigration status.

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As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/as-democrats-shift-to-offense-obama-biden-address-house-retreat/2012/01/27/gIQAOxWqUQ_blog.html After two days of closed-door brainstorming sessions, briefings and panels featuring speakers including MSNBC’s Ed Schultz and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, the Democrats’ three-day “Reigniting the American Dream” conference at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay will conclude today with a 10:30 a.m. speech by Biden and a 1:15 p.m. address by Obama. Unlike last year’s meeting, this year’s retreat takes place days after the president’s combative State of the Union address — so lawmakers already have a sense of Obama’s likely message to his party. On the eve of the visit by the president and vice president, Democrats pointed to a new poll as a sign that they have reclaimed the momentum heading into 2012.

Obama to propose plan to reduce college costs - 44 - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-to-propose-plan-to-reduce-college-costs/2012/01/27/gIQAtOnJVQ_blog.html President Obama will offer a plan Friday to reduce the costs of higher education by increasing the amount of federal grant money available in low-interest loans and tying it directly to colleges’ ability to reduce tuition. Obama’s proposal would significantly boost federal investment in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion and revamp the formula for distributing the money. Under the plan, colleges would be rewarded based on their success in offering relatively lower tuition prices, providing value and serving low-income students, the White House said. The plan would not cost taxpayers additional dollars because students pay off the aid money with interest, officials stressed.

With campaign season here, Obama shows some swagger | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137085/with-campaign-season-here-obama.html He's confronting Republicans in the House chamber and on a sunny tarmac in front of the cameras. He's singing Al Green and busting out corny jokes. He's trying out his Spanish and taking off the necktie. It looks like the sometimes-aloof, overly cerebral President Obama has gotten some of his mojo back. Perhaps getting out of Washington has been the tonic, or perhaps it's the sight of Republican presidential contenders in Florida beating up each other in a barrage of television ads. Whatever the cause, the effect has been on clear display.

U.S. economy grew at 2.8 percent rate | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/27/137132/us-economy-grew-at-28-percent.html The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the final three months of 2011, the government said Friday. The numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis were below the expectations of mainstream economists, most projecting 3 percent or higher. But the growth rate still points to a modest recovery, echoed by recent employment and manufacturing data.

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Bomb in Shiite neighborhood kills dozens in funeral procession - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/bomb-in-shiite-neighborhood-kills-dozens-in-funeral-procession/2012/01/27/gIQAD1H4UQ_story.html A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives amid a funeral procession here Friday morning, killing at least 31 people and injuring at least 60, a security official said. Mourners had gathered outside a hospital to receive the bodies of three people killed the night before, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The blast occurred in the Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, in the southeastern part of the city.

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137025/attack-on-nato-convoy-kills-4.html A suicide car bomber killed four Afghan civilians and wounded dozens Thursday in the southern province of Helmand, local officials said. The attack, which took place midmorning at a busy market in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, targeted armored vehicles that belonged to the U.S.-led NATO coalition. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the Taliban, which have their roots in southern Afghanistan. Thirty-one people were wounded, including three women who were visiting a doctor, said Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. He said a child with one of the women was among those killed.

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/surge-in-violence-killings-across-syria-un-security-council-set-to-meet/2012/01/27/gIQAKiVJVQ_story.html Syrian security forces bombarded several cities with mortars and heavy artillery on Friday, and fighting edged closer to the capital of Damascus as residents of the city’s suburbs reported a days-long military onslaught. Activists in Homs said there were heavy casualties after a night of shelling and mortar fire, with military tanks again deployed across the city after being partially withdrawn last month at the outset of a monitoring mission by the Arab League. “In some areas, the shelling has not stopped for three days in a row. The regime is now waging full-scale war against the people,” said an activist in Homs who was contacted via Skype and uses the name Hadi al-Homsi. He described a “massacre” in the southeastern area of Karm al-Zeitoun, which is a focal point of military operations in the city.

Crisis takes toll on Syria economy - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-economy-20120127,0,6812304.story In the maze of alleyways that makes up the Old City of Damascus, traders finger worry beads and stare dejectedly from deserted shops that sell handicrafts, clothing and spices. "This market is based on tourists," said Abu Adnan, who works in one of the many fabric emporiums. But the tourists stopped coming when antigovernment protests erupted across Syria in March, prompting a violent crackdown. Now, even local homemakers no longer stop by to purchase bolts of imported cotton and silk. "People are focused on getting food on the table, they aren't buying extras," said the store's owner, Abu Mohammed, who like his employee asked to be identified by a traditional nickname for fear of displeasing Syrian authorities.

Egypt bars U.S. workers from travel, escalating crackdown | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137045/egypt-bars-us-workers-from-travel.html Egypt has barred at least 10 American and European civil society workers — including the son of a senior Obama administration official — from leaving the country in a sign that the ruling generals are extending their crackdown on foreign pro-democracy groups. Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said Thursday that four employees of the institute had been banned from traveling outside Egypt. He learned he was included when he was prevented from leaving via the Cairo airport Saturday. "It's absolutely an escalation," LaHood said. "It's a de facto detention."

In Libya, rebels still dominate Tripoli streets - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-libya-rebels-still-dominate-tripoli-streets/2012/01/14/gIQAwPF1UQ_story.html Despite repeated pledges by Libya’s transitional government to find jobs for the rebel fighters who forced Moammar Gaddafi from power, tens of thousands of them are still operating in armed militia groups, patrolling streets and guarding buildings in Tripoli and other cities. The fighters’ continued presence is adding to an atmosphere of insecurity, officials and ordinary Libyans say, as efforts to incorporate more than 50,000 fighters into defense and interior ministry forces has lagged. Authorities say the presence of the irregular forces has made it difficult to distinguish between legitimate fighters and criminals, thousands of whom were freed by rebel forces and by Gaddafi during the months of fighting that eventually toppled the autocratic leader.

Costa Concordia’s captain lost precious time, official says | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137034/cruise-ships-captain-lost-precious.html The wasting of a "precious hour" by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of Italy's Coast Guard corps, Adm. Marco Brusco, made the remarks during a briefing to a parliament committee on the January 13 accident. "If Captain (Francesco) Schettino had not lost a precious hour ... it would have been possible to lower the lifeboats with calm, put the people at ease," Brusco said.

In Florida debate, Romney slams Gingrich for toxic rhetoric | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137094/in-florida-debate-romney-slams.html Mitt Romney pummeled Newt Gingrich repeatedly in a fierce war of words Thursday, striving to capitalize on a turn in the polls in the final debate before Florida's presidential primary on Tuesday. Romney slammed a Gingrich ad on immigration as “repulsive,” criticized him as a hired cheerleader for troubled housing agency Freddie Mac, and ridiculed his proposal to colonize the moon. Gingrich shot back, at one point noting acidly that Romney profited from firms foreclosing on Florida homeowners. But a shot at the media, normally a winning move for Gingrich, may not have worked as well this time.

McClatchy blog: Romney opens lead over Gingrich in FL poll

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2012/01/florida-poll-mitt-romney-opens-up-a-lead-over-newt-gingrich.html With four days left before Florida's presidential primary, a new poll finds Mitt Romney opening up a considerable lead over Newt Gingrich -- 38 percent to 29 percent. The pre-debate poll compares to a Jan. 25 survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University that showed the race in a statistical dead heat: Romney at 36 percent to Gingrich's 34 percent. The poll also had Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 14 percent, followed by former Penn. Sen. Rick Santorum at 12 percent. The poll suggests that it's men who are changing their minds: In today's poll, men back Romney 36 percent to 29 percent, compared to backing Gingrich 37 percent to 33 percent just a few days ago. Romney continues to lead 40 percent to 30 percent among women, a number that's virtually unchanged.

Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performance - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-boosted-in-florida-by-new-poll-numbers-strong-debate-performance/2012/01/27/gIQAlg3OVQ_story.html A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Mitt Romney back on top in Florida’s high-stakes Republican primary, adding to the momentum for the former Massachusetts governor following a strong debate performance Thursday night. Romney went on the offensive against rival Newt Gingrich on topics including immigration, taxes and wealth, lobbying, and colonizing the moon. Romney said it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to label him “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the field. He blasted Gingrich’s moon proposal, saying that if someone had brought it to him, his response would have been “You’re fired.” He goaded his rival into a discussion of his own taxes.

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120127,0,5568328.story Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney, aiming for a knockout blow in next week's Florida primary, tore into Newt Gingrich in a televised debate Thursday night and vigorously defended his personal wealth as an asset in his presidential campaign. Romney was aggressive from the outset, starting with the issue of illegal immigration. Gingrich stood by a Spanish-language radio ad he had aired that said Romney was "anti-immigrant." Gingrich withdrew the ad after being admonished by Florida's popular Republican Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney, noting that both his father and his wife's father were born outside the United States, said such language was "inexcusable."

Romney tax returns detail funds not included in ethics forms - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-romney-disclosure-20120127,0,7516033.story Some investments listed in Mitt and Ann Romney's 2010 tax returns — including a now-closed Swiss bank account and other funds located overseas — were not explicitly disclosed in the personal financial statement the Republican presidential hopeful filed in August as part of his White House bid. The Romney campaign described the discrepancies as "trivial" but acknowledged Thursday that it was reviewing how the investments were reported and would make "some minor technical amendments" to Romney's financial disclosure that would not alter the overall picture. An examination by the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau found that at least 23 investments detailed in the couple's 2010 tax returns did not show up or were not listed in the same fashion on Romney's most recent financial disclosure, including 11 based in low-tax foreign countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

Romney vs. Gingrich rhetoric grows rougher in Florida | McClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/01/26/137048/romney-vs-gingrich-rhetoric-grows.html Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney intensified their bare-knuckles rhetorical brawl Thursday, with Gingrich verbally savaging the former Massachusetts governor, the campaign ads he's run in Florida and even the Republican Party establishment As Gingrich blasted away, Romney coyly but clearly returned fire at the former speaker of the House of Representatives during a campaign event in Jacksonville, portraying Gingrich as the consummate Washington Beltway insider. Speaking in friendly territory — before a tea party crowd of about 500 in Central Florida's Mount Dora — Gingrich wasted little time before going after Romney and the barrage of TV ads that Romney's campaign and pro-Romney super PACs have saturated Florida's airwaves with before Tuesday's Republican presidential primary in the state.

Economic fairness eludes the GOP, but not Obama - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/economic-fairness-eludes-the-gop-but-not-obama/2012/01/26/gIQADOb3TQ_story.html If you heard a loud “gulp” Tuesday night after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked — that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

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Brazil buildings collapse; at least 4 dead, 18 missing - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-buildings-collapse-20120127,0,5791309.story Rescue workers in Brazil searched for survivors Thursday after three large buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, killing at least four people and leaving 18 or more missing.

A good pact on ‘super PACs’ - latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-superpacs-20120127,0,908415.story The U.S. Senatecontest in Massachusetts between Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren is fascinating not just because it's one of the more competitive races for the upper house, or because it's likely to be the most expensive in history, but because of a strange and unusually honorable deal struck this week by the two candidates. Under their agreement, if an independent group such as a "super PAC" buys a TV ad backing one of the candidates, that candidate will donate an amount equal to half the cost of the ad to the charity of the opponent's choice. Thus, an ad placed independently by a super PAC could end up harming as well as helping its pick. To some, this pact is a flagrant violation of the free-speech rights of those individuals who contribute to super PACs. We think it's a sensible way of reducing the corrosive influence that independent political groups are having on our democracy in the wake of the Supreme Court's flawed Citizens United decision in 2010.

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ConocoPhillips’ oil roads in Alaska are an unwelcome intrusion - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/conocophillips-oil-roads-in-alaska-are-an-unwelcome-intrusion/2012/01/24/gIQAjoZ4TQ_story.html In the summer of 1998 I went to Prudhoe Bay, a major oil field on the North Slope of Alaska, prepared to listen carefully to oil companies eager to expand into the wilderness regions of the western Arctic. My priority was protection for Teshekpuk Lake, a large, aquamarine body of water at the center of globally important wetlands that draw nesting and breeding birds migrating from as far south as Chile and Argentina. The main environmental concern was the building of roads across the fragile expanses of tundra. Roads always beget more roads, generating networks that eventually destroy the wilderness character of the land and threaten wildlife, caribou herds and molting geese temporarily incapable of flight. I wanted to see firsthand if it would be possible to implement a new concept of roadless oil development.

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In Aurora, Obama pitches federal funds for renewable energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831887 President Barack Obama's goal of approving enough renewable-energy projects on federal lands to power 3 million homes may be the easy part — getting them built could be another story. In his speech at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora on Thursday, Obama repeated the goal he set in his State of the Union address — 10 gigawatts of renewable-energy generation on public land. Yet even as the Obama administration is approving projects, the federal financing programs that are key to their construction are fading. "Congress needs to act," Obama told about 400 invited guests gathered in a spare hangar. "They need to pass clean-energy tax credits."

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701269913/-1/News01/Obama-touts-natural-gas-in-Aurora His two-hour visit to Buckley Air Force base was his third Colorado stop in four months, and it came during a tour of swing states after his Tuesday night State of the Union address. The Colorado speech served as a highlight reel from Tuesday’s address, with an emphasis on energy. “For all our lives, America has been talking about decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “Well, my administration has actually tried to do something about it.” U.S. oil production is at an eight-year high, and the country’s reliance on foreign oil is at a 16-year low, he said.

Obama: Energy independence is a matter of national security | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110947/obama-at-buckley-afb-energy-independence-is-a-matter-of-national-security President Barack Obama Thursday drew repeated applause at a private event at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base when he called on the country to work toward energy independence, which he called a matter of national security. “Leading on this issue is the right thing to do,” Obama said at Buckley. “Yes, it’s the right thing to do to prevent climate change. Yes, it’s the right thing to do in terms of reducing pollution. But it’s also important for our national security. “(Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus has said, ‘We wouldn’t allow some of the places that we buy fossil fuels from to build our ships or to build our aircraft, to build our ground equipment. We wouldn’t do that. And yet we give them say on whether those ships sail, or whether those aircraft fly or whether those vehicles run, because we buy fuel from them.’ Why would we do that if we don’t have to? The less we depend on foreign oil, the more secure we become as a nation.”

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | Fracking gets a new friend in Obama

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279934/-1/News01/Fracking-gets-a-new-friend-in-Obama In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama adopted a position on natural gas that could have come straight out of the mouth of John Hickenlooper, the petroleum geologist-turned-Colorado governor. Obama called for public disclosure of fracking fluids while at the same time insisting the practice is safe and is key to America’s energy strategy. “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy,” Obama said in the State of the Union.

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831726 Hispanic Republicans Thursday denounced President Barack Obama, saying his policies have hurt the country and he is spending more time campaigning for president than actually serving as president. In a news conference at the state Capitol, Jefferson County Reps. Robert Ramirez and Libby Szabo — the lone two Hispanics in the GOP caucus — ripped Obama, who will be in Aurora this afternoon for a campaign stop to talk about energy. "He is here today, promising our military new energy resources, those mostly of green energy but he's not willing to talk to all of us," said Ramirez, of Westminster.

President Obama’s prepared remarks at Buckley AFB - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19828805

Colorado GOP to discuss Obama’s visit, critics blast the location | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/location-location-location-gop-picks-capitol-to-discuss-obama-visit/56234/ Political observers say the Colorado Republican Party crossed the line when it decided to hold a news conference today inside the state Capitol to discuss President Obama’s visit to Aurora this afternoon. Such an event, they said, should be held on the steps of the Capitol, where everyone from union activists to Tea Partiers to anti-abortionists hold rallies to express their views. The subject line of the invite from the state GOP says “Colorado GOP and CO Hispanic Republicans Press Conference on President Obama’s Campaign Stop.” The location is listed as the third-floor press room.

Hushed audience in Aurora hears hurried talk by Obama on clean energy - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831727 President Barack Obama's third trip to Colorado in the past four months was a hushed and rushed affair Thursday in an airplane hangar at Buckley Air Force Base with Air Force One parked outside. The president is on a five-state tour to push themes mentioned in his State of the Union speech Tuesday — conveniently hitting swing states he needs to carry to stay in the White House for another term. In Aurora, Obama gave a speech that was less than 15 minutes long to a crowd of about 400 invited guests made up of dignitaries, military personnel and students.

VIDEO: Inside the Mile High—Reaction to Obama’s speech on renewable energy | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/video-inside-the-mile-high-reaction-to-obamas-speech-on-renewable-energy/56558/ Following President Obama’s speech on clean energy at Buckley Air Force Base Thursday, I caught up with former Gov. Bill Ritter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Ritter is now director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. In December, Mabus announced the Navy would spend $12 million to buy 450,000 gallons of alternative fuel for ships, aircrafts and unmanned vehicles — the largest government purchase of its kind.

President’s visit tickles two Colorado boys | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/windsor-brothers-meet-obama-cant-wait-to-tell-their-school-friends/56480/ Talked about two excited kids. The Turner boys — 9-year-old Colby and 11-year-old Cameron — had front-row seats at President Obama’s speech. The president autographed his book “The Audacity of Hope” for them. And the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force gave them medallions.

Craig Daily Press / Man on the Street: The public’s view on the State of the Union address

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/man-street-publics-view-state-union-address/ “He reminded me of what he has done and what he has been able to get through. If he did everything he said, then as a country, we would start improving. I also think he was right about the taxes and that people who make millions should have to pay their fair share.”

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19826684 When President Obama makes a brief visit to Denver today, Marine veteran Manuel Valenzuela plans to be at the entrance of Buckley Air Force base in uniform and carrying a banner to protest the deportation of veterans. Valenzuela will be one of 20 to 30 veterans and their supporters who are calling on the president to not only stop more deportations of veterans, but also to bring back those who have been forced out of the United States following honorable discharges from the military. Valenzuela and his brother Valente Valenzuela both served in Vietnam. They received deportation orders in 2009 because they committed crimes, including domestic violence and resisting arrest, following their service. They have been fighting their removal orders in court since then.

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/201270349/Paul-make-appearance-CSU Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will speak at CSU in Fort Collins on Tuesday. A Ron Paul spokeswoman said the congressman is set to speak around 3 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, but logistics are still being finalized and further details would be provided closer to the event. The ballroom can hold about 1,100 people, and organizers say they plan to have local bands playing before Paul speaks. CSU officials said Paul's appearance is being organized by a student group and is not an official university event.

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

http://coloradoindependent.com/110920/tipton-struggles-to-win-voter-approval-but-leads-in-early-poll Public Policy Polling this week released survey results from Colorado’s Third Congressional District, where first-term GOP Congressman Scott Tipton is being challenged by Democratic state Rep. Sal Pace. Although Tipton is leading among district voters, his job approval numbers come in under 40 percent. Of 569 individuals polled, 39 percent say incumbent Tipton deserves to be re-elected but only 36 percent approve of the job he is doing. Tipton’s job approval is 12 points lower than the 48 percent job approval then-Rep. John Salazar notched in a similar poll conducted in 2010. Tipton ended up beating Salazar, whose popularity was tested by votes in favor of the Affordable Care Act. “People are upset with the way Washington is conducting business– and it shows,” Pace said in a press release.

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/illegal-132438-immigrants-bill.html For the sixth time in a decade, Democrats are running a bill that would give discounted college tuition to children of illegal immigrants. The last attempt, in the 2011 session, failed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. This bill could meet the same fate. But maybe, this year will be different. The bill, carried by Denver’s Sen. Mike Johnston and Pueblo’s Angela Giron, would create a new college tuition rate, for the children of illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria. Among other things, it would require them to have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and they would have to sign an affidavit promising to seek citizenship as soon as possible.

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/immigrant-tuition-break-advances/article_b56b5cba-48ab-11e1-8415-0019bb2963f4.html A Pueblo lawmaker’s proposal to create a level of discount college tuition for illegal immigrants cleared a Senate panel Thursday on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democrats on the Senate Education Committee favored SB15, sponsored by Sens. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, and Michael Johnston, D-Denver. They touted it as a boost to college revenue, a return on the investment the state has made in students’ public schooling and a bargain for the state, which would not subsidize any part of the students’ college costs. “We can’t and must not allow another generation of immigrants to struggle for the chance to contribute to American society,” Giron said. “These students were brought here as babies and small children. They worked hard, got good grades, have been accepted to college.”

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/homefood-business-bills-find-favor-in-first-hearin Committees in the Colorado House and Senate on Thursday simultaneously heard two bills introduced by local lawmakers designed to help Coloradans create their own home-food businesses. While the House Economic and Business Development Committee approved a measure offered by Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee supported another one introduced by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose. Both measures center on allowing would-be entrepreneurs to use their own home kitchens to produce products meant for local sale.

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/lawmakers-oppose-water-law-change/article_3911e38e-48a9-11e1-bcdd-0019bb2963f4.html State lawmakers received applause Thursday from the Colorado Water Congress for their opposition to a pair of initiatives that would seriously alter Colorado water law. “If we don’t defeat these initiatives, those uneducated about water will take control and irrigated agriculture will cease to be important,” said Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, [R]-Sterling. The water congress, which represents multiple state water interests, is meeting for the 54th year at its annual convention. The CWC has opposed two initiatives by Richard Hamilton of Fairplay and his attorney Phil Doe of Littleton.

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/prison-lights-kept-on-for-now/article_3401abfc-48b0-11e1-bd3c-0019bb2963f4.html Nobody will be home, but the lights would stay on at Fort Lyon Correctional Facility through the end of this year under a proposal approved this week by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee approved $400,000 to keep utilities on and pay about 10 maintenance workers through the end of 2012 as recommended by Gov. John Hickenlooper’s budget office after December’s favorable revenue forecast. Hickenlooper has said upkeep of the prison will be important for the ongoing effort to find a new tenant.

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/01/26/go-ahead-mr-speaker-make-my-day/56239/ Watch out Frank McNulty: A legislative proposal could allow a certain deputy city attorney to pack heat. House Bill 1026 confers peace officer status on city attorneys, their assistants and such. Each jurisdiction will decide whether those staffers can be armed. Denver’s new deputy city attorney is Scott Martinez, a key player in last year’s congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. He worked on Democratic maps ultimately approved by the Colorado Supreme Court, to the dismay of Republicans.

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19826225 Broomfield Democrat Dianne Primavera will officially kick off her campaign for House District 33 in an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Corona's Mexican Grill, 2255 W. 136th Ave. Primavera, a two-term state representative who was defeated by a 330-vote margin in 2010, announced her candidacy in December. Primavera will face Republican David Pigott in the November election. Pigott, a lawyer at Denver firm Bloch and Chapleau LLC, on Nov. 17 filed paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the HD 33 seat and officially kicked off his campaign, his first for political office, earlier this month.

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/701279927/-1/News01/Colorado-Democrats-disqualify-Swonger-from-primary The Colorado Democratic Party has disqualified Patrick Swonger from its primary in the 59th state House District. From the day Swonger kicked off his run two weeks ago, people began contacting the party to complain he was ineligible given his insufficient tenure as a registered Democrat. The Colorado Democratic Party declined to identify who reported Swonger. Party rules stipulate that candidates must be registered for “a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of the General Election.”

State lawmakers schedule Longmont town hall meeting - Longmont Times-Call

http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_19827507 State Reps. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, and Matt Jones, D-Louisville, and state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, will discuss what’s ahead in the Legislature’s 2012 session and listen to Longmont-area constituents’ ideas and concerns during a Tuesday night town hall meeting here. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Abbondanza Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. It’ll be Singer’s first town hall meeting as a state lawmaker. Singer, who was scheduled to be sworn in and formally take his House District 11 office today, was chosen by a Democratic Party committee chose Singer to fill a vacancy created when former state Rep. Deb Gardner, D-Longmont, resigned to become a Boulder County commissioner.

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19832002 Gov. John Hickenlooper is recommending the privatization of Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund, despite the ongoing concerns of business groups. However, Hickenlooper also is recommending a few tweaks to the proposal, giving the state a slightly larger ownership stake in what would be the newly privatized mutual assurance company and creating a new fund for injured workers. "Most of the large policyholders I've talked to, almost without fail, they've been pretty enthusiastic" about the privatization proposal, Hickenlooper told reporters Thursday in a conference call from Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_19831913 Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia will receive the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in Castle Rock today, one of 21 officers nationwide receiving the new award. The ceremony is being co-hosted by Colorado lawmakers and Sheriff David Weaver. Garcia is being recognized for his actions on duty on Aug. 8, 2010. After tracking down a suspect in an emergency call, gunfire broke out, and Garcia was wounded in the shoulder. Despite his injuries, he was able to capture the suspect.

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2012/jan/27/judge-denies-effort-block-co-abortion-protester/ A judge Thursday denied the federal government's request to keep a longtime anti-abortion protester from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver's Planned Parenthood center. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer rejected the Justice Department's argument that Kenneth Scott's actions make it "unreasonably difficult" for patients and employees to get to the clinic. "Great news," one of Scott's lawyers, Peter Breen, said of Brimmer's late-evening ruling.

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19831444 A judge has ruled that police violated two Occupy Boulder protesters' Fourth Amendment rights when officers opened tent flaps to see whether the people inside were sleeping. In a ruling received by attorneys Thursday, Boulder Municipal Judge Linda Cooke said the Occupy Boulder protesters did have a reasonable expectation of privacy while camping on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street. Police did not have warrants to search the tents, and as a result, the observations of the officers will be suppressed in court. The two protesters, P.J. Jentsch and Katie DeMichele, were ticketed Nov. 21 along with nine others at the site of the former Occupy Boulder protest. Police officers opened the flap to the tent where Jentsch and DeMichele were sleeping before issuing them a ticket for camping.

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-132411-consider-oil.html After concerns from county commissioners and a warning letter from the Attorney General’s Office about El Paso County’s proposed oil and gas regulations, county planning staff have come up with a revised proposal for the commission to consider at its Jan. 31 meeting. County spokesman Dave Rose said the commissioners will consider both the original and the new proposals in their discussions. “I think they’ll have a long and extensive discussion next Tuesday,” Rose said.

City committee begins studying oil and gas exploration | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

http://www.gazette.com/articles/city-132422-gas-oil.html While the county is drilling down on its final regulations for oil and gas development, Colorado Springs is just starting its exploration on the subject. The city committee studying the issue held its first meeting Thursday, and it was oil and gas drilling 101 for the group. City attorney Chris Melcher said the committee should make a recommendation to City Council by the first meeting in May. Between now and then, the committee will look at how other municipalities have approached oil and gas development, ponder the balance of regulatory power between the city and state, and look into specific issues that may affect the city, such as impacts on road and water infrastructure. “What council decides will have far-reaching impacts on our community, our environment and our economy,” Melcher said.

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f22178bc9832347734804.txt What does a 550-mile-long pipeline draining water from the southwest corner of Wyoming to the Front Range have to do with San Miguel County? Enough for the Board of County Commissioners to draft a resolution opposing the proposed $9 billion project. The plan calls for more than 200,000 acre-feet per year to be pumped from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which stores water from the Green River — over the Continental Divide and into Denver. (An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, or enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water, and 200,000 acre-feet is just over a fifth of the Green River’s annual flow.) If the project is built, water will flow through a pair of 42-inch pipes along Interstate 80. Dreamt up by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million, the pipeline would feed Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. “We’re always very cautious about protecting our resources,” said San Miguel County Commissioner Elaine Fischer.

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

http://durangoherald.com/article/20120127/NEWS02/701279914/-1/News01/State-opts-to-deal-with-federal-agency-for-A-LP-water Colorado and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are getting closer to finalizing a contract for the state to pay for its share of water from the Animas-La Plata Project and costs for building it. The half-billion-dollar project, decades in the making, fulfills a settlement of water-rights claims of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, but it also will provide water for the state of Colorado and four other entities in Colorado and New Mexico. Colorado’s Legislature has authorized paying $36 million to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its share of 10,460 acre-feet of water, plus interest on construction costs. But the interest has been building, and the $36 million likely won’t cover everything Colorado owes.

Telluride Daily Planet > News

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2012/01/27/news/doc4f2215df9e3b6189590108.txt Paradox Valley is an expansive and desolate swath of land on the western edge of Montrose County. Unlike most valleys, the Dolores River cuts across the redrock landscape instead of running the length of the valley. That paradoxical land formation is largely due to the area’s large underground salt deposits; millions of years ago it was those deposits, not a river, that formed the valley. Beneath the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley sits aquifers with eight times more salt than regular seawater, roughly 2.2 pounds of salt

Categories

National News

Colorado News

ProgressNow Daily News Digest

Daily News Digest for 1/27/2012

Top Stories

National News

As Democrats shift to offense, Obama, Biden address House retreat - The Washington Post

Attack on NATO convoy kills 4 civilians in Afghanistan | McClatchy

Surge in violence, killings across Syria; U.N. Security Council set to meet - The Washington Post

Aggressive Mitt Romney gets the best of Newt Gingrich in Florida debate - latimes.com

Colorado News

The Durango Herald | Obama touts natural gas in Aurora

Colorado GOP Hispanic lawmakers rip Obama’s Aurora visit as “campaign” stop - The Denver Post

Paul to make appearance at CSU | The Coloradoan

Tipton struggles to win voter approval, but leads in early poll | The Colorado Independent

Immigrant tuition break advances - The Pueblo Chieftain

Home-food business bills find favor in first hearings | GJSentinel.com

Lawmakers oppose water law change - The Pueblo Chieftain

Go ahead, Mr. Speaker, make my day | The Spot

Dianne Primavera to officially kick off HD 33 campaign Saturday - Boulder Daily Camera

The Durango Herald | Colorado Democrats disqualify Swonger from primary

Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper recommends Pinnacol privatization with tweaks - The Denver Post

Craig Daily Press / Judge denies effort to block CO abortion protester

Judge: Police violated rights when opening tent flaps at Occupy Boulder - Boulder Daily Camera

County modifies proposed oil and gas regulations | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

Telluride Daily Planet - BOCC Opposes Flaming Gorge pipeline

Denver names panelists who will help pick police monitor - The Denver Post

Colorado new-home permits increase in 2011 - The Denver Post

Colorado AG weighs in on DPS, union fight over Innovation Schools Act - The Denver Post

Longmont Mayor backs right for homosexuals to marry - Longmont Times-Call

News by Category

Colorado News

Civil Liberties and Equality

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

Crime and Penal Reform

Veterans to protest deportations at President Obama’s Buckley air base visit in Colorado - The Denve

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

Douglas County deputy to receive Congressional Badge of Bravery - The Denver Post

Indictment charges 16 in Weld County, Breckenridge pot bust - The Denver Post

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

You are not a bad person, despite what Tweets tell you | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

Deputy accused of sexual exploitation of children used handle ‘nitestick560’ - Longmont Times-Call

Cadets testify they found passed-out woman partially unclothed | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

Victims’ group demands answers about Springs’ priest | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

Man with AIDS arrested again in prostitution sting - The Denver Post

Economy

Prison lights kept on — for now - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

The Durango Herald 01/27/2012 | State opts to deal with federal agency for A-LP water

Telluride Daily Planet > News

Lakewood’s ZeaChem selected for $232 million loan guarantee - The Denver Post

Economist: Aspen on right track | AspenTimes.com

Problems with North Nevada project should have been flagged, council members say | Colorado Springs

Trash puzzle confronts Summit County officials | SummitDaily.com

Panel advises Boulder County to sell, buy farm properties - Longmont Times-Call

Poudre Valley Hospital receives top national nursing award | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

Boulder plans test of bear-resistant trash bins - Boulder Daily Camera

Frisco looks to cut red tape in building codes | SummitDaily.com

Government Tracker: Avon still pondering transit facility details | VailDaily.com

Shelter outgrows its building | GJSentinel.com

Suicides rise in wealthier Douglas, Arapahoe counties - The Denver Post

Green Mountain Reservoir may see lower rec fees | SummitDaily.com

Frontier Airlines headquarters to return to Denver - The Denver Post

Education

Bill on tuition break for kids of illegal immigrants debated | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

GEDs in jail: ‘A way to be a better person’ | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

League of Women Voters to honor new voters | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

Three positions open on Basalt library board | AspenTimes.com

Summit schools growing — and shrinking | SummitDaily.com

D-49 board member says he won’t resign | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

D-49 hears discussion on kindergarten age change | Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

Re-1 teachers, staff members to get bonuses | PostIndependent.com

City schools slate later opening - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

CCA, Dolores Huerta await decision on joint charter - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

CU-Boulder names ex-president Sandy Bracken to Newton endowed chair - Boulder Daily Camera

Talk on immigration issues set Saturday - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local News

Native American students connect at Boulder conference - Boulder Daily Camera

1975 time capsule saved before Denver’s Gove Middle School demolished - The Denver Post