Udall Here Last Week

U.S. Senator Mark Udall was in the area recently. He visited Fort Morgan, Wiggins, Akron and Sterling last Friday. He said he wanted to see the progress in the area and hear what people had to say about that progress. He talked with people specifically about broadband access and health care jobs. He toured MCC's new health sciences wing and said it's the future of higher ed. Udall talked about workforce issues in Sterling and about jobs in rural Colorado in Akron.

Lawmaker Pushes For Bill That Sets DUI Limit For Marijuana -- AP

One state lawmaker said Colorado needs a law to keep people high on marijuana from getting behind the wheel. The state has no driving standard when it comes to marijuana. Rep. Claire Levy is sponsoring a bill that would set a DUI limit for marijuana. Right now, if a police officer suspects you are under the influence of any drug, that officer conducts a sobriety test. If you’re suspected of drinking, there is also a blood limit test, a more exact measure of how impaired you are.
If you are suspected of being under the influence of marijuana, there isn’t a test to measure your level of impairment.
The test would work like this: 5 nanograms of THC would be the equivalent of a .08 blood alcohol level. “It will be treated exactly like DUI with alcohol and all the same penalties apply,” said Levy. Marijuana advocates want a limit, but believe Levy’s bill casts too wide a net. Regular users may fail the blood test even when they’re not impaired. “I think there is probably legitimate standard out there. It might be twice what they’re currently proposing,” said Sean McCallister at the Cannibis Law Center. Levy insists science is on her side, and law enforcement is on board. The Attorney General, police and District Attorneys are among those lobbying for the bill. Medical marijuana advocates have other concerns. They want to know how sanctions will work. If you’re convicted of an alcohol offense, you can get your license back with an ignition interlock installed on your car. There isn’t an option for marijuana users yet. Another concern is cost. Advocates insist the bill will add to court and DMV costs and Colorado’s budget shortfall. Levy disagreed with the financial impact, but doesn’t have a fiscal impact statement yet.

Cash, Pot Found On Interstate

Some unlucky person lost a duffel bag stuffed with cash this week in Denver. Yesterday, while picking up trash along Interstate 76, two Department of Transportation officials stumbled onto the bag that contained ten-thousand dollars. The workers gave their odd discovery to authorities. The bag also contained a small amount of marijuana and now State Patrol is investigating.

Teen Boy Appears In Court On Fatal Shooting Charges

A 16-year-old boy suspected of fatally shooting another teen showed up in a Pueblo courtroom Thursday. Myles Johnson faces adult charges for the January 6th shooting, which police say left one teen dead and two others hurt. Johnson was assigned to a Division D court, he is being held on 500-thousand dollars and he will be back for a bond hearing next week. Authorities say in a drug deal gone bad Johnson shot 18-year-old Marco Morales, who died, and shot 18-year-old David Lucero and 17-year-old Isaiah Chacon, who are recovering.