56th Morgan-Washington Bi-County Science Fair Sends Three to LA

The 56th Morgan-Washington Bi-County Science Fair was held at Brush High School last week, as it has been since 2000 and the event drew approximately 100 projects and participants from Brush, Akron, Fort Morgan, Lone Star, Arickaree, Otis, Wiggins, Woodlin and Weldon Valley.
Of the exhibits entered and judged, three students were selected to move on to the competition in Los Angeles. Those students are Brush High School senior Burke Larsen and his project, "Killer Water: An Investigation Into the Lethal Lake Nyos", and Wyatt Palser, a sophomore at Otis High School and his fair project, "Investigating E.coli Colonization and Prevention on Leafy Products". The alternate Joe Rosenbrock, also of Brush. The Los Angeles event is May 8-13.

Boulder Co Jail Mail Lawsuit Now Class Action

A federal judge has given a lawsuit challenging the Boulder County jail's policy on inmates' mail class-action status, meaning it can proceed even if individual inmates are released or transferred.

The Daily Camera reports that Judge Wiley Y. Daniel granted class-action status Tuesday to a lawsuit by the Colorado chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU's lawsuit claims the policy of restricting inmates' outgoing mail to postcards is unconstitutional because people are reluctant to freely express themselves and write about personal, sensitive information.

The policy was adopted after two sex offenders sent children letters in envelopes stuffed inside envelopes and addressed to a third party, who forwarded them.

El Paso County dropped a similar practice after the ACLU won a preliminary injunction in its lawsuit against that jail.

Lawmakers Upset Over Change of Fules

Republican lawmakers are demanding to know why Gov. John Hickenlooper's administration changed rules on the sale of low-strength beer to make it easier for restaurants and liquor stores to sell those brands. Republican state Rep. Larry Liston of Colorado Springs said yesterday there was a perception of favoritism after the Department of Revenue approved emergency rules earlier this month that helped brew pubs.

Governor: Save Parks by Combining Departments

Gov. John Hickenlooper says Colorado could avoid closing 15 of its 41 state parks by consolidating the Division of Wildlife and the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. He says the state could save $3 million to $4 million a year by combining the boards and the 900 jobs in the state's Department of Natural Resources. Fishing licenses and camping permits could become available on the same website.

Colorado Ranked Fifth Happiest State In Nation

Colorado is the fifth-happiest state in the nation. That's according to a new survey ranking the 50 states according to the well-being of the people who live there. Pollsters looked at emotional and physical health, life evaluation and work environment. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index rates Hawaii as the happiest state, while the least happy state was Michigan.

Mega Millions Jackpot Surges To 127-Million Dollars

Someone in Colorado could be a whole lot richer by this time tomorrow. That's because tonight's Mega Millions jackpot is worth an estimated 127-million-dollars. The cash option comes out to about 79-million. Proceeds from Mega Millions ticket sales in Colorado benefit parks, recreation facilities, open space conservation, trails and wildlife protection.

Funeral Services Set For Slain Burlington Parents

Funeral arrangements are set for Marilyn and Charles Long. The Burlington couple were found shot to death in their home last week, allegedly by their 12-year-old son. Two of the suspected shooter's siblings were also shot but are expected to survive. Services for the Longs are scheduled for Friday morning at the Burlington Community Center.

Governor Plans To Combine Two Agencies To Save Money

Governor John Hickenlooper will combine state parks and the Division of Wildlife into one division to save money. The governor said yesterday that means his recommendation to repurpose Colorado state parks due to the budget deficit is on hold. He says no one will lose their jobs but some positions will be axed as workers quit or resign. He adds the two agencies have a huge amount of overlap.

Report: Workers At SEC Watched Porn While On Job

Workers from the Securities and Exchange Commission -- including ones from Denver's regional office -- used government computers to watch pornography while on the job. KUSA-TV reports that 20 of the 33 employees and contractors from seven SEC offices nationwide were either disciplined or are no longer employed. That's after an investigation found they looked at the sexually explicit images between 2005 and 2010. Citing an Inspector General Report, the images were of transvestites and male and female body parts.

Feds: Colorado Woman Helped Pennsburg's 'Jihad Jane'

A Colorado woman who federal investigators allege conspired with the Pennsylvania woman known as "Jihad Jane," pleaded guilty to supporting terrorism yesterday. Thirty-two-year-old Jamie Paulin-Ramirez learned in federal court in Philadelphia yesterday she faces 15-years in prison and a 25-thousand-dollar fine for accepting a 2009 invitation from Colleen LaRose to engage in Holy War overseas. LaRose is the single mom from Pennsburg woman who led a double-life on the Internet as terrorist "Jihad Jane."