Colorado bill would require voters to prove citizenship

Colorado lawmakers are weighing a Republican proposal that would prevent people from voting if they can't prove they're U.S. citizens.

Supporters and opponents testified Wednesday on the bill that would direct the secretary of state's office to compare voter rolls with state and federal records to determine if registered voters are U.S. citizens. When there is doubt, people would receive a letter asking them to show proof of citizenship within 90 days. They would be ineligible to vote if they don't comply.

Lawmakers will vote on House Bill 1252 on Thursday.

Supporters say they bill is necessary to prevent fraud. Opponents say the bill could unduly burden people who are eligible to vote.

Other Republican legislation requiring proof of citizenship to vote has already failed in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Synthetic marijuana ban faces first Colorado test

Synthetic marijuana, known as "Spice," is closer to a permanent ban in Colorado after state senators heard testimony about making the fake pot permanently illegal.

Senators heard testimony from doctors and law enforcement officers calling for Colorado to join at least 18 other states with a permanent ban on chemicals used to produce synthetic cannabinoids.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration banned "Spice" on March 1, but the federal ban lasts only a year while the agency reviews the new drug.,

Colorado's ban would also ban salvia, a hallucinogen banned in some states but not nationwide.

Gov in Stitches

The Governor was probably feeling a little loopy yesterday. John Hickenlooper needed five stitches after he bumped his head just after leaving a meeting with local business leaders in Craig. As Hickenlooper entered the backseat of a State Patrol car, he cracked his noggin on a shotgun rack. After some medical attention, Hickenlooper made it to his scheduled engagement, and he was only late by four minutes.

Uncle meets with boy suspected of killing parents

The uncle of a 12-year-old Colorado boy suspected of fatally shooting his parents and wounding his siblings has met briefly with his nephew.

Wally Long tells ABC News that he met Tuesday with the boy at a youth detention center in Greeley. He says the boy told him he's being treated well.

Wally Long is the brother of Charles Long, who was found dead last week in his home in Burlington, about 140 miles east of Denver. Charles Long's wife, Marilyn, was also found shot to death.

The boy's younger brother and sister were injured. Wally Long says they are recovering at a Denver hospital.

Prosecutors haven't said what charges may have been filed, citing a gag order in the case.

They haven't decided whether to charge the boy as an adult.

Officer Killed In Limon Standoff

Authorities say a 27-year-old police officer has been shot to death and a suspected fugitive has killed himself during a standoff in eastern Colorado.

State Trooper Heather Cobler says the shootings occurred Wednesday night at a mobile home park in Limon, about 90 miles southeast of Denver.

She says Limon police officer Jay Sheridan was shot by the suspect as officers attempted to serve him with a fugitive warrant.

Sometime during a standoff that followed at the mobile home, the suspect killed himself. Cobler says his body was found hours later when they entered the residence.

Cobler declined to release the name of the suspect and details on the warrant.

Up to 20 nearby residents had been evacuated during the standoff.

Parkinson's Drug Hailed By CU Researchers

Researchers at the University of Colorado's School of Medicine think they might know how to impede the progression of Parkinson's Disease. They're now conducting human testing with a drug called phenylbutyrate. It's being hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against the degenerative disease. KMGH-TV says the drug is different because it stops the disease from worsening while current medicines only treat symptoms of Parkinson's.