Sterling Could Add Hotel Tax

The Sterling City Council is considering a hotel tax to which voters would have to say yea or nay this November. The funds the tax would raise would create a funding source to promote tourism, bring conventions to Sterling and sprucing up the place. The idea of raising the funds came out of that CSU/DOLA project we told you about some time ago. If the city council approves the tax, the state would have to be notified by July first and the issue would have to be put on the local ballot by July 22.

UNC Student Who Jumped from Balcony Dies

That University Northern Colorado student who jumped from a fraternity hose balcony over the weekend has died. Officials say 19 year old Ross Higuchi died Tuesday night. Police said there could be charges filed in the case, but the specifics would be up to the district attorney's office. Police said Higuchi was drunk at a frat party, argued with somebody at the party, went out on the second floor balcony and jumped. He'd been in intensive care since Saturday. The incident happened at the Delta Tau Delta House on the UNC Campus.

$84K Contract Signed with Golf Course Consultant

They're council members, so they signed a contract with somebody who knows how to keep up with the golf course. On Tuesday, the Fort Morgan City Council approved a contract with Graff's Turf Farms Inc. to be a maintenance consultant at the Fort Morgan Municipal Golf Course. Graff was the only one who put in a bid, for 84 thousand dollars. Council said since the city does not have the money budgeted, it will have to come up with it from elsewhere.

Authorities Seek Three In Huge Drug-Trafficking Ring

Authorities are seeking three people from a huge Colorado Springs-Pueblo drug trafficking ring. Officials said yesterday that 33 arrests were made last Thursday and 15 more made last Friday after a 14-month investigation. Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies say over 14 months, 38 pounds of meth, 13 kilograms of cocaine and four ounces of heroin were stopped worth more than 600-thousand dollars. A federal grand jury has indicted those arrested for possession with intent to distribute meth and other drugs.

Explosives Discovered At Mall On Anniversary Of Columbine Massacre

The FBI is releasing a photo of a person of interest in a domestic terrorism case after two propane tanks and a pipe bomb were found in a mall. Authorities say the explosive devices were at the Southwest Plaza Mall in Littleton yesterday, the 12th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting massacre. A small fire started around noon near the food court, and thousands of people were evacuated from the mall, which is just a couple miles from Columbine. Surveillance photos show a white man with graying hair and a silver mustache.

Pueblo Explosion Kills One

One person is dead after an explosion at a recycling plant in Pueblo. The identity of the 30-year-old male victim has not been released. Authorities say an industrial accident led to an explosion at Western Metals Recycling.

State Casino Revenue Goes "Cha-Ching!"

The rough economy hasn't had a negative effect on Colorado casinos. In March, revenue from statewide casinos rose almost 15-percent from February. Revenue in the three gambling towns was reported at 65-point-six-million dollars in adjusted gross proceeds last month. The 17 casinos operated by Black Hawk generated 48-million dollars, up nearly 14-percent from February.

Pot Smokers Unite, Dude, At '420 Rally'

Marijuana enthusiasts from all points took to Civic park in Denver yesterday to lay claim as the cannabis capital of the country. It was the city's annual pot smoke-out attendees proudly call the 420 Rally, designed to peacefully protest marijuana prohibition. At the event's climax -- not coincidentally at 4:20 in the afternoon -- ralliers took out their joints and sparked up, sending a giant cloud of marijuana smoke into the air. Denver police were there monitoring but pledged not to crack down on smokers.

Annual Denver pot celebration could draw thousands

The annual 4/20 marijuana celebrations typically draw thousands to Denver's Civic Center Park. Organizers hope Denver's celebration of the drug is even bigger this year because it comes on the eve of a major national pot conference in Denver.

Tens of thousands are expected to gather in the downtown park at the annual concert, smoke-off and legalization rally.

This year's event comes the day before the annual convention of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, a prominent legalization group marking 40 years. This weekend's conference is drawing most Denver mayoral candidates and Colorado's Rep. Jared Polis, a Democrat who favors legalization.

Marijuana gatherings are also planned in Boulder, Colorado Springs and other cities.

Child seat requirement extended in CO

Child seat requirements would be extended to classic cars with no shoulder belts under a bill given preliminary approval in the Colorado Senate over GOP objections.

The Senate agreed to a measure Wednesday that eliminates a loophole in car-seat requirements for larger children. That law waives the child-seat requirement in older cars with no shoulder restraints.

Democrats argued that the loophole put children at risk and threatens federal funding. Several Republicans unsuccessfully argued that requiring older cars to be retrofitted to allow child seats is a meddlesome burden.

The chamber approved the child-seat bill despite those objections. One more vote is required before the measure heads to the House.