Onlline Classified Ads: Buyer Beware

Fort Morgan Police are warning northeast Colorado residents to be careful when responding to online classified ads. Public Information Officer Roger Doll says whether you're a potential buyer or seller, there are a few simple things you can do to protect yourself...






TAG: Doll says in some cases, buyers end up purchasing stolen property so it's important to look at the item's serial number and report anything you believe to be a potentially fraudulent transaction.

Allocating CO's Share of National Mortgage Settlement

KSIR-030612-Allocating CO's share of National Mortgage Settlement - BOTH


Housing for homeless veterans, affordable housing and foreclosure assistance programs are being considered for Colorado's share of a national settlement with mortgage lenders. We are getting about $205 million as part of a $25 billion settlement with the nation's five largest mortgage lenders. Most of that money will go to help people directly affected by foreclosure problems, but there will be about $52 million left over for state spending. Attorney General John Suthers wants to make sure the money is spent on foreclosure or housing-related concerns and not on other state programs.

City Manager Question Could Be Settled Tonight

KSIR-030612-City Manager Question Could Be Settled Tonight - FM


The Ft. Morgan City council may give us their final answer tonight on the question regarding combining the City Manager and City Attorney roles. Jeff Wells has been handling both responsibilities on an interim basis. Some council members want to make that permanent. Others feel the city is better served with the roles and responsibilities handled by two people. Although a decision is expected tonight, it is also possible that The Council will vote to put if off until a later date.

Coloradans' complaints against businesses are up

DENVER (AP) — The number of business complaints Colorado consumers are filing with the state attorney general's office is rising.

The office said Monday that consumers filed 7,297 complaints last year, which is up almost 13 percent from 2010 and about 54 percent from 2009. Colorado Attorney General John Suthers says the increase shows consumers know how to report scams.

Financial planning and management consultants were the subject of the most complaints filed last year, with 410.

But the business that was named in the most complaints last year was Dalbey Education Institute, which state and federal prosecutors have accused of airing misleading infomercials.

The company is fighting a lawsuit filed by state and federal prosecutors making those allegations.

'Cottage foods' bill headed to governor's desk

DENVER (AP) — A "cottage foods" measure to allow home cooks to sell prepared foods commercially is headed to the desk of Gov. John Hickenlooper.

The proposal cleared the Colorado House Monday and has already passed the Senate. It allows people to sell up to $5,000 a year of foods deemed low-risk for contagion at home, instead of renting a commercial kitchen. Such foods include jams, jellies, baked goods and candies.

A similar proposal that would have applied only to farmers was defeated last year. Health authorities warned of the risk of food-borne illness.

This year's proposal does not require home cooks to raise the products they sell.

Eligible cooks would have to maintain liability insurance and would have to get third-party certification in safe food handling.

California company seeks to bottle Aurora water

AURORA, Colo. (AP) — One of the largest family-owned and -operated bottled water companies in the U.S. has proposed putting a production and distribution facility in Aurora.

Niagara Bottling, based in Ontario, Calif., would bottle the city's water.

The Aurora Sentinel reports City Council members were voting on a proposed 10-year agreement of incentives for the company Monday.

Aurora's water has consistently ranked as best tasting in the nation.

According to city documents, the company plans to construct a 177,000-square-foot facility. It would create 36 full-time jobs and invest $10 million for land and building improvements.

The incentive agreement would provide the company with tax waivers and rebates of more than $500,000 so long as they maintain a certain number of jobs.

Colorado Dems Hold Caucuses

DENVER (AP) — It's Super Tuesday, and Colorado isn't entirely left out of the action.

Colorado Democrats hold precinct caucuses tonight. Democrats are meeting four weeks after their Republican counterparts held precinct caucuses to choose presidential favorites.

Democrats have no contested presidential contest, so their precinct caucuses have attracted little attention. Democrats also have no statewide officers or contested congressional primary battles, so Democrats who meet tonight will be deciding more local matters.

Like the GOP, Colorado's Democratic Party also has county caucuses and a statewide convention planned for later this spring.

Xcell Working on Rate Hike

DENVER (AP) — Xcel Energy Inc. says it's in settlement talks with various parties over its request to increase Colorado electricity rates by $141.9 million, which the utility says would raise the average residential monthly electric bill by about 6 percent. Xcel said the Colorado Office of Consumer Counsel has recommended a $9.4 million rate increase, while staff for the Colorado Public Utilities Commission recommended a $7.3 million increase. The request is still subject to approval from the PUC.

No Deadly Force for Businesses

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Senate Democrats rejected a Republican attempt to allow businesses to use deadly force against suspected intruders. Democrats say the bill goes too far because it allows business owners and employees to use deadly force when they perceive that their property is threatened. The bill failed yesterday on a 3-2 party-line vote. Republicans say people should have the right to protect themselves at work like they do at home and should be immune from unnecessary prosecutions.

Use New Bulbs, Get A Rebate

CSU Extension service community energy coordinator Tim Edgar says nonresidential Xcel Energy customers in the Sterling, Merino and Brush areas are now eligible for cash rebates if they upgrade fluorescent light bulbs to new T-8 or T-4 bulbs, which use one-third less electricity. So first, call Xcel by tomorrow to get an energy audit. Then buy and install the retrofit kits for your current light fixtures. Then Xcel will send you a rebate check. Edgar's number is 970-522-3200, extension 276. There are also rebates for Colorado seniors on fixed income for heat payments.

CU Students With Permits Can Carry Concealed Weapons On Campus

(Denver, CO) -- The Colorado Supreme Court says University of Colorado students with permits can carry licensed concealed weapons on campus. The court struck down CU's campus gun ban yesterday, saying the Board of Regents overstepped its authority. CU must now join Colorado State University in allowing students to carry licensed concealed weapons on campus.

Former Arapahoe County Sheriff Waives Hearing

(Centennial, CO) -- The former sheriff of Arapahoe County is waiving his right to a preliminary hearing in a meth-for-sex case. Patrick J. Sullivan appeared in court yesterday and spoke only briefly before an arraignment was set for April 3rd. "CBS4" reports plea bargain negotiations are going on between Sullivan's lawyers and prosecutors.

Obama To Deliver Commencement Speech At AFA

Washington, DC) -- President Barack Obama will deliver this spring's commencement speech at the Air Force Academy. White House officials said yesterday the president will address academy graduates May 23rd in Colorado Springs. He delivered commencement speeches for the Naval Academy in 2009, West Point in 2010 and the Coast Guard last year.