Transportation Officials Considering High Speed Rail Line Between Denver and Longmont

DENVER (AP) — The Regional Transportation District board is considering a recommendation to use both commuter rail and buses to provide rapid transit between Denver and Longmont until there's money to build a full rail line.

The board that is meeting Tuesday originally hoped to build a 41-mile northwest rail line from Denver to Longmont by 2020. Ballooning costs and lower-than-expected tax revenues to help fund construction prompted the district to reconsider.

Communities that would not get a rail line soon under the current proposal are opposing it, saying the board is not keeping its promises.

RTD still hopes to build a rail line to Longmont but that's not slated to happen until at least 2028.

More than 6 miles of the line, from Denver to south Westminster, is already funded and scheduled for completion in 2016.

Students Charged Over Pellet Gun Shootings

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Two middle school students have been charged with reckless endangerment after three children were hit by pellets from a pellet gun.

Colorado Springs police say the shootings occurred Monday at Galileo Middle School. None of the victims were injured.

Police say two 13-year-old students have been suspended and were referred to the school district's disciplinary board.

Cement Plant To Burn Old Tires

PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — A plan to burn old tires for fuel at a Pueblo cement plant is nearing final approval.

State air pollution regulators have issued a draft permit for GCC Rio Grande's proposal. The plant would use old tires piled up at the Midtown tire dump south of Fountain.

According to the Pueblo Chieftain (http://bit.ly/GBR0Wn ), the state will hold a 30-day public comment period before issuing a final permit.

Drunk Bicycle Thief Apologizes

ASPEN, Colo. (AP) — A bicycle owner says he bears no grudges against a remorseful drunk who returned his bike with a handwritten note of apology after it was stolen for a ride home.

Aspen resident Jay Maytin says he is just happy to be back on his bicycle.

The Pitkin County Sheriff's Office says the bike was left near the sheriff's office and police department. The note said "Sorry. I stole this bike. I rode it home. Please give it back." It was signed "Drunk."

Police tell the Aspen Times (http://bit.ly/GAML20) there were no witnesses.

State Graduation Rate Increases

According to a new report released by, a children's advocacy organization founded by General Colin Powell, the national graduation rate increased by 3.5-percent to 75.5-percent between 2001 and 2009. Colleen Wilbur with Americas Promise Alliance says Colorado's graduation rate remains above the national average...






TAG: According to this year's Building a Grad Nation Report, the number of so-called "drop-out factories," those schools with graduation rates below 60-percent, has fallen in Colorado from 32 in 2002 to just 15 in 2010.

WFCO Listening Tour in Sterling Thursday

KSIR-032012-WFCO Listening Tour in Sterling Thursday VO - ST











"What is the full potential of women and girls in Colorado?". That's the topic of conversation Thursday at 5:30 in NJC's Hays Student Center Ballroom when The Women's Federation of Colorado hosts a Listening Tour Stop to conduct an inclusive conversation within the Sterling area. Its one of several such events the WFCO is hosting across the state during the first quarter of 2012. Women of all ages and stations in life are invited to participate. Its free and open to the public. The finding from the tour will be used to guide the organizations policies and programs. To RSVP for the Sterling listening Tour, visit WFCO-dot-Org.

Brush School District Pursues Monsanto-Funded Grant

KSIR-032012-Bursh Pursuing Monsanto Grants - FM


The Brush school district is going after money from the "America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Grant", sponsored by The Monsanto Fund, but the need the support of local farmers to do it. The grants are awarded based on need, and community support. So, the more farmers who nominate the Brush School District, the better the chances of receiving some of the 2-point-3 million dollars being doled out to enhance math and science programs. Those eligible to nominate BHS must live and farm in Morgan County, be at least 21 years of age, farm at least 250 acres of corn or soybeans, 40 acres of open field vegetables or 10 acres of truck-farm vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers or cucumbers.
Brush School district officials say that, if they are awarded a 10 or 25-thousand dollar grant, it will go toward supporting a new greenhouse for use in plant science, ag fundamentals, ag business and natural resources classes.
The nomination process is simple. Eligible farmers can fill out a short nomination form at GrowRuralEducation.com or by calling 1-877-267-3332. A printed copy of the entry form and rules are available on this website or by calling the number.. The nomination period runs now through April 15.