Broomfield Voters Approve Fracking Ban

A recount shows Broomfield voters narrowly approved a 5-year moratorium on fracking, but opponents are challenging the vote-counting process and some voters' eligibility has been questioned. The Boulder Daily Camera reports the recount showed the measure passed by 20 votes out of nearly 21,000 ballots counted. Opponents filed suit yesterday alleging elections officials didn't give their representatives access to monitor the recount. Broomfield officials deny the claim. Officials say the eligibility of up to 18 ballots has been questioned. They say a full review will be completed this week.

With a winter storm bringing frigid temperatures to Colorado, the Colorado Department of Agriculture reminds everyone to protect their pets

With a winter storm bringing frigid temperatures to Colorado, the Colorado Department of Agriculture reminds everyone to protect their pets during cold weather. Officials say if animals have prolonged exposure to cold conditions, despite having fur, they are still susceptible to hypothermia. Hypothermia is most likely to occur when an animal is wet. The signs of hypothermia are violent shivering followed by listlessness, apathy, a temperature below 97 degrees, and finally, collapse and coma. If you believe your pet is suffering from hypothermia, consult your veterinarian immediately. Prevention is the best medicine.
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All aboard

All aboard. Not so fast say leaders of several northern Colorado cities who told Sen. Michael Bennet Monday that train horns blasting warnings as they roll through communities have knocked economic development off the tracks. Train operators are required to blast their horns at least 15 seconds before locomotives reach all public grade crossings, but Fort Collins city council members say this means train horns blast nonstop for an eight-block stretch through town, which disrupts business, and affects quality of life. The alternative under federal law is to construct "quiet zones" — which usually means installing new flashing lights and barricades to make crossings safer and is often too expensive to consider.
Officials asked Bennet to continue to push the Federal Rail Administration to soften regulations around train horns. Bennet said he and other members of Colorado's congressional delegation are aware of the economic impact of obtrusive train noise and are making inroads to loosen noise requirements.
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