Holmes' Trial Date

The man accused of the mass shooting at an Aurora movie theater in 2012 will stand trial in October.
A judge today set an October 14th trial date for James Holmes, who's facing murder and other charges in a shooting that killed 12 and wounded 70.  The judge says that date could change as both sides argue over sanity evaluations.  He's pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.  Prosecutors want the death penalty.

Missing Money

The Grand County sheriff says a criminal investigation is under way after more than $500,000 was discovered missing from the county building department. Sheriff Rod Johnson says the money is missing from over a period of 12 years. He says no arrests have been made, but one person has been fired. No charges have been filed. According to KUSA-TV the sheriff blames bad record-keeping and he says the case may never be fully resolved.

Revenge Porn Plan Shelved

A State House Republican's shelved her proposal to criminalize the practice of so-called revenge pornography among minors.  Rep. Amy Stephens of Monument asked lawmakers to postpone her bill indefinitely today.  Her bill would've made it a Class 5 felony for someone to publish explicit photos or videos of former romantic partners to humiliate them.  Critics of Stephens' proposal say it duplicated existing child pornography laws.  Stephens says she spiked her proposal because of technical issues regarding the bill title, and says it will be back later in the session.  There are discussions to include offenses up to the age of 21, instead of only under 18.

Solider Sentenced for Sex Crimes

A former Fort Carson soldier will spend at least the next three decades in prison for sexually abusing children. Joseph Garcia pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of sex assault on a child by a person in a position of trust. According to KRDO-TV a detective testifying at the sentencing told the judge he found about 1,100 movies and pictures produced by Garcia. He said in court that he hopes to get treatment in prison

Colorado Springs City Council Scraps Pot Ban

The Colorado Springs City Council has scrapped a proposed ordinance that would have banned marijuana from city buildings. The council voted 6-3 against the ordinance on Tuesday because it did not distinguish between recreational and medical marijuana. The ordinance would have banned pot from city buildings, and reduced fines for violators. The Colorado Springs Gazette reports the council gave preliminary approval on Feb. 11, but some council members expressed concern that people who need medical marijuana will be penalized if they have pot in city buildings.

Gardner/Udall Race

GOP Cong. Cory Gardner plans to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Udall in a last-minute entry into the race.  The front-runner in the race against Udall, Weld County D.A. Ken Buck, says he's dropping out of the Senate race and running for Gardner's open House seat.  Buck narrowly lost a challenge to Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in 2010, and some Republicans have been concerned that the mistakes Buck made then would doom him against Udall.  Gardner's a well-regarded congressman viewed as his party's brightest star in the state.

Port-a-Potty Peeping Tom

A registered sex offender from Grand Junction who took hundreds of pictures or videos of women in a portable toilet faces more than four years in prison. The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reports, Joshua Vohs pleaded guilty Tuesday to invasion of privacy for secretly filming 25 women using a camera he set up inside a portable toilet on the Colorado Riverfront Trail, beginning Aug. 15. The investigation began when a 13-year-old girl spotted the camera inside the toilet and notified her father.

Special Plates

State lawmakers are keeping their special license plates.  A proposal to eliminate the plates over concerns lawmakers don't get some traffic tickets failed to get any traction this year.  The bill's sponsor, GOP Rep. Chris Holbert allowed the proposal to miss deadlines because he couldn't persuade fellow lawmakers to get rid of the plates completely.  Another bill to allow lawmakers to keep the plates, but ensure they get photo radar tickets, is still pending. That bill would tie vehicle registration to the legislative plates.

Tanning Beds and Kids

A ban on the use of commercial tanning beds by children has won initial approval in the Colorado House.  The House approved a bill today barring anyone under 18 from using a tanning salon. Colorado is one of the few states with no restrictions on minors in tanning beds, though many Colorado salons place voluntary limits on childhood use.  Democrats rejected a GOP amendment to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to use them with parental permission, saying doctors and cancer advocates who say tanning beds are like tobacco and should be considered off-limits to children.  The bill needs one more vote before it goes to the Senate.   

Budget Surplus

The city of Fort Morgan came out ahead of the budget game last year. The city finished the year with just more than $5.91 million in collected sales tax revenue, making it the most the city has ever pulled in over a single year from sales tax, according to the City Treasurer's office. The previous record for one year's take came in 2011, which saw almost $5.37 million, followed by $5.31 million in 2012. The surplus is being credited in part to the success of the second year of Fort Morgan's Christmas Capital of the Plains campaign, which is a partnership between the city, area businesses, and media outlets.

Fracking Vote

A judge will now decide the fate of Broomfield's embattled election and whether to throw out a fracking ban that passed by just 20 votes.  Lawyers today wrapped up closing arguments in the two-day trial that focused on how ballots were handled during and after the election. Questions were raised about possibly ineligible voters and uncounted ballots, leading ban opponents to file the lawsuit.  Unofficial results indicated the ban failed by 13 votes, but a recount showed it passed by 20 votes out of more than 20,000 votes cast. Even if the results are invalidated, it's not clear if the judge could order another election.

Logan Co Judge Retiring

There's a spot to fill on the Logan county court bench... Judge Robert B Smith of the 13th judicial district court has announced he plans to retire this spring...applications are being taken for the opening... you can get them online at courts.state.co.us... it has to be in by march third. The 13th judicial district nominating commission will meet march 17th at the Logan county combined courts to consider a replacement for judge smith... ultimately, governor Hickenlooper will choose who gets the spot, after the commission interviews candidates and submits their nominations... he'll fill the opening at the end of April. the journal advocate says the position is a 65 percent position... it's initially a provisional term of two years, then if voters approve, the judge has a term of four years.

Air Quality Standards

New air-quality controls on the oil and gas industry mark a major compromise between environmentalists and large energy producers. The rules include the nation's first statewide limits on methane emissions from the oil and gas industry and call for infrared cameras to detect air pollution at oil and gas sites. Gov. John Hickenlooper plans to tout the compromise at an event this afternoon.

Denver Makes 2016 GOP Bid Official

Denver has formally requested that the Republican party hold its 2016 here.  The bid was submitted today.  Mayor Michael Hancock and former Rep. Bob Beauprez argued that the city has shown it can handle such an event by successfully hosting the 2008 Democratic National Convention.  The young and diverse city also holds symbolism for Republicans who are trying to appeal more to young people and minorities. They'd also like to erase the memory of Barack Obama's two victories in the state. Before Obama, Colorado and several other western states were reliable votes for Republicans in presidential elections. Now they lean Democratic.

Gardner Funeral Tuesday

The funeral for former astronaut Dale Gardner is tomorrow.  He helped haul a malfunctioning satellite into the space shuttle and back to Earth in 1984.  He died last Wednesday in Colorado Springs, near his home in Divide.  Gardner flew two shuttle missions, in 1983 and 1984. He logged 337 hours in space and went on space walks totaling 12 hours.  He was a commander in the Navy and returned to military duty in 1986, serving in the U.S. Space Command. 

Senate Approves Bill on Firearms

In a rare move, the Senate came together, last week, to approve a bill on firearms. It was a win for Republican senators who oppose a state law that only allows Colorado residents to purchase firearms in states that share a common border. If passed, the law would allow Colorado residents to purchase a rifle or shotgun in any state. Gun buyers would still have to follow applicable state laws and federal background check laws, and it would not apply to handgun sales. SB 135 now moves on to the House for further consideration.

Taxpayer Money used to Buy Guns

A judge has rejected a proposed plea deal for a former Montezuma County Undersheriff charged with using taxpayer money to pay for personal items, including firearms. The Cortez Journal reports, Robin Cronk's proposed agreement was turned down Thursday, because it did not include any jail time. Cronk, charged with 17 embezzlement counts involving purchases totaling more than $7,400, was arrested in July after a Colorado Bureau of Investigation probe. Cronk is accused trying to sell some of the firearms by posting classified ads.

Corrections Reform

Greyhound Racing

Colorado would become the latest state to ban greyhound dog racing under a bill awaiting the governor's signature.  The State Senate passed the ban today.  There's been no greyhound racing here since 2008, but it's still legal.  Some $250 million was spent on greyhound racing in Colorado in 1999, but it dropped to about $15 million by 2008.  At least seven states still have greyhound racing operations.  The Colorado bill would still allow simulcast betting at Colorado's lone horse-racing facility. A fiscal analysis prepared for lawmakers predicted no impact from the ban because the state has already eliminated greyhound-racing regulators.

NTSB Probe Turbulence

The NTSB's decided to conduct a full investigation of a United Airlines flight from Denver to Billings that hit turbulence over Wyoming, injuring five people.  The agency has the plane's flight data and voice recorders. An NTSB spokesperson says they'll also interview crew and possibly passengers and gather information from the plane to try to determine what happened on Monday's flight and if there are any recommendations that could prevent a recurrence.  Three crew members and two passengers were injured as people were thrown around the plane during the sudden drop.

Lawmakers Education Spending

A bipartisan group of Colorado lawmakers are proposing $263 million more in funding for various education initiatives. Legislative leaders say $80 million would go to districts to fill recession-era budget cuts that resulted in late-state days and other cutbacks. Other areas include $35 million would go to help English-language learners, $100 million for teacher evaluations, and $20 million for literacy programs.
A bill outlining the spending package will soon be introduced in the House. It's all tied to next month's state revenue forecast.  

Rural Mainstreet

An economist says a survey of bankers in 10 Midwest and Plains states, including Colorado, suggests the regional economy is losing steam. The Rural Mainstreet Index dropped below growth neutral in the February survey, hitting 48.4, compared with 50.8 in January and 56.1 in December. The survey indexes range from 0 to 100, with 50 representing growth neutral. A score above 50 suggests growth in that factor in the months ahead. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and says the overall index's decline shows that "areas of the nation highly dependent on agriculture and energy are losing economic steam."

Udall's Son

The son of U.S. Sen. Mark Udall's charged with breaking into a home and four cars in January after allegedly using heroin. 26-year old Jedediah Lee Fox-Udall's attorney told a judge in Boulder today his client's in an addiction treatment program and "is dedicated to turning his life around." Fox-Udall was also charged with misdemeanor theft for allegedly taking $80 from one car and one count of possessing drug paraphernalia. 

Flooding Road Work

The Governor's signed a bill that gives Colorado counties impacted by last year's floods more budgeting flexibility to repair roads and bridges. The bill signed today gives counties the power to use general fund dollars on road and bridge repairs when a disaster emergency has been declared. Right now, counties are limited to using road and bridge funds for that purpose. Without the new law, counties are forbidden from transferring county general fund dollars to help with road and bridge repair.

Fraud Allegations at Grand Junction Airport

As federal authorities investigate fraud allegations at the Grand Junction Regional Airport, the airport is taking steps to protect whistleblowers. The Daily Sentinel reports that the airport authority adopted a policy, Tuesday, that encourages anyone to report fraud through the airport's website or through a hotline. The FBI hasn't released details about its investigation and search of airport offices in November. However, the newspaper reported that agents seized pickup trucks owned by the former board chairman and former aviation director last month.

Jim Crone Scholarships

Here's a scholarship opportunity for students in morgan county... morgan county sheriff jim crone says The County Sheriffs of Colorado, Inc. (CSOC), the state Sheriffs Association, will award a $500 scholarship to a deserving Morgan County student this spring. Applications are available online at the Morgan County Sheriff’s office website, http://morgansheriff.net/mcso/csoc-scholarship/, or at the sheriff’s office located at 801 E. Beaver Avenue, Fort Morgan. This is the 35th year that County Sheriffs of Colorado has made such scholarships available and scholarships will be awarded in more than thirty Colorado counties this year. Applications will be reviewed by a local citizens committee appointed by Sheriff Crone and a selection will be made on the basis of criteria established by CSOC. This criterion includes leadership, merit, character, involvement and career purpose.

Pot Tax Money

Gov. Hickenlooper has a plan to start spending marijuana tax money, the first signal of how much Colorado is reaping from recreational pot sales and what it plans to do with the funds. Hickenlooper wants to spend $99 million next fiscal year on six priorities, including: $45.5 million for youth use prevention, $40.4 million for substance abuse treatment and $12.4 million for public health. The money comes from a 10% sales tax on recreational pot sales. A 15% pot excise tax is already designated for school construction. The Legislature has to approve the Governor's ideas.  

Efficient Plumbing

The state Senate gave preliminary approval today to a bill to ban the sale of low-efficiency plumbing fixtures by 2016.  That means it would be illegal to sell faucets, and toilets that aren't certified by the federal government as efficient "WaterSense" fixtures.  The bill wouldn't force anyone to change their plumbing, but would say that no new low-efficiency fixtures could be sold after 2016. Current law requires builders to offer water-efficient indoor plumbing fixtures in new homes, but homeowners aren't required to choose them.  Democrats called the bill a necessary water-conservation measure, but Republicans argued the requirement goes too far.

Marijuana Advertisers Limited

Marijuana retailers will only be able to advertise so much. A request from High Times and Westword magazines, to lift Colorado rules limiting ads by recreational marijuana shops was shot down by a federal judge yesterday. The Denver Post reports the judge ruled they don't have grounds to ease regulations because they're not the ones who'll be affected.

More Need Heating Bill Help

More Coloradans are asking for help with their heating bills because of low temperatures this month.
The Department of Human Services says nearly twice as many people applied for assistance from the Low Income Energy Assistance Program.  The program provides help with utility bills through a one-time payment from November to April.  there was a 42 percent increase during the week of Feb. 7, when temperatures dropped below zero. More than 4,000 people applied for LIHEAP assistance during that time period, compared to about 1,800 the week before.

Water Releases from Ruedi Reservoir

Federal water managers have increased water releases from Ruedi (rudy) Reservoir to make way for runoff from deep mountain snows. The Aspen Times reports the reservoir flow into the Frying Pan River was boosted to 168 cubic feet per second from 25 cubic feet per second. Only five times in the past 35 years have releases exceeded 160 cubic feet per second.

Casino Bus Fight Turns Fatal

A man faces second-degree murder charges after an argument on a bus from a casino town lead to an assault that resulted in death. Loveland police say 32-year-old Cory James Nix of Loveland is charged in the early Sunday death of 41-year-old Billy Kirk Page of Greeley. Police say both men got into an argument while on a chartered bus that was transporting passengers from Blackhawk. Police say Nix assault Page at a recreation center in Loveland once Page got off the bus. The Larimer County Coroner's office says Page died from blunt force trauma. Police did not release details about the argument.

Couple Faces Human Trafficking Charges

A Denver couple accused of running a prostitution business out of their massage parlor have been charged with human trafficking and numerous sex crimes. Prosecutors say Joshua Billingslea and Diana Billingslea each face eight counts and are due in court Feb. 27.

Extended Bar Hours

Lawmakers rejected a proposal to allow Colorado cities and towns to extend bar hours after the legislator sponsoring the bill asked them to vote no.  The bill from Denver Democratic Rep. Crisanta Duran failed in the House today. She told lawmakers she wanted to "go back to the drawing board" with her bill. Municipalities would've had the authority to decide whether to let bars stay open until 4:30 a.m.  Current law bars alcohol sales from 2 to 7 a.m.  Opponents say the bill could contribute to more drunk driving; supporters say local governments would have more control and potentially cut down on large, unruly crowds leaving at closing time.

Gay Couples Taxes

Gay couples in Colorado who are married in another state and in a civil union here could file joint state tax returns under a measure headed to the governor's desk.  The Colorado House passed it today on a largely party-line vote with Democrats in favor. The bill already cleared the Senate so it's now up to Gov. Hickenlooper.  It requires gay couples in a civil union to file their Colorado taxes using the same filing status on their federal tax return if they are married in another state.  Republicans argued the measure undermines Colorado's constitutional ban on gay marriage.  Democrats say the bill's meant to align with updated federal tax law.

License Plate Scanners

Aurora police used surveillance cameras to scan 12 million vehicle license plates last year.  Eight cameras mounted atop stoplights throughout the city as well as scanners on 11 police cruisers are used to capture the license plate, as well as a photo of the vehicle.  KMGH-TV reports the collection of plates has resulted in 322,000 alerts of stolen vehicles or wanted suspects.  Lt. Dan Mark says the department recovers an average of two to three stolen cars per week because of the system.  Mark says the photos are kept for 18 months, while the plate number is kept for two years.  The ACLU's raised privacy concerns.  The cameras are also used in Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, Erie, Louisville, and Thornton.

Fracking Moratorium

Backers of a five-year ban on fracking in Fort Collins and two environmental groups are seeking to join a court fight over the moratorium. Citizens for a Healthy Fort Collins, the Sierra Club and Earthworks have filed a motion with the District Court asking to be included in a lawsuit filed by the Colorado Oil and Gas Association that seeks to overturn the moratorium.  Voters approved the moratorium in November. The suit contends the mortaorium violates state law and economically harms the organization and its members. The lawsuit asks the court to block enforcement because it interferes with local government regulations.

Internet Services

The city of Fort Morgan is looking for feedback from Fort Morgan businesses concerning their broadband needs and services... it's part of a citywide marketing study to come up with a long-term, sustainable plan for broadband and internet services... The goals of this study are to determine what Internet service is currently available and where there are gaps, to identify related community goals and, ultimately, to produce a strategic “road map” of how to best close gaps in service and achieve community objectives. To participate in the survey, go to www.cityoffortmorgan.com and select the Fort Morgan Broadband Survey link from the menu on the left side of the home page.

Log Lane Village Board

The log lane village board of trustees this week approved an ordinance that sets up a licensing procedure for pot businesses in the community... the fort morgan times says the ordinance allows the licensing of up to six each of recreational pot stores and medical marijuana dispensaries. The vote on the board of trustees was split at 5 to 2.

Pot Biz Wants More

The marijuana industry's happy with the federal decision giving them access basic banking services, but they say the industry needs more to be fully legitimate.  Business owners and industry advocates say the memo is just a beginning.  They are hoping Congress will act to give them more certainty and expand access to things like insurance, loans and the federal courts.

Car Plunges into 8 Feet of Snow

Emergency crews have rescued two people after their car fell 120 feet down Vail Pass into 8 feet of snow. Authorities were called for help Wednesday after a car lost control and went through a guardrail and over the edge of the pass. Crews worked more than two hours to rescue the victims, who were trapped in the vehicle. The two people were taken to the hospital, where they were reported in serious condition.

Pot Growers Dodge Bullet

Colorado Marijuana growers avoided being singled out in an agriculture tax measure that advanced today.  The bill codifies tax practices for greenhouses and nurseries, which are considered agricultural property and not commercial property in most cases. That makes them eligible for lower property taxes. The sponsor of the greenhouse bill proposed an amendment to say marijuana growing sites can't qualify. But a Democratic Senate committee rejected the amendment.  Without the marijuana amendment, the Senate Finance Committee approved the bill 5-0.  It awaits a vote by the full Senate.

Health Care Fines

Coloradans without health insurance are more likely to ignore the federal mandate than get coverage and avoid penalties. That's according to a legislative analysis prepared for an unsuccessful attempt by Republicans to reimburse residents fined next year for not buying insurance.  This is the first state projection on how many will pay fines rather than get private coverage or Medicaid.  The federal health overhaul requires coverage by March 31 to avoid fines.  The legislative analysis projects about 254,000 adults here would pay fines next year for no coverage, more than the 249,000 projected to enroll in either Medicaid or private health insurance.

PD Investigated

Berthoud's board of trustees is recommending that the town contract police services from the Larimer County Sheriff's Office for the next two years because of a scandal involving a former officer and police chief.   The proposal isn't final because the town's still looking for funding.   Berthoud police officer Jeremy Yachik was arrested on child abuse charges last year after video surfaced of him allegedly beating his daughter. Berthoud Police Chief Glenn Johnson was accused of covering up the incident. Yachik was fired by the town not long after the arrest, and Johnson resigned in mid-December. Yachik's denied the allegations.

Recreational Pot Ads

High Times and Westwood have filed a lawsuit challenging Colorado rules banning recreational marijuana businesses from advertising in most publications. The Denver Post reports the legal action was filed in federal court Monday and argues that the rules violate free speech. The Colorado attorney general's office is reviewing the suit and declined comment.  State regulations only allow recreational pot shops to advertise in publications believed to have no more than 30% of readers under 21. There are no restrictions on medical marijuana advertising.

Road Work

Major work on the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) US 6 Bridges Design-Build Project begins Valentines day. This Friday, Feb. 14, US 6 from I-25 to Sheridan Boulevard will be closed. This work, originally scheduled last weekend (February 7 – 10), was postponed due to winter weather. The highway will be closed starting at 9 p.m. Friday night, February 14 until 5 a.m. Monday morning, Feb. 17.

Teacher Accused of Sexual Harassment

A Fruita junior high teacher accused of asking female students to send him topless photos has resigned. The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reports police arrested 58-year-old Randy Majors Dec. 31 on charges of sexual exploitation of a child and attempted sexual exploitation of a child.

Same Sex Marriage

The Democrats' candidate for Colorado attorney general says the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage violates the constitutional rights of gay couples and that the law shouldn't be defended.  Don Quick says that if a law is unconstitutional, "the attorney general has an obligation to say so."  The U.S. Supreme Court has yet to rule whether state bans on gay marriage are unconstitutional.  Current Attorney General John Suthers, joined nine states that filed arguments in support of Utah's gay-marriage ban.  GOP candidates Rep. Mark Waller and Cynthia Coffman, say the attorney general's office should defend Colorado's ban, like it defends other laws, unless they're ruled unconstitutional.

Arm Teachers

Colorado's public schools would be allowed to permit teachers to carry concealed weapons under a bill up for discussion in the Legislature today.  The Republican proposal has been made before without success, but the suggestion has additional resonance after last year's Arapahoe High School shootings, in which a student targeted a teacher.  The hearing also comes a week after a poll showed Coloradans narrowly say public school teachers should be armed. The Quinnipiac University Poll found that voters favored arming teachers to prevent violence in schools by a 50-45 margin. Democrats say the proposal is a bad idea and that school security should be left to armed officers, not teachers.

National Park Jobs

The Colorado company that operates lodges, restaurants and gift shops in such places as Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Canyon national parks says fewer people applying for jobs.  Xanterra (zan-TER'-uh) Parks & Resorts vice-president Jim McCaleb says the slowing of job applications this year could be the result of an improving economy.  The Denver Post reports the company needs 4,000 seasonal employees to fill jobs in Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Canyon national parks among other places.  McCaleb says Yellowstone alone has 600 to 700 openings.

Parent Institute

School safety and bullying were the focus at a Parent Institute, held by RE-1 Valley School District, Saturday. Who gets bullied and what can be done to prevent bullying took up much of the of the institute, held at Campbell Elementary, with a presentation from the Delaware State Police, who described two types of bullying, direct and indirect. During the presentation, tips to avoid future bullying were also given, and Superintendent, Jan DeLay also addressed school safety. DeLay said making sure students feel safe at school is part of her safety plan. IN ADDITION - District officials also talked about the Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP). Superintendent Dr. Jan DeLay noted this year will be the last year of the TCAP. The state will start administering the Colorado Measure of Academic Success (CMAS) assessments on the new Colorado standards, which include the Common Core Standards in math and literacy.

Sterling Teen Hospitalized in Crash

A one car crash sent a 17-year-old Sterling teen to the hospital. Police say the driver lost control of his vehicle and struck a utility pole, Thursday, on Pioneer Road near Plainview Avenue. The vehicle struck a fence, then the utility pole, before coming to a stop with extreme damage to the passenger side. Xcel Energy quickly made repairs to the pole, restoring power to nearby residents. The teen was taken to Sterling Regional MedCenter with a possible broken rib.

Holmes' Ruling

The judge in the Colorado theater shootings case says prosecutors can use evidence from defendant James Holmes' cellphone, which included eerie self-portraits taken before the attack.  Defense attorneys argued the warrant used to seize the phone was overly broad and unconstitutional.  Holmes pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to charges of killing 12 people and injuring 70 in the 2012 attack. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.  Holmes' attorneys acknowledged that he was the shooter. The case now hinges on whether he was insane.

Pot Poll

A new poll suggests Colorado voters believe the law they passed legalizing recreational marijuana is hurting the state's image.  51% of Colorado voters in a new Quinnipiac University Poll say legal pot is bad for the state's reputation. Only 38% say it's helping. Young voters see the measure as a net positive, while older voters view it negatively.  A majority of respondents, however, still support both the measure and how Gov. John Hickenlooper is implementing it.  According to the poll, 10% of voters say they've gotten high since the law took effect, and 51% say they'd tried pot before.

Pot Meeting

A month into Colorado's experiment with recreational marijuana sales, the state's top pot regulators are gathering Monday to discuss how the legal weed business is going. The state's top marijuana regulator is joining state lawmakers, the governor's lawyer and some law professors to discuss what lessons Colorado has learned in the last few weeks of allowing anyone over 21 to stop at marijuana dispensaries. It's too soon to know how much tax the marijuana sales have produced. The stores don't report January sales taxes until Feb. 20, after which Colorado will have the first estimate of the recreational pot market. Anecdotal reports from dispensaries indicate sales have been strong, though long lines and pot shortages seen the first few days have died down.

Sterling's New Police Chief

Sterling's new police chief is gettin' busy. Community policing and the legalization of marijuana were two of the topics Tyson Kerr touched on when he spoke to the Rotary Club, Wednesday, telling the group that building trust with citizens and bridging the “us versus them” gap is among his top priority as Sterling's new police chief. Kerr also talked about the COPPS/Community-Oriented Policing and Problem Solving strategy, the department is using to promote proactive problem solving and police community partnerships to address the causes of crime. It stresses public engagement, crime prevention, early identification and timely intervention, to deal with issues before they become larger problems. Some of the biggest issues that Sterling is facing right now, he said, are increased drug problems and identity theft/fraud. SPD is coming up with ways to combat those issues, including the introduction of a new canine program that is being funded with money from drug arrests.

Child Care Website

Colorado technology officials say they have fixed computer problems that kept a daycare inspection website offline for months.  The Child Care Facility Search is used to locate child care providers with links to their state inspection history.  According to KUSA-TV, an estimated 15,000 people tried to access the information and received error messages.  The website went down in September and was restored Jan. 14.

Feds Asked To Step Up Flood Fixs

Colorado's congressional delegation's asking the federal government to move faster to fix flood damage to prevent further destruction from wildfires.  Letters have been sent to the U.S. D.A. and the U.S. Forest Service asking them to fix damaged or washed-out roads so firefighters can get to national forests along the Front Range.  The September floods did about $3 billion in damage, including $44 million in national forests.  Many of the worst hit roads are in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Larimer and Boulder counties, where flooding affected approximately 230,000 acres. In the past two years, wildfires in Colorado Springs and Fort Collins destroyed more than 1,000 homes and killed five people.

Medical Pot Housing

Medical marijuana patients in Longmont won't lose their housing if they use the drug to treat pain and other issues.  Housing director Michael Reis says officials will look at individual cases regarding both medical and recreational marijuana before deciding whether to evict people.  Low-income housing authority clients pay 30% of their adjusted income and the housing authority pays the rest with federal funds.  The Longmont Times-Call reports until now, the agency's had a zero-tolerance policy.

Missing Women

Weld County sheriff's deputies are looking for a man who may have kidnapped his estranged wife and mother-in-law.  Investigators believe Cimmeron Johns may have taken Alisha Johns and her mother, Sherri Pachello, from Frederick last night. They believe they all could be in her gold 1991 Ford Explorer with Colorado plates somewhere in the Denver area.  Bureau Chief Steve Reams says Alisha Johns went to visit her estranged husband at a home there and her mother went to pick her up. A neighbor reported seeing two cars speed away from the house, including a black Mercedes normally driven by Cimmeron Johns.  Deputies later found a black Mercedes crashed.

Teens and Tanning Beds

A state House committee holds a hearing today on a bill that would block people younger than 18 from using tanning beds without a doctor's prescription. The measure goes further than previous attempts, which sought to require parental permission for youths to use tanning beds.

I-76 Work

Some road work to make you aware of that's starting a little later this month... this is in Morgan county... the state department of transportation says following a two-month winter break, a project to reconstruct interstate 76 from Fort Morgan to brush is set to resume on Tuesday, February 18th... Beginning Tuesday, February 18, and lasting until Friday, February 21, traffic will be routed from eastbound and westbound I-76 onto the SH 71 ramps while crews demolish the SH 71 bridge over I-76. The bridge closure is expected to last for three months, with completion expected in mid-May. During the 90-day closure, traffic on I-76 will be reduced to one lane in each direction periodically during the day while crews construct the new SH 71 bridge.

On the lookout for pot

Colorado public school teachers are on the lookout for students who are using devices in class to hide the smell and smoke of marijuana. Some students are using vapor pens, which are just like e-cigarettes. They can be purchased $25. When used for marijuana there's no unusual smell, which makes it easy for students to bring them to school. According to KCNC-TV, teachers are told to keep a special eye out for students who appear to be biting their pens. Lakewood High School campus security supervisor Tim Martinez says students can use the pens to smoke marijuana and hash oil.

CDOT Running Low on Deicer

The Colorado Department of Transportation is running low on de-icer for highways because of this year's rough winter. Department spokeswoman Amy Ford says road crews now use it only if there is a serious problem. Ford says supplies are ordered on historical averages and so far this winter has seen more storms than usual. According to KCNC-TV the department is trying to make sure supplies are moved around the state to make sure all highways get treated.

Online Gambling

A group that tracks gambling-related legislation worldwide says least 10 U.S. states are considering bills to legalize or expand Internet gambling this year. The study by Gambling Compliance also finds slim chances for a national law to regulate Internet poker. It predicts a major effort by opponents of online gambling to block it in Congress.  So far, three states allow Internet gambling: New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware.  The report says proposals for new or expanded Internet betting could be considered in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

Q Poll on Gov. Hickenlooper

A new poll shows that Gov. Hickenlooper has a comfortable lead over his potential Republican challengers but Colorado voters are divided over whether he should be re-elected.  The Quinnipiac University poll released today found that 52% of Colorado voters approve of the job Hickenlooper is doing. However, voters questioned were split 45 to 45% on whether he should get another term.
Previous surveys have shown a tight contest with his possible Republican opponents. This is the first Quinnipiac survey in which Hickenlooper's approval rating has been above 50 %.

Vilsack on Climate Change

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says he's convinced the effects of climate change have already had a negative impact on agriculture and forestry in the U.S.  Vilsack cites the intensity and frequency of recent storms, plus droughts, snowstorms and subzero weather.  He says the nation must play an active role in preparing for climate change.  Vilsack spoke at the White House as the Obama administration announced it is creating seven regional hubs to help coordinate and distribute information about the effects of climate change.  The hubs will be based at Ag Department facilities, and assess local climate risks, such as drought and wildfire, then develop plans for dealing with them.

Wind Farm

The Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association has signed a deal to buy power from a proposed wind farm on Colorado's Eastern Plains.  The Westminster, Colo.-based association said Wednesday that it will buy the entire output of the 150-megawatt Carousel Wind Farm near Burlington over the next 25 years.  Tri-State, which provides power to 44 rural cooperatives in Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming and New Mexico, says this is its largest wind power purchase agreement to date.  Tri-State says the farm will help it meet renewable energy standards in Colorado and New Mexico but pointed out that it was already searching for a new wind farm before Colorado lawmakers doubled the standard for rural co-ops last year.

Xcel hearing

Colorado's Public Utilities Commission will be hearing from Xcel Energy coustomers on plans for ensuring solar and other renewable sources remain part of the state's power mix. A key issue at Monday's public comment session is expected to be an Xcel proposal for what it calls more transparency on who gains and loses financially when rooftop solar is fed into the grid. With utilities across the country challenging what is known as net metering as too costly, proponents of solar energy see Xcel's proposal as a possible first step toward reducing what rooftop solar producers are paid. Minneapolis-based Xcel operates in eight states. Coloradoans make up nearly half its 3.4 million electricity customers.

Tour of Facilities

The Fort Morgan City Council visits city departments every two years... and those are coming up this month. Thecity says the visits to city departments are scheduled in the year following an election, to acquaint new council members with city facilities, operations and staff. The tours also give city leaders a way to information that's helpful in coming up with a budget, like staffing and equipment needs. The tours will take place before the regular council meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Meetings are normally scheduled for 6 p.m. on those days, but council and staff will gather at 4 p.m. to begin the tours, and then conduct the regular meeting at the conclusion of the tours. The tours start on February 18th... and the tours continue until June third. On Feb. 18 the council will meet at City Hall at 4 p.m. and travel to the city’s Water Treatment Plant near Wiggins for a tour of that facility. After the tour the council will hold its regular meeting in the meeting room at the plant.

PC Classes

the fort morgan public library is offering free PC classes his month... Classes in February will be held on the first and third Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the library computer lab. The February classes are designed for students that have very little PC knowledge. Classes are limited to the first eight patrons that register.