Marijuana Loophole

Colorado plans to crack down on medical marijuana patients and medical pot growers with permission for more than six plants.  The head of the state Health Department says those so-called "high volume" patients and their designated caregivers show physician justification for "medical necessity" waivers.  Colorado is considering a crackdown on medical marijuana patients and growers now that the drug is legal for everyone over 21.

School Discipline Study

Fewer Colorado students are being expelled in the wake of statewide reforms, according to a new study.  Activists say this raises Colorado's voice in a growing nationwide debate over whether discipline measures are setting students — particularly those from minority communities — on a path to prison and failure.  The study analyzed data for 2012-13, the first full school year since the adoption of Colorado's 2012 Smart School Discipline law.  It found an overall 25% drop from the previous year in expulsion rates, but also that black students were almost four times as likely to be suspended, expelled or referred to law enforcement authorities as white students.

Statehouse Budget

The State House today passed and sent to the Senate a $23 billion budget that increases funding to schools, colleges, and the state's savings for a rainy day.  The budget received unanimous support from Democrats, but it was decried by most Republicans.  Only the Republican member of the budget-writing Joint Budget Committee voted in favor of the spending plan.  The budget adds $100 million to colleges for financial aid and to limit tuition increases.  Per-student spending at public schools is also increasing to keep up with inflation and enrollment growth.  Meanwhile, the state's budget reserves are being increased from 5 to 6.5%. 

Wildlife Bill Killed

The Legislature's shelved a bill to lower wildfire risks.   The bill would have strengthened the ability of county governments to ban agricultural burning and fireworks when winds are high. The proposal was suggested by a committee of lawmakers that studied ways to reduce wildfire risk.  The bill was awaiting a vote in the Senate, but senators used a legislative maneuver today to shelve it.  A Senate committee removed the fireworks provision in the bill, and then farmers complained that the ag-burning provision wasn't needed. 

Goodwill Recycling

Goodwill industries is going to be offering free electronics recycling to morgan county residents... this week, Goodwill Industries will place bins for recycling of computers and other electronics in Fort Morgan and other areas of Morgan County this week. Older tube-style televisions will not be accepted, but other electronics can be placed in the donation containers.
The locations in fort morgan where bins will be placed - include --
• Fort Morgan Recreation Center, 528 State St.
• Fort Morgan Senior Center, 110 Sherman St.
• South parking lot of the Morgan County Administration Building, 231 Ensign St.

Other drop-off bins are scheduled to be placed in other locations across Morgan County, including Wiggins, Brush, Hillrose and the Morgan County Landfill. The Goodwill retail store and donation center at Main Street and Platte Avenue in Fort Morgan can also accept electronics. All electronics are “wiped” of data before being recycled.

Hit and Run Alerts

Gov. Hickenlooper's signed what's believed to be a first-of-its-kind bill, creating statewide roadside alerts for hit-and-run crashes. The new law creates an Amber Alert-style notification system when authorities are looking for vehicles involved in serious hit-and-run crashes. The system includes quickly alerting the media and issuing bulletins on electronic highway signs that describe the fleeing vehicles. It will be implemented next year. Supporters call them "Medina Alerts," after 21-year-old valet worker Jose Medina, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Denver three years ago. Denver and Aurora already have citywide Medina Alerts.

Med Pot Caregivers

An attempt to crack down on medical marijuana caregivers in Colorado has been revived. The state Health Department's scheduled a town hall meeting to explore new limits on people who are designated to grow marijuana on behalf of medical marijuana patients. State officials have said they want to force some high-volume caregivers to go through background checks required of commercial growers. But some caregivers argue that Colorado's 2000 medical marijuana amendment gives them constitutional protection to such checks.

Fort Morgan Water Summit

A non profit group is hosting a water summit in Fort Morgan on Friday... Progressive 15 will answer questions from people about water-related issues, and update people on the latest developments in the water industry... the forum will include comments from john Stulp - the governor's special policy advisor on water - who will talk about the Colorado plan for water... also... other talks will address public legislation related to water... and what's happening with the South Platte and republican rivers... a speech at lunchtime will be an official from the national Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who will provide forecasts for moisture and potential flooding issues. The summit costs 35 dollars with lunch, or 15 dollars without... you do have to make reservations, and you can do that by going online to progressive15.org.

XCel Energy Rates

Xcel Energy wants to raise your energy bills... the company has asked the Colorado public utilities commission for adjustments in gas and electric rates... if the CPUC says OK, the Electric Commodity Adjustment (ECA) will raise residential and small-business customers' bills by about 4.5 percent over the first quarter of the year... also... the CPUC is considering the company's quarter gas cost adjustment... that would raise average residential customers' bills by 4-dollars and 73 cents a month... and the average small commercial customer would pay an additional 24 dollars and 46 cents per month over the second quarter. the new rates could kick in April first.

Flood Insurance Tax Hike

Thousands of Coloradans could see a big jump in the cost of their flood insurance, just as many are trying to decide whether to rebuild or move on after last September's flooding.  Over 5,700 federally subsidized policies here could be hit with annual premium increases, despite federal legislation signed Friday scaling back the most dramatic price hikes.  Measuring the impact in Colorado is difficult with uncertainty and changes left behind by September, which damaged or destroyed 20,000 homes. 

Mugshots for Profit

Posting mug shots online for profit would be subject to criminal penalties under a bill that got its first yes vote in the State Senate.  The bill would make it illegal to obtain mug shots with the purpose of publishing them to charge for their removal.  In some cases, companies charge hundreds of dollars.  Colorado lawmakers have likened the practice to extortion.  Obtaining mug shots to make profit would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine.

International Tea

The overland trail museum is hosting the journey stories international tea on April 30th... it was supposed to take place last fall, but flood damage forced the museum to put off the Smithsonian's journey stories exhibit... the tea starts at 2pm in the high plains education center... tickets are on sale now for 12 dollars... to get tickets, you can call 970-522-3895, and pick them up at sterling city hall.

Vaccine Bill

A measure to clamp down on vaccine exemptions overwhelmingly passed in the state House today.
It makes it more difficult for parents to claim personal objections to vaccines before enrolling their kids in schools or daycare.  The bill would require parents seeking the exemption to undergo vaccine education, either a video or consulting with a physician.  Religious and medical vaccine exemptions would not be affected.  Sponsors of the bill say it's too easy to opt out of mandatory vaccines, leading to Colorado having a low vaccination rate relative to other states. Outbreaks of whooping cough and measles have been attributed in part to low vaccination rates.

Fire and Meth Lab

Fort Morgan volunteer firefighters responding to a fire call this week - discovered a meth lab in the home... the call came in for a house fire at 1-thousnd grant street on Wednesday night, but the city says it was just a piece of furniture inside that was burning... firefighters found suspicious items that could be consistent with a meth lab, and they called fort Morgan police... One resident of the home, 26 year old Jessica Riddell, was arrested on suspicion of three felony charges: unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of material to manufacture methamphetamine, and child abuse. The felony child abuse charge stemmed from the fact that a child was present in the home, according to police. An arrest warrant was issued for 26 year old Richard Riddell, also of 1000 Grant St., on the same charges. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Richard Riddell is asked to call the Fort Morgan Police at 867-5678.

Longmont Attempted Murder and Assault

A 29-year-old man arrested after a shootout with a Longmont police officer has pleaded guilty to attempted murder and assault.  Jonathan Shank pleaded guilty today to all the charges filed against him and he did not receive a plea deal in the case.  Authorities say Longmont police officer Brent Cairns pulled over a car Shank was driving on May 22 because the headlights were off.  Police say Shank's blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit for driving.  He faces up to 128 years in prison when he's sentenced June 6.

Vaccines Bill

The State House has given initial approval by voice vote today to a bill requiring parents to watch a video on the benefits and risks of immunization if they seek an exemption for vaccines for personal reasons.  Colorado is one of 18 states that allow parents and students to opt out of getting required vaccines if they submit a statement of exemption based on religious or personal beliefs.  Under the bill, religious and medical exemptions would not be affected.  Supporters of the bill insist they're trying to educate parents while preserving choice, opponents say it eats away at parental control.

Wildfires & Agriculture

A bill to help prevent agricultural fires from starting wildfires is on the ropes in the Legislature.
The bill would allow county commissioners to ban agricultural burning along with campfires when fire risk is high.  It was a recommendation from a legislative panel that suggests ways to reduce wildfires. The Senate delayed a vote on the agricultural burning bill today because its sponsor wants to kill the plan because farmers oppose it.  Lawmakers have worked on modest proposals this year to address wildfires, but have stayed away from more ambitious measures.

Colorado US Senate

The last major opponent to Rep. Cory Gardner is bowing out of the GOP Senate primary.  State Sen. Owen Hill stepped out of the race yesterday.  That clears the field for Gardner to challenge Democrat Mark Udall.  Gardner shook up the campaign last month with his last-minute entry into the primary. Two other prominent Republicans immediately dropped out and endorsed the congressman.  But Hill accused Gardner of cutting a "backroom deal" and vowed to stay in.  He now says Gardner is the party's best chance to defeat Udall.

Hit and Run Alerts

Emergency alerts for hit-and-run-drivers could be headed to Colorado under a bill that awaits the governor's signature.  The state Senate voted 30-1 today to create an Amber Alert-style notification system when authorities are looking for vehicles that were involved in serious hit-and-run crashes.
The alert system was already approved by the state House and is in place in Denver.  Supporters call them "Medina Alerts," after Jose Medina, who was killed two years ago by a hit-and-run driver while working as a valet.  The bill would expand the hit-and-run alerts statewide in 2015.

Aspen Socialite Murdered

Defense attorneys are battling with prosecutors and authorities over evidence after prosecutors formally filed first-degree murder charges Monday against William Styler III and Nancy Styler in connection with the death of Aspen socialite Nancy Pfister. Attorneys representing the Stylers told Judge Gail Nichols their frustrations in trying to obtain information to assist their clients. The defense attorneys have filed a dozen motions, including some that could be addressed on Tuesday. Authorities have limited access to the home where the slaying occurred. Over the weekend, authorities arrested a third suspect in Pfister's death, 56-year-old Katherine Carpenter. The Stylers rented Pfister's home until she returned home from traveling in Australia last month. Carpenter called police to report finding Pfister's body in a closet in the home on Feb. 26.

New Details in Murder of Colorado Prisons Director

There are new details in the murder of Colorado prisons director Tom Clements. New findings indicate that Ebel didn't act alone and that nearly two dozen people were targeted, as revealed by a hit list found in Ebel's car two days after Clements was killed, March 19, 2013. Those whose names appeared on the hit list remain fearful a year later, implying that Ebel, a parolee who was killed in a shootout with Texas authorities, March 21, may have acted on behalf of a prison gang. So far, only one person has faced prosecution in connection to the murders of Clements and a pizza-delivery driver. Stevie Marie Vigil, a longtime friend of Ebel, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 27 months in prison for giving Ebel the 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun he used to kill both men. The investigation continues, and detectives are vigorously following leads

Revenue Forecasts

Colorado's economy continues to improve, and lawmakers are beginning to talk about constitutionally mandated refunds to taxpayers in the coming years.  The economic figures will play a role when lawmakers debate and vote on next year's budget next month.  The governor's economists projected that general fund revenue for the 2014-2015 fiscal year will be $9.5 billion.  The current fiscal year revenue projection is $8.8 billion. Some of that surplus is already spoken for with the state's savings account for education.  Refunds under the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights are not expected next year, but economists say they're possible soon.

Concealed Carry Change

Concealed-gun permit holders in Colorado have greater flexibility to renew their permits under a bill signed into law today by Gov. Hickenlooper.  It allows the renewal of concealed-carry permits at any sheriff's office.  Current law requires people to renew their permits with the sheriff's office that issued it.

Crash on I-76

Morning commuters found themselves stalled Thusday morning on I-76. A chain reaction car crash forced eastbound lanes of I-76 near Hudson to shut down about 6:20 a.m, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Police say a car hit a guard rail, and that car got hit by another vehicle. It took crews a couple hours to reopen the highway.

More Flood Funding

Colorado is getting an additional $199 million from the federal government to help communities devastated by September's historic floods.  The disaster relief funds from HUD will be used for housing repairs, economic development and infrastructure, and flood protection. Donovan says at least 80 percent of the funds will be spent on the hardest-hit communities — Weld, Boulder, and Larimer counties.  This is on top of the nearly $63 million in disaster relief that HUD awarded Colorado in December.

Land Acquisition Fight

Nearly 20 people showed up at the commissioners work session this week, to express concerns about strong arm tactics from land acquisition representatives. Rural property owners confronted representatives of Tall Grass Energy Partners Tuesday to find out why they are using easements and rights of way tactics instead of meeting with them respectfully. Plans for a pipeline project would include a route through the Pawnee receipt point in Weld County with an Interconnect point about eight miles east of Sterling. The new line require easements across privately owned land.

Surveillance Limits Bill

A bill to limit government surveillance in Colorado cleared the state Senate today.  The measure limits how long state agencies can keep "passive surveillance" records, such as still or video images of traffic conditions and activity at parking garages.  The agencies could keep the records for a year. Beyond that, the surveillance records would be available only if they're evidence in a civil or criminal case.  The Senate and House have each passed different versions of the law, both houses have to resolve the differences before it can go to Gov. Hickenlooper.  

LLV Pot Trustees

The Log Lane Village Board of Trustees has a meeting set for tomorrow night... and the group will consider putting a deadline on who long people have to file applications for licenses for medical and retail pot establishments... the applications are available from the town clerk at the town hall... the fort morgan times says the board decided on february 12th to allow the licenses, but there is still a 30 day waiting period before the town can take applications for state and local consideration. tomorrow night's meeting is at 630pm.

Man Sentenced in Hatchet Incident

A Summit County judge has sentenced a man to 10 years in prison for hitting his wife in the head with a hatchet. Michael Newcomb pleaded guilty in December to the assault, and even though his wife made an emotional plea to the judge to impose the minimum sentence of five years in prison, prosecutors said the judge needed to send a message that domestic violence carries a heavy penalty, and ruled for the maximum 10 years.

Peetz Plateau Superintendent

The Board of education for the Peetz plateau school district recently picked the district's new superintendent... mark collard was one of five candidates interviewed for the job... he served as superintendent while the board did a search for a replacement for Ben Dutton... the journal advocate says the board will take a formal vote to approve his contract next Tuesday.

Vestas Wind Hiring

Vestas Wind Systems says it's hiring more than 850 production workers at its four Colorado plants this year.  The company says the openings are at its blade factory in Windsor, its blade and nacelle factories in Brighton and its tower factory in Pueblo.  The Denver Post reports the company says it has already filled 400 of those positions. They're considered temporary with the opportunity to be hired as regular Vestas employees.  The company says it has enough orders on hand to keep them going through at least 2015.   

No2Hate

Fort Morgan residents are spreading the love. A recent alleged hate crime has prompted people to contact the city of Fort Morgan this week to offer assistance for the East African refugees whose vehicle windows were shot out by vandals early Sunday morning, along with racial and ethnic slurs painted on some cars. After hearing about the enthusiasm for helping the victims, city officials and members of OneMorgan County have set up a new initiative called No2Hate, aimed at supporting the victims targeted in these crimes. In a statement released yesterday, officials said OneMorgan County will accept donations from individuals and groups "to compensate the victims of these crimes for the damages suffered.

Fort Morgan St. Pattys Day Party

The Fort Morgan Senior Center is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party on Friday, March 14, at 2 p.m. The cost is $3 per person. there will be games, prizes, and a potato bar... RSVP is required by March 10. Call (970) 542-3922 or sign up at the Senior Center, 110 Sherman St. For more information call (970) 542-3921

Sterling Tree Planting

Individual homeowners who want to plant trees on the city right of way in sterling can get help from the city of sterling's Tree Planting Program... property owners will be reimbursed for half of the price of all trees planted, up to 100 dollars per tree... they do not reimburse for charges like taxes, delivery, or planting fees...where the sidewalk and trees meet, tree have to be planted at least five feet behind the sidewalk, and no more than 10 feet from the sidewalk.  for more information call 970-522-9700.

Taxpayers Bill of Rights

A lawsuit challenging the state's Taxpayer Bill of Rights can continue.  A panel of the U.S. 10th District Court of Appeals in Denver ruled today that current and former state legislators can challenge the 1992 tax limitation law. The lawmakers argue the voter-approved amendment deprives them of the right to have a say in tax policy.  The law called TABOR, blocks the legislature from raising taxes without a vote of the people.

Residents Tired of Events in Community

Some residents of Louisville say they are tired of special events in their community and they want a moratorium on permits. The Louisville City Council is expected to take up their requests on Tuesday. Other options are also on the table, including restricting the hours for music and movies at Community Park, only allowing events sponsored or promoted by the city or civic organizations, and limiting the number of events. The Boulder Daily Camera reports some residents think there are too many events, including bike races, outdoor movies and farmers' markets. Residents say they are tired of trash being thrown on front lawns and people taking up parking places.

Logan Co Red Lights Red Cross

You might notice the lights adorning the Logan county courthouse - shining red this month... it's in honor of american red cross month... and In Logan County, the Northern Colorado Chapter of the American Red Cross–spearheaded by Logan County volunteers–is sponsoring the 17th Annual “Your Heart, Our Hands” Benefit coming up on March 28 at the Sterling Elks Lodge. the event includes a dinner, auction, dance, and live music... Tickets are $30 per person and are available by calling 522-9266 or 520-5120. An average of 91¢ out of every $1 donated goes to fulfill the Red Cross humanitarian mission. the money helps support local efforts to assist victims of disaster, including the purchase of needed items for local emergency sheltering sponsoring education to help prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies and provide aid to military families.hit hard by both fires and floods.

MCC Fundraiser

the Morgan community college foundation gala raised 45 thousand dollars ... the event was on Friday and the money raised will be used to benefit students through scholarships, and by helping the college put up a new building for the welding program, and for storage. The fort Morgan times says right now the welding program has classes at a facility near the country steak-out, but the program is outgrowing the space... 230 people were at the event.

Police Investigating Possible Hate Crime

Hate crimes are being considered as a possible motive for several cases of vandalism that targeted vehicles in the city's East African refugee community. Fort Morgan police are investigating reports that someone shot out the windows of about five cars with a BB gun early Sunday. Authorities say the locations are known as Somali East African refugee housing areas and all of the vehicles damaged are owned by members of the immigrant community. According to KMGH-TV several vehicles in the same area were spray-painted with obscenities and racial slurs, Feb. 9. Hate crimes can be prosecuted as federal civil rights violations with stiff penalties.

Road Work Continues in Fort Morgan

Lane closures at the intersection of Main Street and Platte Avenue will continue this week as concrete work around the new traffic signals is completed.  the state department of transportation, which is heading up the signal replacement project, says lane closures are set to be in place through today... snow and cold weather delayed the work and more concrete pouring will have to be done today... The sidewalks should be opened by the end of Monday, but will have to remain covered until Thursday.
In conjunction with the replacement of the traffic signals, the project involves installation of these new curbs and sidewalks that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This is the concrete work that will be protected by the lane closures.

Man Almost Blew Himself Up

A Colorado Springs man almost blew himself up. Police arrested Lee Brown, Sunday, after an apartment exploded while he was trying to make butane hash oil, a high potency extract of marijuana, using butane fuel. Brown is facing several charges. According to KRDO-TV no injuries were reported.

Vigil Sentenced

A federal judge has Stevie Vigil to 27 months in prison for buying the handgun that was used to kill Colorado's prisons director last year.  Vigil pleaded guilty last year to buying the weapon that parolee Evan Ebel allegedly used to kill corrections chief Tom Clements when he answered the door of his home in Monument.  Authorities say the same gun was used to kill another man and wound a sheriff's deputy in Texas.  The 23-year-old was also sentenced to three years supervision.  She faced a maximum 10 years in prison.

Largest Bank Robbery in Colorado History

The reward for information on the duo dubbed the "Trash Talking Bandits", who pulled off the largest bank robbery in Colorado history has increased to $50,000. The two armed men held guns to the heads of customers and employees, as they robbed the Westminster Wells Fargo bank on Federal Blvd., Jan. 21. Authorities call the pair the "Trash Talking Bandits," because of the foul language they used. Authorities say a portion of the money was returned by a private attorney, Feb. 4. The Wells Fargo suspects are considered armed and dangerous. Authorities have not ruled out other people being involved in the heist. Anyone with information on the bank robbery is asked to call the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force.

Paint Recycling Tax

Household paint sold in Colorado would get a new tax to fund a statewide paint recycling program under a bill approved by the state Senate.  If signed into law, it would make Colorado the eighth state to require paint manufacturers to develop recycling or take-back programs. The program would be funded with a new per-gallon tax on household paint. Leftover paint is currently handled locally by government-run household hazardous waste programs.  Senate Republicans voted against the paint tax after trying unsuccessfully to cap the tax at 75 cents a gallon.  Instead, the tax will be limited to the amount needed to run the take-back program. 

Revenge Pornography

A Colorado Republican lawmaker has shelved her proposal to criminalize minors for so-called revenge pornography. Rep. Amy Stephens of Monument asked lawmakers Thursday to postpone her bill indefinitely. The 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 plans to bring the proposal back later in the session. Revenge porn has become a common enough problem that several state legislatures are debating the issue this year.

Suspicious Package

The Air Force Academy got quite a scare Thursday. Emergency responders were investigating a suspicious package reported found at the facilities. Officials say an area of the 28-square-mile campus was taped off Thursday afternoon after the package as a safety precaution. The academy is just north of Colorado Springs.

Museum Donations

The Fort Morgan Museum is seeking donations from the public. Old graduation programs, photos of sporting events, and anything related to Rainbow Bridge, are just some of the items needed to fill some holes in the museum's collection, and add to the new permanent exhibits in both the East and West galleries. Anyone with something they might want to donate can call the museum, or drop by.