Prostitution Sting Shooting

A man is dead, shot by police during a prostitution sting in Greeley. Police say the man was a customer of an undercover officer posing as a prostitute yesterday. When uniformed officers moved in to arrest him, they say he pulled a gun and officers shot and killed him. His name hasn't been released. The Greeley Tribune reports the grew out of the arrests of three woman on prostitution charges in late April. They were p[art of an investigation into Backpage.com, a website where sexual services are offered for cash. Police warned at the time that there could be more arrests to come. The Weld County D.A. and Greeley PD are investigating the shooting.

Interior Dept Grant for Colorado

U.S. Interior Department Secretary Sally Jewell was in Commerce City today to announce the Obama administration's plan to spend $6.7 million to hire young adults and veterans to work on public lands. Jewell says the grant will help fund 43 projects around the country as part of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps Initiative. At the arsenal refuge, the project will include 38 positions through Groundwork Denver to work on habitat for bison and prairie dogs. The goal is to help young adults get new skills and job experience while being of service to their communities.

Court Okays Solitary Confinement

An appeals court has denied a request by a prisoner convicted of killing three people behind bars to be released from solitary confinement, where he has been held the past 30 years. The court ruled today in the case of 62-year-old Thomas Silverstein, who's in the federal Supermax prison in Colorado. Silverstein entered prison in 1978 on a bank robbery conviction. He later was convicted of killing two inmates and a corrections officer at other prisons before he was sent to solitary. The court ruled releasing Silverstein, a leader of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang, from solitary would create a substantial risk to himself, officers and other inmates.

TJ Ward Update

Broncos safety T.J. Ward appeared in court on misdemeanor charges, for allegedly throwing a glass mug at a bartender at a Denver strip club. The Denver Post reports that bond was set at $1,900 for the 27-year-old. His next court appearance is June 23. He's charged with misdemeanor assault and disturbing the peace. Court documents say Ward tossed the mug at the bartender May 10 after he was told he couldn't bring a drink into the club. Ward signed a four-year, $22.5 million deal with Denver earlier this spring.

Appeals Court Rules on Broadband Fees

A federal appeals court's rejected challenges to the FCC's plan to expand broadband Internet service to rural areas. The expansion is funded partly by fees paid by telecommunications companies. Many of those companies contended the FCC didn't have the authority to use the money for Internet service. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver dismissed the challenges as either unpersuasive or not issues the court could address. In 2011, the FCC estimated the expansion would provide high-speed Internet service to about 7 million people.

Bring Your Own Cannibus

The Colorado Symphony Orchestra's bring-your-own-cannabis fundraising concerts kick off tonight. Plans had hit a snag when the Denver city attorney questioned whether concert-goers would consume marijuana in public, which is banned even though sale and possession of the drug are legal under a state law that went into effect at the start of the year. The city attorney withdrew his objections after the symphony took steps to ensure the events are strictly private. Three invitation-only concerts are being held at a private gallery across town from the symphony's usual home, a city-owned concert hall. A brass quintet of symphony players will perform at the first concert. 

Juveniles Defense Council

Juveniles facing charges in Colorado will be guaranteed defense counsel at detention hearings under a bill expected to be signed into law.  It's a response to data from youth advocates showing that nearly half of juveniles with cases in state courts don't get legal representation.  The bill requires that juveniles have either a court-appointed attorney or a private lawyer at hearings where a judge determines whether a defendant should be released while their case is pending.  Supporters of the bill say the goal is to reduce incarceration rates.  The Governor's expected to sign the bill next week.

Library Services Upgrade

Some services of the Fort Morgan Public Library will not be available on Monday, May 19, as a software upgrade is completed. The library’s circulation software company will be performing the upgrade on the facility’s servers from approximately 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. During this time, the library staff will not be able to search for books, place holds on books, process payment of fines or renew books. Internet access on the library’s public computers will also be down. Patrons will still be able to check out and return books. This upgrade will enhance the service that the library uses for circulation.

Denver MERS

Travelers passing through Denver International are being warned about the danger of the MERS virus.  The airport says the signs went up today at all of its screening areas at the direction of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  They list the symptoms of the virus and ask anyone who gets sick within 14 days of traveling to the Arabian peninsula to contact their doctor and tell the doctor where they have been.  MERS, or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, is a respiratory illness that begins with flu-like fever and cough but can lead to shortness of breath, pneumonia and death.

What Minority Contract?

Denver is investigating the largest contract ever awarded to a minority-owned company in its history after the bulk of the work was turned over to another firm.  Mayor Michael Hancock asked his economic development chief to look into a $40 million mechanical contract at Denver International Airport given to Burgess Services.  The company is owned by Denise Burgess, an African-American woman.  She collected a 2% construction management fee but gave most of the construction work to RK Mechanical Inc., a large company that doesn't qualify for Denver's minority and business enterprise program.  Denver Auditor Dennis Gallagher's planning to examine the entire program.

Bankers Survey

The economy appears to be gaining strength in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states.  The overall economic index for the region improved to 55.6 in May from April's 53.2, suggesting growth in the months ahead.  The survey of bankers in the region uses indexes that 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. He says the results show the economy is improving in these rural areas that depend heavily on agriculture and energy production.  Colorado's among the state's in the survey. 

Edible Pot

Edible marijuana producers in Colorado are meeting again with state regulators and health officials to come up with stricter standards for marijuana-infused foods.  New warning labels and increased education were the main topics of discussion today.  The governor is expected to sign a bill next week to require edible pot to be "clearly identifiable" to make it less likely people accidentally eat pot. Marijuana regulators have 19 months to come up with stricter labeling and warning standards to make sure kids don't accidentally eat pot, or that adults don't eat more than they planned.

Telecom Subsidy

Gov. Hickenlooper's signed legislation rerouting part of a $54 million annual ratepayer subsidy to telecom companies into a broadband fund to provide service in rural areas.  The subsidy goes back to the days when most people had landlines and few provider options.  The money was used to provide service in hard-to-reach areas, with the subsidy going away in 10-years.  In the meantime, areas with few telecom provider options will continue to get money from the fund. But in places with more than three providers, the money will be redirected to deploy broadband in rural areas.

Body Dumped ID

Authorities have identified a woman whose body was dumped on Lookout Mountain outside Denver.  The Jefferson County Sheriff's office says 38-year-old Sandra Mercado was stabbed to death.  Investigators say she had no known connection to Colorado, but did have ties to Nevada and California.   A hiker found the body near Windy Saddle Park and the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave last Thursday.   Investigators think she was killed within 24-hours of her remains being dumped.    

Ex-Arapahoe Sheriff Probation

A former Arapahoe County sheriff convicted in a meth-for-sex case violated his probation by testing positive for meth and alcohol.  71-year-old Patrick Sullivan tested positive for meth use three times between September and March, and alcohol four times between April 2012 and last August.  He was sentenced to 38-days in jail and 2-years probation in 2012, on guilty pleas to felony meth possession and soliciting for prostitution.  His probation's already been extended once, and there's a hearing on his probation Thursday.  

Wildfire Predictions

Gov. Hickenlooper says wildfire experts predict an average year for fires in Colorado this year, welcome news after two consecutive seasons that were worse than average.  But the Governor warned that even an average year means fires could scorch more than 155 square miles, or 100,000 acres.  The governor got his annual wildfire outlook today from state and federal wildfire managers.  He also signed legislation authorizing nearly $20 million for the state to buy two fire-spotting planes and contract for four helicopters and four single-engine tankers.  The state currently has contracts for only two single-engine tankers.

ABasin Skiing into June

The spring storm is bringing good news after causing havoc.  The Arapahoe Basin ski resort says with 2-feet of new snow, they will be open the weekend of June 6-8.  Weekday skiing ends June 1.  A-Basin COO Alan Henceroth says the season may go even further at the Continental Divide resort.  If that happens, lifts will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.  Since the season opened in October, A-Basin has received 419 inches of snow, well above the 307 inches it got during the 2012-13 season.  The spring storm brought up to 3 feet of snow to the Rockies.

Rampart Range Warning

The U.S. Forest Service is warning hikers and bike riders on Rampart Range trails that spike strips have been found hidden underneath trails in the Pike National Forest.  Forest officials say strips studded with nails were buried in a trail bed so that wheeled vehicles would be damaged and unsuspecting hikers could be injured.  A warning posted on one trail said the hidden spikes caused five flat tires on three bikes and one rider suffered an ankle injury.  The Forest Service is asking for help finding those responsible.

Realtors Pot Laws

Representatives of the Morgan County Sheriff's Office and Ft. Morgan Police department met with local realtor's today to give them the latest information on marijuana use in homes.  According to the Ft. Morgan Times, they say it's legal to have and smoke pot in a home with young children, as well as grow a small amount in a home.  You can have up to 6-plants growing for personal use in a home, with half at or near maturity.  That can also mean 6 plants/person in a home.  Over 6-plants, they say a realtor should notify authorities.

Weld Co School Threat & Arrest

Three students have been arrested in connection with an alleged threat against a northern Colorado high school.   Two were arrested yesterday after Weld County sheriff's deputies and detectives were made aware of a potential threat involving weapons at Weld Central High School in Keenesburg.  A third student was arrested today.  A tip about the alleged threat came from a student who wasn't involved. Authorities say there's no remaining credible threat against the school and no other suspects are being sought.

Car Crash Recovery

A woman who survived several days after crashing off a Colorado highway faces a long recovery.
Kristin Hopkins is in critical condition today, her 44th birthday, after doctors were forced to remove both of her feet.  Her car was found flipped over by a couple traveling U.S. Hwy 285 Sunday.  They stopped after noticing some glare and notified authorities, never expecting the car's passenger to still be alive.  Investigators say Hopkins crashed sometime after she left work April 27, the last time she was seen. 

Grow House Theft

Police are looking for three men caught on surveillance video stealing marijuana plants from a Denver grow house.  The men took 25 mature plants, estimated to be worth about $13,000, during the April 23 burglary at Chronic Therapy.  One of them notices a surveillance camera and tries to cover it with a towel.  Another suspect then smashes it with a hammer.  Tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible to get a reward up to $2,000.

Natural Disaster Property Tax

Lawmakers are trying to agree on last-minute changes to a proposal that would give a property tax break to residents affected by massive Colorado flooding and wildfires last year.  In its original form, the state would pay for a full year of property taxes on destroyed homes.  Senators feared they didn't have enough votes in the chamber to pass it, so they changed it so the state would pay for only the time after the property was destroyed.  Today, a bicameral committee restored the bill to its original form.  Lawmakers have to pass it by midnight tonight.

Education Dollars

Colorado schools are getting a lot more money next year, but the education spending bills nearing completion in the Legislature haven't been as popular as they might seem.  Lawmakers this term focused on a school overhaul that was both more popular and more problematic than reforms such as new teacher tenure guidelines.  The bills give schools money to make the reforms and backfill years of recession-era cuts.  Two K-12 education bills and a higher-education spending plan put a cumulative $320 million toward education from preschool through college.

Fort Morgan Facility Use

As the weather warms up and we get into summer, more people get out and enjoy city parks and other facilities... and that has fort morgan leaders reminding people that if you want to use many city facilities, you'll first have to contact the city... the city says In recent weeks several instances have come to light in which individuals or groups have simply showed up to use facilities that require advance reservations, or advertised events at city-owned facilities without prior communication with the city. Most facilities can be reserved for private use, but in order to do so you must make the reservation through the Recreation Department. If you are planning a special event for the community, all facilities must be approved prior to any promotion of the event. City manager jeff wells says “Making reservations helps avoid conflicts, it allows us to treat everyone fairly and to allocate our resources as directed by City Council.” Use of city parks and other facilities for larger events requires users to file a Special Event application 60 days in advance.  The city’s Recreation Department handles most rentals of city facilities, and can be reached at (970) 542-3921 or by visiting the rec center at 528 State St.

Greeley Animal Hoarder

A woman who has been accused of hoarding dogs in California and Wyoming is under arrest in Colorado.  64-year-old Kimi Peck's being held in the Weld County Jail, a day after being arrested for one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty.  Investigators say one of her dogs was emaciated.
She was taken into custody three days after voluntarily surrendered 53 dogs she'd been transporting in a trailer in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Sheriff's bureau chief Steve Reams says Peck was arrested because of the previous allegations of animal hoarding and because it's not clear where she lives. 

Property Tax Bill

People who lost their homes and businesses during historic Colorado floods and wildfires last year may still get some relief on their property taxes, but it'll be smaller than initially expected.  The State Senate's given initial approval to forgiving a portion of the property taxes of affected residents.  As introduced in the House, the bill would've had the state paying the property taxes for the entire year on homes destroyed by the natural disasters.  That didn't have enough support to pass the Senate, so it was amended so the state will pay taxes only for the time after a property was destroyed.  Both chambers have to vote again before tomorrow

VA False Records

Government investigators say employees at a veterans medical clinic in Colorado were instructed to falsify records to make it appear that veterans were getting appointments close to the day they wanted them.   A VA report says employees at the Fort Collins clinic were told to make their records show that vets got appointments within 14 days of the day they wanted, whether or not it was true.  The VA's already under fire over allegations that up to 40 patients may have died because of delays in care at a veterans hospital in Phoenix.  At the Fort Collins clinic, investigators say they found no evidence that anyone's health suffered.

Water Award

The Morgan County Quality Water District has been named the water district of the year by the colorado rural association... the fort morgan times says Morgan County Quality Water won the award for its outstanding service to the community and support of Colorado Rural Water initiatives. the morgan county quality water district has almost 3 thousand tap customers with more than 540 miles of distribution line.

Pot Child Endangerment

A Colorado effort to update child-endangerment drug statutes to account for legal marijuana failed Tuesday night. The Senate approved, but then rejected two bills that sought to protect parents who use or grow marijuana from child-endangerment prohibitions on having pot in a home where a child resides. The bills would have instructed child-protection agencies and law enforcement that the presence of drugs and alcohol in a home don't constitute child endangerment unless they pose a risk to a child's health and welfare. But lawmakers from both parties took issue with the bills, arguing they didn't clarify confusing guidelines on when marijuana or other drugs endanger children.

Traffic Cams Bill

A State House committee's rejected a plan to study speeding and red-light cameras to determine whether they should be banned. Supporters of traffic cameras argue they reduce accidents. But sponsors of the bill, which included Republicans, say the cameras are used primarily as revenue generators. The bill had passed the Senate, and it appeared to have a good chance of clearing the House.

X-Cel

Xcel's proposing a $45.7 million credit for its Colorado electricity customers, citing lower than expected cost increases and higher customer growth.They're asking state regulators to phase the credit in effect for a year beginning Aug. 1. It says customers in Colorado would see a 1.5 percent reduction in bills, or about $1.17 a month for typical residential customers and $2.33 for typical small-business customers.