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.