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.