Fracking Initatives

Supporters of two more ballot questions to restrict oil and gas development in Colorado can start collecting signatures after getting approval from the state Supreme Court.  one proposal, Initiative 88, would require new wells to be at least 2,000 feet from the closest occupied structure.  Current well setbacks are 500 feet.  Initiative 92 would let local governments limit or ban oil and gas development.  The initiatives would be state constitutional amendments and difficult to reverse.  In all, supporters of more local control over oil and gas development are trying to get 11 initiatives on the November ballot.

Gay Marriage Challenge

Two lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of Colorado's gay marriage ban were scheduled to be heard in a state court today.  Fifteen state bans against gay marriage have been struck down since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the federal government had to recognize gay marriages ratified in states.  The first suit involves an Adams County same-sex couple who sued last year after they were refused a marriage certificate.  The second involves eight other couples who sued earlier this year to overturn the state's voter-approved gay marriage ban. The two cases have been consolidated.

DeGette and GM

Cong. Diana DeGette wants GM to explain how it plans to fix what's been described as a lax corporate culture and how the company plans to compensate victims of crashes tied to faulty ignition switches.  The Colorado Democrat's outlined questions she'll have for new GM CEO Mary Barra during a congressional hearing Wednesday.  DeGette is the ranking member of the House committee investigating GM's recall of 2.6 million small cars.  DeGette says she wants Barra to talk about a company-commissioned report that highlighted bad corporate habits, such as the "GM nod" — agreeing on a plan of action but doing nothing.

GOP State Senate

Republicans hoping to topple Democrats' one-seat majority in the Colorado Senate take a first step next Tuesday when they pick their candidates in two key legislative races in Denver's' suburbs.  Political observers say their challenge will be selecting candidates that can appeal to independent voters during the general election, instead of picking candidates that may be seen as too conservative to win in November.  Primaries are in Senate District 19, which covers Lakewood, and Senate District 22, which is in Arvada.  Mario Nicolais and Tony Sanchez are competing in Lakewood, and Lang Sias and Laura woods in Arvada.

West Nile Greeley

Mosquito's carrying West Nile have been trapped in Weld County.  County officials say the mosquitoes were found this week in two of the three county testing zones.   Dr. Mark Wallace, executive director of the Weld County Health Department, says the overall risk posed by the virus remains low, but he notes that in recent years it usually hasn't shown up until July.
Initial human symptoms of the virus can include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, weakness and rash. More severe symptoms can include stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, vision loss, paralysis and even death.