Glenwood Springs–Matt Steckler is the new mayor of Glenwood Springs.
Steckler was awarded the gavel last night after the other nominee, Dave
Sturges withdrew his name and pledged his support for Steckler. Newly
elected councilmen Mike Gamba, Todd Leahy and Ted Edmonds were
also sworn in.
White River National Forest–State Forest officials unveiled the third
and latest plan to protect Colorado’s roadless areas. The plan calls
for setting aside over 560 thousand acres of the White River National
Forest for protection from development. Environmental groups say
it doesn’t go far enough.
State Capitol–State lawmakers are once again battling over whether
to grant the children of illegal immigrants who graduate from a
Colorado high school, in-state tuition to go to college.
Glenwood Springs–The Glenwood Canyon bike path is completely
open for the season. C-DOT officials say the popular, scenic path
will probably close again before summer when the river rises above
the banks.
DENVER (AP) – Republicans and Democrats promised to work
together to put together a congressional redistricting plan. But if
the first round is any indication, it could be a long process.
Both sides have drawn up “multiple” maps they plan to exchange
on Friday as part of a plan to get the process done this month. If
not, they may have to come back in a special session this summer,
because lawmakers are required by law to come up with a plan.
A decade ago, it took seven years and a ruling by the U.S.
Supreme Court to get it done.
Sen. Rollie Heath is a Democrat who co-chairs the committee. He
says he’s hopeful lawmakers can agree on one map. Co-chair GOP Rep.
David Balmer says that he’s also hopeful.
TEA PARTY-COLORADO
CO tea party marks, reflects on tax day
DENVER (AP) – As tea party activists gather outside Colorado’s
Capitol on Friday to mark another tax day, they have plenty to
celebrate. The tea party has been credited for giving the GOP
control of the state House and Republican majority in the U.S.
House delegation.
But the changes they’ve been pushing for in Colorado have met
with mixed success so far. Many tea party supporters wanted to see
state lawmakers adopt an Arizona-style immigration crackdown, which
appears unlikely.
And a dozen unpopular taxes passed under Democratic majorities
are mostly intact despite GOP attempts to repeal many of them. A
spending plan adopted by both chambers repeals a software tax and
sales taxes on agricultural products. Bills to repeal higher
vehicle fees and a soda tax are among tax cuts that have been
rejected.
