DENVER (AP) – Two of the last Colorado Republican immigration
proposals are being heard by a Democrat-led committee known for
killing GOP bills they don’t like.
One of the proposals would require the Colorado secretary of
state to block voters when their citizenship is in doubt. The other
measure would withhold some state funding from cities and towns who
refuse to participate in a federal initiative to identify illegal
immigrants through the use of fingerprint when they’re arrested.
Both bills are scheduled for hearings Monday afternoon.
Colorado Republicans began this year’s legislative session with
an aggressive plan to crack down on illegal immigration but most of
their bills have failed.
COLORADO BEAR HUNTING
Lawmakers consider flexible Colo. bear hunt
DENVER (AP) – Colorado lawmakers worried about the growing bear
population are considering giving wildlife officials more say over
when bears can be hunted.
A proposal set for its first hearing Monday would repeal a 1992
voter-approved initiative that prohibits hunting bears from March 1
to Sept. 1. The state Division of Wildlife would have authority to
expand hunting dates.
Voters overwhelmingly approved the initiative amid concern that
female bears were being hunted in the spring, when they are taking
care of their cubs. The initiative also banned hunting bears with
dogs and baiting bears with food to kill them.
The bill would not eliminate those provisions.
MARIJUANA DUIS
Pot DUI standard gets first hearing in CO Senate
A bill setting an impairment standard for driving under the
influence of marijuana is getting its first hearing in the Colorado
Senate on Monday.
The proposal would set a blood-content threshold that would
allow prosecutors to charge drivers believed to be under the
influence of marijuana. Drivers would be considered too high to
drive if they have a THC level of 5 nanograms or more per
milliliter in their blood. THC is the psychoactive ingredient in
marijuana.
That THC blood-content level would be the most liberal in
statute in the country but it has angered some medical marijuana
users who fear they’ll be unfairly targeted.
It’s illegal in any state to drive while impaired by drugs.
Nevada and Ohio have a 2 nanogram THC limit for driving.
US-SUPREME COURT-CHIPOTLE COUNTERS
Court won’t stop lawsuit against Chipotle
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court won’t stop a disabled man’s
lawsuit against Chipotle Mexican Grill for having counters too high
for a person in a wheelchair.
The high court on Monday refused to hear an appeal from the
Denver-based chain.
Maurizio Antoninetti sued when he found that he could not see
the Chipotle food preparers because of the height of the counters.
A federal judge ruled against him, saying Antoninetti had sued
dozens of other places for access violations and dropped the suit
after received cash settlements.
The judge said Antoninetti was insincere about wanting to return
and eat at Chipotle.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the judge’s
ruling, saying Antoninetti’s litigation history cannot be used
against him.
The case is Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. v. Maurizio
Antoninetti, 10-1051.
DENVER GAS SUICIDE
Suspected gas suicide evacuates Denver building
DENVER (AP) – Two floors of a Denver luxury apartment building
have been evacuated after a man is suspected of committing suicide
using a chemical gas.
Firefighters were called to the building Sunday night and a
hazardous materials team later discovered the body of a man in a
closet. Lt. Phil Champagne said it appears the unidentified man
commited suicide using the chemical gas hydrogen sulfide.
Hydrogen sulfide typically has a noxious, rotten smell and can
be fatal in high concentrations.
The 11th and 12th floors of the building remained evacuated
Monday morning. A resident and a concierge were exposed to the gas
while checking on a neighbor and were taken to the hospital.
Authorities say chemists and pharmacists have access to the gas
but it’s not usually the general public can obtain.
