DENVER (AP) – The disaster isn’t over when the wildfire is snuffed out and the firefighters go home. Experts say recovery can take years and untold millions of dollars simply to make conditions livable again. USDA Undersecretary Harris Sherman says everyone needs to be aware of the fact that the landscape doesn’t restore overnight, and wildfires have long-term implications.
DENVER (AP) – A federal judge says a lawsuit challenging Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights can move forward. The voter-approved TABOR amendment limits state spending and bars lawmakers from raising taxes without a vote of the people. A group of Democratic and Republican officials argue TABOR violates the Constitution by taking away elected lawmakers’ ability to tax. The Denver Post reports a federal judge ruled yesterday that plaintiffs who are current Colorado legislators have the legal standing to bring the complaint.
LEADVILLE, Colo. (AP) – One lane of U.S. 24 on Tennessee Pass reopened last night as repairs on a 100-foot-deep hole beside the highway continue. The hole opened July 9 when the soil gave way above an abandoned, collapsed railroad tunnel. Repairs have closed part of U.S. 24 north of Leadville. A contractor is working to try to have both lanes open sometime next week.
LONGMONT, Colo. (AP) – The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has filed a lawsuit challenging the city of Longmont’s new oil and gas rules. The lawsuit filed yesterday in Boulder contends that the rules regulate areas that are meant to be governed by the state. City officials contend the rules fall within Longmont’s land-use authority.
DURANGO, Colo. (AP) – A Durango theater manager says he’s removing a marquee listing for a movie titled “Safety Not Guaranteed” after it appeared under a listing for the new Batman movie that was the scene of a mass shooting in Aurora. The low-budget sci-fi comedy called “Safety Not Guaranteed” is running alongside “The Dark Knight Rises.” The owners say the two movies will continue to run but the marquee will be changed.
DENVER (AP) – Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and his wife are separating. The governor and his wife, the writer Helen Thorpe, issued a joint statement today saying that they remain close friends. Hickenlooper says he will be moving into the governor’s mansion, but he will also continue to spend time at their family home with their son.
