EAGLE– The cleanup of an oil tanker crash could
slow traffic along Interstate 70 near Eagle for the next few days.
The tanker spilled 7,200 gallons of diesel fuel following a
crash with SUV on Thursday, closing all lanes of I-70 for several
hours. While some fuel did get on the highway, most of it was contained
in the median. The transportation department says environmental crews will work through the weekend to excavate soil contaminated by the spill. As
a result, one lane in each direction of I-70 will remain closed
during the day until at least Tuesday. No one was injured in the accident.
DENVER (AP) – A task force formed by Gov. John Hickenlooper is
hoping to clarify the regulatory jurisdictions of state and local
governments for oil and gas development. In an executive order issued last month creating a task force, Hickenlooper said the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is responsible with developing Colorado’s oil and gas resources, while local jurisdictions have a duty to provide planned and
orderly development of the land within their boundaries.
The advisory committee meeting Friday is planning to submit a
report by April 18 unless it is terminated or extended by the
governor.
DENVER (AP) – Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill
that authorizes an increase in the daily allowance for expenses for
Colorado rural lawmakers. Hickenlooper signed the bill Thursday. It’s an accounting measure for the legislative branch that includes a $33 scheduled
increase in daily per diem for lawmakers living 50 miles or more
from Denver. Some lawmakers from both parties disapproved of the
increase. Hickenlooper previously said he sympathizes with rural lawmakers
who subsidize their expenses to be at the Capitol.
The per diem for rural lawmakers would increase from $150 to
$183 effective July 1. Lawmakers delayed the increase in 2010 and
its scheduled to return unless lawmakers delay it with a separate
bill. Denver-area lawmakers receive a per diem of $45. All lawmakers
are paid $30,000 a year, and the per diem is additional.
GREELEY, Colo. (AP) – The oil and gas industry is getting credit
for keeping tuition at one college down.The board of Aims Community College voted Wednesday not to raise tuition and fees for students attending the school in 2012-13. The college unexpectedly received $2 million in revenue from additional property tax collections this year, and Aims Chief Financial Officer Michael Kelly says the oil and gas industry is the school’s
biggest source of property tax revenue. Aims is in Weld County, which has benefited from energy companies’ interest in the Niobrara formation.
Kelly says Aims has been fortunate with oil and gas revenues,
and officials felt it was only fair to pass that on to students.
COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) – Coroner’s officials say an
18-year-old skier from Wisconsin was killed when he veered off a
trail at Copper Mountain resort and into a valve shed used for
snowmaking. The Summit County coroner says high school senior
Patrick Sievert of Pewaukee, Wis., died yesterday. At least 11
people have died skiing in Colorado this season.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) – The pilot of a single-engine airplane
suffered minor injuries after crashing near Fort Collins. Sheriff’s
officials say the 69-year-old pilot apparently was trying to land
yesterday on an unpaved airstrip on his property when he decided at
the last minute to make another approach, then hit some trees.
DENVER (AP) – Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill
that authorizes an increase in the daily allowance for expenses for
Colorado rural lawmakers. It includes a $33 scheduled increase in
daily per diem for lawmakers living 50 miles or more from Denver.
