ID THEFT ON THE UPSWING DURING TAX SEASON IN COLORADO
Denver—Colorado and other states are in a continuing battle to protect taxpayer’s identity during tax season. Officials with the state revenue department are looking for ways to prevent identity thieves from filing false tax returns. Taxpayers are being told their refunds may take a little longer than normal as officials try to verify the returns are real. Taxpayers are advised to come up with hard-to-guess passwords, change them often and use different ones for other on-line accounts.
COLORADO IN A CLEAN AIR FIGHT WITH FEDS
Denver—Colorado could be in a losing battle with the federal government over President Obama’s Clean Power Plan. Governor John Hickenlooper warns that withholding money for state air quality regulators may force the hand of the Environmental Protection Agency with tougher regulations. The federal plan calls for tougher regulations with regard to greenhouse gas emissions and could adversely impact Colorado’s energy industry. The governor is urging state lawmakers to approve about 200 thousand dollars for the state Air Quality Control Commission to work on the Clean Power Plan, even while it’s tied up in a Republican-led court challenge. Hickenlooper says reducing state rules might lead to tougher regulations from the EPA.
“PUFFING” BAN SOON TO BE LIFTED IN COLORADO
DENVER (AP) – It won’t be a crime next winter to leave cars running unattended in Colorado- if they have remote-start systems. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper has signed into law an end to the state’s full ban on so-called “puffing,” or leaving a car running while the driver is away. The practice is common on frigid Colorado winter mornings, but can leave the driver with a ticket because “puffing” makes cars vulnerable to theft. Legislative analysts say there are about 50 “puffing” tickets issued per year across Colorado. The new law exempts car owners with remote-start systems. Drivers must keep the keyless start fob far enough away from the car that the vehicle can’t be moved. The change takes effect in August.
