PYRAMID PEAK HIKER STILL MISSING
Aspen—Battling frigid temperatures and brutal wind gusts nearing 100 miles per hour atop Pyramid Peak, members of Mountain Rescue Aspen were forced to suspend their search for an overdue hiker last night. According to reports from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, 23 year old California native Ryan Montoya was reported missing late Sunday night by his father when he failed to return from his climb of the 14 thousand foot peak. Searchers did come across a snow cave at the bottom of the west side of Pyramid Peak that they believe Montoya used for shelter. The search was continued today.
COLORADO FIREFIGHTERS HELPING NEIGHBORING STATES
Undated—The wildfire in northeast Colorado is nearing full containment and now manpower and resources are being sent to help battle raging, wind-whipped blazes in Kansas. Three firefighters and a tactical tender from Eagle County has been sent to Dodge City to assist with several fires in that area. The Grand Junction Air Center got a call for help on Monday after numerous grass fires blew up with 50 mile an hour wind gusts. Emergency officials in Kansas reported active fires in 21 counties. The worst damage is being reported in the southern part of Kansas where fires have scorched some 35 thousand acres and at least 30 structures. Fires are also burning in Oklahoma and Texas.
STATE LAWMAKERS WANT TO KEEP SOME TABOR MONEY
Denver—Colorado voters may be asked to surrender a portion of their tax dollars for schools, education and roads next year. A bill, surprisingly sponsored by two fiscally conservative Republicans would allow the state to keep more revenue. Representative Dan Thurlow and Senator Larry Crowder want to change the way annual revenue limits are calculated under TABOR, the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. The Democrat-controlled House gave the bill initial approval after rejecting an amendment from Republican Polly Lawrence to tie any extra funds to transportation needs. If approved by voters, the plan would keep 175 million dollars in the 2018-19 fiscal year.
