FED SAGE GROUSE FUNDS PROPOSED
Denver—Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet is one of a handful of Democrats leading a fundraising effort to preserve both the Greater and Gunnison Sage Grouse. The senators urged the Appropriations Committee to fund programs that include collaborating with landowners. State and federal agencies hope to convince the BLM and Fish and Wildlife service to avoid listing the Greater Sage Grouse as endangered or threatened because of the many land access restrictions it would bring. Garfield County recently sent a lengthy response to the BLM over it’s Final Environmental Impact Statement that seemed to lean toward a listing. Last November, federal officials designated the Gunnison Sage Grouse as a threatened species covering southwest Colorado and southeast Utah. Other senators joining Michael Bennet in the grouse preservation funding effort are Jon Tester of Montana, Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden of Oregon and longtime California Senator Dianne Feinstein. The federal deadline to decide on a listing for the Greater Sage Grouse is September 30th.
STATE DIABETES CAMPAIGN
DENVER (AP) – Colorado health officials are launching a diabetes prevention campaign for people covered by Medicaid, a state and federal health care program for low-income residents. The program unveiled today aims to reduce diabetes rates and health care costs by teaching people how to manage or avoid the condition. Officials say similar programs have taught participants how to eat better, exercise, monitor medications and resolve health issues.
TROOPER CADET DEATH
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) – The driver accused of crashing into and killing a Colorado State Patrol cadet and critically injured a trooper will be held without bond until a preliminary hearing in July. A judge today ordered Christopher Gebers held until the hearing which will determine if he’ll stand trial for killing cadet Taylor Thyfault and seriously injuring Trooper Clinton Rushing in Weld County on Saturday.
