ENERGY COMPANY EYES THOMPSON DIVIDE PERMITS
Carbondale–A Texas-based oil and gas company is once again going after parcels in the Thompson Divide area. SG Interests of Houston has applied for two drilling permits, one in Garfield County and the other in Pitkin County. The grassroots conservation group, The Thompson Divide Coalition is against drilling in the area and plans to file an appeal with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
CMC HIRES INTERIM PRESIDENT
Glenwood Springs–A retired community college president from Florida will see Colorado Mountain College through the rest of the school year. Dr. Charles Dassance of Ocala has been hired as the interim president of CMC. The board of trustees is working out the contract details with Dassance while the national search for a permanent replacement for Dr. Stan Jensen will begin in earnest. Jensen resigned at the end of the year.
CMC SUPPORTS IMMIGRANT TUITION BILL
Glenwood Springs–A bill that aims to charge in-state college tuition rates to the children of illegal immigrants got the full endorsement of the Colorado Mountain College board of trustees. The Colorado Asset Bill is fast gaining support among colleges and universities in the state as well as lawmakers. The measure will be heard by a legislative committee this month.
STATE EMPLOYEES UP FOR A PAY RAISE
Denver–If you work for the state of Colorado, you’ll be seeing more in your paycheck this year. Governor John Hickenlooper is recommending a 1 and a half percent pay raise while state lawmakers are calling for a 2 percent hike. State employees haven’t had a pay raise since the recession began four years ago and instead have had to take pay cuts and unpaid days off.