News, February 27th

THOMPSON DIVIDE MEETING TONIGHT IN CARBONDALE

Carbondale–Tonight, a public meeting dealing with possible drilling activity in the Thompson Divide is being held at Carbondale Town Hall. Representatives from the gas industry will be joined by the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service and local citizen groups. Pitkin County is hosting the meeting that begins at 6.

COLORADO AIR POLLUTION REDUCTION EFFORTS

DENVER (AP) – An environmental group is asking a federal appeals court to review part of Colorado’s plan for cutting air pollution and haze. The EPA last year approved Colorado’s strategy, which included plans to retire some coal-fired power plants and switch others to run on natural gas.

IMMIGRANT TUITION BILL

DENVER (AP) – Colorado House lawmakers are considering a bill to grant illegal immigrants the same tuition rate as legal state residents. The proposal, which has already passed in the state Senate, is expected to reach the governor’s desk. It’s getting its first vote in a House committee today. Under the measure, illegal immigrants who graduate from Colorado high schools would be able to attend college at the in-state rate.

COLORADO HIGH SPEED INTERNET

DENVER (AP) – An intergovernmental entity that’s working to expand high-speed Internet service in Colorado is hoping its federal funding resumes soon. Funds for Eagle-Net Alliance were suspended in December because of questions over compliance with environmental and other issues. Eagle-Net is slated to be mentioned in a U.S. House subcommittee hearing today on whether federal stimulus funding for broadband expansion is working.

COLORADO GUN CONTROL BILL

DENVER (AP) – Sellers and owners of assault weapons could be liable for damages caused by shootings under a bill proposed by Colorado’s Democratic Senate president. The bill is being introduced in the state Senate today. Colorado Springs state Sen. John Morse says his goal is to make assault weapon owners and sellers responsible for what he calls dangerous weapons. Critics of Morse’s bill say it’s a backdoor way to ban assault weapons. Republicans have also said Morse’s idea may conflict with a 2005 federal law that protects gun makers and sellers from liability for crimes committed with their products.

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