DENVER (AP) – Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is urging lawmakers to debate gun control in the aftermath of mass shootings in Aurora and Connecticut, saying “our democracy demands this type of debate.” Hickenlooper also renewed a call for the passage of civil unions in his State of the State speech to lawmakers today, and implored them to pass legislation lowering tuition for illegal immigrants who graduate from Colorado high schools.
DENVER (AP) – Officials have ordered evacuations of homes and businesses along the C-470 highway in the suburbs southwest of Denver because of a gas line break. Xcel Energy says crews are working to shut off a severed 20-inch natural gas line. A company spokesman says the gas line was severed by a work crew not affiliated with the utility. A portion of the highway was also closed.
DURANGO, Colo. (AP) – Over $30,000 has now been raised for information leading authorities to a missing 13-year-old Colorado boy. The Durango Herald reports that a private donor from Denver has given $10,000 to the fund. Dylan Redwine has been missing since Nov. 19, a day after arriving at his father’s home outside of Durango for a court-ordered visit during Thanksgiving break. The boy was living with his mother and brother in Colorado Springs.
DENVER (AP) – Marijuana legalization opponents are regrouping after voters approved pot in Colorado and Washington. Some of them are in Denver promoting a new organization that says marijuana should be treated like a health risk and not legalized. The group is called Project SAM, for “smart approaches to marijuana.” Former Congressman Patrick Kennedy is among the members.