New Castle–The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approved a surface use agreement for limited natural gas drilling on the Garfield Creek State Wildlife Area near New Castle. Denver-based Dejour Energy is looking to develop about 11 acres in the area.
Debeque–A Golden-based company wants to drill two dozen wells over a three year period near Debeque. Black Hills Production is hoping to begin drilling in the fall. The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public feedback on the project.
Denver–Over 20 medical pot dispensaries in Colorado will be closed by the federal government unless they move further away from public schools. U.S. Attorney John Walsh says the dispensaries in question are within the one thousand foot boundary, which is a violation.
Minturn–A man who skied out of bounds near Minturn had to be rescued yesterday. Authorities say the 29 year old man suffered a broken leg and couldn’t be airlifted because there was no place for the helicopter to land.
In other news…
DENVER (AP) – Some Colorado lawmakers want to stop the use of
the red-light cameras in the state as the traffic enforcement
devices get more scrutiny over their effectiveness and whether
municipalities are using them to boost revenues.
Republican Sen. Scott Renfroe introduced a bill this week that
would prohibit municipalities from using automated cameras on any
streets or highways. Cameras could still be used on toll roads and
highways to assess charges. Denver officials have discussed limiting its photo stoplight program because drivers complained they were being unfairly
ticketed. In Colorado Springs, officials say their red-light
program did not meet safety expectations.
The National Conference of State Legislatures says nine states
have passed laws banning the use of photo traffic enforcement.
MINTURN, Colo. (AP) – Organizers have postponed a popular horse
skiing event in Minturn because of a lack of snow.
The Rocky Mountain ski joring event will now be held in late
February. During the event, skiers hold a rope with one hand and a wand in
the other. As the horse careens up the street through the snow the
skier is pulled along. Skiers use the wand to grab rings for
points. The Minturn ski joring event is a benefit for the Shaw Regional Cancer
Center.
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (AP) – Festival-goers in Breckenridge will
be able to drink alcoholic beverages in town after the Breckenridge
Town Council passed an emergency ordinance. The short-lived local law will allow people attending the Ullr parade and bonfire to have open containers of alcohol before sunset on Friday. Mayor John Warner says
drinking allows people to cut loose but public drunkenness and
unruly behavior will not be tolerated.
