LOWER COLLEGE TUITION FOR CHILDREN OF ILLEGALS?
DENVER (AP) – Illegal immigrants who grow up in Colorado could be eligible for in-state tuition, not a compromise in-between tuition rate. That’s what Colorado Democrats are set to propose this week now that they’ve gained full control over the state Legislature. Democrats say they will drop a compromise tuition proposal made last year to seek a tuition rate higher than those for in-state students but lower than out-of-state levels.
The Democrats’ proposal failed last year because of Republican opposition. Now Democrats say they’re dropping the compromise and will seek in-state tuition rates for all Colorado residents regardless of citizenship. Coloradans would still need to be citizens to receive state financial aid.
CRIMINAL CONFESSIONS COULD BE SUFFICIENT IN COLORADO
DENVER (AP) – The Colorado Supreme Court is abandoning a rule that prosecutors prove a crime occurred as long as prosecutors prove a confession is trustworthy. The rule requiring proof has been in force for more than a hundred years. In a ruling Monday, the court overturned the conviction of a man on sex assault charges under the old rules, saying it wouldn’t be fair to apply the new rules without warning, but judges said the new rules will apply to future cases. Prosecutors say the man confessed to his wife, his mother, his pastor, and police that he sexually assaulted his 2-year-old daughter, and he was convicted by a jury. The Colorado Court of Appeals reversed the conviction, saying prosecutors failed to prove that a crime occurred using other evidence.
DISPUTE OVER MINERAL LEASE FUNDS
GRAND JUNCTION (AP) – Mesa County officials are hoping to reclaim mineral lease money from the federal government that officials say was improperly withheld in the first place. The county in June received a $1.6 million check from the Interior Department’s mineral lease program, half of what the county would have received if the department had not reduced it. Federal officials say the money was withheld because of a requirement that some federal mineral lease districts be separate from county control. The county says it now meets those requirements. The money is used to repair and build roads and protect communities impacted by energy and mineral production.
COLORADO DEEP FREEZE
DENVER (AP) – 35 below zero! That was the overnight low in Craig as the deep freeze in Colorado lingers. There are reports of dropping temperatures in most other areas to the single digits. National Weather Service forecaster Kyle Fredin says temperatures have remained low in western Colorado since Christmas.
