JUDGE RULES IN FAVOR OF GARCO SHERIFF IN EX-EMPLOYEE LAWSUIT
Glenwood Springs–Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario won a favorable judgement in a five year old wrongful termination lawsuit filed by former employee Lisa Martin. Martin worked as an inmate services technician in the jail from July of 2003 until she was fired in May of ’07. Martin accused the Sheriff’s Office of breach of contract and of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Vallario countered that Martin was an “at will” employee and under state law could be fired at anytime for any reason. The ruling in favor of the Sheriff’s Office, was handed down yesterday by District Judge James Boyd.
COLORADO RIVER FORECAST; DRY
Glenwood Springs–The future of the Colorado River for the next 50 years looks rather dry to regional experts. Planners and engineers within the seven state region that shares the river aren’t optimistic about current trends and what it means for future generations. David Kanzer, a water resources engineer with the Colorado River District says communities within the basin are living beyond their means, using too much water now and not conserving. He says that doesn’t bode well for communities in the lower basin states. Kanzer and other water officials are currently working on negotiating strategy in preparation for next week’s seven-state river meeting which will be held in the city that’s one of the region’s biggest consumers of the Colorado River; Las Vegas.
COLORADO SPRINGS RESIDENTS DON’T WANT DRILLING NEAR NEIGHBORHOODS
COLORADO SPRINGS (AP) – Protesters are trying to block a plan by energy companies to start drilling for oil and natural gas near Colorado Springs neighborhoods. Demonstrators showed up while the city council held a work session Tuesday to hear from members of the state oil and gas commission about new environmental restrictions on drilling. Oil companies have expressed interest in drilling wells in neighborhoods within the city limits, including areas near Banning Lewis Ranch and Flying Horse Ranch. Protesters want the council to block drilling that requires fracking.
ARMED SECURITY PROPOSED FOR COLORADO GUN SHOPS
DENVER (AP) – Colorado Republicans want to require businesses to provide armed security if patrons aren’t allowed to carry their own firearms. That’s a proposal made on the same day President Barack Obama and other national Democrats proposed gun control measures in response to mass shootings. The Colorado measure introduced Wednesday would require businesses to provide an armed security guard for every 50 patrons if the patrons are banned from carrying guns. The sponsor says movie theaters and shopping malls that ban concealed weapons should be obligated to provide their own armed security. The business gun bill faces dim prospects in the Democrat-controlled Legislature. Democratic Senate President John Morse says that banks have armed guards but still get robbed.
