News, July 19th

COLORADO/TRI-COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT

Denver—More Coloradans were in the unemployment line in June.  According to the latest figures from the state labor department, the jobless rate rose one tenth of a percentage point to 7 percent.  Nationally, the unemployment rate remained at 7.6 percent.  Summer hiring helped boost numbers locally.  In Pitkin County, the unemployment rate dropped from May to June from nearly 11 percent to 7.2.  The jobless rate in Eagle County fell almost two full percentage points to 7.8.  In Garfield County however, more people were without work as unemployment rose from 6.8 to 7.3 percent.

GLENWOOD CITY COUNCIL DELAYS RECREATIONAL WEED RULES

Glenwood Springs—There won’t be any recreational marijuana establishments in Glenwood Springs for a few months.  Last night, the city council voted 4 to 3 to impose a moratorium  until the end of the year to sort out the complexities of Amendment 64.  Medical marijuana attorney Lauren Maytin says the delay is a mistake and will only hurt the city and legitimate business owners looking to open a retail store.  Councilmen Stephen Bershenyi and Dave Sturges  voted in favor of the moratorium.  Bershenyi says the process seems a little rushed while Sturges says he’s not interested in Glenwood Springs turning into a mecca for marijuana tourism.

REMAINS FOUND NEAR BATTLEMENT MESA IDENTIFIED

GLENWOOD SPRINGS (AP) — Sheriff’s officials say human remains that were found along a Garfield County road last week are that of a woman who disappeared in December 2005. Sheriff’s officials said yesterday that a DNA analysis by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation confirmed the remains were those of Mary Comiskey. The cause of death is under investigation.

COLORADO GUN CONTROL LAWMAKERS SHOT DOWN IN RECALL APPEAL

DENVER (AP) — Two Democratic Colorado state senators who supported gun restrictions say they won’t appeal a Denver judge’s ruling refusing to stop recall elections against them, meaning their political fate lies with voters now. State Senate President John Morse of Colorado Springs and Pueblo Sen. Angela Giron (HEE’-rawn) argued the recall petitions against them were invalid because they didn’t ask for an election for a successor like the state Constitution mandates. An election will be held Sept. 10.

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