GLENWOOD SPRINGS FAMILY GETS GREEN LIGHT TO SUE OIL AND GAS COMPANY
DENVER (AP) – Beth and Bill Strudley can move forward with their lawsuit against Antero Resources thanks to a recent court ruling. The Strudleys say they moved to Glenwood Springs because oil and gas drilling activities contaminated their drinking water and air and forced them from their home in Silt Mesa two years ago. Last year, their lawsuit was thrown out of court but they didn’t give up. Denver Appeals Court Judge Ann Frick ruled this week that the lower court wrongly dismissed the 2011 case. The lower court claimed the Strudleys failed to provide sufficient evidence against Antero to support their claims of contamination and health effects. Frick’s order sends the case back to the trial court, unless Antero decides to appeal the decision to the Colorado Supreme Court.
DROUGHT CONTINUES TO IMPACT ROARING FORK VALLEY
Carbondale—Streams throughout the Roaring Fork Watershed are getting warmer as the water levels continue to plummet in the intense heat. According to the latest report from the Roaring Fork Conservancy, streams are now flowing between 19 and 36 percent of average. Average cubic feet per second measurements are dismally low in the watershed as well. The Roaring Fork River at Aspen is now at 63 c-f-s and the Colorado River at Glenwood is running at 27-hundred c-f-s, well below the average for this date of 78-hundred. The Conservancy says the western side of the watershed is experiencing severe drought conditions.
GARFIELD COUNTY AMONG DROUGHT DISASTER AREAS
Washington, D.C.—Garfield County is one of 38 counties that will be eligible for drought assistance from the federal government. Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet says the Department of Agriculture designated the counties as either primary or contiguous disaster areas due to the drought. The designation means farmers and ranchers can apply for financial help through the Farm Service Agency.
IN OTHER NEWS…
GRAND LAKE, Colo. (AP) – Police say a suspected drunken driver struck a family walking along U.S. Highway 34 after a fireworks show in Grand Lake last night. A man identified as 50-year-old Greg Westley was killed. Westley’s wife and three children, ranging in age from 3 to 19 were injured. The driver is being held on suspicion of DUI and the Colorado State Patrol says other charges are possible.
AURORA, Colo. (AP) – Aurora firefighters say two brothers launched a model rocket that ignited a brush fire in Great Plains Park yesterday. KMGH-TV reports that no one was injured in the 3-acre fire that was initially blamed on fireworks. The Aurora Fire Department says the rocket is illegal and the brothers face a fine.
DENVER (AP) – More detailed records of the 155 suspected noncitizen voters that Secretary of State Scott Gessler referred to prosecutors earlier this week show that more than half are Democrats. Gessler’s office provided the breakdown to The Associated Press Friday. His office says they don’t use party registration as an identifier when searching for suspected noncitizen voters.
