NEW METHANE DETECTION RULES FOR DRILLING
DENVER (AP) – Gov. John Hickenlooper is announcing proposed new rules for detecting and reducing methane gas pollution from oil and gas drilling.Hickenlooper plans to announce the proposal Monday.He says the rules were drawn up after the state health department met with interest groups across the state.The governor says the rules would make Colorado the first state to directly regulate methane detection and reduction in oilfields.
SAGE GROUSE PUBLIC HEARING TOMORROW
Gunnison—A public hearing will be held tomorrow afternoon at Western State in Gunnison on the sage grouse. The hearing will deal with the plans to protect the bird under the Endangered Species Act and designate nearly two million acres of critical habitat for the bird in Colorado and Utah. The endangered designation is strongly opposed by a growing number of county governments including Garfield, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Mesa. Opponents say the federal protection plan is overreaching and fails to take into account the financial impacts it would have on the regional economy. Tomorrow’s public hearing is schedule for 4 o’clock.
DEADLY MINE ACCIDENT
OURAY (AP) – Authorities are seeking the source of carbon monoxide gas that apparently killed two workers and injured 20 other at a mine near the southwestern Colorado town of Ouray. All but two of the injured miners were treated and released from hospitals. Denver-based Star Mine says all of the workers are required to wear personal respirators.
RAPIST, KILLER TO BE SENTENCED
GOLDEN (AP) – A sentencing hearing begins today for Austin Sigg, the 18-year-old who confessed to kidnapping and killing 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway in Westminster. Ridgeway’s relatives are expected to testify at today’s hearing. Sigg faces up to life in prison. He also pleaded guilty to attacking a 22-year-old jogger at a Westminster park in May 2012.
FLOOD DAMAGED ROAD SET TO REOPEN
LOVELAND (AP) – A stretch of U.S. Highway 34 through Big Thompson Canyon damaged by flooding is scheduled to reopen Thursday. The Colorado Department of Transportation tells the Loveland Reporter-Herald that the repairs are temporary and permanent repairs will be completed by Spring. The road has been closed since September.
