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UPDATE 4:6:30pm [LISTEN]
UPDATE 3:5:30pm Interview with Barb Timmock, Public Affairs Officer with the U.S. Forest Service[LISTEN]
UPDATE 2: 2:30pm Listen to Eric Whitney's latest update on the Incline Fire. [LISTEN]
UPDATE: 1:15pm Manitou's Homecoming Parade has been cancelled to allow emergency vehicles to get to the wildland fire.
BREAKING NEWS: 1:00pm There is a wildland fire burning NW of Manitou Springs. Listen to Eric Whitney's report here. [LISTEN]
Posted by Delaney Utterback at 5:30 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Manitou Springs

Jerry Gilley

Nancy Gilley
KIDNAPPING SUSPECT ARRESTED AND VICTIM SAFE
El Paso County Sheriff's investigators worked through the night on Friday to find information on the kidnapping victim, Nancy Gilley and her alleged kidnapper. Their diligence paid off and the two were located late Friday night.
Investigators followed leads which indicated Jerry Gilley and Nancy Gilley may have been at a hotel in Trinidad, Colorado. With assistance from the Trinidad Police Department, investigators confirmed their location. At approximately 11:35 p.m. on Friday, September 28, 2007, Sheriff's investigators worked in collaboration with the Trinidad Police and the Trinidd SWAT team to contact and subsequently arrest Jerry Gilley. Nancy Gilley was with him and was taken to safety.
Currently Jerry Gilley is in the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center facing charges of Domestic Violence-First Degree Kidnapping, First Degree Burglary, and Felony Menacing. He is being held without bond at this time.
Nancy Gilley is safe with family and friends today.
This investigation is ongoing and more details may be available at a later time.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:12 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Crime , El Paso County , Regional

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has been a champion of renewable energy since taking office. He recently put solar panels on the Governor's mansion and just got back from Washington DC where he asked congress to adopted national renewable energy standards for utilities. This week he's hosting the Western Governor's Association. The topic is getting more renewable energy on the electric grid across the region. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 9:39 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business , Capitol Coverage , Energy , Environment , Regional , Utilities
A proposed land swap in southwestern Colorado is generating controversy. Outside Durango, a company wants to expand a golf course and development onto neighboring land now owned by the Forest Service. In exchange, they're offering property that the government says could provide important habitat for rare native trout. Bente Birkeland reports.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:08 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Animal Rights/Wellfare , Business , Capitol Coverage , Environment , Forest Plans , Indoor/Outdoor Recreation , Regional
Paccione Drops Out of 4th CD Race
Private Developer to Build Housing on Petersen, Schreiver
Murder-Suicide in Fremont County
Cotopaxi Man Missing
Arapahoe, Douglas Counties Plan $20 Billion for Water by 2020
Boulder to Hire Urban Wildlife Coordinator
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:55 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Animal Rights/Wellfare , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Crime , Environment , Military , Politics , Regional , Utilities

Governor Bill Ritter announced legislative proposals that he says would make the state more business friendly. His package includes property tax exemptions for small businesses and a streamlined business tax. But some Republicans say the proposals are nothing more than window dressing. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:06 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business , Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Politics

Three new farmers markets got started in Denver this summer, and they've beenselling things that are grown on the grounds of three different public schools. These schools are finding out how much there is to teach and learn in a garden, and that growing plants can generate hands-on lessons in science, math and social studies. This year they are teaching students about how the garden can be a business too. KCFR's Helen Gray visited the farmers Market at a school near Washington Park and has this report.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:00 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Children & Youth , Denver , Education

The Texas Billionaire who wants to build a village for 10,000 people on Wolf Creek Pass has been dealt a setback by the courts. On Thursday the Colorado Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling that threw out initial approval of the village by Mineral County, KSUTs Victor Locke reports.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:47 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado , Environment , Legal , Regional

The weeklong Colorado Festival of World Theater opens Friday, September 21st in Colorado Springs. Now in its fourth year, the festival brings some surprisingly major productions to the mid-sized city. "Truth in Translation" isn't necessarily the kind of play you'd expect to see in Colorado Springs -- one of five stops on its brief US tour that includes Flint, Michigan and Dallas, Texas. Arts reporter Noel Black reports.
[LISTEN]
Check out other festival events at the CFWT's website here.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:05 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Arts & Culture

Senator Ken Salazar says the Air Force needs to start preserving land around the boundaries of their bases in Colorado. The Democrat has introduced an amendment to the Defense appropriations bill currently before the Senate that would require the Air Force to do so.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:33 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Military , Politics

El Paso County Attorney Jay Lauer was placed on administrative leave Monday, six months after he started the job. County Commission Chairman Dennis Hisey says commissioners do not intend to bring Lauer back when his 30-day leave is over.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:33 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , El Paso County , Legal Affairs , Politics

If you found yourself stuck in traffic on I-25 Tuesday morning, it may come as some consolation that the road construction company responsible for the delay has been fined about $9,000 an hour for the mishap.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:26 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado Springs , Transportation

Colorado largely escaped the catastrophic wildfire season that hit so many other western states this summer. And now with fall approaching, the U.S. Forest Service is starting to set some fires in our area to help reduce future fire danger.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:23 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Environment , Forest Plans , Wildfires

Senate OKs Pueblo Depot Cleanup Money
Anti-Abortion Minister Vows to Protest Dem Convention in Denver
CSU Gets TB Research Money
TB Patient Goes Back to Arizona
Gov. Ritter to Testify on Global Warming in DC
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:18 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Denver , Environment , Health , Military , Politics , Pueblo , Religion , Science

David Skaggs, Colorado's Director of Higher Education wants to change the way colleges and universities here measure success. That's an important step, he says, towards making the case to voters to increase public funding. At present, Colorado ranks 48th in the amount of money state government gives per student to colleges and universities. We're also 45th in terms of the number of high school freshmen who go on to finish college.
[LISTEN]
Links to the Colorado Department of Higher Education:
"Colorado Higher Education at a Glance" Click Here
"A Look at Colorado's Demographic and Educational Context" Click Here
"How Does Colorado Stack Up? The State's Economy from a National and State Perspective" Click Here
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:23 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Education

We are deeply saddened to bring you the news that KRCC's mentor, friend and former station manager, Mario Valdes, passed away Friday morning, September 14th, 2007. He was with family, and died peacefully. We will provide you with more information about memorial services and tributes in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Mario's obituary follows.
-Delaney Utterback and the KRCC crew
Mario Benedict Valdes
April 3, 1953 - September 14, 2007
Mario Valdes entered eternal life on September 14, 2007. He was born in Havana, Cuba on April 3, 1953. His father was a dealer of import/export domestics and the family moved to New York City when Mario was a 2-year old. He grew up in Brooklyn and Queens and attended Brooklyn Technical High School.
In third grade, Mario determined he had three goals in life: to be a New York City cab driver, to design houses and to run a radio station. After briefly living in Miami, 19 year-old Mario returned to New York and drove a yellow cab in Manhattan for a year--his most famous passenger being Katherine Hepburn.
Mario attended Oklahoma State University to study architecture and moved to Denver in the mid 1970s to begin a career as an architectural designer. For several years he designed beautiful custom homes and offices for clients in Denver, Perry Park, Monument and Colorado Springs.
A music collector, Mario started at radio station KRCC in 1979. He became the station's manager and first paid employee in 1980 and first full-time employee in 1983. He left the station in 2006. As station manager he created the blueprint of what KRCC is today. He was instrumental in bringing National Public Radio to Colorado Springs and all the listening areas throughout southern Colorado.
Mario was married to wife Donna from 1982-2000; their son, Adam was born in 1986. Mario enjoyed giving Adam the unique opportunity of meeting such personalities as Johnny Winter, Lyle Lovett and Randy Newman at the concerts which KRCC produced in the early 1990s.
A self-proclaimed "political junkie," Mario thoroughly enjoyed the intricacies, philosophies and personalities of politics. As a naturalized United States citizen, he held close to his heart the personal rights and freedom of his country.
Mario's favorite peaceful past-time was fishing. He particularly enjoyed the many times he spent fishing with his son at 11 Mile Reservoir and Lake Powell, Utah.
Mario was preceded in death by his mother Gilda Valdes and grandparents Jacqueline and Jean Gall. He is survived by his son, Adam Valdes; his sisters Joyce Skowron and Frances Collado; his nephew Luis Hernandez and his father Mario Valdes. He is also survived by many dear friends including Shari Montgomery, Pat Bass Black, Delaney Utterback and Donna (Valdes) Sheloski.
Memorial information to follow.
Posted by Delaney Utterback at 3:33 PM| Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , El Paso County , Memorial

On Saturday over 500 volunteers will scour riverbanks in Colorado in a statewide cleanup effort. It's being coordinated by Colorado Trout Unlimited, or CTU. Colorado College student Kate Dawson has more.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 7:30 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Environment , Regional

Colorado Springs won't be going to federal court with the Sierra Club as planned on Monday, Sept. 17.
Last Friday a federal judge granted the Sierra Club's request for more time to prepare it's case brought under the Clean Water Act against the city for repeated sewage spills into Fountain Creek. The new court date is January 28th. Sierra Club Attorney Eric Huber says he needs more time to prepare because he was planning on getting a lot of help from Pueblo District Attorney Bill Thiebaut. Thiebaut filed the original suit against Colorado Springs in late 2005, and the Sierra Club joined later. But last week the judge said Thiebaut had no standing or jurisdiction to sue, leaving the Sierra Club as the lone litigant.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:08 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Entertainment , Legal , Pueblo

A Democratic Congresswoman from Denver wants to designate more than a million and half acres of federal land in Colorado as wilderness. That would mean no energy development on the Roan Plateau. It's virtually the same legislation she's brought before congress since 1999. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:18 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Energy , Environment , Politics

Inmate Attacks Limon Prison Supervisor
New GOP Senate Candidate Announces
Tancredo to Get Federal Matching Funds for Campaign
State Supreme Court OKs Lawsuit Against Denver Archdiocese
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:08 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Crime , Elections , Legal , Politics , Prisons , Religion

There's an extra-hip ambience at the Gallery of Contemporary Art these days. Blame it on Christopher Lynn, the 32-year old director who was hired last year to replace the long-time curator Gerry Riggs. Though he's been in the position now for a year, the show that opens tomorrow night at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs will be the first that he's actually curated.
[LISTEN]
Check out the Gallery of Contemporary Art's website here.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:36 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Arts & Culture , Colorado Springs

A Democratic lawmaker from Denver wants to take part of the money slated to shore up the state education fund and use it for Denver Public Schools. The extra money would come from the Governor's controversial proposal that freezes local property tax rates. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:07 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Denver , Education , Politics

Peace activists in Colorado Springs commemorate September 11 by staking out a major city intersection close to local offices of international military contractors. Both the demonstrators' behavior and officials' response were peaceful.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:48 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Memorial , Politics

Union Sues Over ICE Meatpacking Raids
State Health Panel Suggests Massachusetts-Style Plan
Economist Sees Tough 2008 for Colorado
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:25 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Health , Immigration , Legal , Politics

Pueblo County has identified clostridium perfringens as the bug that made 126 of its jail inmates sick last week, but it's still unclear exactly who is reponsible.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:24 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Health , Prisons , Pueblo , Science

The IRS has cleared James Dobson of illegally using Focus on the Family to influence elections.
In 2004, two political watchdog groups filed complaints against Dobson, saying he used Focus to encourage followers to support Republican candidates. As a tax-exempt non-profit group, Focus on the Family is prohibited from trying to influence elections. An IRS audit says Dobson spoke as an individual and not for Focus, and therefore broke no rules. On his nationally-broadcast radio program, Dobson called the complaints attempts to intimidate religious leaders by Barry Lynn, head of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:38 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Legal , Politics , Religion

A couple of veteran Colorado political analysts agree last week represented a major victory for the ranchers opposing expansion at the Army's Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. We talked to Bob Loevy, a political science professor at Colorado College and Cara DeGette, columnist for the Colorado Springs Independent and ColoradoConfidential.com.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:11 PM| Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business , Environment , Ft. Carson , Military , Politics

KRCC News Director Eric Whitney reports that Fort Carson is one of dozens of Army posts across the country that have recently created a Warrior Transition Unit to help wounded soldiers deal with the mental and physical health issues of their post-deployment. This story aired on Weekend Edition Sunday, September 9, 2007.
Click on the links below for other KRCC pieces that have been broadcast nationwide on NPR:
Remembrance of USAF Master Sgt. Randy Gillespie
Fort Carson Mourns Still More War Casualties
Group Challenges Evangelicals to Adopt Foster Kids
Late Col. Brian Allgood Led Iraq Medical Care
Soldier Spent Half His Life Serving His Country
Colorado Marine Chose to Lead, Serve in Iraq
Colorado Troops Spend Thanksgiving at Home
Colorado Ranchers Fight Ft. Carson Expansion Plans
Haggard Admits Buying Drugs, Getting Massage
American Soldiers Explain Decision to Re-Up
Raising Funds with Rocky Mountain 'Oysters'
Colorado Loses 'Best and Brightest' in Iraq
Three U.S. Army Officers Killed in Black Hawk Crash
All Aboard the Snow Train: Colorado's Slopes
A Marine Felled in Iraq
Remembering an Army Sniper and Colorado Boy
Online Learning Helps Rural Communities
Military Moms Mark Their Special Day Overseas
Honoring a Fallen Marine Reservist
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:08 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Ft. Carson , Health
Local Soldier Arrested As Internet Predator
Hsu Arrested in Grand Junction
Exxon Mobil Expanding Colorado Natural Gas Production
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:08 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado Springs , Crime , Energy , Environment , Ft. Carson , Military , Regional

The state's Republican party has voted to move it's caucuses to February 5th this year. More than 20 states will hold their primaries and caucuses that day. The state's Democratic party is also caucusing then. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:04 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Elections , Politics
A new report says children in Colorado are getting fatter. And kids in the south and southwest parts of the state are the most likely to become obese. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
[LISTEN]
To read the Colorado Children's Campaign's report [CLICK HERE]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:25 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to


Salazar Amendment Stalling Pinon Canyon Expansion Passes Senate
Feds Close Roads on Roan Plateau
Hunter Busted for Baiting Bear
Mountain Lion Kills Tiny Horse
Kelsey Grammer Fighting Parole for Sister's Killer
DIA Needs More Snow Stuff
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:09 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Animal Rights/Wellfare , Colorado , Crime , Denver , Military , Politics

On Thursday the Senate approved a military spending bill that includes an amendment to stop for one year all progress towards expanding the Army's Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site between Trinidad and La Junta. The amendment mirrors one passed in the U.S. House in June, which blocks all funding for studies related to expansion of the 235,000 acre training area. The Army says it needs 415,000 acres added to the site to meet future training needs.
The amendement itself narrowly passed, on a 47-45 vote.
[LISTEN]
The bill the Senate passed now goes to a conference committee to reconcile it with a very similar bill passed by the House. The bill that comes out of that committee will then go to President Bush. Sen. Salazar said today (Thurs., 9/6/07) that he expects President Bush to sign the bill into law.
Senator Allard voted against the amendment, but for the larger bill. He has also been appointed to the conference committee to reconcile the bill with the House.
To listen to Senator Salazar's press conference discussing the vote (13 minutes) [CLICK HERE]
Listen for our radio Coverage tonight at 5:30.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:53 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Military , Politics , Regional

Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk Taylor says 126 inmates in the county jail are sick with diarrhea and vomiting, and health officials are trying to find the cause. County public health nurse Jody Carrillio says stool samples have been sent to the state lab in Denver for testing. In the meantime, jail officials are taking precautions to prevent the spread of infections.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:38 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Crime , Health , Prisons , Pueblo

In the wake of a deadly shooting last July Governor Ritter says he wants to install metal detectors and beef up security at the state capitol. The Governor wants the new measures in place before the legislative session starts in January. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:49 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Crime , Denver

A new policy banning newspaper distribution at most campus buildings at UCCS is probably going to change in light of faculty concerns about free speech rights.
DISCLAIMER: Some departments at UCCS and the Colorado Springs Independent are underwriters of KRCC.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:50 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado Springs , Education , Media

Labor day weekend traditionally marks the end of the summer tourist season. Tourism is a 9 billion dollar a year industry in Colorado and the state is hoping that a new infusion of cash into advertising will break last year's record number of visitors. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:17 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business , Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Media

Stretching 3,100 miles from Montana to New Mexico the Continental Divide Trail was established in 1978 for the scenic enjoyment of those using it. The trail is in various stages of completion at this point. But as KUNC's Brian Larson reports, a new set of Forest Service directives aimed at finishing the project could limit mountain bikers from what's viewed as primarily a hiking and horse trail.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 8:00 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to