Ritter Visits Colorado Troops in Iraq

Salazar: No Renewable Mandate in Federal Energy Bill

Spud Pests in Colorado?

Workplace Deaths Rise Again

19 Illegal Immigrants Arrested on I-70

Frontier Cutting Staff

Dems Hire "Greening" Director for '08 Convention

Front Range Airport May Start Taking Passenger Jets

Beaver Creek Delays Opening For Lack of Snow

Feds: Denver Violating Ozone Limits

State Unemployment Rate Drops

In this piece, 1st. Sgt. Richard Weldon and his wife Natalie talk about the challenges of multiple deployments.

The lion's share, $142 million, goes to the Pueblo Chemical Weapons Depot, to fund de-activation of World War Two era munitions stored there. An international treaty the U.S. signed requires them to be destroyed by 2012, but defense officials say their target date for destruction, with the new funding, is now 2017.

Audit: Emergency Radio Network Remains Useless

State's Democratic Superdelegates Split

Springs Funeral Director Offered Plea Deal

Ritter: "New Energy Economy" Taking Root

Springs Senator Ron May Resigns - Bruce to Statehouse?

Accused Springs Cop Killer Asks for Venue Change

State Unemployment Rate Ticks Up Slightly

Bones From Pueblo Frontier Days Found in Vermont

Sewage Spill at Camp for Gas Workers

CU President Brown's "Ghetto" Comment Criticized

States Top Oil and Gas Regulator Resigns

Greeley's Reputation Hurts Recruiting at UNC

Springs Woman Convicted of Perjury in Arson Deaths

Ranchers: Army Hardly Uses Pinon Canyon

2nd Bear Attack in Aspen

Teacher at Christian High School Arrested on Sex Charges

222nd Ft. Carson Soldier Killed in Iraq

Overdose Victim Was Set to Testify Against Pueblo City Schools

Peter Landres, a Ph.D. ecologist with the federally-supported Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute in Missoula, Montana says we need to define wilderness "character" so land managers have a better idea what it is they're supposed to protect.

Landres speaks tonight at Colorado College, opening a discussion with the question, "Is There a Future for Wilderness?"

More information click here.

Salazar Talks Expansion at Pinon Canyon, Buckley

Search Scaled Back for Calhan Man at Lake Powell

Pilot Killed in Air Ambulance Crash Was Experienced, Safe

GEORGETOWN, Colo. (AP) _ Several state agencies started their own investigations today into Tuesday's fire at a hydroelectric plant near Georgetown, including the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Division of Mine Safety, the state water engineer, the Division of Emergency Management and the Public Utilities Commission. Five people died after the fire at an Xcel Energy plant. It's unclear whether they were burned, suffocated, or were overcome by fumes from a burning chemical. Governor Ritter's spokesman, Evan Dreyer, says the agencies involved are either responsible for emergency response, investigation of incidents involving the industry, or regulation of the industry. Dreyer says such inquiries are routine. The men were employees of the private contractor RPI Coating in Santa Fe Springs, California. Their names have not been released. Dreyer says ``Governor Ritter is extremely saddened by the tragic turn of events. He expresses his deepest sympathies to the families of the five workers who were killed. ``He will ensure that the appropriate state agencies are fully involved so that we gain a quick and thorough understanding of what happened and we can prevent something like this from ever happening again.'' Nine workers survived the fire, and four who were working below the blaze were able to scramble out of the bottom of the 4,000-foot-long tunnel. The other five, working on the other side of the blaze, rushed uphill to get to an area further away from the flames. About eight hours after the fire erupted, authorities said last night that the men had been found dead by crews sent in to fight the fire. The men were more than 1,500 feet below ground when the blaze broke out.

EVENT 2: Meeting on Water Storage Issues, 12:30 PM MST, at the Worner Campus Center, room 213, Colorado College, Colorado Springs (NW corner of Cache La Poudre and Cascade)

Hear perspective from the City of Colorado Springs.

Hear the story, and the perspective of one of the activists against whom charges have been dropped.

The first openly gay male state lawmaker in Colorado was sworn into office today. He fills a vacancy left by a resigning Democratic state representative from Denver. Bente Birkeland reports from the capitol.

BREAKING NEWS: 1:00pm There is a wildland fire burning NW of Manitou Springs. Listen to Eric Whitney's report here.

Nancy Gilley

At approximately 11:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 28, a woman was reported to have been kidnapped in the Stratmoor Valley area of El Paso County. Based on information obtained from witnesses at the scene, the victim, is identified as, Nancy Lorrine Gilley, age 48. She was kidnapped at gunpoint by her estranged husband; he is identified as Jerry Gilley, age 49, white male.
They were last seen leaving the B Street area in a Gold, 2004 Lexus RX 330, sport utility vehicle. The license plate out of North Carolina, number RWL8576.

Nancy Gilley is a white female, approximately 5'6" tall, 140 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes, last seen wearing blue jeans, black blouse and sandals.

The suspect, Jerry Gilley, is a white male, 49 years of age, approximately 5'11"tall, 160 pounds, brown hair, cut very short, almost military style, hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing, khaki pants, unknown other clothing. It is believed they may be traveling back to North Carolina in the Gold Lexus identified above.

The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information on this incident should contact the El Paso County Sheriff's Office at 390-5555.

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

Check out other festival events at the CFWT's website here.

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

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

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.

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.

New GOP Senate Candidate Announces

Tancredo to Get Federal Matching Funds for Campaign

State Supreme Court OKs Lawsuit Against Denver Archdiocese

Check out the Gallery of Contemporary Art's website here.

State Health Panel Suggests Massachusetts-Style Plan

Economist Sees Tough 2008 for Colorado

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.

Hsu Arrested in Grand Junction

Exxon Mobil Expanding Colorado Natural Gas Production

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

To listen to Senator Salazar's press conference discussing the vote (13 minutes)

The amendement itself narrowly passed, on a 47-45 vote.

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.

Listen for our radio Coverage tonight at 5:30.

Sen. Wayne Allard has not yet indicated how he might vote on the amendement, but he and Sen. Salzar agree that the Army needs to provide more information to justify their requested purchase of private land to expand Pinon Canyon. Read more...

Senators Allard and Salazar Fight

for Pinon Canyon Expansion Justification

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) and Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) announced legislative action today to address the proposed expansion of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver site (PCMS). The amendment to the Defense Authorization bill to be considered later this month would require the Army to provide a report on the existing uses of PCMS and potential expansion.

"In addition to my request that the Army explore more flexible acquisition methods such as reverse mortgages and lease-to-own options on lifetime estates, Senator Salazar and I agree that that the Army simply needs to do a better job of spelling out their justifications for expanding Pinon Canyon," said Senator Allard. "I am exploring additional legislative options to protect the rights of private property owners in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2008 Department of Defense authorization bill. The Army owes the residents of southeastern Colorado a full explanation of their work on this issue and I will continue to remind them of their pledge to be 'good neighbors' as we move forward."

"The people of our Nation, the State of Colorado and the residents of Southeastern Colorado deserve answers from the Army on the fundamental questions of training need and capacity before any decision is made to acquire additional land beyond the 235,000 acres already owned by the Army at PCMS. This amendment requires the Army to provide that information," said Senator Salazar. "I will also continue to work closely with Senator Allard to ensure that the Army will not take private property from landowners for the purpose of expanding the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site."

The amendment would require the Army to provide a report on the following matters:

* Is there a need for expansion, given the 2005 BRAC Commission finding that Fort Carson has sufficient training land to support its needs?

* Is the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site being used to capacity?

* How can the Army better use the existing land at PCMS to meet its training needs?

* If the Army needs additional land to train Fort Carson units, can it use other federal lands or land at other installations?

* If the Army added land to PCMS, what training capacity would be added to Fort Carson?

* If the Army were to expand PCMS, what economic benefits would it provide to local communities and how could the ranching heritage of Southeastern Colorado be preserved?

The amendment also requires the Army to provide justification and requires it to solicit public input as a part of the report. Additionally, the amendment would require that the General Accounting Office (GAO) to review the Army's report and justification for expansion.

Salazar says he expects the Senate to vote on the bill and his amendments today.

DISCLAIMER: Some departments at UCCS and the Colorado Springs Independent are underwriters of KRCC.

Today, we talk with Army Captain Josh Silver, a reservist who works for a local defense contractor. The Army sent him to Iraq in May. We hope to give listeners a little insight into the lives of local people who are sent to war.

The state Housing Division reports that home foreclosure filings in Colorado are on track to rise 25 percent this year.

Two Indiana women are believed to be the first to adopt children under a new Colorado law that allows same-sex couples to adopt jointly.

Uranium mine near Gateway to reopen.

Summit County pays homeowners to reduce fire danger.

A few weeks ago we reported that some water wells in the River Ridge Ranch subdivision near the town of La Veta tested positive for dangerously high levels of methane, a form of natural gas. Some suspected that recent drilling of new natural gas wells was to blame, and the company drilling them, Idaho-based Petroglyph Energy, voluntarily shut down all of its wells just in case.

The city says peace activists deliberately stopped the parade in order to further their political, anti-war message. The defendants said they did want to convey a pro-peace message during the parade, but that they had no intent to stop the event in order to do so. Just the opposite, they said, - they wanted to march in the parade. The obstruction happened, their lawyer argued, when parade organizers and police unexpectedly tried to remove them from the parade that they said they'd been approved to enter after paying a fee, completing an application and having their entry reviewed by parade officials. The defendants faced one charge each, misdemeanor obstruction of a public right of way, punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or 90 days in jail. Perhaps the most dramatic moment of the trial came about two hours after closing arguments, when the jury of four women and two men asked for additional instructions from the judge. They were unclear about whether they had to find the defendants guilty of both intending to obstruct the parade and actually causing an obstruction. With the jury out of the room, the judge ruled that the defendants could be found guilty if the jury concluded they had intent to obstruct, whether or not obstruction actually occurred. Defense Attorney Greg Walta objected strenuously, but Judge Warren overruled him. The jury were then given the instructions, and after they left the room to resume deliberations, Mr. Walta turned to his clients and said, "I don't see how we can win with those instructions." He said the judge had just negated the elements of the case and almost the entire statute they were being charged under. Judge Warren disagreed. About 30 minutes later the jury returned and their foreman said he didn't think they'd be able to resolve their differences if given more time to deliberate. Judge Warren then declared a mistrail The city called more than 15 witnesses over two days. The defense decided to put only one defendant on the stand, Elizabeth Finneron. Photos of Miss Finneron, an elderly woman, were widely published, showing a large abrasion she sustained from being dragged off the street by police. Miss Finneron testified that, due to two artificial knees and hips and other medical conditions, she couldn't have deliberately sat in the street to obstruct the parade as the city said she did. She did not dispute that she asked several police officers to arrest her after others in her group had been arrested. Finneron says she wanted to have her day in court. Prosecutor Scott Patlin charged that she, and the others arrested all wanted to be taken into custody because that would help them further a controversial social message of the type that parade organizers specifically forbade from their event. Patlin asserted and Judge Warren agreed that the supreme court has ruled definitively that parade organizers have the right to control what messages are expressed in their events, and can remove parade participants at any time if they choose to do so. After the trial, defendant Frank Cardaro said he feels like the mistrial was a victory because a jury in such a pro-war, pro-military town didn't hang them. Prosecuting attorney Scott Patlin said he sees it as a case of a group of people who were unable to come to a decision. Again, Patlin says he expects the city to re-file charges againss the seven. Defense attorney Greg Walta says the city has to decide if it wants the bad publicity of the incident to continue.

Pueblo County Commissioner resigns for job with John Salazar.

Copper wire thieves cost the Colorado Springs Utilities $658,000.

Power consumption in Colorado Springs sets new record, again.

Klansman to be sentenced in case Springs man helped re-open.

Marilyn Musgrave asks feds for more time to comment on a proposed uranium mine in Weld County.

Feds take control of the state's eighth-largest credit union.

The trial continues Friday, two more witnesses are scheduled to
testify before closing arguments. It will then be up to a jury of four
women and two men to decide the guilt or innocence of the so-called St.
Paddy's Day 7.

The eight-hour day in court Thursday began with jury selection, several
potential jurors were dismissed after they said they'd have a hard time
being impartial because they already feel that the defendants were wrong
for their actions last March.

On March 17 a group of about 30 people marching in a parade entry near
the Bookman Bookstore's green van was proceeding down Tejon Street in
downtown Colorado Springs when parade organizers asked them to leave the
parade. Several of the group insisted they had every right to be there,
organizers asked for police assistance and when it was all over seven
people had been arrested for obstructing the parade.

Those are the handful of facts that the prosecution and defense agree on
in the case. The defendants insist they had a permit from parade
organizer John O'Donnell to march as the Bookman entry. But one of
O'Donnell's volunteer parade marshals testified that some in the group
told him they were with the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Coalition, he
says he relayed that information to O'Donnell, who said the Coalition was
not permitted to march. The volunteer marshal, Doug Hague, says that's
when he asked Springs police for assistance in removing the marchers
from the parade.

Defense attorney Greg Walta, working for free under the auspices of the
American Civil Liberties Union, says O'Donnell and his volunteers knew
good and well who the Bookman group was, because it was led by Eric Verlo, who led a very similar entry in the 2006 parade. O'Donnell affirmed that he invited Verlo to march in this year's parade, and that he issued a permit to Verlo to participate,
just like he did in 2006. Verlo owns the Bookman bookstore and is also
one of the most vocal anti-war activists in Colorado Springs. In 2006,
marching as the Bookman group, Verlo and others participated in the
parade wearing distinctive lime green t-shirts adorned with large peace
symbols, and carried pro-peace banners. Walta, their attorney, argued
that they wore the same t-shirts and carried the same signs this year,
and, because there were no incidents in 2006, they had no reason to
expect any trouble.

But parade organizer O'Donnell says he didn't recall any pro-peace or
anti-war banners from the event in 2006 - the defense showed photos of
that event that clearly showed such banners. O'Donnell also says he
didn't see the Bookman entry this year until his volunteer marshals told
him about it over a cell phone after the parade had already started. He
says he told them to ask the group to leave because he believed they
were the Justice and Peace Coalition, who didn't have a permit. O'Donnell
says his main concern was public safety, as the crowd this year was two- to
three- times larger than in years past, and because this year's new downtown
parade route passed several bars where he'd seen people drinking. He
said the thought that the mix of anti-war banners in a military town
where people were drinking was going to result in a beer bottle being
thrown.

City prosecuting attorneys Scott Patlin and Brett Johnson argued that
when Verlo signed the permit or contract with O'Donnell to be in the
parade this year, he knew that it stated in two places that "social
messages" were not allowed in the parade. Defense attorney Walta
countered that the term "social messages" is vague, and that Verlo had
signed the same contract in 2006. He had O'Donnell confirm that he had
never contacted Verlo after the 2006 event to tell him his entry's
message was inappropriate, or that any rules had changed, and therefore,
it was reasonable for Verlo to assume that he could march this year with
the same message and not have any problems.

Furthermore, Walta argued, O'Donnell and his staff had ample time to
review Verlo's entry while it was in the parade's staging area north of
down town, and should have asked them to exit prior to the event
actually starting. O'Donnell said that in a perfect world that would
have happened and that, 'every day since this happened I wish I was in
the staging area and would have done that."

Beyond the arguing over what constitutes an appropriate social message,
the Defense also appeared to be trying to convince the jury that the
parade itself wasn't really obstructed. Relying heavily on large color
photos and a map of downtown, Walta said again and again that most of
the activity that resulted in arrests happened in the east lane of the
parade route, and that even as the arrests were happening, the rest of
the parade entries were able to proceed past the melee in the west lane.

Among the witnesses called today were four Colorado Springs Police
officers involved in the incident. None of the defendants are required
to testify if they don't want to, and at this point none are, but their
attorney Greg Walta says he's reserving the right to call one or more if
he needs to.

This month Gov. Ritter talks about Colorado's response to the Minnneapolis highway bridge collapse, and winning more time to comment on federal plans for drilling for natural gas on the Roan Plateau in western Colorado.

The seven were arrested after the organizer of the privately-sponsored parade, John O'Donnell, asked police to remove them. He said some of those marching under the permit of The Bookman bookstore were carrying signs that violated a signed agreement between himself and The Bookman that parade entries would not espouse social messages.

Forest Service contractors have begun thinning stands of ponderosa pine in a 200-acre tract of the Rio Grande National Forest to reduce fire danger and improve big-game habitat.

Tom Tancredo says the parents of the New Jersey schoolyard slaying victims should sue the city for negligence.

No institution of higher learning in Colorado has made the Princeton Review's annual list of top 10 party schools for 2008, but the U.S. Air Force Academy ranks number 7 on it's list of schools that are, "stone, cold sober."

But he says recent changes at Ft. Carson have good potential to help rectify the situation.

"I think it's probably one of the best things that has come up out of this entire dilemma and all these problematic issues that have surfaced over the past 4 years," says Pogany.

Lon Robertson, who ranches in Las Animas County, and runs the store in the tiny town of Kim, is a leader of the Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition. The Coalition, and the elected commissioners of the counties which the expansion would impact, several months ago invited Salazar to come hear their concerns.

The Coalition and commissioners say that the 370 square mile training area between Trinidad and La Junta is big enough, and that the Army shouldn't be allowed to grow it by another 650 square miles.

Robertson says they were hoping Senator Salazar would stand with them.

Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Stacey Stegman says the bridges are NOT considered unsafe, but are getting to the point "where we're pretty much holding them together."

She says the state will closely watch the investigation into the deadly bridge collapse in Minneapolis, but doesn't plan any changes in its safety and inspection program.

New Life claims a membership of more than 10,000 people. Its pastoral selection committee has chosen Brady Boyd to take over as senior pastor. Boyd is currently an associate senior pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas. An email to New Life members from the head of its selection committee says Boyd has strong leadership gifts, significant experience and training in senior pastoral ministry, and a passion for teaching the Scriptures. The email describes him as "a man of character, proven experience, and good reputation."

Less well publicized was an immigration raid in April in the San Luis Valley. In the tiny town of Center, Colorado, federal agents arrested a couple of dozen undocumented workers at a potato plant.

The aftermath of the fallout is chronicled in the latest issue of High Country News. Aspen Public Radio's Kirk Siegler recently spoke with reporter Eric Mack, who covered the raids. Mack says immigrants in the valley are living in anxiety in the aftermath of the enforcement action.

The Public Insight Network relies on you to inform our reporting.

Your work, education and life experience give you knowledge and insight. That insight, your personal experience, can impact local and regional news. If you would be interested in contributing your experience [Click Here]

For more information about the Public Insight Network,[Click Here].

The Associated Press reports that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is re-examining decisions made by former official Julie McDonald. McDonald resigned after the inspector general said she broke federal rules and should be punished for bullying federal scientists and improperly leaking information about endangered species to private groups.

Developers say that in spite of the vocal opposition, they're confident the plant will remain on track.
Victor Locke of KSUT, Four Corners Public Radio attended one of the recent hearings and has this report.

In a letter, Acting Secretary of the Army Pete Geren says he shares Democratic Senator Ken Salazar's desire for a win-win solution to expanding Pinon Canyon.

Suthers says that Romney has a strong record of supporting law enforcement and will continue to build on that if he's elected.

He also has been endorsed by Senator Wayne Allard and former congressman Bob Beauprez. Former Governor Bill Owens was appointed to serve on his exploratory committee.

Romney spoke in Colorado Springs Wednesday night (July 18, 2007). The former Massachusettes Governor keynoted the El Paso County Republican Party's annual Lincoln Day dinner at the Broadmoor.

More than 600 people attended the $75-a-plate party fundraiser, where Romeny lambasted Democrats and sounded traditional Republican themes.

Our conversations with the governor are produced at KCFR in Denver, and conducted by Ryan Warner, who hosts the KCFR program "Colorado Matters."

They’re the twin-rotor Chinook helicopters that can haul more than 25,000 pounds of cargo, like a pair of humvees, or up to 33 soldiers plus an air crew of three. Chinooks can operate at higher altitudes than any other chopper in the Army, and are a mainstay of operations in Afghanistan, moving troops and gear around the high mountain areas that are often roadless.

The Associated Press says a third case of West Nile Virus has been confirmed in Colorado, this time in Boulder County. So far this year only three cases have been confirmed in the state, the first coming a week ago in Logan County, the second in Cheyenne County.

The state commission that issues oil and gas drilling permits has a new mandate. It will protect public health, wildlife and the environment instead of just promoting energy development. And Governor Bill Ritter recently appointed five new commissioners. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

Bark beetles are infesting close to 700 hundred thousand acres of forests in Colorado according to government figures. And the state forester says that number will rise as the beetles spread to other parts of western Colorado. The Governor recently flew over some of the infected forests. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

The nominee is James Caswell, whom the President has tapped to head the Bureau of Land Management, or BLM. The BLM manages the most public land of any federal government agency, and also administers the government's mineral estate, meaning it controls who gets access to oil and natural gas. Salazar says he's worried that energy development is going to "run roughshod" over Colorado in the coming years if the Bush administration doesn't pay more heed to locals who are asking for a slower, more deliberate pace of development. So he's blocking Caswell's nomination until he gets assurances Colorado concerns will be listened to in Washington.

500 neutered male Kashmir goats spent the last week happily chewing up weeds at Bear Creek Park in Colorado Springs, thanks to the efforts of the Bear Creek Garden Association. KRCC Intern Lindsey Foat paid them a visit and brought back this report.

Getting into college in Colorado just got tougher. But it's not as tough as some would like it to be. In three years incoming college freshman will face stricter standards to get into college than students do today. But the state's higher education commission rolled back some of the admission requirements and didn't make the standards has tough as they could have. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

The man who brought down New Life Church's Pastor Ted Haggard is visiting Colorado Springs to promote his new book. It's called, I Had to Say Something: The Art of Ted Haggard's Downfall. It's author, Mike Jones, has received a frostry reception at Colorado Springs bookstores. Both major national chains here declined to host Jones for signings. Independent bookseller Richard Skorman publicly announced that he wouldn't even sell the book, which he considers poorly written. The gay community has stepped in to show Jones their support and Jones appeared at DJs bar for a signing last Sunday where Noel Black caught up with him.

The Department of Defense says a 44-year-old man from Colorado has been killed in combat in Afghanistan. Air Force Master Sgt. Randy J. Gillespie, of Coaldale, was killed by small arms fire near Herat.
Gillespie is the 9th servicemember with ties to Colorado to die in the last two weeks. Yesterday, we heard from soldiers at Ft. Carson who are preparing to deploy to Iraq. Today, we'll hear from one more, and a couple of Army wives. We wanted to know if soldiers and their families are being affected by recent news of U.S. troops being killed in combat.

The Colorado Springs Gazette is reporting the death of Ft. Carson Soldier Specialist Eric Lill. A 28-year-old from Chicago, Lill is the 8th soldier from Ft. Carson to die in the last two weeks. Seven of them were from the same unit, the 2nd Infantry's 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
We wanted to know if the high frequency of recent combat deaths weighs on the minds of soldiers who expect to depart for Iraq soon. We got a chance at a picnic for the 4th Infantry's 2nd Heavy Brigade last Friday.

Can America cut greenhouse gas emissions without strangling the national economy? That was the question put to a former chief of the EPA, a Yale professor and two top journalists as part of last week's Aspen Ideas Festival. Bente Birkeland reports.

Thirty-six-year-old former soldier Andrew Pogany has become a driving force behind efforts to force the Army to revise its response to soldiers suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Pogany's saga shows how an advocate can overcome enormous obstacles and battle a powerful institution -- and help shine the national spotlight on what had largely been a hidden problem.

[CLICK HERE]

Two of the most influential men in American politics offered competing visions of the country in Colorado over the weekend. Presidential Advisor Karl Rove says America and President Bush aren't getting enough credit for the good they do in the world. Bill Clinton says America has an identity crisis and needs to bring troops home from Iraq.

And, Colorado doesn't exactly roll out the red carpet for Rove....

General Colin Powell says the Bush administration has mishandled and misjudged the Iraq war, and the country needs to scale back the number of troops overseas. But Powell defends his decision to help President Bush make the case for invading Iraq. He spoke with PBS's Jim Lehrer at the Aspen Institute's Ideas Festival. Bente Birkeland reports from Aspen.

Click here for a direct link to the new map.

A press release from Ft. Carson July 6, 2007 reads: "The Army has posted the updated area of interest map with additional terrain features included for the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site proposed expansion on the main website for Fort Carson.

Other information relevant to the proposed expansion will also be posted at the site as it becomes available to update the public. The link is located at www.carson.army.mil. Click on the Piñon Canyon tab to locate the "Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site Proposed Expansion Information."

For more information contact the Fort Carson Public Affairs Office at (719) 526-4143/3420. After hours please contact the 24-hour Emergency Operation Center at 526-5500 and ask for the On-Call Public Affairs Officer.

In San Luis, the oldest town in Colorado, one family has kept a business going for longer than any other - 150 years. Originally a general mercantile, the shelves at the R & R Market are still filled with a wide variety of groceries and hardware. Last weekend family members of the R and R's owners came from around the country to join the community for a big anniversary celebration. And, as it turns out, to talk about the future of the store. KRCC's Shanna Lewis was there.

The Fourth of July weekend means thousands of Coloradoans are heading for the hills, and camping in U.S. Forest Service Campgrounds. The Pike-San Isabel National Forest west of the Springs, Pueblo and Castle Rock is one of the 10 most-visited in the United States. But the popularity of its campging sites, and others in the even more popular White River and Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests may not be enough to keep the Forest Service from closing some local campgrounds and picnic areas. As KUNC's Brian Larson reports, budget cuts are forcing the agency to make some hard choices about recreation sites nationwide.

How would you like to stay at a hotel in outer space? Or fly from New York to Sydney in just half an hour? These ideas could soon move from fantasy to reality, if you believe Virgin records founder Richard Branson. The entrepreneur spoke with CBS's Bob Schieffer at the Aspen Institute's Ideas Festival. It was one of the many panels during the weeklong event where top minds discuss issues of the day. Bente Birkeland reports from Aspen.

Colorado senator Ken Salazar touted the Senate's recent passage of the 2007 energy bill as part of a panel addressing the country's energy future at the Aspen Institute's Aspen Ideas Festival this week. The democrat also used the national forum to scorn the Bush Administration's refusal to implement a one year freeze on oil and gas drilling atop western Colorado's scenic Roan Plateau. Kirk Siegler reports from Aspen.

On Tuesday four-star General Richard Cody visited Ft. Carson. At a press conference, he was asked about Senator Ken Salazar's proposed compromise on expanding the Piñon Canyon maneuver site between Trinidad and La Junta. The army wants to nearly triple its size. Ranchers and nearby towns oppose it, both because private property owners would have to give up some land, and because even the Army admits there would be no economic benefits for Trindad, La Junta or southeastern Colorado. Troops are brought to Piñon Canyon to train, and then leave immediately, there are no barracks or facilities, and soldiers don't shop or do business in the area.

Former Colorado Governor Roy Romer touted his education agenda in front of an influential crowd Tuesday at the Aspen Institute's weeklong Ideas Festival. Romer recently left his position as superintendent of Los Angeles public schools and is trying to bring education reform to the national spotlight. Bente Birkeland reports from Aspen.

Colorado senator Ken Salazar touted the Senate's recent passage of the 2007 energy bill as part of a panel addressing the country's energy future at the Aspen Institute's Aspen Ideas Festival this week. The democrat also used the national forum to scorn the Bush Administration's refusal to implement a one year freeze on oil and gas drilling atop western Colorado's scenic Roan Plateau. We also hear from Amory Lovins. Kirk Siegler reports from Aspen.

A four-star general visiting Ft. Carson today told family members of deployed soldiers to hold on, relief is coming.

General Richard Cody, who is the vice chief of staff for the Army came to the mountain post "to check on" it's hospital as part of the Army's medical action plan. Last month a Department of Defense report said that the Army's response to soldiers' mental health needs is "woefully inadequate," and issued a list of recommended fixes.

 
 
 
Gov. Ritter on Fighting the Feds, Education and Immigration

In our monthly conversation with Governor Bill Ritter the chief executive discusses recent disagreements with federal land management agencies, meetings with leaders in higher education, and his interest in Congress' efforts to craft immigration reform legislation.

These monthly conversations are produced for, and come to us courtesy of KCFR in Denver, they're conducted by Ryan Warner, host of the KCFR program "Colorado Matters."

The US House has passed a measure that would that would significantly slow commercial development of oil shale in western Colorado and neighboring states. Colorado congressman Mark Udall added the measure as an amendment to next year's interior appropriations bill. If approved by the Senate, Udall's amendment would bar the federal government from preparing regulations necessary to develop commercial oil shale leases.

Another Colorado congressman made news when sent a head of lettuce and a basket of fruit to the Federal Chief of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff.

Kathryn Eastburn was the editor of the Colorado Springs Inedpendent when she began working on the story of the Dutcher murders in Guffey, Colorado on December 31st, 2000.

This fall, Eastburn will publish a book about the incident, called, "Simon Says: A True Story of Boys, Guns and Murder in the Rocky Mountain West." She will read from her forthcoming work Thursday night, June 28th as a part of the Colorado College Summer Arts Festival. Noel Black spoke with her about the book.

Colorado's senators split their votes on whether to go forward with an immigration reform bill that the White House favors. Those wanting to continue work on the bill carried the day. Twenty-four Republicans joined 39 Democrats and one Independent.

Colorado Democrat Ken Salazar voted to continue with the bill, while his Republican counterpart Wayne Allard voted not to. Allard said he "could not in good conscience support this flawed process," and that lawmakers can do better than the bill currently before them. He says he will now do all that he can to focus on supporting amendments to address what he calls "serious flaws" in the legislation. There are currently some 26 proposed amendments that the Senate is considering, the bill faces another make or break vote in the chamber as early as Thursday.

The bill in question would provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented workers already in the country, and proposes a guest worker program. Supporters say it has many practical provisions, critics call it amnesty.

More local news after the jump: Ft. Carson Soldiers Killed in Iraq, Dust is Depleting Snowpack Faster, Greens Skeptical of Oil Shale Study and Granby Fire Now Contained....

Michael Moore Promotes New Film in Denver

Filmmaker Michael Moore stopped in Denver over the weekend to promote his new documentary Sicko, a critique of the American health care system. The film opens nationwide Friday and Moore held a rally on the state capitol steps. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

It's too easy to amend Colorado's constitution. That's something that both Democrats and Republicans in the state legislature agree on, and now they're on a listening tour to see if the public will support reform of the amendment process. It launched Monday in Colorado Springs.

Students are taking out an increasing amount of loans to pay for college, according to the latest figures from the College Board. Congress is now considering legislation aimed at cutting the soaring costs of higher education in Colorado and around the country. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

State and federal land managers are in Granby today for the first of a two day meeting on the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic, and just what that means for the state's forests, the risk for wild fire and the impacts that both could have on future water supplies. Recent legislation paves the way for protection of watersheds, but forest researchers say that may have consequences that are not yet fully realized. In the final part of our series on the beetle, KUNC's Brian Larson has more.

Colorado's speaker of the house is hoping you'll add legislative debates to your winter TV line up. He's not promising the next Sopranos but says he hopes the proposed legislative channel from the statehouse will still be a hit. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

The race is on in Summit County to cut down infected lodgepole pine trees before the next round of pine beetles take flight and attack healthy trees. The U.S. Forest Service manages much of the land in the county so individual communities are doing what they can to stay at least one step ahead of the outbreak and the increased likelihood of wildfires. In the second of our series on the pine beetle and Colorado, KUNC's Brian Larson has more.

Growing food to feed the world accounts for 70 percent of fresh water consumption. But the need for irrigated crops is coming into increasing conflict with the fresh water requirements of cities, factories and a healthy environment. Shelly Schlender reports on how Colorado farmers and scientists are trying to tackle the dilemma.

Pine Beetles have been killing lodgepole pine trees in the mountains of Colorado for the past decade. Several factors have led to their recent proliferation including drought and warmer winters. Forestry experts say only Mother Nature can stop the epidemic at this point. In the first of a three part series on the pine beetle KUNC's Brian Larson looks at what's being done to lessen its impact.

The U.S House of Representatives has passed an amendment to block the army's proposal to expand the Pinon Canyon military training site in southeast Colorado. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

The nation's eyes will be on Colorado next summer when Denver hosts the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Controversy is already brewing with one group accusing the city of trying to hide the region's homeless population from delegates. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

Combine academic pressures, rape scandals, religious tension, and the joys of flying and you have the recipe for a novel. Kim Ponder's new book "The Last Blue Mile," is a fictional account of life at the Air Force Academy. KRCC's Kate Dawson spoke with the author at a book signing last month.

Colorado has fewer homeless people compared to last year according to a new state report. But that report also says more families are becoming homeless than ever before. Almost 30 percent of homeless people in Colorado are children. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

June 13, 2007 5:48 PM

Colorado has plenty of tales about strange and apparently unexplainable occurrences. One story that's been around for more than a century comes from the tiny town of Silver Cliff in the rural Wet Mountain Valley. Many folks there have witnessed blue lights flitting among the tombstones of the local cemetery on dark, overcast nights. In early June, ten members of the Crypto Science Society at Metro State College decided to investigate the phenomena. Shanna Lewis reports.

Governor Bill Ritter says too many kids in Colorado are dropping out of high school and failing to go to college. A new council is set to start work on reforming the state's education system. The Governor recently appointed three people to head the council. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

As we reported yesterday, the state of Colorado is implementing an ambitious new law that seeks to radically change how it regulates its booming oil and gas industry. Governor Ritter recently signed the measure in Grand Junction It's been a major focus of his administration's early months. The bill is a response to growing criticism by some Garfield County landowners and conservationists who live in the midst of the drilling. They say industry is not adequately addressing resulting environmental and public health problems, in the midst of the rush to drill. The state's new oil and gas conservation commission - the main regulatory body for industry - includes a diverse range of interests, most of whom have no ties to industry.

That has environmentalists cheering, and industry worried, as Aspen Public Radio's Kirk Siggler reports in the second of a two part series.

Colorado ranks at the bottom of the nation when if comes to funding for higher education. University and college leaders, lawmakers and the Governor gathered in Colorado Springs over the weekend to discuss the problem and how to make sure more people in Colorado get a post secondary degree. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

Does living in close proximity to natural gas wells cause health problems? There aren't any studies proving a direct link, but people in Western Colorado are starting to complain. This is the first of two reports from Garfield County by Aspen Public Radio's Kirk Siegler.

For the first time since announcing plans to expand the Pinon Canyon military training site in southeast Colorado, the U.S. army has released a detailed map of the land it plans to buy. Ranchers are trying to block the proposal and several hundred landowners attended a meeting with the army in Trinidad last night. Bente Birkeland has more.

In a musical tradition dominated by male groups, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles are true revolutionaries. Despite the pink charros and model-perfect looks, the women who form this group are outstanding musicians who have taken the mariachi genre by surprise with their creativity and skill. "La Reyna" came into existence through the auspices of the Mariachi Heritage Society, a non-profit organization established by Jose Hernandez, musical director of Los Angeles' renowned Mariachi Sol de Mexico. Ranging in ages from 13 to 34, the mujeres of Mariachi Reyna reflect a wide variety of mariachi and other musical influences, but all share a love of the uniquely Mexican music and its traditions. Sponsored by the Pike's Peak Library District 2007 World Music Series, the Summer Festival of the Arts, Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration and KRCC.

THE MUJERES OF MARIACHI REYNA WILL PERFORM A FREE CONCERT ON ARMSTRONG QUAD AT CC ON SATURDAY, JUNE 9TH AT 7PM. A FREE FAMILY FESTIVAL DAY THEN HAPPENS ON SUNDAY, JUNE 10 AT 2:30 PM IN THE PIKES PEAK CENTER. More information at 719-389-6607.

KRCC's Kate Dawson reports [LISTEN].

In 2004, Air Force Major Thomas Mowle went to Iraq at the request of a general who wanted "strategic thinkers" to help evaluate decision-making.

Mowle spent a year there and, with five other similarly tasked experts, wrote a book about the expereience called "Hope Is Not A Plan."

Major Mowle is a Ph.D. political science professor at the Air Force Academy, and his book is remarkably canddid for one written by an active duty officer.

This is the second of a three-part interview with Mowle about his book. Part three airs Friday, you can listen to part one [HERE].

More about the book from its publisher, can be found [HERE]

Denver could receive millions of dollars from the federal government to ease traffic congestion. The head of the state's transportation department says the funds would free up money in the state budget for road projects across Colorado. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

These days, it's not hard to find critics of the war in Iraq. But few can speak with the same level of knowledge as Air Force Major Thomas Mowle. Mowle has a Ph.D. in political science, and teaches it at the Air Force Academy. He's just published a new book about the year he spent in the so-called Green Zone in Baghdad, where most of the decisions about the future of Iraq are made. Mowle's book is called "Hope is Not A Plan," and tonight we're bringing you the first of a three part interview with Major Mowle.

He went to Iraq at the special request of an American general. The general asked the Academy to send some "strategic thinkers" to evaluate America's efforts to stabilize Iraq and plant democracy there. "Hope is Not a Plan" is an analysis of those efforts by Mowle and five other military and political strategy specialists.

Governor Bill Ritter held his first state dinner over the weekend for the Prince of Jordan. The prince is touring Colorado this week to learn about the state's military training programs. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

State Energy Regulatory Body Re-Formed
June 1, 2007 2:54 PM

The commission that regulates oil and gas development in Colorado cancelled it's meeting this month because it doesn't have enough members to hold a meeting. This news came a day after the Governor signed several energy bills that change how the state regulates the industry, including a bill that remakes the commission. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

This world-famous poster and toy designer recently moved to Manitou Springs, and will be showing work in Smokebrush June 1 - 23. The First Friday Art Walk Opening Reception, featuring food by Blue Star and music by KRCC DJ Vicky, will take place Friday, June 1, from 5-8pm.

KRCC's Kate Dawson spoke to the artist.

More information on Jermaine Rogers' show can be found [ krcc-630pm-news-5312007-poster-artist-jermaine KRCC - FM no 5:52 http://www.krcc.org/krccnews/2007/05/gov_signs_mental_health_parity.php Gov. Signs Mental Health Parity Bill
May 31, 2007 1:02 PM