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USGS confirms massive gas reserves under federal land in western Colorado
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The Daily Sentinel, Approved, Local

USGS confirms massive gas reserves under federal land in western Colorado

By Dennis Webb | The Daily Sentinel A new U.S. Geological Survey national report points to the large amount of estimated undiscovered natural gas lying below federal lands in western Colorado, and two recent assessments zero in on newly estimated undiscovered oil and gas in a region including parts of northwest Colorado. The USGS recently released a report on undiscovered oil and gas resources in formations under federally managed public lands. It estimated that nationally there are technically recoverable resources of 29.4 billion barrels of oil and 391.6 trillion cubic feet of gas. That’s enough oil to supply all of the country’s needs for four years at the current rate of consumption, and enough gas to meet national needs for 12 years. However, the report doesn’t take into acco...
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Union demands vs. rural realities: Safeway strike spreads to Fort Morgan
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Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Local, Top Stories

Union demands vs. rural realities: Safeway strike spreads to Fort Morgan

Harvey Baker, Citizen Journalist | RMV NE CO Newsroom, Rocky Mountain Voice Safeway employees in Fort Morgan join push for healthcare security and accountability in corporate dealings Safeway employees in Fort Morgan are now part of an expanding labor walkout unfolding across Colorado, as union members demand greater transparency, long-term healthcare funding, and accountability from one of the nation’s largest grocery chains. The ongoing strike, led by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7, began June 15 and now spans at least ten locations statewide. Cities impacted include Estes Park, Fountain, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Brighton, Grand Junction, Littleton, Lone Tree, a major distribution center in Denver, and most recently, Fort Morgan. The Fort Morgan store was force...
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Denver Public Schools under fire: Legal twist could force transparency in school debt strategy
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denvergazette.com, Approved, Local

Denver Public Schools under fire: Legal twist could force transparency in school debt strategy

By Nicole C. Brambila | Denver Gazette After arguing in court filings that its lease-financing structure is legal because a nonprofit organization — not the district — incurred the debt without voter approval, Denver Public Schools now contends the same corporation is a “public entity” entitled to governmental immunity from lawsuits. The contradiction is more than semantics. If the Denver School Facilities Leasing Corporation (DSFLC) is deemed a public entity, it would be subject to Colorado’s open records and public meetings laws, an attorney and a watch dog group said. DPS has denied a public information request for documents in the corporation’s possession, suggesting district officials, despite their legal arguments, recognize DSFLC as a private organization. Scott Pribb...
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Grand Junction officials question costs and business revenue loss from bike lane project
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The Business Times, Approved, Local

Grand Junction officials question costs and business revenue loss from bike lane project

By Brandon Leuallen | The Business Times Plans to finalize protected bike lanes on Fourth and Fifth Streets this summer could cost the City of Grand Junction additional money in curb cut work and remove more downtown parking spaces. That raises a broader conversation about the cost of implementation and the city’s downtown parking system, including the financial viability of potential changes. Curb Cuts and Parking Losses The vote to revert to two lanes with a protected bike lane may require cutting curbs at intersections where there is currently not enough space to fit both vehicle lanes and the bike lane. This cost was not included in the May 29 special meeting when the City Council reversed a prior decision to end the pilot project. Councilmember Anna Stout asked, “So ...
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Hunter: ‘Real people doing real things’—NoCo Legislative Wrap-Up rallies the grassroots
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Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Commentary, Local, Top Stories

Hunter: ‘Real people doing real things’—NoCo Legislative Wrap-Up rallies the grassroots

Drake Hunter | Commentary, RMV NE CO Newsroom, Rocky Mountain Voice Last night’s Northeast Colorado Legislative Wrap-Up at Rez Church in Loveland wasn’t just a review of bills and budgets—it was, for many of us, a clear-eyed call to civic action. Several hundred attendees gathered to hear from elected officials representing Colorado’s northeastern counties, including a few rising voices in the state’s Republican ranks. Among them were Reps. Ryan Gonzalez and Carlos Barron, two principled young leaders quickly gaining traction with voters across Colorado. The event was thoughtfully organized by NoCo Wrap-Up, marking its inaugural year. Well-coordinated and engaging, it was also refreshingly focused on substance over spectacle. It set a high bar and laid the foundation for what many...
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Colorado Teen Rescued in Las Vegas, Authorities Suspect Human Trafficking
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Local, Approved, kdvr.com

Colorado Teen Rescued in Las Vegas, Authorities Suspect Human Trafficking

By Heather Willard | KDVR Fox31 DENVER (KDVR) — A 14-year-old girl is safe and two men are facing charges after law enforcement found her Wednesday in Las Vegas, and police say a third suspect is under investigation. The girl was last seen by her family June 15 and was still in Las Vegas when police provided an update in the case Thursday. The Aurora Police Department said Christian Williamson, 26, and Cameron Scruggs, 25, face charges in the case. Williamson was arrested in Kremmling, while Scruggs was arrested in Las Vegas. Williamson is facing charges of internet sexual luring of a child and internet sexual exploitation of a child. Scruggs is facing one charge of kidnapping out of Colorado and statutory sexual seduction by a person 21 or older out of Nevada. Police are also ...
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Denver Smash-and-Grabs Surge as Soft-on-Crime Policies Backfire
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Local, Approved, kdvr.com

Denver Smash-and-Grabs Surge as Soft-on-Crime Policies Backfire

By Alliyah Sims | KDVR Fox31 DENVER (KDVR) — A Denver liquor store in the Sunnyside community has become the latest target of a bold smash-and-grab. The burglary happened in the early morning hours in the 2700 block of West 38th Street and it was all captured on surveillance video. Police are now hoping to catch the suspects, who appear to be teens, while neighboring businesses are sharing their concerns. The owner of the latest smash and grab did not want to speak on camera out of fear of retaliation, but nearby business owners told FOX31, they experienced a similar fate. For Ram, owner of Federal Cut Rate Liquors, running his small business at the intersection of 37th and Federal is his livelihood. “Been here almost 10 years,” he said. That’s why it was hard for him to ...
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‘Biology Matters’: El Paso County Schools Join Lawsuit Defending Girls’ Sports
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Local, Approved, gazette.com

‘Biology Matters’: El Paso County Schools Join Lawsuit Defending Girls’ Sports

By Eric Young | The Gazette Another prominent school district and a prominent charter school in El Paso County are taking on the state over a newly adopted athletics policy. Academy D-20’s Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt a resolution to direct the district to draft and implement a policy classifying access to locker rooms, restrooms and athletic participation as being based on biological sex during a special meeting June 17. Two days later, the board voted to authorize D-20 to join a lawsuit filed by neighboring D-49 against Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, the Colorado Civil Rights Division and the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) last month. The board of directors for The Classical Academy, a charter school authorized by D-20, voted to j...
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‘I’ve talked to fire chiefs—they’re scared’: Pueblo confronts growing homeless concerns
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Approved, Fox21, Local

‘I’ve talked to fire chiefs—they’re scared’: Pueblo confronts growing homeless concerns

By Hunter Phipps | Fox21 (PUEBLO, Colo.) — For people who live in the Bessemer neighborhood in Pueblo, they say things seem to be getting worse as the days go by. It’s why they decided to take their concerns to Pueblo City Council Members and speak out during the council’s work session on Monday evening. “It’s all over town from each and everybody’s district, we need our city back,” said Betty Finley, a resident who lives in the Bessemer neighborhood. One neighbor speaking out feels like more and more problems like drug use and trash are showing up, and feels helpless when trying to find anyone to help. “Right next door to us is another drug house, and it’s a revolving door for the homeless in and out, there’s people living in that backyard,” another neighbor who spoke out to c...
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Hunter: Rural leadership shines through in Fort Morgan Chamber’s future
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Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Commentary, Local, Top Stories

Hunter: Rural leadership shines through in Fort Morgan Chamber’s future

Drake Hunter | Commentary, RMV NE CO Newsroom, Rocky Mountain Voice When rural Colorado shows up for each other, the whole state gets stronger. That belief echoed throughout the Off-the-Clock Networking Hour on June 25, where Leticia Morales was welcomed as Executive Director of the Fort Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce.  Held in the spirit of connection and collaboration, the event brought together local leaders, media partners, and civic voices who share a common goal: strengthening the bonds that make Morgan County, and all of Colorado, thrive. As a lifelong resident of Morgan County, Morales’ appointment represents both a homegrown success story and a bold step forward for the Chamber’s vision. “This is more than just a new chapter for me, it’s a new opportunity for all...
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