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Federal mandates, real costs: EPA’s gas policy hits Coloradans at the pump
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Approved, Local, National, State, The Colorado Sun

Federal mandates, real costs: EPA’s gas policy hits Coloradans at the pump

By Michael Booth | The Colorado Sun The future of Colorado’s ozone-fighting reformulated gasoline is getting a lot more complicated this spring.  To recap:  The Front Range creates so much toxic ozone that we blew through EPA limits a long time ago. One sanction the EPA gave us for these “severe” violations is that in summer months, we must buy “reformulated gas,” or RFG, that creates less ozone-causing vapor.  Oil companies and Gov. Jared Polis say the benefits of RFG in fighting ozone are minimal, and the refining process costs consumers up to 50 cents more a gallon.  The EPA said no, the extra cost is only a few cents a gallon. Plus, the EPA said, while Suncor controls 40% of the gasoline market here, other gasoline companies would expand their RFG pipelines and ...
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Over 100,000 tainted products? Lawsuit exposes dangers in Colorado’s cannabis regulation gaps
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Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Over 100,000 tainted products? Lawsuit exposes dangers in Colorado’s cannabis regulation gaps

By Evan Wyloge and Chris Osher | Denver Gazette A Denver district court judge ruled against a cannabis cultivator’s request to force Colorado to immediately overhaul the state’s cannabis testing rules and seemed ready to rule for a complete dismissal of the case, after a full day in court Wednesday arguing over whether the state is living up to its obligation to protect marijuana consumers. The decision effectively keeps state cannabis regulators from being compelled — for now — to crack down on the alleged illegal use of hemp-derived THC distillate in the state’s legal marijuana supply chain. The lawsuit raises concerns about the legitimacy of Colorado’s legal cannabis market, once seen as an industry gold-standard. Depending on how pervasive the use of the synthetic, hemp-derive...
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Fort Carson US Army sergeant arrested by FBI Denver
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Approved, kdvr.com, Local

Fort Carson US Army sergeant arrested by FBI Denver

By Maddie Rhodes | Fox31 News DENVER (KDVR) — FBI Denver special agents arrested a Fort Carson staff sergeant in the U.S. Army on Wednesday night on charges related to cocaine distribution. Juan Gabriel Orona-Rodriguez, a Fort Carson staff sergeant in the U.S. Army, faces federal charges. On Thursday morning, FBI Denver posted on X about the arrest, saying it was “related to distributing cocaine.” The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Rocky Mountain Field Division, the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division and officials at Fort Carson helped with the investigation and the arrest. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX31 NEWS
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Nearly 10 pounds of fentanyl powder seized in drug trafficking operation on Colorado’s Western Slope
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Approved, CBS Colorado, Local, Western Slope

Nearly 10 pounds of fentanyl powder seized in drug trafficking operation on Colorado’s Western Slope

By Jennifer McRae | CBS Colorado Seven people have been arrested, accused in a drug trafficking operation in Garfield County on Colorado's Western Slope. According to investigators, approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, three ounces of cocaine, nine-and-a-half pounds of fentanyl powder, and approximately 220 fentanyl pills, along with a firearm, were seized. The Garfield County Sheriff's Office said that suspects Sindy Vazquez Martinez and Osbaldo Ramirez-Andrade operated a drug trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine and additional illegal drugs from Frisco to Rifle. Investigators said that they used their residence in Glenwood Springs, located 185 yards from the front door of the Glenwood Springs Middle School and 60 yards from school property, as a base t...
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Douglas County commissioners balk at legislation ‘impairing local control’
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Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Douglas County commissioners balk at legislation ‘impairing local control’

By Noah Festenstein | Denver Gazette Douglas County's commissioners are balking at several proposals at the state Capitol that they said would diminish local control. In a resolution, the commissioners said lawmakers have "repeatedly injected state policies into long-standing matters of local concern, including local elections and land regulation.”  The resolution, which the commissioners approved on April 22, identified four specific proposals surrounding commissioner board vacancies, building codes and permitting: READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
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Denver vs. Aurora: Homelessness reports reveal two competing visions
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Approved, Local, State, Westword

Denver vs. Aurora: Homelessness reports reveal two competing visions

By Bennito Kelty | Westword The first state-funded homelessness report to look at the crisis across Colorado came out on Monday, April 28, with an estimate that nearly 53,000 people are experiencing homelessness statewide. The recommended solution sets it apart from another report published just a couple of weeks ago. "Homelessness ends with a home," The Colorado State of Homelessness Report 2024 urges in its call to action. "Every part of the homelessness response system — from street outreach to emergency shelter — must stay focused on connecting people to permanent housing as quickly as possible." Funded by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the new report suggests that government agencies and nonprofits continue focusing on putting people in housing, s...
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Colorado Springs mayor expects more raids, arrests after nightclub bust
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Approved, Colorado Springs Gazette, Local

Colorado Springs mayor expects more raids, arrests after nightclub bust

By Breeanna Jent  | The Gazette After law enforcement officers raided an "underground" nightclub early Sunday morning, Mayor Yemi Mobolade said he expects additional arrests in Colorado Springs' future. "I anticipate that there will be more arrests. I hope to see more raids happen in my city. This is not the first one," Mobolade told national media outlet NewsNation Now. More than 300 law enforcement officers from at least 10 agencies raided the property at 296 S. Academy Blvd., at the northwest corner of Academy Boulevard and Airport Road, on Sunday. They detained 114 people, including active-duty military members and individuals alleged to be in the U.S. illegally, officials said. On Monday, a social media post from the Drug Enforcement Administration showed a busload of 60 peop...
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Nearly $100 million renovations set to start on oldest Colorado Springs high school
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Approved, KKTV CBS 11, Local

Nearly $100 million renovations set to start on oldest Colorado Springs high school

By Grace Kraemer | KKTV COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - A $100 million renovation at Colorado Springs’ oldest high school is set to begin this summer. Colorado Springs District 11 is planning a years long project to revamp the Palmer High School in downtown. The district held an open house Tuesday evening to discuss the plans. It drew in dozens of people who were interested in learning more about what the renovations look like, what they mean for the school, and how it will impact the surrounding community. " My parents graduated from here and then I did. My children did, so we have a long history,” said Pamela Steele, an alumni of Palmer High School. The renovation project is set to start in June and wrap up early 2028. It includes tearing down several buildings, update class...
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Aurora’s 3-strike vehicle law: Nearly 1,000 off the streets as crackdown unfolds
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Approved, kdvr.com, Local

Aurora’s 3-strike vehicle law: Nearly 1,000 off the streets as crackdown unfolds

By Vicente Arenas | Fox31 AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — Aurora Police Department statistics show 920 vehicles have been impounded under the city’s new three-strikes seizure law. Ward IV Council member Stephanie Hancock sponsored the city’s new traffic law. “I think the concern with our constituents has been, ‘Why are there so many cars with expired tags or no license plates at all on the roads?’ It’s very likely these cars don’t have insurance,” Hancock said. In Aurora, vehicles can be seized when a driver lacks a license, insurance and registration. Pictures of some of the vehicles that have been seized and sold can be seen on the Roller Auction website. When the new law went into effect, FOX31 saw several expired plates in just one location. APD said there are also a...
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Was it the people’s town hall — or a political playbook in action?
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Approved, Local, National, Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Top Stories

Was it the people’s town hall — or a political playbook in action?

By RMV Staff | RMV NE CO Newsroom, Rocky Mountain Voice As constituents speak out in Greeley, and across Colorado, political operatives sharpen their sights on Colorado’s 8th District. On April 26, more than 100 residents gathered at the Moxi Theater in downtown Greeley for a two-hour town hall organized by progressive groups, including Vote Save America PAC. Billed as “The People's Town Hall: Where is Gabe?” – the event gave attendees from across the political spectrum a chance to speak up about representation, leadership, and what they want to see from elected officials. The Collective Voice: The True Keynote In a unique format, nearly 50 individuals were given three minutes each to share their thoughts, speaking with passion, urgency, and reflection. The event was led by Kar...
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