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Coyote killed near the child attack in Colorado Springs had human DNA on its paws, wildlife officers say
Approved, State, The Colorado Sun

Coyote killed near the child attack in Colorado Springs had human DNA on its paws, wildlife officers say

By Tracy Ross | The Colorado Sun Human DNA found on the paws of one of two coyotes killed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife suggests the animal was the one that attacked a child in Colorado Springs on Thanksgiving.  The capture comes after weeks of CPW trapping multiple coyotes in and around the northern Colorado Springs neighborhood where the attack occurred when the girl and a friend approached the animal hoping to feed it after mistaking it for a dog.  CPW spokesperson Bill Vogrin offered no details on how the coyote’s paws still had DNA on them three weeks after the attack, citing an ongoing investigation.  READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SUN
At odds over union law, business and labor groups sharpen arguments ahead of Capitol fight
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

At odds over union law, business and labor groups sharpen arguments ahead of Capitol fight

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics As the fight over proposed changes to an 80-year-old labor law takes shape, unions and businesses have begun sharpening their arguments, with both sides notably claiming their approach is best for Colorado's economy.    Indeed, the two sides are pointing to economic reports and studies in an effort to strengthen their position among lawmakers ahead of next year's legislative session. At least one legislative leader said she wants both sides to have a say in any effort to change the labor law. Established in 1943, the law, called the Labor Peace Act, governs unionization and collective bargaining agreements. While the other 49 states are either "right to work" states — meaning employees aren't required to union be members or to pay...
The ‘Bustang’ now connects from Sterling to DIA with low-cost fare
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

The ‘Bustang’ now connects from Sterling to DIA with low-cost fare

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice Those residing along Interstate 76 on the Eastern Plains of Colorado are used to long commutes to Front Range destinations to meet their needs from shopping and groceries, to work and travel. An announcement by the Colorado Department of Transportation has the potential to make the amenities of Denver feel a little closer. CDOT announced this month the addition of a Denver International Airport stop at Gate 1 of the DEN Hotel Transit Center — near the RTD’s A-Line train and other bus stops and with quick access to the main DIA terminal — by using the Bustang Outrider service from Sterling on a route which also includes service to Union Station. "This is an important service to have, especially for those who don't have vehicles," Fort Morgan C...
In less than two weeks, new law banning hand-held phone use while driving goes into effect
Approved, Fox21, State

In less than two weeks, new law banning hand-held phone use while driving goes into effect

By Sarah Ferguson | Fox 21 News Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, a new hands-free law will go into effect in Colorado, banning the use of hand-held phones while driving. The new law expands upon the state’s distracted driving law beyond just texting, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) wants to ensure drivers understand the consequences. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 21 NEWS
Colorado wildlife officials omit crucial portion of law as they defend wolf funding
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado wildlife officials omit crucial portion of law as they defend wolf funding

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics The hunt for coins in the couch cushions — the Colorado General Assembly's budget crafters are scrambling to find hundreds of millions of dollars to cover a shortfall projected for the 2025-26 budget and are eyeing wolf funding as a potential area to cut — is getting pushback from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. And the agency has now resorted to omitting a crucial portion of the law that mandated the wolves' reintroduction as it seeks to persuade lawmakers to fund Colorado's reintroduction program. Lawmakers have noticed that omission.   The issue is whether to fund the wolf reintroduction program in the 2025-26 budget year or save the $2.1 million in general fund dollars appropriated annually for the program. READ T...
Overwhelming ‘wolves are not welcome’ message the result of Garfield Co. ‘come to Jesus’ meeting
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Overwhelming ‘wolves are not welcome’ message the result of Garfield Co. ‘come to Jesus’ meeting

By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer. Rocky Mountain Voice More than 300 residents from Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin Counties flocked recently to the New Hope Church in New Castle at the invitation of the Garfield County officials. The purpose of the meeting was to allow them to hear more about the imminent release of up to 15 wolves that are being captured from British Columbia, Canada, and transplanted into their ranching and agricultural community in January 2025. Elected officials in attendance included Garfield County Commissioners Mike Samson, John Martin, Tom Jankowski, former Wildlife Commissioner Russell George, current state Sen. and newly-elected Commissioner Perry Will, newly-elected state Sen. Marc Catlin, and newly-elected U.S. Congressman Jeff Hurd, among others. ...
Tina Peters has been transferred from Mesa County to Larimer County jail
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Tina Peters has been transferred from Mesa County to Larimer County jail

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Former Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters has been transferred from the Mesa County jail to the Larimer County jail.  According to Larimer County booking information, Peters was processed as an inmate into the Larimer County jail at 11:53 a.m.  Wednesday. No other booking information was provided. On Oct. 3, 2024, Judge Matthew Barrett sentenced Peters to a 9-year prison sentence after she was previously found guilty of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, official misconduct, violation of duty and failure to comply with an order by the secretary of state.  She was immediately taken into custody following sentencing. The sentence i...
Who will Democrats support for governor in 2026? Poll is inconclusive
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Who will Democrats support for governor in 2026? Poll is inconclusive

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics A majority of voters are undecided about their next choice for Colorado governor among a few potential Democratic aspirants. The poll only offered potential Democratic candidates.   The nonprofit Healthier Colorado released its findings of its first poll on the 2026 Democratic governor primary election. The poll asked Democrats and unaffiliated voters on four potential gubernatorial candidates: Colorado U.S. Rep Joe Neguse, Secretary of State Jena Griswold, Attorney General Phil Weiser, and former Colorado Attorney General and current ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar.  READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Ethics complaint filed against state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis over aide allegations
Approved, State, The Colorado Sun

Ethics complaint filed against state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis over aide allegations

By Jesse Paul | The Colorado Sun A constituent of embattled state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis lodged an ethics complaint against the Longmont Democrat last week, alleging that Jaquez Lewis has failed to uphold her office with integrity and the public interest by mistreating her Capitol aides.  The complaint could lead to the most serious consequences yet for Jaquez Lewis, who has already been stripped of her committee assignments and barred from having state-paid staffers at the Capitol in light of the aide allegations. If leadership in the Senate agrees to advance the ethics complaint — as they’ve indicated they will do — it would initiate a committee investigation that could lead to a recommendation Jaquez Lewis be expelled from the chamber. It takes a two-thirds vote of t...
Incoming Trump ‘border czar’ has a message for Aurora chief of police after arrest of suspected gang members
Approved, Fox News, National, State

Incoming Trump ‘border czar’ has a message for Aurora chief of police after arrest of suspected gang members

By Ashley Carnahan  | Fox News Incoming Trump "border czar" Tom Homan called on the Aurora chief of police to hand suspected Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang members over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents so they can be removed from the country. The Aurora Police Department arrested 14 suspected TdA gang members in a home invasion Tuesday at an apartment complex that was at the center of a viral video over the summer. Aurora Police Department Chief Todd Chamberlain provided an update on the arrests at The Edge at Lowry Apartments, saying the incident was "without question a gang incident." READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX NEWS