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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Politics & Elections

  • Bennet, Daines Reintroduce Bill to Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species Across the West

    Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act Strengthens Preventative Efforts to Protect Water Infrastructure and Ecosystems from Invasive Mussels
    Denver — U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) reintroduced the Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act, legislation to slow the movement of aquatic invasive species, like zebra and quagga mussels, into Colorado, Montana, and other Western States. 
    “We have to do everything we can to protect our rivers, lakes, and waterways that are vital to our local communities and outdoor recreation economy,” said Bennet. “This legislation invests on the front end to reduce the spread of invasive species in Colorado – saving money for taxpayers and ensuring the health of our ecosystems.”
    “As Montana’s voice in the U.S. Senate, I’ll always work to preserve what makes Montana the last best place — that means protecting Montana’s wildlife and ecosystems. Invasive species like zebra mussels threaten our native species and obstruct important hydropower projects and irrigation. It’s critical we pass this bipartisan bill and empower Montana’s local communities with the tools and resources they need to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species,” said Daines.
    Aquatic invasive species pose a significant threat to Western rivers and reservoirs. Once established, these intruders are nearly impossible to eradicate and wreak havoc on crucial water infrastructure, limit recreation opportunities, and harm ecosystems and local economies. As invasive mussels spread across the West, preventative measures – like watercraft inspection and decontamination stations – are key to limiting their spread. 
    Specifically, the Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act would:
    • Strengthen prevention efforts by providing the Bureau of Reclamation explicit authority to partner with states and municipalities to fund watercraft inspection and decontamination stations;
    • Provide all federal agencies who participate in the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force the same authorities to limit the movement of invasive species into and out of U.S. waters, eliminating problematic differences between the various agencies; and
    • Ensure that all at-risk basins are eligible and prioritized for watercraft inspection and decontamination funding. 
    “With the discovery in the last year of a limited infestation of zebra mussels at Highline Lake near Grand Junction, CO, Senator Bennet’s legislation is needed now more than ever,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “We commend Senator Bennet’s continued championship of legislation to expand collaboration between state and federal partners, which will be critical to preventing these harmful species from further taking root in western waterways.” 
    “This is a classic: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” said Doug Kemper, Executive Director of the Colorado Water Congress. “The spread of invasive mussel species continues to be a risk to water bodies throughout the nation and will have a significant impact for all water supplies and infrastructure, including the water projects that were built by the Bureau of Reclamation. Colorado has been proactive in developing and expanding the inspection and decontamination program over the last 14 years and has brought different stakeholders and interests together to support and commit to the protection of water infrastructure and reservoirs against infestation. This bill will provide the necessary authorization, funding, and allow additional partnerships to be developed to support these programs on federal reservoirs, where the inspection and decontaminations are highly effective at preventing the spread of mussels. We applaud the efforts of Senators Bennet and Daines to face this threat head on with a bill to authorize a clear and consistent role as a federal partner in federal water resource projects.”  
    “Aquatic invasive species represent one of the greatest threats to fisheries, western waters, and important economies at all scales. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers applauds the bipartisan leadership of Senators Bennet and Daines to take action and elevate a sense of urgency. Facilitating coordination across management jurisdictions and working with stakeholder partners to improve processes for inspection and decontamination of watercraft is critical to address the spread of invasives like zebra and quagga mussels. These species have already overwhelmed native aquatic life in many waters and because they are extremely difficult to eradicate once established, they pose an outsized threat to the ecological balance of intact ecosystems,” said John Gale, Vice President of Policy and Government Relations, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.
    Bennet secured provisions in the 2018 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and the 2022 WRDA to protect Colorado’s watersheds from invasive species by directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to establish, operate, or fund watercraft inspection stations in a number of Colorado river basins, and increasing and extending authority for the Corps to combat invasive species. Bennet first introduced this provision as an amendment to the 2016 WRDA.
    Following the August 2017 detection of quagga mussel larvae in the Green Mountain Reservoir, Bennet led the Colorado delegation in sending a letter to then-U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke urging a rapid response. In 2010, Bennet introduced the Invasive Species Emergency Response Fund Act to establish a loan fund for Western states to combat invasive species.
    The legislation is also supported by: Ute Water Conservancy District, Pueblo Water, Ruedi Water and Power Authority, Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Aurora Water, Northern Water, and Colorado Springs Utilities. 
      
    The bill text is available HERE.

  • CPW honors Eric Odell and Reid DeWalt for their work on the wolf restoration and management planning effort

    Pictured left to right: Terrestrial Section Manager Brian Dreher, DNR Executive Director Dan Gibbs, Assistant Director of Aquatic, Terrestrial and Natural Resources Reid DeWalt, Wolf Conservation Program Manager Eric Odell, CPW Director Jeff Davis, Parks and Wildlife Commission Chair Carrie Hauser, Species Conservation Unit Supervisor Dave Klute

    DENVER – Eric Odell and Reid DeWalt, the leaders of the team that spearheaded Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s two-year effort to develop a comprehensive wolf restoration and management plan, were honored recently by the CPW Commission.

    Odell, CPW’s Wolf Conservation Program manager, and DeWalt, CPW’s assistant director of Aquatics, Terrestrial & Natural Resources, were singled out for overcoming multiple challenges during the intense and controversial planning process.

    At the May 3 Commission meeting in Glenwood Springs, after more than two years of extensive statewide stakeholder meetings and outreach, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission unanimously approved the final Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan.

    Odell and DeWalt were instrumental in developing a plan that incorporated the biological and social concerns of restoring wolves to a unique state with multi-use landscapes and a large human population. 

    “While I know that so many of our teammates at CPW were critical to the success of this plan’s adoption, I would like to especially highlight Eric Odell and the outstanding leadership of Reid DeWalt,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “As you all know, wolves elicit strong responses from the public, so developing a plan that strikes a balance between what wolves need with the spectrum of values, needs and expectations of the public and policymakers is a tough task. Our CPW Team, with exceptional leadership from Eric and Reid, accomplished this goal with grace and professionalism.”

    Jim Jones Outstanding Employee of the Year Award
    To honor his efforts, Odell was awarded the Jim Jones Outstanding Employee of the Year Award for his exemplary work as the biological and technical lead for the wolf restoration and management planning effort. 

    The Jim Jones Employee of the Year Award is named for a former Division of Wildlife employee who unexpectedly passed away in 1999. Jim Jones was an employee with a positive attitude, a good grasp on the mission, and was kind and supportive of others throughout the agency. He was good at all aspects of his job and has a state wildlife area, James Mark Jones SWA, named in his honor.

    “Eric went above and beyond as he strived to understand all aspects of the wolf restoration debate, and how this effort will impact all stakeholders,” said Dave Klute, CPW’s Species Conservation Unit supervisor. “He brought a breadth of knowledge and understanding to the plan development process and used his skills to draft a plan that is both scientifically sound and socially acceptable.”

    Odell worked tirelessly to complete the tasks required by the passage of Proposition 114 with rigor and honesty and educated himself in a scientific understanding of wolf ecology and restoration techniques.

    “In what was often a challenging and contentious environment, Eric maintained the highest standards of professionalism and was an excellent representative, arbiter, and educator for CPW,” Klute said. “He provided information, guidance and structure to a lengthy and often confusing process. Eric was often asked, with short notice, to provide policy updates and technical recommendations to the governor, Department of Natural Resources and CPW leadership.”

    Exceptional Leadership Acknowledged
    Reid DeWalt was also honored at the May Commission meeting for his exemplary leadership and contributions to the wolf restoration and management planning effort. 

    “There’s no doubt that the completion of this wolf restoration plan was challenging and took a team effort,” said Brian Dreher, CPW’s Terrestrial Section manager. “But every good team needs a solid leader to make hard decisions and encourage the team to keep going when things get difficult. Reid served this vital leadership role for the agency as we had to navigate the many challenges of the past few years.”

    From the beginning of the planning process, DeWalt committed and encouraged the CPW team to deliver the best possible plan, and be professional in the process.

    “It has been said many times in the planning process that CPW has incredible staff, and we do,” Dreher said. “But we also have incredible leadership, which was on full display by Reid DeWalt in completing this plan.”

  • Arapahoe County hosts public hearing on proposed commissioner district boundaries

    Citizens Redistricting Advisory Committee seeks public feedback 
     
    ARAPAHOE COUNTY, CO — Today, Arapahoe County will hold the first of five public meetings to present proposed commissioner district boundaries to County residents. By statute, county commissioner district boundaries must be redrawn every 10 years using data from the most recent United States Census.  
      
    The Citizens Redistricting Advisory Committee created four draft maps with the assistance of County mapping, census and legal professionals. The hearing will allow the public to review these maps and provide feedback to the Advisory Committee. This is not a working meeting; no decisions will be made. However, the Advisory Committee may alter draft maps based on comments received before presenting the drafts to the Board of County Commissioners. 
     
    After five public hearings, the BOCC will review the Advisory Committee’s draft maps in open session and may recommend further changes. The BOCC will then vote to decide which proposed map to adopt.  
     
    The Advisory Committee Chair Bill McCartin will be available to the media for interviews following the hearing.  
     
    Who:     Arapahoe County Citizens Redistricting Advisory Committee 

    What:   Public Engagement Hearing 

    When:  Thursday, April 6 at 6 p.m. 
    Where: Eloise May Library: 1471 S Parker Rd, Denver, CO 80231 
    Online: This meeting will be livestreamed on the Arapahoe County Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ArapahoeCounty. You do not need a Facebook account to go to the page and view the livestream. 

  • Colorado’s Unemployment Rate Returns to Pre-Pandemic Levels, Among Lowest in the U.S.

    January marks the ninth straight month Colorado’s unemployment rate has been below 3.0%


    DENVER – Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) announced Colorado’s unemployment rate has continued to decline and has returned to pre-pandemic levels at 2.8% in January. 


    “With Colorado’s unemployment rate dropping below three percent, it is clear that Colorado is the best place to live, work, and do business. More entrepreneurs are starting businesses in our state and we are outcompeting other states for businesses and jobs,” said Governor Polis. “As we continue to grow our strong economy, I am committed to saving people money, cutting red tape, and expanding opportunities to help support our workforce.”


    Colorado’s labor force participation rate (LFPR) increased to 68.1%, just under the pre-pandemic level of 68.6%. Annually, Colorado had the 4th highest LFPR in 2022. Under the Polis administration, Colorado recently outcompeted Georgia and Texas for company expansion. 

  • New law changes aims to simplify vehicle registration

    LAKEWOOD, Friday March 17, 2023 — A new law aims to streamline various vehicle registration and title processes in an effort to simplify the vehicle registration process for Coloradans.
    Under the Vehicle Registration And Certificate Of Title Act (HB22-1388), vehicle owners who have more than one vehicle can now register one of the vehicles for less than a year so that all the owner’s vehicles can expire at the same time. This optional process will help better serve Coloradans by allowing them to have only one expiration date to remember. 
    The new law also allows vehicle owners to keep their specialty license plates when transferring to another vehicle. A previous law which went into effect December 2021, made license plates expire upon transferring the vehicle to another owner. Specialty license plates are now exempt from the previous law.
    The Vehicle Registration and Certificate of Title bill also includes these changes:
    • Lowers the weight on vehicles for recreational registration fees that are based on weight from 10,000 to 6,000 pounds.
    • Removes language that says that vehicle lien filings are public records and removes the requirement that a lienholder must certify the copy of lien documents.
    • New documents accepted in lieu of scale tickets. Authorizes a vehicle owner to present a manufacturer’s certificate of origin, certificate of title, certified scale ticket, or other documents (instead of a scale ticket) or systems as determined by rule (previously they could only present a certified scale ticket showing the weight for trucks 4,500-10,000 pounds).
    • Dealer title fee increase. Increases the dealer title fee at the counties from $7.20 to $25; if paid to the county clerk, the county retains $21.80 and the rest goes to the division.
    • Notarization change for specific vehicles. The bill of sale is no longer required to be notarized when obtaining a title in lieu of a bonded title on a collector’s item, street-rod vehicle or horseless carriage of 25 years or older.
    • Clarifies that surcharges are pro-ratable.
    • A one-time late registration fee of $10 for utility trailers, trailers with an empty weight of 16,000 or less, camper trailers, multipurpose trailers and trailer coaches that have not been registered since before July 1, 2010.
    • Creation of an inoperable decal. Any owner of an inoperable vehicle undergoing maintenance, repair, restoration, rebuilding or renovation must pay an annual specific ownership tax. When the taxes are paid, the owner will receive a decal as proof of registration. No surcharges or fees will be charged if the owner keeps the vehicle on private property for the purposes of maintenance, repair, restoration, rebuilding, or renovation.
    • Trailer coach surcharge change. The road safety surcharge is set at $16 for trailer coaches (minimum of 26 feet long used for temporary living quarters).
    • Bridge safety surcharge change. Sets the bridge safety surcharge at $13 for trailer coaches.

  • Gov. Polis Orders Flags Lowered to Honor Victims of Tragedy in Nashville

    DENVER – Governor Jared Polis today ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff immediately on all public buildings from sunrise until sunset on Friday, March 31, 20223, in honor and remembrance of the victims of the horrific tragedy in Nashville, TN, as proclaimed by President Biden. 


    In the proclamation, the President states:


    As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on March 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, March 31, 2023.  I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.


    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.


    JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

  • Colorado Secretary of State’s Office Permanently Adopts New Bingo Rules

    Denver, Colo – Today, the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office is adopting permanent rule revisions to create new definitions and to accommodate the use of improved electronic aids and devices in conducting bingos and raffles. These rules have been adopted to implement House Bill 22-1093 (Updates To Bingo And Raffles Law).

    The adopted rules include definitions of “bingo” and “bingo strip card,” amendments to clarify definitions and prize limits throughout bingo and raffle rules, and new rules regarding the oversight and administration of bingos and raffles statewide.

    A public rulemaking hearing was held on January 17, 2023, at 11 a.m. to receive testimony concerning the preliminary draft of permanent rules. This hearing was conducted in-person and via webinar.

    To read the Notice of Adoption, click here. For more information on this rulemaking process, please click here. For an audio recording of the public rulemaking hearing, please click here.

    These rules will become permanently effective twenty days after publication in the Colorado Register.

    Members of the public with questions about rulemaking should contact . Members of the press with questions relating to the rulemaking should contact .

  • NFIB to Oppose Spending Additional Money on UI Recipients’ Families

    Testimony tomorrow will remind legislators of the fragility of the Trust Fund and its sole purpose

    DENVER, Feb. 8, 2023—The state’s leading small-business association will testify tomorrow, February 9, against House Bill 1078 when it comes before the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee at 1:30 p.m.

    “Every working Coloradan has a stake in the health of the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. It is from that pot of money that unemployment benefits are drawn from when needed,” said Tony Gagliardi, Colorado state director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

    “Colorado was one of 22 states that had to borrow from the federal government to keep its UI trust fund solvent, and we just recently paid Uncle Sam back, but with the help of another loan from a private bank. We cannot afford to expand the program, and it was never intended to include anyone other than the recipient who lost his or her job through no fault of their own. It’s also important to remember that employers – not employees – pay into the fund and increasing a cost to them when the small-business economy is extremely fragile is poor policy.

    “To be certain of our opposition to this bill, we sent our members a special poll asking them what they thought, and it came back with a 97% in opposition.”

    NOTE TO CAPITOL CORRESPONDENTS—Gagliardi will also testify in support of House Bill 1063, an income tax rate reduction, before the House State, Civic, Miliary &Veterans Affairs Committee, which convenes after adjournment of the floor session. 

    Keep up with the latest Colorado small-business news at www.nfib.com/colorado or by following NFIB on Twitter @NFIB_CO or on Facebook @NFIB.CO

  • Governor Polis Orders Flags Lowered to Honor Victims of Tragic Shooting in Monterey Park, California

    DENVER – Today, Governor Jared Polis ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on all public buildings and properties immediately until sunset on January 26, 2023, in honor and remembrance of the victims of the horrific tragedy in Monterey Park, California as directed by President Biden. Flags will be flown at half-staff starting immediately until sunset, January 26, 2023.

     

    The text of the proclamation reads:

    As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on January 21, 2023, in Monterey Park, California, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, January 26, 2023.  I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.

    JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

  • State Fire Agency Announces Community Risk Reduction Week 2023

    Lakewood, CO- The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) is taking part inCommunity Risk Reduction (CRR) Week. CRR Week is a grass-roots effort by an informal group of fire safety professionals from across the nation. The goal of CRR is to reduce the occurrence and impact of emergency events for both community members and emergency responders.

    CRR Week 2023 kicks off on Martin Luther King Day, a National Day of Service, which is Monday, January 16, 2023. It runs through Sunday, January 22.

    The idea is to help promote the awareness of CRR within the fire service by having a week where everyone can do CRR programs and demonstrate its importance to the fire service.

    Follow CRR on social media via YouTube, Facebook and Twitter @CRRweek. 

    Learn more at crrweek.org