Feds settle suit against Colorado power company for 2010 fire
Federal prosecutors say they have settled a lawsuit blaming a Colorado power company for a 2010 wildfire that burned about four square miles of land.
U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn’s office announced the $1.2 million agreement on Thursday.
Dunn’s office says the San Miguel Power Association denies all liability or wrongdoing for causing the Beaver Fire, which ignited May 22, 2010.
Prosecutors say two cottonwood trees fell across one of the company’s electrical power lines and started a fire that burned public and national forest land near Norwood.
A spokesman for the association did not immediately return a request for comment.
Bureau of Land Management officials say the settlement helps offset costs of fire suppression in Colorado.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commissioner Murphy Robinson resigns
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 4 hours ago
Murphy Robinson, who has served on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission for just over a year, announced his resignation on Wednesday. In a statement, Gov. Jared Polis thanked Robinson, saying he is “incredibly grateful for Murphy’s service to the...
Colorado Supreme Court’s opinion output drops by two-thirds amid justice’s absence
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 5 hours ago
The Colorado Supreme Court has released significantly fewer new opinions in recent months compared to the previous two years, even as the judicial branch insisted that a member’s open-ended absence is not causing delays. Justice Melissa Hart has been on...
Adams County officials call for resignation of county treasurer after ‘inappropriate behavior’
Kyla Pearce
kyla.pearce@gazette.com
Updated 5 hours ago
Adams County Commissioners requested the resignation of the county’s treasurer after multiple allegations of inappropriate behavior toward staff members. Treasurer Alex Villagran has declined to step down. An independent investigation by Employment Matters LLC Flynn Investigations Group found multiple allegations...
Aurora’s consent decree monitor reviews fatal pursuit crash, notes ‘inherent risk’ of police chases
Kyla Pearce
kyla.pearce@gazette.com
Updated 6 hours ago
Two people died in a crash that resulted from an Aurora police pursuit last week, which the city’s decree monitor is reviewing. The monitor said the incident underscores the “inherent risks” of pursuits. Meanwhile, the city police department said it...
Colorado’s universal preschool enrollment begins for upcoming school year
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 5 hours ago
Enrollment is now open for Colorado’s universal preschool program, which provides up to 15 hours of free education for four-year-old children across the state. The $344 million program has served nearly 90,000 children since its creation in 2023, the Governor’s...
Divided 10th Circuit rules bank customer must arbitrate discrimination-related claims
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 5 hours ago
The Denver-based federal appeals court ruled on Monday that a mandatory arbitration clause in the fine print of a customer’s bank account agreement prohibited her from pursuing claims of racial discrimination in court. Jeanetta Vaughn filed suit against JPMorgan Chase...
Colorado’s federal trial court denies admission to lawyer owing tens of thousands in dues, penalties
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 7 hours ago
Colorado’s U.S. District Court declined last month to allow an attorney to practice before the court due to his failure to pay enrollment fees and penalties to another state’s bar association for years. The federal trial court requires attorneys to...
Douglas County businesses to pay fines for unreported thefts under proposed ordinance
Noah Festenstein
noah.festenstein@denvergazette.com
Updated 4 hours ago
Douglas County commissioners on Tuesday advanced an ordinance aimed at curbing retail theft by penalizing businesses that refuse to report shoplifters to law enforcement. The proposal is notable in that it shifts the onus of responsibility to businesses. Officials said...
Federal judge labels appeal ‘frivolous,’ state Supreme Court to hold arguments | COURT CRAWL
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 12 hours ago
Welcome to Court Crawl, Colorado Politics’ roundup of news from the third branch of government. A federal judge deemed a government defendant’s appeal “frivolous,” and the state Supreme Court will have an abbreviated oral argument schedule next week. Heard on...
Humane Colorado bids fond farewell to its CEO at Celebration of Compassionate Leadership | NONPROFIT REGISTER
Joanne Davidson Special to Colorado Politics
joanne-davidson-special-to-colorado-politics@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 14 hours ago
HUMANE COLORADO Denver News: Veterinarian Apryl Steele is not one to toot her own horn, so the general public might have no idea of the depth and scope of the role she has played in elevating the standard of care for companion animals and for expanding the socially...
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Democrat Jason Crow tops $1M in contributions for re-election bid
U.S. Rep. Jason Crow has raised more than $1 million for his 2020 re-election bid since unseating five-term Republican Mike Coffman, leaving the freshman Democrat with a hefty war chest to defend the suburban 6th Congressional District. The Aurora attorney and Army Ranger veteran raised $430,461 for the three-month period ending June 30, according to numbers […]
George Will touts Bennet to beat Trump in 2020
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