NEWS

Headlines:

• A second company wants Thompson Divide leases suspended
• Mesa County Commissioners want more time to examine RMP
• New House bill might require Colorado food to carry GMO labels
• Paonia Eagles soaring at state wrestling tournament
• Former Interior Sec. Babbitt urges conservation

Headlines:

• Forest report reveals damage by spruce beetles
• Miners back to work at Elk Creek in Somerset
• $895 million price tag to clean uranium tailings from Arkansas River
• Controlled burns planned for some 12,000 acres on Western Slope
• Increased ozone linked to oil and gas drilling in Eastern Utah
• Playoff time for local hoops players, wrestlers go to state

The spruce beetle is now outpacing the mountain pine beetle as the biggest insect threat to Colorado forests. The information was released to lawmakers in the annual Forest Health Report on Wednesday. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

Headlines:

• Sex Ed bill passes state house after vigorous debate
• Task force recommends marijuana tourism, local ownership of pot shops
• Delta County Commissioners discuss alternatives to dumping old tires in landfills
• Mesa County school safety task force meets weekly, will inform school board

A bill to revamp sex education classes for Colorado students has initially passed the house on Tuesday after a rigorous debate. The measure aims to make instruction more culturally sensitive and add information on homosexuality. But opponents say it would take away the rights of parents. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

Headlines:

• Regulators seek to define terms in Amendment 64
• Dems pass controversial gun control bills in state house
• Wildlife experts seeking help in restoring black-footed ferrets
• Former Interior Secretary Babbitt urges conservation

A controversial package of Democratic gun control bills cleared the house yesterday. The measures now head to the state senate. And as Bente Birkeland reports the bills still face strong opposition from Republicans and some Democrats.