NEWS

Montrose County has filed for a series of massive water rights on the San Miguel River. The county says it needs the water for future development in the West End. But the claims may put an unnecessary burden on some residents of the area. And as KVNF’s Terray Sylvester reports, they’ve also begun to strain the relationship between Montrose and San Miguel counties.

Energy regulators in Colorado are examining whether to increase the distance between oil and gas drilling sites and buildings such as schools and homes. They’re also considering a water-testing requirement that would need to be done before and after drilling takes place.

Headlines:

• Oil and gas commission discusses setbacks
• Foreclosure rates in state down, but up in Mesa County
• Salazar limits the number of wild horses BLM can sell
• Colorado National Monument to close during storms
• Powderhorn Mountain Resort set to open Saturday
• Mesa County Libraries running a Gift Tree program

It’s now legal to smoke marijuana in Colorado. Governor John Hickenlooper certified the election results of amendment 64 on Monday, which allows people over age 21 to grow and smoke small amounts of pot. And as Bente Birkeland reports, the Governor also signed an executive order creating a marijuana task force to help state lawmakers craft new regulations.

Headlines:

• Gov. Hickenlooper certifies Amendment 64, pot legal in Colorado
• San Miguel Commissioners file protest over BLM oil and gas lease
• U.S. Representatives send letter to Salazar, oppose fracking regs
• Montrose County to charge for public records
• BLM uses airplanes to seed areas near Paonia and Hotchkiss

Headlines:

• 300 turnout for Dylan Redwine search
• Colorado will not sue Longmont over fracking ban
• Western mule deer population declines by over 50 percent
• Energy Department invests to improve solar energy forecasts
• Moratorium on new cell towers in San Miguel County
• Population in Western Colorado declined in last decade