Rocky Mountain Voice

CBS Colorado

Gov. Polis, House Speaker deal would lessen bite on school funding, but still be $50M hit
Approved, CBS Colorado, State

Gov. Polis, House Speaker deal would lessen bite on school funding, but still be $50M hit

By Shaun Boyd | CBS Colorado K-12 schools in Colorado will lose $50 million instead of $150 million under a new proposal by Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie.  The proposal allows districts to continue to use an average enrollment over several years to calculate per pupil funding. Governor Polis budget request called for ending rolling averages. Still, his Budget Director Mark Ferrandino says he now supports a gradual move to a single year count and is waiting for school districts' feedback before signing off on the proposal.  READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Parker widow to lobby for stricter penalties for careless driving at Colorado State Capitol this week
Approved, CBS Colorado, State

Parker widow to lobby for stricter penalties for careless driving at Colorado State Capitol this week

By Olivia Young | CBS Colorado A Parker widow turned street safety advocate is taking her fight to the Colorado State Capitol this week. On Wednesday, she plans to lobby for changes to state law, including stricter penalties for careless driving. "My husband, Chuck, went on an early morning bike ride the morning of July 4 in 2019, and he never made it home," said Teri Vogel. In the five-and-a-half years since Vogel's husband was killed in a hit-and-run, she has not stopped fighting for change. "We were determined to see a greater good come from such a preventable and senseless death," Vogel said. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
University of Colorado offering master’s in artificial intelligence program
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

University of Colorado offering master’s in artificial intelligence program

By Sarah Horbacewicz | CBS Colorado As artificial intelligence learns more about us, University of Colorado Boulder students will be learning about AI in one of the first dedicated master's degree programs in the field set to start this fall. Teaching a course about something that's changing just about as fast as you can create assignments isn't exactly easy, but a handful of schools across the country are doing just that. And the courses, along with AI itself, all stem from network engineering, a field that's exploding across the country and filling classrooms at the university. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Harvest Farm in Northern Colorado helps men overcome addiction and homelessness
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Harvest Farm in Northern Colorado helps men overcome addiction and homelessness

By Dillon Thomas | CBS Colorado A farm in Wellington in Northern Colorado is celebrating its most impacting year of operation. The Harvest Farm, which is owned by the Denver Rescue Mission, helped a record number of men overcome addictions and find stable housing in 2024.  In 2024, 79 men graduated from the rescue mission's program. "Harvest Farm is a long term recovery program for men experiencing homelessness and battling substance abuse," said Kyle McPherson, program director. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
‘They say it was out in Kansas’: Denver International Airport celebrates 30th anniversary
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‘They say it was out in Kansas’: Denver International Airport celebrates 30th anniversary

By Justin Adams | CBS Colorado Thirty years ago, Continental Airlines Flight 34 left Stapleton International Airport as the last commercial flight to leave the airport. Overheard in the control tower, the pilot on the plane said, "We will miss this place. A lot of memories." Its replacement was an airport set in an area many locals couldn't find on a map.  "They say it was out in Kansas," said Stephen Lee, who is the Director of Emergency Management & Communication at Denver International Airport. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Dr. Glynell Horn Jr., named RTD’s co-chief in October, resigns
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Dr. Glynell Horn Jr., named RTD’s co-chief in October, resigns

By Christa Swanson | CBS Colorado RTD's acting Co-Chief of Police has resigned. The agency confirmed that Dr. Glynell Horn Jr. submitted his resignation on Feb. 21 and will leave his position on March 6. Horn, a native of Houston, Texas, began his career in public safety as a patrol officer with the Stafford Police Department. He worked up to Assistant Chief of Police before joining RTD in 2023. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Sen. Kirkmeyer uncovers ‘crisis in spending priorities’ in funding of ‘furniture over neglected kids’
Approved, CBS Colorado, State

Sen. Kirkmeyer uncovers ‘crisis in spending priorities’ in funding of ‘furniture over neglected kids’

By Shaun Boyd | CBS Colorado The hole in the Colorado state budget is getting bigger. The latest figures show a shortfall of about $1.2 billion, and the state's chief economist says the reserve -- or rainy-day fund -- will run out of money by 2029 if nothing changes. "The message is we are on an unsustainable path with our budget if we don't change our spending habits," said State Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer, who is one of six lawmakers on the Joint Budget Committee. The Republican says lawmakers have simply overspent, pointing out the state has added more than 7,000 full time employees and 17 new state offices in the last six years alone. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
New-to-chicken raising Coloradans may find they have roosters and not laying hens, sanctuary says
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New-to-chicken raising Coloradans may find they have roosters and not laying hens, sanctuary says

By Gabriela Vidal | CBS Colorado As egg prices continue to rise in Colorado and across the country, some people have decided to raise their own chickens and produce their own egg supply. One animal sanctuary is offering a warning to those who take on such a responsibility.  Amid the sounds of roosters crowing at the Rooster Sanctuary at Danzig's Roost in Bennett, is a different kind of noise that's been popping off as of late. "The same call, over and over and over and over again," said Jewel Johnson. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Dillon recall effort centered around council members’ support of development plan
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Dillon recall effort centered around council members’ support of development plan

By Spencer Wilson | CBS Colorado While it only took 14 signatures to begin the recall process of three city council members, the whole town of Dillon is focused on the outcome and what it means for the future of the "sleeping giant" in Summit County.  The members of the council who are facing recall are Dana Christiansen, Renee Imamura, and John Woods. CBS Colorado has reached out to these council members for comment but has not heard back as of yet. As for why those three, Barb Richard, a successor candidate who's looking to replace one of them should the recall pass, said it's based on a breakdown of representation from the council and the public on big issues, particularly with one developer and his plans for the city.  READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO