TROOPER JURY STILL OUT
Still no verdict in the Criminally Negligent Homicide trial of Colorado State Trooper Ivan "Gene" Lawyer. The Daily Sentinel says deliberations lasted nearly 12 hours yesterday, with jurors sending written questions to the judge. Lawyer is on trial for the July 2010 shooting death of Jason Kemp at a home on the Redlands.STATE
BUDGET BILL
The Colorado Senate has given initial approval to a $19 billion state budget bill. An amendment to bar the use of state cash assistance cards at ATM's in casinos, strip clubs or liquor stores failed. Opponents saying there's no guarantee cards used at grocery stores aren't being used wrongly either. The senate has to approve the entire budget on a recorded vote, then work out differences with the House before the bill goes to the governor.
BEACONFEST
The Beacon senior newspaper is holding its annual senior fair at Two Rivers Convention Center today...providing information, hosting a national AARP poll and holding a food drive. The Community Food Bank will be on hand, collecting non-perishable food items for the hungry in Mesa County.
HORIZON DRIVE DISTRCIT
The Horizon Drive District is holding a couple of public forums to unveil proposed improvements for Horizon Drive between G and H Roads. The first is this afternoon at 4:00. The business group says investing in Horizon Drive is essential for a couple of reasons, including the significant first and last impression it leaves on travelers to the area. Besides the forums, an online survey is available at HorizonDriveDistrict.com.
MUD SPRINGS OPEN
If you're ready to camp, so is the BLM's Mud Springs Campground in Glade Park. Mud Springs normally opens in mid to late May, but this year's low snowpack has made the early opeing possible. Services there are limited, so there's no fee until those services are available May 4th.
HAVEN HOUSE ANNIVERSARY
Olathe's Haven House, a transitional housing opportunity for homeless families is celebrating its first anniversary today. Haven House provides a variety of programs to homeless families in Delta, Montrose and Ouray Counties. Today's celebration is from 3:30 to 6:30 on River Road in Olathe.
MONUMENT OR PARK?
The final open house on whether the Colorado National Monument should become a National Park is from 4 until 7 today at the Glade Park Community Center. The panel looking into the possible move is listening to views from residents all around the Monument. More information is available on the Monument's website.
OBAMA IN DENVER
President Obama is getting ready for another trip to Denver. White House Officials tell a Denver TV station the President will stop in a suburb next Tuesday, his fourth visit to Colorado since last fall. Obama will be back in Colorado next month to give the commencement address at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
MAROON CREEK OPENS EARLY
Early sight seeing in the Aspen area. The National Forest Service is opening Maroon Creek Road and some facilities at Maroon Lake tomorrow morning, the earliest opening in 20 years thanks to high temperatures and low snowpack. According to the Aspen Times, now fees will be charged until later in the spring.
