Wednesday December 5, 2012

For the past few years, Coloradans Against Auto Theft have been pointing out the dangers of warming up your car, leaving it running with the doors unlocked.  In the Grand Valley,  the Western Colorado Auto Theft Taskforce is taking it a step further.  Grand unction Police, the state patrol, and the Mesa County Sheriff's and DA's offices are rolling in safety tips, and steps to protect your car from theft.  They say it's important to be extra careful during the holidays.

Colorado Democrats are smiling today. Senator Michael Bennet has secured a position at the top of the National Democratic Committee, and Governor Hickenlooper has been chosen to serve as Vice Chair for the Democratic Governors Association.  In a newsrelease, the Colorado Democratic Party says Hickenlooper's inclusive, collaborative approach to leading the state is unique and can be a model for others.

Colorado Senator Mark Udall isn't giving up his stance on the Wind Energy Production Tax Credit. He's giving his 24th floor address today.  He says the PTC is important for Colorado and several other states, and the country's global competitiveness. Today Udall plans to focus on the economic impacts of the PTC on Minnesota.

Mesa County Sheriff's investigators are looking for a man who stole a donation container from the counter of Enterprise Liquor Store at 2923 North Avenue.  The suspect took the cotainer then got in an older model Chevy Van yesterday around 2:00. The man made off with donations for a high school student trying to study abroad.

The Salvation Army has announced another drop-off location for people who want to donate food or toys for Christmas Assistance.  Mesa View Retirement Community will accept donations between 9 and 5 through next Tuesday.

A Palisade winery has raised more than $1,700 for the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association. Talon Winery introduced a label called Rock Red last spring featuring a label with a "ride local/drink local" theme and set aside $1 from every bottle sold.  The winery presented the check to COPMOBA yesterday.

No new details in the deaths of two young boys left in a running SUV on the Grand Mesa last week.  2-year old William Jensen was dead when authorities arrived to an area near Powderhorn a week ago.  4-year old Tyler Jensen was taken off life-support and died at Children's Hospital in Denver. Documents in the case of been sealed and authorities have not released any new information.

Fire officials are blaming heat tape for a fire that destroyed a mobile home in Parachute.  A man staying in the trailer escaped in his pajamas and was not injured but a cat died in the fire.

A unique Western Colorado business is making its national debut on the Science Channel tomorrow.  Colorado Yurt is being featured on the series "How It's Made."  A second espisode is scheduled later this month.

Getting in and out of the Mesa County Fairgrounds on Orchard Mesa is about to get easier.  Mesa County Commissioners have approved a new signal on Highway 50 in anticipation of re-opening the old entrance to the grounds at 27 3/4 Road.  Officials say it's important to address traffic concerns as a new fairground master plan is developed.

Garfield County is challenging a BLM decision to reduce acreage available in northwest Colroado for oil shale leasing.  A protest letter has been sent to the BLM and Interior officials questioning data used by the BLM in its decision. County commissioners say commercial oil shale development is highly questionable under the BLM plan.

Aspen Skiing Company says there's not enough snow and Aspen Highlands won't open as scheduled this Saturday.  Skico tells the Aspen Times they need at least 8 inches of snow and 24 hours. Snow is in the forecast, but Skico officials say they're not going to count on it.

The City of Denver is looking to recoup some of the cost of hosting the first presidential debate in October.  Officials tell the Denver Post they spent about $500,000, including about $90,000 in police overtime. The Denver Post says the University of Denver estimated it received nearly $58 million in media exposure over the past year for hosting the debate.

Coloradans might have a say on whether the state should stay on daylight saving time.  State Senator Greg Brophy says he'll bring the issue up in the coming legislative session and would like to put the matter to a vote.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory or N-REL in Golden is teaming up with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to study the pricing trends of solar energy. N-REL says the two are working to reduce confusion in   Photovoltaic or PV pricing, and say there has been a downward pricing trend for the past two years.