Friday August 3, 2012

25 ROAD CLOSURE
Now's a good time to start planning for the closure of 25 Road at Highway 6&50.  Construction there will shut down north/south traffic will allowing east/west traffic to continue on the I-70 Business loop.  The closure will be put in place overnight Sunday and there will be no access to 25 Road from 6 & 50.  Detour routes will be in place for the 18 day scheduled closure.

CRIME STATS
The CBI is out with its latest crime statistics through the Uniform Crime Reporting Program.  Overall, there was a .3% decrease in the number of reported crimes in the state, including a nearly 2 1/2 % decrease in violent crimes and a .6% decrease in property crimes.  Negatives in the report include a 20% jump in homicides last year compared with 2010, and a more than 3% rise in reported forcible rapes.  The full report is available on the Colorado Bureau of Investigation website.

R-5 GRANT
School District 51's R-5 High School has received a Transformation Improvement Grant from the state Department of Education aimed at improving student success at the school.  The initial money pays for staff to work with students on individualized learning style, and for more classroom time on Saturdays and in summer school.  Parents can find out more at a Back to School night August 30, or by calling the R-5 office.

FRUITA CAMPGROUND FEES
Free camping at the North Fruita Desert Campground is on its way out.  The BLM says starting Labor Day Weekend, it'll cost $10 to spend the night there...the money going to improving facilities at the 40 acre site.  A self-pay station will be in place, along with camp hosts on peak weekends and holidays.  Intersted volunteer hosts can contact the BLM.

MONTROSE PRO CYCLING ANTHEM
When the second stage of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge gets started in Montrose August 21st, it will be to the sounds of the Montrose High School Bel Canto Choir singing the National Anthem.  The Montrose Daily Press says the group was chosen from 8 individuals and on the choir who tried out yesterday.

SEX ASSAULT VICTIMS
A 4th alleged victim has come forward in a case against a former senior mentor in the Mesa County Partners Program.  50 year old Mark Bustamante was arrested last month, accused of assaulting two boys in the program.  A third victim, a client at Mesa Developmental Services came forward later that month, and now, a fourth boy who was coached by Bustamante in Grand Junction city organized flag football and basketball.  The Daily Sentinel says Bustamante remains jailed on $150,000 bond.

ROMNEY IN BASALT
Mitt Romney wasn't alone at his stop at Basalt High School yesterday.  10 Republican governors were along for the action.  The Daily Sentinel says the candidate focused on the economy, energy and education.  State democrats in the meantime are getting ready for a rally of their own when President Obama comes to Grand Juntion next week.  They say Romney wants to raise taxes on the middle class.

FRUITA METH BUST
A Fruita couple is in jail, no word on where their kids are, after a Mesa County Sheriff's Office SWAT bust found them inside their dirty home along with suspected methamphetamine.  According to the Daily Sentinel, 49 year old Martin Stafford and his 44 year old wife Tammra were arrested early yesterday after two small children were found in the living room and the woman in a bedroom.  Investigators also found meth paraphernalia and loaded guns.

BUFFALO KILLED
The state patrol is looking into the deaths of ten buffalo after collisions with vehicles on I-70. According to the AP, Trooper Josh Lewis says two people were injured in the crashes early yesterday near Byers.  A brand expert determined the buffalo had roamed about 15 miles south of their ranch.

I-70 MOUNTAIN TRAFFIC
It doesn't take ski season to slow down traffic on I-70 between the mountains and Denver.  C-DOT is warning drivers of the likelihood of heavy traffic between Silverthorne and Denver on Sunday.  They say the best way to avoid stop and go traffic is to travel before 1:00 Sunday afternoon and 7:00 that night.

COLORADO PROUD DAY
The State Agriculture Department is encouraging residents to be Colorado Proud...buying fruits and vegetables grown in Colorado especially during the month of August, declared Colorado Proud Month.  Colorado Proud was created in 1999 to promote locally grown raised or processed food and agricultural products statewide. There's a whole website dedicated at ColoradoProud.org.

Thursday August 2, 2012

GJ ATTORNEY SANCTIONED
A prominent local attorney has had his license suspended for 45 days.  According to the Daily Sentinel, a summary of findings with the Colorado Supreme Court's Office of Attorney Regulation, Joseph Coleman admitted misconduct which may or may not have impacted clients.  Coleman most recently gained attention arguing against a proposal to build a bus station near Mesa Mall, and represented Bobby Willis who proposed a free concert to compete with Country Jam in 2011.

CHICK-FIL-A EVENTS
A national issue of whether a fast food restaurant ownership should speak out on opposition to gay marriage came home to Grand Junction when hundreds turned out to support Chick-fil-A. Most say it's a matter of free expression.  In the meantime, a local man has organized a media event of his own, National Same Sex Kis Protest Day, tomorrow.  James Friar is encouraging same-sex and other couples to kiss inside the Chick-fil-A building.  Friar says 100 or more have signed up for the hate-free protest aimed at fighting for same sex couples' rights.

GRAND VALLEY 9-1-1 MOVES
The move to the new Grand Junction Public Safety building is underway with the Grand Junction Regional Communication Center successfully in place.  The move was made without a glitch in the early morning hours yesterday.  Now that that move has been made, officials say the rest of the police department will be making their move through the next several weeks.

OUTDOOR RETAILER SHOW MAY MOVE FROM SLC
One of the world's largest outdoor gear trade shows may be in its last days in Salt Lake City.  Organizers say they don't like the way Governor Gary Herbert is handling environmental issues.  Herbert says the state wants more control over public lands, including some national parks and monuments.  And he tells the AP he's working with the Outdoor Retailer show, saying everything is on the table. Other show locations being talked about include Denver and Las Vegas.

GJ CITY EMPLOYEES RETURN TO 2009 SALARY LEVELS
Grand Jucntion City employees are getting back money from salary cuts taken over the past several years.  It's not really a raise, just a return to pay levels of 2009. The 1.5% cuts were reinstated at the first of the year, the other 1 1/2 % are being reinstated now.

ROMNEY IN COLORADO TODAY
National politics is front and center in Colorado today.  Republican Mitt Romney speaks at the Jefferson County Firgrounds this morning before heading to Basalt and Aspen later today.  In Basalt, Romney's to hear from republican U-S Representatives who want the candidate to change his stance on extending the wind-energy production tax credit. They say it's necessary to save thousands of jobs in the west.

PARENTS OF 13 YEAR OLD SUE VAIL
The parents of a 13 year old boy killed in an avalanche at Vail Resorts in January is suing, alleging negligence and wronful death.  Taft Conlin was buried on an open lower run, the top part closed in heavy snow. The Conlins say the resort should have known of the danger.  And they want the resort to make sure actions are taken to prevent future accidents.

Wednesday August 1, 2012

DOUBLE FATAL
The Colorado State patrol is investigating a 6-vehicle crash on Highway 69 near Westcliff that left two people dead, one a construction worker.  The patrol says a line of five cars were stopped when a tractor trailer slammed into the rear causing a chain reaction. The truck went off the side of the road and hit a 20 year old construction worker, killing him.  The 57 year old truck driver from Texas was also killed.

THEATER VICTIM SCAMS
Whenever there's a tragedy, someone tries to cash in and that's happening again with the Aurora movie theater shootings.  Mesa County DA Pete Hautzinger is encouraging people who want to help to make sure they're donating to legitimate charity.  Information is available online through the Federal Trade Commission.
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/07/coloradocharity.shtm

ANOTHER XCEL SCAM
Some Colorado Xcel Energy customers are being targeted by a new scam.  In this one, the customer is told their service is soon to be disconnected and they must pay their bill with a GreenDot pre-pay VISA card at a local drug or convenience store.  The scam typically targets Hispanic customers by callers who make speak Spanish. Xcel says whenever they have questions, customers should call the company. And report possible scams to local police.

MONTROSE WHITEWATER PARK 
The City and County of Montrose haven't given up on the possiblity of building a whitewater park in town and are working closely on a plan to ask for Great Outdoors Colorado Grant money to help.  The two are teaming with the Montrose Recreation District with the possibility of applying for the funding at the end of the month.  According to The Montrose Daily Press, a similar project in Golden resulted in $1.23 million economic impact for the city.

HICKENLOOPERS SEPARATE
Governor John Hickenlooper and his wife Helen Thorpe are separating after ten years of marriage.  The governor called the decision mutual and amicable, and says the couple's main concern now is their son Teddy whom they'll continue to raise together.

UNITED BIRD COLLISION
A United Airlines flight had a collision with a bird and managed a safe landing at DIA.  Officials tell the Denver Post there was a large hole below the 737's cockpit after the strike about 25 miles from the airport yesterday morning.

An indecent exposure charge against the former head of Two Rivers Convention Center and the Avalon Theater has been dismissed.  The Daily Sentinel says 33 year old Theron LaFountain was cited after being found naked at the Greyhound bus station in June.  He now says he was drugged.  The Grand Jucntion City Attorney tells the Sentinel the charges could be refiled later, but right now it would be difficult to prove his actions were knowing and willful.

DOLLAR GENERAL
The Town of Palisade is still talking about allowing a Dollar General Discount store to move inside its boundaries and a public hearing is scheduled tomorrow on whether to subdivide property for construction.  The Daily Sentinel says planning staff want to know whether the proposal meets land use codes. Tomorrow's meeting is at 3:00 at the Veterans Memorial Commuity Center.

OBAMA TO GJ
2 local TV stations say President Obama is coming to Grand Junction.  The President reportedly will make a stop here a week from today before heading to Pueblo and Colorado Springs on the 9th.  No word on when or where the rally will be.

 

Tuesday July 31, 2012

ROBBERY
Grand Junction Police are looking for a man who held up the Bradley Sinclair Gas Station at 2nd and North Avenue early this morning.  He's described as about 6 foot to 6-2 with a slender build, and dressed in all black with a hoodie and black cloth mask with white stripes.  He reportedly pointed a handgun at the clerk and then got away.  It happened at about 2:00 this morning.

LIBRARY MOVE
Work is underway to move the main branch of the Mesa County Public Library into temporary quarters at the old Ashley Furniture building on 1st Street.  Workers are packing and moving each morning this week, so the library is opening at noon each day.  The library will be closed starting this Saturday and reopen in the temporary location the week of August 13th.

BOAT RAMP CLOSED
The Ponderosa Boat Ramp at Blue Mesa Reservoir is being closed because of low water levels. Superintendent Connie Rudd says boater safety and damage to trailers, boats and vehicles are the biggest concerns. The lake level is dropping about a foot every four days, and there's a possibility the Steven's Creek ramp will closed this week, too.

BACK 2 SCHOOL SHOT CLINICS
The Mesa County Health Department is offering two T-DAP immunization clinics before school starts in August. The state health department requires the tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough vaccines for all students entering kindergarten and sixth through 12th grades this fall. The clinics are on the 14th and 15th.

PINE RIDGE RE-SEED
The BLM has put in a plan to help rehabilitate the 14000 acres burned in the Pine Ridge Fire. The plan is to install 5 new sedimentation retention dams and reseed 4,800 acres of grass for short term stabilization. The Daily Sentinel says the plan is expected to cost nearly $2 million.

DEATH CERTIFICATE FEES
The cost of death certificates in Colorado is going up...from $17 to $20.  Additional copies will also go up from $10 to $13. A new law requiring the Office of Vital Records to begin providing electronic death records to offices statewide is the reason.  The change makes it possible for a customer to get a certified copy anywhere in the state.

HOLMES CHARGED
Aurora theater shooter James Holmes has been formally charged with a total of 142 criminal counts including two separate counts of murder for each of the 12 people who died in the massacre July 20th.  The next hearing in the case is scheduled Aug. 9, when attorneys will debate a motion from 20 news media organizations to unseal the case file.  Another hearing is scheduled August 16th on arguments filed by the prosecution and defense over a notebook Holmes is reported to have mailed to his psychiatrist before the shootings.

TENNESSEE PASS LATEST
Things are getting better over Tennessee Pass which has been closed since early July when an underground railroad tunnel collapsed creating a huge sinkhole in Highway 24.  C-DOT has been working to make repairs and now has one lane open to alternating traffic. Wide loads are still prohibited, but the entire roadway is expected to be opened sometime next week.

WRIGHT SPEAKS OUT
House District 54 candidate Jared Wright says he's been the target of a vindictive police chief who sought to remove him for the Fruita Police Department where he's been an officer for five years.  Wright resigned from the force earlier this month having been accused of insubordination and lying, both of which call into question his integrity as an officer. KJCT TV says Wright will continue his campaign in full and not let the allegations slow him down.

DRIP AWARD
Mesa County's Drought Response Inforamtion Project or DRIP is recognizing School District 51 for aggressive leadership during the 2012 drought. A presentation is set this morning to pass on the accolades.

LOCAL BUSINESS RECOGNIZED
Rocky Mountain Sanitation is being recognized among the top 100 largest solid waste companies in the country in the new Waste Age Magazine.  The Grand Junction based company ranks 89th on the list of "Industry Players," with $3.1 million in revenue last year.  Rocky Mountain Sanitation shares the recognition with copmanies in large metro area from Houston to Atlanta.

EXPLOSIVE INDICTMENTS
ATF agents have indicted two Denver area men, accused of unlawful acts with explosives.  U-S Attorney John Walsh says undercover agents purchased hundreds of cartridges of explosives similar to dynamite and sawed-off shotguns. The investigation began in early June, with the indictments handed up last week.  Both men face fines and federal prison time if convicted.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HUMAN SERVICES
A non-profit agency helping veterans across Colorado is changing its name from Denver Options to Rocky Mountain Human Services.  They say the change better reflects what the group does, helps military veterans who've fallen on hard times get back on their feet.  Rocky Mountain Human Services has offices in Denver, Colorado Springs, and in Grand Junction. Information is available at RMhumanservices.org.

GJ ROCKIES BAT GIRL
The Grand Junction Rockies have their new bat girl. 16-year old Zoe Wright beat out dozens of applicants for the honor of polishing cleats, collecting bats and chasing down balls for the local team. Grand Junction Subaru will officially announce Zoe's selection at Saturday's game against the Ogden Raptors.

BENNET TRANS FUNDS
Some Federal Transportation money has been freed up for projects in Mesa, Ouray and Archuleta Counties Senator Michael Bennet says will help complete projects to keep some vital roadways safe and support local economic development.  Bennet says C-DOT is getting a $1.9 million grant for the North Avenue Complete Streets Project to improve infrastructure along North Avenue in Grand Junction.
[Additional money is being used to replace a cribwall and widen lanes along U-S 550 over Red Mountain Pass in Ouray County.

MONTROSE SAFETY
The City of Montrose has received awards for creating an strengthening a positive safety culture in 2011.  The Montrose Daily Press says the city's insurance carrier singled out the city for Loss Prevention, Safety Champion and Safety Manager of the year.  Safety Manager Jim Hougnan says he's honored to receive the award, but quickly passed the credit on to the staff.  He says the bottom line is the city's commitment to a strong safety culture, something that didn't exist five eyars ago.

MONTROSE CLINIC GRANT MONEY
The Colorow Family Medical Center in Olathe and the Uncompahgre Medical Center are recieving grant money from from the Colorado Rural Health Care grant program. The Montrose Daily Press says Colorow is getting 49 thousand while the Uncompahgre is getting 50 thousand dollars. The grants are part of a five year, 7.5 million dollar program funded by United Health Care.

Monday July 30, 2012

FATAL CRASH NEAR CRAIG
The Colorado State Patrol is still investigating a crash near Craig that killed three men.  All 3 were in a car headed west on Highway 40 about 2:30 Saturday morning when the car crossed the center line and smashed head-on into a semi. The semi caught fire, but the driver was able to escape with moderate injuries.

AURORA SHOOTER IN COURT
The Aurora movie theater shooter will hear formal charges today.  The Denver Post says James Holmes faces numerous counts of murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and other offenses.  New details could also be released.  Media outlets are asking the judge to unseal the case file.  They also want access to a notebook Holmes allegedly mailed to his psychiatrist prior to the shootings.

KIWANIS BLOOD DRIVE
The Kiwanis Club of Grand Junction continues it's 75th anniversary celebration with a St. Mary's Blood Bank donation drive of 75 pints of blood.  The goal reached last week with donations from Kiwanis Club members and others who donated in the name of the club.

COLORADO GAS PRICES
The price of gas in Colorado is down another 3 cents a gallon to an average $3.48 yesterday.  ColoradoGasPrices.com says that compares with the national average of $3.50/gal.  The website says prices are now 12 cents a gallon lower than a month ago, and one cent a gallon lower than a year ago.  GasBuddy.com's Senior Petroleum Analyst believes higher fuel commodity prices will lead to higher prices at the pump over the next week.

FISH KILLED
Colorado Parks and Wildlife says a large fish kill on the Colorado River above Dotsero can likely be blamed on heavy rains flushing mud, debris and sediment into the river.  Wildlife managers say it appears thousands of fish found dead along the river likely succumbed to the contaminated water. They say the fish were especially susceptible because of earlier stress from low flows and high temperatures brought on by drought conditions.

MOAB LOOKING FOR COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR
The Grand County Council in Moab is still looking for a new council administrator after their top candiate turned down the job.  Martin Black said the $75,000 salary offer wasn't enough, that another $10,000 would do it.  But in the end, the County Council said no.  The Moab Times says the Council is expected to take up the matter at its next regular meeting August 7th. 

GJ RAINFALL
Grand Junction is still way behind normal for rainfall on the year, but rain early Sunday morning is making a dent.  The Daily Sentinel says .98 inches of rain has fallen so far this month, nearly twice the usual amount.  Total rainfall for the year though, is still about 2 1/2 inches below normal.

WRIGHT TO SPEAK OUT
The former Fruita Police Officer running for the House District 54 seat in the state legislature says he'll hold a press conference today to clear the air about why he resigned his post in Fruita last week.  KKCO TV says Jared Wright issued a press release promising full transparancy.  The City of Fruita has said only that a personnel issue led to Wright's resignation last week.

AURORA VICTIM FUND GROWS
The Aurora Victim Relief Fund has taken in $3.1 million.  The manager of online giving for the community First Foundation tells the Denver Post the money is being divided among ten trusted nonprofit organizations providing a host of services to survivors and their families. 

OPERATION HOMEFRONT SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
A group called Operation Homefront is holding its annual Back-to-School Brigrade to collect school supplies for military kids.  It's a national movement with links at OperationHomefront.net, or on facebook.  In Grand Junction, Dollar Tree stores at Teller Arms and in the Rim Rock Shopping Center are offering to help get supplies to Operation Homefront.

SALVATION ARMY BACK-2-SCHOOL SHOPPING
20 needy children in Mesa County are getting a back-to-school shopping trip from the Salvation Army.  20 volunteers are being matched up with the kids for $80 shopping sprees for new clothes, coats and shoes. The trek to Target is tomorrow morning in Grand Junction.

NEW CMU HOUSING
Colorado Mesa University's 5th residence hall in the past six years is set to open this fall and a public open house today will show off the new construction at 12th and Orchard.  The Daily Sentinel says  the $11 million apartment building has 59,000 square feet and room for up to 192 residents.  Construction on another student housing project is expected to begin in two weeks.

Thursday July 19, 2012

XCEL FACEBOOK
Xcel Energy is stepping up its social media with a contest in which one winner will get a year's free electricity and 7 runners up will get a month's free power.  Spokesman Mark Stutz says the "Volt of Knowledge" facebook contest is designed to educate customers about Xcel Energy programs and services. You get entered by answering 3 trivia questions on the Xcel Facebook page. The contest runs through Sept. 3rd.

GVT GRANT
Grand Valley Transit is about to be swimming in a $1.2 million Department of Transportation grant.  Colorado Senator Michael Bennet made the announcement yesterday saying the money's to revitalize the community's transit infrastructure.  The Bus Livability Program money is targeted for the GVT West Transfer Facility.

BRUSH CREEK FIRE
A 125 acre lightning- caused wildfire is burning near Douglas Pass on BLM land 17 miles east of the Utah border.  The Brush Creek fire was reported just after 10:00 yesterday monring and by 3:30, crews were working to protect 9 structures, two within a mile west of the fire.  Smoke jumpers, air tankers, a helicopter and a hand crew were deployed quickly. By 10:00 last night, Engines were providing protection for some structures and oil and gas facilities a few miles northeast.

GRAND AVE HOUSE FIRE
Grand Junction Firefighters are looking into the cause of a house fire on Grand Avenue.  It apparently started in the basement and when crews got there, there was smoke pouring from the entire house. They were able to control the fire in about 10 minutes. A passerby first noticed the fire and called 9-1-1 before going inside the house.  Officials say that action was very dangerous and they stress the importance of waiting for trained and properly outfitted firefighters to arrive.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS LATEST
Fire Restrictions across western Colorado are being lifted and lightened almost daily, and fire managers are urging people to check with local authorities before lighting any fires.  Lower elevation BLM areas are still very dry and Stage II bans are still in effect.  White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams says the major fires in the state this summer have been naturally caused, and people are still being urged to use caution.

CRIME STOPPERS
Crimestoppers has gotten into the investigation of an altercation in the early morning of the 4th of July outside Village Inn on North Avenue.  The fight may have involved several people, including Daniel Marques who walked away from the scene and was found later in a parking lot.  He died at the hospital.  Crimestoppers is offering a cash reward for information in the case.  You can call 241-STOP or go to 241STOP.com.

MONTROSE HEALTH SVCS GRANT
The West Central Public Health Partnership has received a $25,000 Leadership grant from the Colorado Trust.  The group works as a partnership with agencies across several counties to increase access to public health services not previously available. The Montrose Daily Press says the money is being divided to help supplement the regional cooredinator's position.

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY AFFIDAVITS
Arrest affidavits in an attempted armed robbery show two suspects stalked the victim, following her after she cashed a check during a break from her job at Barnes Electric.  23 year olds Jeremiah Woolbright and Brianna Kuiper were arrested Tuesday night after a standoff at the Motel 6 on Horizon Dr.  Investigators used video surveillance from Wal-Mart, where the victim had cashed a check, and spotted the suspects. The victim was beaten with a handgun and was treated at a hospital.

NO BEETLE KILL TAXES
A move by the Grand Junction City Council to drop sales and use taxes on lumber killed by bark beetles could cost the city $5,000 to $20,000 in tax revenue.  The council last night agreed to remove the tax at the request of Doug Jones Sawmill who says it falls in line with state policies.  Jones tells the Daily Sentinel he's likely to invest more in beetle killed lumber, and pass the savings on to consumers.

Friday July 13, 2012

LIQUOR ENFORCEMENT
9 grand valley businesses are looking at sanctions after failing liquor compliance checks.  Local law enforcement agencies and state liquor enforcement sent underage persons into 111 businesses Wednesday, 3 liquor stores and 6 restaurants sold to the minors.  Compliance checks are funded by a grant awarded to the Grand Junction Police Department last October.


4TH OF JULY DUIS
The long 4th of July holiday was a deadly one on the roads in Colorado. The State Patrol says five people were killed in alcohol related crashes between June 29th and July 5th. During the same period, 632 DUI arrests were made. C-DOT and the state patrol are continuing the 100 Days of Heat anti-drunk driving campaign through September 4th.

XCEL SCAM
Xcel Energy is warning customers about a national scam targeting some Colorado utility customers.  The scam via telephone, Twitter and texting claims President Obama is applying payments to utility bills in an attempt to get people to hand over social security and bank routing numbers. Xcel says it is a scam and customers should only use authorized methods to pay their bills.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS
Even though statewide fire restrictions have been lifted, Stage 2 restrictions are still in place on lands managed by the White River National Forest, and the Colorado River Valley and Grand Junction BLM Field Offices. The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Office says conditions are still extremely dry and could lead to large fires. Recreationists are urged to call their county sheriff's office and local fire protection districts for the latest fire restrictions on non-federal lands.

MORE ALLEGATIONS
More allegations against a Grand Junction man being investigated on charges of sexual assault on a child while serving as a mentor in the Mesa County Partners program.  The Daily Sentinel says 50-year Mark Bustamante was arrested after two boys said they had been molested. A third victim came forward yesterday and  Bustamante's bond was raised from $100,000 to $150,000.

RINGOLD SENTENCED
A 22 year old Grand Junction man has been sentenced to 42 years in prison after shooting a 16 year old friend during a botched burglary.  Joshua Ringold plead guilty in April to shooting Cody English as the pair ran away from a home where they tried to steal some pot last November.  The Daily Sentinel says two admitted acomplices face 24 year prison sentences.

WEBSITES SEIZED
A Homeland Security team based in Denver has shut down 22 websites selling counterfeit merchandise.  The sites are among 70 seized across the country.  The US Attorneys Office in Denver says many of the sites were so close to the real ones, even the most discerning customers couldn't tell the difference.  A list of the seized sites is online at ICE.gov.