University of Colorado officials responded Tuesday to a letter from the Colorado Commission on Higher Education blasting the school over an increase in tuition rates.
On Monday, CCHE executive director Rick O’Donnell charged that CU violated an informal agreement by increasing tuition rates as much as 28 percent over the weekend.
Jerry Rutledge, chairman of the CU Board of Regents, said CU officials did not want to raise tuition but had to ensure that the quality of the university wasn’t hurt.
“Nothing is more important than the well-being of our students and our state, and every decision we make keeps this most important commitment at the forefront,” Rutledge wrote.
Rutledge also pointed out that the school is increasing financial aid and guaranteeing that low-income students can get an education. He also said that the school has seen a $75 million budget reduction in the past five years and that the tuition increase falls below the spending limit authorized by the legislature.
CCHE officials continued Tuesday to look for ways to block CU from implementing the tuition hike.
COLORADO SPRINGS
Court to weigh AFA rape-records dispute
Lawyers for the Air Force will argue today before a civilian federal judge that any effort to protect the records of a therapist’s sessions with an alleged rape victim would have “significant, national consequences.”
Colorado Springs therapist Jennifer Bier has asked a U.S. District Judge to grant a restraining order preventing U.S. marshals from arresting her for refusing to turn over patient records to Air Force lawyers.
The records are being sought by military lawyers representing Lt. Joseph Harding, who is facing a court-martial for sexual assault after being accused by Bier’s client, former Air Force Academy cadet Jessica Brakey. A military judge has ordered Bier to turn them over.
She has refused, citing state and federal laws protecting the patient-therapist relationship.
In a brief filed Tuesday, Harding’s lawyers argued that if the civilian court intervenes, their client would face a different standard of military justice than other Air Force members.
A hearing is set for 3 p.m. in Denver.
AURORA
2 killed, 5 hurt in multiple-car crash
Two people were killed and five others injured in a multiple- car crash Tuesday night, Aurora police said.
The accident occurred about 8:30 p.m. when a Chevrolet Blazer traveling southbound on South Sable Boulevard apparently ran a red light at East Mississippi Avenue, said police Lt. Charles Holzheimer.
Excessive speed and alcohol both appeared to be factors, he said.
The driver of the Blazer apparently tried to flee from the accident scene on foot, but witnesses and at least one driver from the other cars chased him down.
The man, whose name was not released, is in custody pending investigation of possible charges, Holzheimer said.
MESA, Ariz.
Colo. lab misidentifies samples as toxin ricin
Samples authorities believed were ricin when they were confiscated in Arizona last week were misidentified as the deadly toxin because of a mixup on the part of Colorado’s state laboratory, officials said Tuesday.
Tests conducted by the Colorado lab indicated three of the samples contained ricin, but new tests were conducted after Arizona health lab workers discovered Colorado used outdated chemicals in reviewing the samples.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked state labs to dispose of the old chemicals in 2003 when new, more precise ones were developed, said Arizona state epidemiologist David Engelthaler.
The Colorado lab is conducting an internal investigation to discover why its old chemicals had not been disposed of, Engelthaler said.
PUEBLO
Salazar endorses valley water conduit
Democratic Sen. Ken Salazar has endorsed a proposed $250 million, 140-mile water conduit to carry drinking water to the Lower Arkansas Valley.
“For too long the Lower Arkansas River communities have been withering on the vine because their agricultural land is drying up,” said Salazar.
Sen. Wayne Allard and Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, both Colorado Republicans, introduced legislation in May that would authorize the project.
Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., also is supporting the project.
GREEN RIVER, Utah
Suspect in tot’s death found dead by officer
A man wanted in Westminster for allegedly killing his girlfriend’s young daughter has died after apparently shooting himself in the head on a Utah highway, authorities said Tuesday.
A Utah state trooper found Vinh Xuan Nguyen on Saturday sitting in his car parked on the shoulder of Interstate 70 east of Green River with a gunshot wound to the head.
Westminster investigators began eyeing Nguyen on Thursday in connection with the death of a 2-year-old girl. Police determined Nguyen was caring for the girl at the time of her injury.
BAILEY
Propane explosion injures three in home
A man suffered second-degree burns on 55 percent of his body and two women suffered less serious injuries after a propane explosion at a house Tuesday north of Bailey, firefighters said.
Timothy Bird, 34, also had third-degree burns on his hands,Platte Canyon Fire Chief Jeff Davis said. Bird told rescuers he had been trying to light a pilot light.
The women, including the man’s mother, were upstairs when the explosion happened about 11:30 a.m.
DENVER
Coombe officially named to lead DU
University of Denver provost Robert D. Coombe will become the school’s chancellor starting July 1, school officials announced Tuesday.
Coombe, 56, will replace Daniel Ritchie, who has held the position since 1989.
Coombe was selected out of nearly 100 applicants, but school officials declined to disclose what Coombe will be paid.
