GOP lawmakers to meet on illegal immigrants’ impact
A group of Republican lawmakers will hold a meeting Wednesday on the impact of illegal immigrants.
The meeting by the Republican Study Committee of Colorado follows a five-day trip to Arizona in October by three members of the group. They met with Arizona lawmakers and federal border officials and observed efforts by civilians who patrol the border area.
Opponents of the effort blasted the group for failing to allow public comment at the meeting, which will be held at the state Capitol.
“I think the citizens of Colorado need to know what they’re proposing,” said Denver immigration lawyer Donna Lipinski.
Kent Lambert, a spokesman for the committee, characterized Wednesday’s meeting as a caucus, not a formal hearing, and said there will be plenty of time to hear from the other side when the legislature convenes in January.
Scheduled speakers include former Gov. Dick Lamm; Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies; Dr. Madeline Cosman, a medical lawyer and author of 15 books; Yeh Ling-Ling of the Diversity Alliance for a Sustainable America; Fred Elbel of the Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform; Rosemary Jenks of Numbers USA; and several others. The Claremont Institute is helping to sponsor the meeting.
DENVER
Hearing set on impact of illegal immigrants
The Republican Study Committee of Colorado will hold a hearing Wednesday on the impact of illegal immigrants.
The hearing follows a five-day trip to Arizona in October by three members of the legislative coalition, who met with Border Patrol officials and observed efforts by the Minuteman Project.
Opponents of the effort blasted the group for failing to allow public comment at the hearing, which will be held at the Capitol.
Kent Lambert, a spokesman for the committee, characterized Wednesday’s meeting as a caucus, not a formal hearing, and said there will be plenty of time to hear from the other side when the legislature convenes in January.
Speakers will include former Colorado Gov. Dick Lamm; Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies; Dr. Madeline Cosman, a medical lawyer and author of 15 books; Yeh Ling-Ling of the Diversity Alliance for a Sustainable America; Fred Elbel of the Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform; Rosemary Jenks of Numbers USA; and several others. The Claremont Institute is helping to sponsor the hearing.
DENVER
“Main St.” rezoning sought for East Colfax
The Denver City Council on Monday unanimously approved a resolution stating it intends to push for a “Main Street” rezoning of East Colfax Avenue.
The council will consider the actual rezoning along the street next summer after input from property owners. The new Main Street zoning designation is supposed to encourage more pedestrian-friendly development. Council President Rosemary Rod riguez said she envisions a similar rezoning for Federal Boulevard near transit hubs.
Also, the council, on a 12-0 vote with Councilman Charlie Brown absent, rezoned 765 and 777 Delaware St. so the Denver Health and Hospital Authority can use the building as a medical supply building. That property is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
The council also unanimously approved the $775 million general-fund budget for 2006.
EL PASO COUNTY
Owner of pit bulls in attack is charged
Authorities have identified the owner of four of the five pit bulls that attacked two teenagers Saturday in El Paso County.
Staci Willison, 35, of Hanover has been charged with unlawful ownership of dangerous dogs, a misdemeanor that usually carries a fine.
The fifth dog involved in the incident was a stray that had been in the area for the past four to five months, said Lt. Clif Northam, spokesman for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
As of Monday, all five dogs were being held at the Pikes Peak Region Humane Society.
Northam said the deputy on the scene described the dogs as “extremely playful” and nonthreatening and said the incident could have been a result of rough play. The two teens suffered minor scrapes and scratches on their arms and legs.
FORT CARSON
Soldier from base unit dies in Iraq blast
A 27-year-old soldier assigned to Fort Carson’s 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment was killed Friday in Tall Afar, Iraq, the Department of Defense announced Monday.
Sgt. Tyrone L. Chisholm, 27, of Savannah, Ga., died when multiple improvised explosive devices detonated near his M1A2 Abrams tank, the Army said.
Chisholm is the 64th soldier with that regiment to be killed in Iraq.
HIGHLANDS RANCH
Dem to explore run for state treasurer
Democrat John Turner on Monday announced a committee to explore running for state treasurer next year. Turner, of Highlands Ranch, is a finance and economics instructor at the University of Colorado at Denver and a retired Air Force colonel.
“I want to put my 35 years’ military and professional experience to work and see that every single budget dollar will be shepherded carefully and invested wisely to provide for the maximum return while minimizing risk to Colorado taxpayers,” Turner said in a release.
Turner is the only announced Democratic candidate.
Republican acting state Treasurer Mark Hillman has also registered as a candidate with the secretary of state’s office.
Republican Gov. Bill Owens appointed Hillman to serve until March, when Mike Coffman, who rejoined the U.S. Marine Corps to serve in Iraq, returns. Coffman is term-limited and cannot run for re-election.
DENVER
Light rail to allow bicycles at any time
Bicycle riders now can take their bikes for a light-rail ride anytime, the Regional Transportation District announced Monday.
Previously, bikes were allowed on light-rail cars only during nonpeak hours.
The RTD board approved at its October meeting making the light rail available to bicyclists and their bikes at any time in any direction, the annnoucement said.
The change comes following a pilot program allowing bikes on light rail at any time from June through October, the most popular bicycling time of the year, including Bike to Work Week (June 20-24) and the period when students were back to school at the Auraria Campus before fall and winter temperatures and the daylight-time change reduce bike riding.
A permit is needed to put a bike on light rail, but the permits are free and available online at www.rtd-denver.com under “Special Rides,” or at any RTD information kiosk at the Market Street Station, Civic Center Station, Boulder Transit Center and Denver International Airport.
