Nov. 1 turnout set record for Colo. odd-year election
Nearly half of the state’s registered voters cast ballots in this month’s election, setting a new record for an odd-year election.
The official turnout for the Nov. 1 election was 49.85 percent, breaking the record of 47.25 percent set in 2003, Secretary of State Gigi Dennis said Monday.
Phillips County had the highest turnout, at 75.06 percent, and Dolores County had the lowest, at 36.87 percent.
In 2003, voters soundly defeated a $2 billion proposal for water projects.
A lot of money was also at stake in the latest election. Under the official tally, 52.06 percent of voters backed Referendum C, suspending the tax limits in the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, a constitutional amendment, for five years, allowing the state to keep about $3.7 billion that otherwise would have been refunded to taxpayers.
However, 50.62 percent of voters rejected a companion measure – Referendum D – that would have allowed the state to borrow up to $2.1 billion for roads, school maintenance, pensions and other projects.
WELLINGTON
Rescue Mission farm needs feed for critters
The Denver Rescue Mission’s Harvest Farm in Larimer County, which was almost completely destroyed by a fire Sunday, is in desperate need of donations, especially feed for the 170 critters that survived.
Nine sows, nine weaner pigs and 33 piglets died in the blaze, which destroyed three barns and all the animal feed, Rescue Mission spokeswoman Greta Ritchey said. About 10 rabbits also were killed.
Feed and grain donations can be dropped off at the Harvest Farm, 4240 E. County Road 66 in Wellington. Monetary donations can be made to the Denver Rescue Mission, 3501 E. 46th Ave., Denver, CO 80216.
COLORADO SPRINGS
Dobson endorsements spur complaint to IRS
A liberal watchdog group filed a complaint Monday with the Internal Revenue Service charging that Focus on the Family chairman James Dobson violated the tax code governing nonprofits by endorsing political candidates.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington singled out Dobson’s endorsement of conservative Republican candidates in 2004. The complaint argues that Dobson’s claim that he was acting as a private individual rings false and that his words amounted to an improper Focus on the Family endorsement.
James Bopp, an attorney for Focus on the Family, said Dobson indeed acted as a private individual, except for one case the group cited. In that instance, Dobson endorsed Senate candidate Thomas Coburn of Oklahoma through a separate group, Focus on the Family Action, which is allowed to make limited endorsements if they are reported to the Federal Election Commission.
DENVER
City Council hearing set on begging rules
The Denver City Council will hold a public hearing on three proposed panhandling ordinances at its weekly meeting Monday.
The council gave initial approval to the three ordinances Monday night. The ordinances would restrict beggars from sitting or lying on public sidewalks and rights of way in the downtown business district between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.; restrict them from stepping into traffic to solicit donations; and prevent them from asking for donations within 20 feet of outside tables.
FORT CARSON
Tank rollover in canal kills soldier in Iraq
A 40-year-old Army veteran has become at least the 66th member of the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment, stationed at Fort Carson, near Colorado Springs, to die in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. 1st Class Eric P. Pearrow of Peoria, Ill., died in Baghdad on Thanksgiving Day when his M1A2 Abrams tank rolled over into a canal, the Department of Defense reported Monday.
WESTMINSTER
Teen held in shooting of friend in the head
A 16-year-old boy was being held Monday in Adams County, charged with shooting another teen in the head while they were drinking.
The victim, also 16, has been on life support since the shooting, which occurred about 1:35 a.m. Sunday in the 3200 block of West 76th Avenue, Westminster police said. The victim’s name has not been released.
Police arrested the suspect on charges of first-degree assault, possession of a handgun by a juvenile and prohibited use of a weapon.
“This case exemplifies the tragic consequences alcohol, guns and unsupervised teenagers combine,” said Westminster police investigator Tim Read.
DENVER
Lawyer: Firefighter is gun fan, not terrorist
A Denver firefighter who is accused of selling illegal machine guns to FBI informants is a “gun enthusiast,” not a terrorist, his attorney said Monday.
William Hood also said that Stan Taran Ford, 34, who was arrested last week, could face a third weapons charge.
Ford’s arrest affidavit described him as having “anti-U.S. sympathies.” It also detailed allegations that he twice sold machine guns illegally modified to make them fully automatic.
Ford is being held in federal custody without bail. On Wednesday, he will go before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Watanabe for a hearing on whether bail should be set.
