Holtzman campaign readies petitions for spot on ballot
Republican gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman isn’t taking any chances when it comes to getting on the primary ballot. His campaign started printing petitions Monday in case he decides not to attend next month’s state convention.
“We’re trying to make sure we get on the ballot one way or another,” said campaign spokesman Dick Leggitt.
For months, Holtzman has been saying that Republican Party leaders might block his ability to get on the ballot.
The state party has already agreed to have a deputy sheriff in the room, private voting booths and a cellphone ban.
DENVER
17 animals test positive for plague
Spring has arrived in Colorado, with its blossoming trees, longer, sunny days – and plague-ridden animals.
Already this spring, 10 cats, six rodents and a rabbit have tested positive for the plague, so the state health department is reminding residents – especially in rural areas – to protect themselves. So far, plague has been detected this year in Archuleta, La Plata, Larimer, Mesa, Montezuma and San Miguel counties.
Plague is an infectious disease transmitted primarily by fleas. Human cases are rare – Colorado averages two a year – and can be treated with antibiotics. However if the disease is not treated early, it can be life-threatening.
DENVER
Suspect in plane scare
talked about “towers”
The man who authorities said tried to open the door of a plane flying from Chicago to Sacramento, Calif., on Friday talked about “towers” and wanting to die.
The plane was diverted to Denver, where authorities arrested Jose Manuel Pelayo Ortega. He faces a federal charge of interference with a flight attendant, according to arrest paperwork filed in U.S. District Court in Denver.
According to the affidavit, two first-class passengers saw Ortega get into a confrontation with a flight attendant and then violently try to open the plane door.
The passengers subdued Ortega with duct tape. As they did, he reportedly said, “Your religion won’t save you” and “Let me jump. Let me die. I have a camera inside of me.” Ortega faces up to 20 years in prison.
DENVER
RTD contractor, union to resume talks May 19
Negotiators for First Transit Inc., one of RTD’s private bus contractors, and the transit workers union will resume contract talks May 19 in an effort to avert a strike by the company’s bus drivers.
Gyor Wilson, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1755, which represents about 290 First Transit drivers, said he expects federal mediator Christel Jorgensen will be present during the talks.
The union had given First Transit until Monday to respond to Local 1755’s latest contract proposal or face a strike as early as May 15.
First Transit accounts for 18 percent of the Regional Transportation Disctrict’s bus service.
Earlier this month, Jorgensen helped settle a five-day strike by RTD employees, who are members of a separate union local.
DENVER
One of several men charged in AA incident
Charges have been filed against one of several men who burst into an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting last week and attacked people.
Fabin Guzman, 20, has been charged with first-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree assault, second-degree assault, three counts of third-degree assault and criminal mischief, according to the Denver district attorney’s office.
Guzman is in Denver County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bond. He is scheduled to be in court Wednesday.
COLORADO SPRINGS
“Deadbeat” suspect held in county jail
A man suspected of faking his own death to avoid paying child support is being held in El Paso County Jail.
Allen Wolford, who worked at Evergreen Funeral Home in Colorado Springs, told a police officer he created a phony death certificate to avoid paying debts that prohibited him from qualifying for a home loan, according to an arrest affidavit.
LARIMER COUNTY
Murder-suicide eyed in death of couple
A husband and wife found Monday morning shot to death in a rural Glacier View residence in Larimer County are believed to be victims of a murder-suicide, authorities said.
The woman was found near the door with gunshot wounds, and the man was lying a few steps away with the gun beneath him.
“Preliminary investigation leads us to believe the man was the shooter,” said spokeswoman Eloise Campanella with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.
The names of the couple, who were in their 50s, have not been released.
