A police officer surplus, a Fire Department lawsuit and snowstorms have added more than $18 million in unanticipated costs for the city of Denver this year.
The city plans to pay for the costs with contingency funds, budget adjustments or extra revenues. The city has added about $1.9 million in savings from utility and gasoline cost reductions.
The numbers were released Wednesday as budget manager Mel Thompson presented the City Council with a first-quarter update.
The added costs include $8 million for snow removal, $5 million for street resurfacing, $1.2 million from a discrimination lawsuit in the Fire Department, $1 million in overtime at the Fire Department and $3 million in wages for police positions the city expected to lose through attrition.
Additional local news briefs:
BOULDER
Student cut after lab experiment mishap
A science building on the University of Colorado campus was shut down after a student had a mishap during an experiment Wednesday, 9News reported.
Authorities said they closed the Duane Physics Building after a student there caused a small explosion by mixing two chemicals.
Officials said the student cut his arm, but there were no serious injuries, according to 9News. The building was reopened Wednesday evening.
LYONS
Driver killed when car collides with semi
A 67-year-old woman died Wednesday morning when her car struck an oncoming semi on Colorado 66 about 4 miles west of Longmont, the Colorado State Patrol said.
The crash occurred about 10:15 a.m. when the Ford Mustang, which was being driven westbound by Lyons resident Nancy A. Dudley, drifted into on-coming traffic, authorities said.
Dudley was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver was not injured.
COLORADO SPRINGS
City Manager Kramer announces retirement
City Manager Lorne Kramer announced Wednesday that he plans to retire June 30.
Kramer served 11 years as chief of the Colorado Springs Police Department before he was named city manager in 2002.
Before moving to Colorado, Kramer served 28 years as an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department.
BENNETT
Man, 59, arrested on child-porn charges
A 59-year-old Bennett man has been arrested on suspicion of sexual exploitation of children after police found more than 2,000 images of child pornography on his computer, according to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
Jeffery Donberger turned himself in to police and was released after posting a $20,000 bond.
An ongoing investigation by a police agency in Ohio first identified child pornography in transit, via the Internet, to a Bennett home, police said.
HOLLY
$1.2 million in loans OK’d for tornado loss
The Small Business Administration has approved nearly $1.2 million in low-interest loans to help rebuild 21 homes and one business damaged in the Holly tornado and its aftermath, the federal agency said Wednesday.
SBA spokesman Richard Jenkins said loans of up to $200,000 are available to replace or repair houses. Businesses can also apply for loans to help pay bills because of lost business, whether or not their property was damaged.
The low-interest loans are available in Prowers County as well as in nearby Baca, Bent and Kiowa counties and Kansas’ Greeley, Hamilton and Stanton counties. The tornado hit March 28. Two people suffered fatal injuries.
WASHINGTON
Allard, Salazar call for military health probe
Colorado’s senators have joined nine others who are asking for a militarywide review of mental health care for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The request by Sens. Wayne Allard and Ken Salazar comes on the heels of a letter sent last week to the Government Accountability Office, an investigative arm of Congress, by a bipartisan group of nine U.S. senators who urged a systemwide investigation.
In the letter, the nine senators say “there are allegations of commanders at Fort Carson, Colorado, denying soldiers access to mental health care and instead ordering them redeployed for additional tours in Iraq.”
The nine senators or their representatives will visit Fort Carson to talk to soldiers May 14-15. Salazar and Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., also plan to send representatives.
GRAND JUNCTION
Pro-meth fliers placed on vehicles
The fliers read “METH” in capital letters, followed by the claim “One man’s risk is another man’s benefit.”
They even promote that the highly addictive drug methamphetamine has been “Trusted and Used since 1887.”
Grand Junction police and other authorities were investigating Tuesday to learn who had placed the fliers on windshields and in windows of vehicles at Mesa Mall, Wal-Mart, Grand Junction High School and Fruita Monument High School.
The literature states crystal meth is “Great for Weight Loss” and that it “Temporarily improves athletic abilities!”
Authorities said the person or people placing the fliers could face charges of trespassing.
DENVER
Conservation chief to run for Congress
Will Shafroth, head of the Colorado Conservation Trust, announced Wednesday that he is running for Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District seat.
The seat is being vacated by Rep. Mark Udall’s Senate bid.
Shafroth, 49, said he has the backing of former Democratic Gov. Dick Lamm among others.
State Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, D- Jefferson County, is also running for the seat.
