ADAMS COUNTY
Driver killed in crash of motorcycle on I-76
The driver of a 2003 Black Kawasaki motorcycle was killed early Monday when his bike crashed on Interstate 76 near Sheridan Boulevard.
The man’s name has not been released. The Kawasaki was traveling westbound on I-76 at milepost 2 around 2:20 a.m. in Adams County at a high speed.The motorcycle struck a post, went down an embankment and rolled several times.
The operator was ejected and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Adams County Coroner. Alcohol or drugs and speed are suspected as contributing factors, the patrol said.
DENVER
No punishment for robo-call lobbyist
A lobbyist who organized misleading robo-calls about pending legislation did not violate legislative rules and won’t be punished, lawmakers said Monday.
The legislative executive committee – which includes bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate – criticized lobbyist William Mutch’s tactics, but declined to sanction him.
A legislative rule prohibits lobbyists from attempting to influence lawmakers “by means of deceit” or threats.
Reps. Alice Borodkin, D-Denver, and Nancy Todd, D-Aurora, filed a complaint against Mutch, who represented the homebuilders organization Colorado Concern, for calls to their constituents claiming they were considering legislation that would raise taxes and benefit lawyers.
Mutch said it was “too early to comment” on whether he will continue to work as a lobbyist.
DENVER
New appeal filed in CU sexual assault suit
Two former University of Colorado students who claimed they were sexually assaulted by football players filed another federal appeal on Monday asking a judge to consider information broadcast in a 9News interview with former player Clyde Surrell.
During the interview, Surrell claims that Coach Gary Barnett knew of a previous sexual assault investigation of Surrell 11 months before the women say they were raped at an off-campus party in 2001.
“We are saying that is extremely relevant both because Coach Barnett is the main witness in the case for CU and because this particular incident was very material since Barnett went on to choose (Surrell) to host visiting recruits,” said Baine Kerr, an attorney representing the women.Barnett swore under oath that he did not have prior knowledge of a sexual assault investigation involving Surrell.
Kerr says he will file a motion with the 10th District Court of Appeals to consolidate Monday’s appeal with another appeal that is awaiting a judge’s written ruling.
THORNTON
Police commander investigation finished
Thornton police have completed their investigation into a possible conflict of interest over a police commander’s involvement in a Colorado State Patrol case but won’t go into detail about the findings.
Commander Lori Moriarty assisted the patrol’s traffic investigation of a crash in which two Berthoud High School students lost their legs.
Her involvement “was not in her official capacity,” her boss, Police Chief Jim Nursey, said Monday.
She is a close friend of the family of Tyler Carron, one of the students injured in the January accident in Larimer County.
Nursey said he could not comment because it’s a “personnel matter.” Moriarty could not be reached for comment.
DENVER
Adviser weighed to aid FasTracks funding
RTD planners are recommending that the agency’s directors select the investment banking team of Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan as financial adviser for assessing public-private partnerships for RTD’s FasTracks program.
The Regional Transportation District recently estimated it will need to get $670 million in savings for FasTracks by getting private consortiums to invest in rail projects.
The Goldman-J.P. Morgan group will review such proposals from private companies if the RTD board selects the banking firms at a meeting tonight.
The contract that RTD directors will consider would pay Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan $200,000 in fees through the end of the year, but would also pay the firms a “success fee” totaling 0.625 percent of any completed public-private partnership agreement, which could be as much as $6.25 million.
BOULDER
Principal apologizes for frank panel on sex
Boulder High School’s principal sent formal letters of apology to students’ parents on Monday, in the wake of a controversy over a panel discussion held at the high school about teen sex and drug use.
Bud Jenkins apologized to parents that the panel violated long-standing school rules on teaching controversial subjects. Specifically, he wrote that faculty members did not ensure the panel presented balanced viewpoints and did not provide enough time or instruction materials to discuss the topics in depth.
The panel discussion took place in April as part of the University of Colorado’s Conference on World Affairs.
The four panelists engaged in frank and sometimes provocative talk about sex and drugs that some students and parents found too permissive in tone.
