:Arapahoe sheriff to investigate possible hate crimes
The Arapahoe County Commissioners on Tuesday asked Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson to investigate a series of possible hate crimes against two county employees, 9News reported.
The action was taken after the employees contacted 9Wants to Know to find out why more wasn’t done to find who hung nooses, inserted unwrapped razor blades in a tool belt, and made continuous racial jokes directed toward them.
Both employees have asked that their full names not be used.
The incidents involve the only two African-American employees in the Weatherization Department of Arapahoe County.
The department helps elderly and low-income families install insulation, water heaters and furnaces as part of Colorado’s Leap Program in Adams and Arapahoe counties.
Judge rules greater sage grouse decision “tainted”
BOISE, Idaho — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service disregarded scientific evidence when it declined to list the greater sage grouse as endangered, an Idaho federal court judge ruled Tuesday.
The 2005 decision not to extend protections for the bird — which has range in Colorado — was “tainted by the inexcusable conduct” of a former Bush administration political appointee, Judge B. Lynn Winmill found.
Last week, the Interior Department inspector general agreed to look into decisions made by ousted official Julie MacDonald on 13 other species, months after the wildlife agency agreed to revisit eight cases.
CU search panel seeking input
The University of Colorado’s Presidential Search Committee will hold a meeting tonight to gather input about what the public would like to see in CU’s next president.
The meeting, hosted by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, 1445 Market St., fifth floor conference room.
7 train cars carrying grain derail on pass
LA VETA PASS — Seven cars of an eastbound San Luis & Rio Grande freight train derailed Monday night near the top of 9,242-foot La Veta Pass in southern Colorado, but no hazardous materials were involved and no injuries were reported.
The incident occurred along a stretch of track that will be used by the “North Pole Express” — a holiday season train being run by the Rio Grande Scenic Express, the passenger side of the San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad.
Santa is on the train to take Christmas wishes from kids, pose for photos and pass out candy canes. Hot chocolate and cookies are served.
Mike McConville, San Luis & Rio Grande’s vice president of operations, said the late-night derailment will not affect operations of the “North Pole Express” or pose a safety hazard for passengers.
A spokesman for the Federal Railroad Administration said it is in contact with the railroad about Monday’s incident but will not investigate the accident.
“It just doesn’t warrant it, there were no injuries and no hazmat,” said Rob Kulat, spokesman for the agency.
The seven cars were all carrying grain. McConville said that the railroad expected the rails to be repaired by Tuesday night. No trains were canceled, he added.
