Can state and feds find common ground on legal marijuana?

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Is Colorado headed for a cannabis clash with the feds? Bob Berwyn photo.

Passage of Amendment 64 in Colorado sets up potential showdown

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY —Even in the face of federal uncertainty, local officials say Colorado’s effective — if somewhat cumbersome — regulation of medical marijuana can serve as a guide for controlling the cultivation and retailing of marijuana for personal use, legalized by state voters in last week’s election.

Amendment 64 legalizes the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana as soon as the election results are certified by Gov. John Hickenlooper, at the latest by Dec. 6. Possession and cultivation of up to six plants will also be legal. (more…)

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Colorado: Local officials eye new marijuana reality

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Amendment 64 raising a lot of questions for local governments

Will Summit County get legal pot shops?

By Bob Berwyn

FRISCO — Federal reaction to the legalization of marijuana for personal use may be driven as much by political considerations as by legal factors, said attorney Sean McAllister, a long-time advocate on the cannabis front.

Colorado voters approved Amendment 64 by a large marging. The measure legalizes adult possession and cultivation of marijuana and directs the state to establish a system to regulate the commercial sale of marijuana for personal use. The ballot measure got 50,000 more votes than President Barack Obama in his reelection bid, and McAllister reckons that the adminstration may not be keen on alienating progressive voters by cracking down on the state. (more…)

Filed under: business, Colorado, economy, politics, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Colorado: Economic recovery brightens budget picture

Posted on November 4, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Hickenlooper continues push to streamline state government

Increased revenues will bolster funding for education and social services.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — State lawmakers got a first look at Gov. John Hickenlooper’s proposed FY 2013-14 budget last week, including increased funding for K-12 education, as well as restoration of funding to other critical programs that saw cuts in recent year.

The FY 2013-14 proposed budget is $21.9 billion, of which $8.1 billion is from the General Fund. Relative to the FY 2012-13 appropriation, these amounts represent increases of $1.1 billion (5.4 percent) in total funds and 5 percent ($387 million) in the General Fund.

“Colorado’s economy is outperforming other states,” Hickenlooper said. “This gives us the ability to restore some cuts and modestly increase funding in critical areas of the state’s budget. But we still have a long way to go to fully recover from this recession.” (more…)

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Summit County Dems rally to mark start of early voting

Posted on October 14, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Summit County Democrats look to boost turnout, early voting.

Big Summit turnout needed to win state races

By Bob Berwyn

FRISCO — With absentee ballots going out Monday, Summit County Democrats are starting their final run-up to the election Sunday afternoon rally at party headquarters in Silverthorne (Summit Place shopping center, next to the Smiling Moose Deli).

State Rep. Millie Hamner and Colorado Democratic Party Chairman Rick Palacio are both confirmed for the event, and several other local candidates may also speak at the rally.

“We’re hoping to use this as a kick-off for our get out the vote efforts,” said Matt Inzeo, communications director for the Colorado Democratic Party.

Summit County has long been a left-leaning stronghold, but state redistricting has made the county more important for candidates like Emily Tracy, facing conservative Republican Randy Baumgardner in a district that includes rural ranching communities.

In 2008, Obama won 67 percent of the vote in Summit County, even though more than a third of registered voters identify themselves as Independents. A big turnout could help those Democratic candidates farther down the ticket, said local activist Sandy Briggs.

“There’s no question Summit will go for Obama. It’s just a question if he can match that 67 percent he got last time,” Briggs said, adding that there’s a lot at stake for Summit County residents.

A Romney administration would favor more commercial development on the county’s cherished public lands, and could reverse the progress made on increasing production of renewable energy — another issue that’s important to high country residents.

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Colorado Legislature may take sides in Forest Service-ski industry water rights showdown

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Interim committee of Colorado lawmakers to grapple with several water-related bills this week.

Interim review committee to discuss several water measures this week

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado lawmakers may weigh in on a dispute between the ski industry and the U.S. Forest Service with a resolution opposing the federal agency’s efforts to protect publicly owned water rights originating on national forest lands.

The proposed resolution, under review by an interim legislative committee, would oppose a new Forest Service water rights clause in ski area special use permits that would bar resorts from transferring certain water rights to third  parties.

The Forest Service clause also requires ski areas to transfer certain water rights to the United States or to subsequent special permit use holders if a permit is terminated.

The measure is one of several water bills on the agenda during a session of the interim Water Resources Review Committee. The bills will be discussed by lawmakers Thursday (Sept. 27) morning, with public testimony in the afternoon. The session will be streamed on the web. Go to this Colorado Legislature website and click on the House Committee 0112 link. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Environment, politics, water | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado governor requests federal disaster status

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Federal aid could bolster state efforts

A small wildfire burns at Keystone, Colorado in June 2011.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper today requested President Barack Obama to declare a federal state of disaster in Colorado due to the widespread wildfire damage in the state.

Colorado’s congressional delegation said it’s in full support of the request.

Requests for a disaster declaration by the President must be made by the Governor of the affected state. Once the declaration is made, it would make available a number of Federal programs to assist in the response and recovery efforts. (more…)

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Colorado firestorm sparks political skirmish

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

State’s congressional delegation says it’s unified on wildfire issues

A military C-130 cargo plane modified to perform aerial firefighting missions. Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Butterfield)

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — The announcement that President Obama will visit Colorado Friday to view the destructive wildfires triggered a minor partisan skirmish, as some conservative Republicans suggested that the visit is politically motivated, and questioned the administration’s ability to respond to wildfires. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Environment, forest fires, politics, wildfires | Tagged: , , , | 2 Comments »

Politics: Race for House District 61 could get interesting, as Kathleen Curry eyes bid as an Independent candidate

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Kathleen Curry during her 2010 run for the State Legislature.

Veteran lawmaker from Gunnison County wants to be a nonpartisan voice in the State Legislature

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Summit County’s plurality of unaffiliated voters could make history this year if they band together to vote for Kathleen Curry, a Gunnison County resident considering a run for the Colorado House of Representatives as an independent candidate.

Curry, a veteran of the State Legislature, would  compete for the seat in the newly formed House District 61. She would face incumbent Democrat Millie Hamner and either Deb Irvine or David Justice, currently contesting a Republican primary.

Curry is currently in the process of gathering the required 400 signatures and will be in Summit County this week to meet with local business and community leaders to test the waters for the bid. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, politics, Summit County news, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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