Government

As Coloradans prepare for Fourth of July barbecues, parties and festivities, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law enforcement agencies are teaming up to keep impaired drivers off the road. Law enforcement from 88 agencies across the state will be out with increased patrols, saturation patrols or checkpoints for the Fourth of July DUI enforcement period, which runs from Friday, June 29, through Thursday, July 5 as part of CDOT's The Heat Is On campaign. 

Beginning this weekend, people living the Gunnison Valley and in southwestern Colorado will have a new way to travel to Denver, Grand Junction and other locations, including areas along the Front Range beginning next week. 

Saturday, June 30, the Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT) existing Bustang service is expanding to serve the communities along U.S. 160, Colorado 145, U.S. 550 and U.S 50 between Durango and Grand Junction. 

As we observe the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this Fourth of July, we should consider the unique form of government for which our Founding Fathers chose to risk "their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor" against the militarily-superior British.

The fee for a driver license is set to increase by $1 to $28 July 1, 2018, in accordance with Colorado law.

The fee increase is intended to offset the cost of providing driver services and is the last of three increases under the current law. Fees have increased by $1 each year since 2015 according to the Colorado Department of Revenue. 

Eligible Coloradans are encouraged to "Skip the Trip" and renew their licenses online, which is one of 19 services available at mydmv.colorado.gov

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has ordered flags be lowered to half-staff statewide on all public buildings from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in honor of West Metro Fire Protection District Engineer Aaron Lybarger.  

Lybarger, 47, served with the West Metro Fire Protection District since 1992. He died on June 2, 2018, of esophageal and stomach cancer caused by on-the-job exposures.

The Governor's Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) has released its quarterly economic and revenue forecast. 

Colorado Senator Cory Gardner joined 11 of his colleagues Tuesday in sending a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions calling on the Administration to halt current policies leading to the forced separation of minor children from their parents, who are illegally entering the United States, and to allow Congress to fix the issue through legislation.

The Kiowa County Hospital District and County Board met in regular session on April 24, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at the Bransgrove Building Meeting Room. 

District Board members present were: Mary Eikner, Sylvia Shields, Cathryn Anderson, Priscilla Waggoner, and Robert Woods. 

County Board members present were: Lori Shalberg, John Negley, and Dennis Pearson. 

Absent-Craig Kerfoot (called) and Kim Harris (called). 

Others present: Shannon Dixon, Char Korrell, Colette Martin, Dawn Back, Cindy McLoud, and Beth Spady. 

Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants to hear from fishing enthusiasts about proposed changes to fishing regulations at Lake Pueblo, so it is convening a couple Anglers' Roundtables.