Friday, March 2, 2007

? for president? Western Democrat: "Time Magazine has a new national presidential poll out that includes regional breakdowns. Now, I'm a huge skeptic when it comes to national polls conducted this early in a race, but there's some interesting tidbits here. While Hillary Clinton leads Barack Obama 36-24% nationally, she soars in the Northeast (42-20) and the South (42-19). But she lags in the Midwest (down 29-31) and the West (29-29). That Midwest result isn't a surprise - given the strength of Obama in Illinois - but in the West?[...] "The poll includes Al Gore, who polls nationally at 13%. John Edwards comes in at 11%, but only 2% in the Northeast - and 15% in the Midwest, 12% in the South, and 11% in the West. Bill Richardson is fifth at 3%, with a slightly higher 4% in the West. On the Republican side, it's Giuliani (38%), McCain (24%), Gingrich (12%), and Romney (7%). No surprise - McCain and Romney both perform slightly better in the West (McCain 27%, Romney 11%)." "2008 pres" 7:20:16 AM

Edwards for president? From today's Denver Post, "Hoping to build influence among young voters and the broader audience of the interior West, presidential candidate John Edwards visited students at Metropolitan State College of Denver on Thursday with a call to take action. 'We have to show the world that we understand our responsibility is not just to ourselves, but our responsibility is to humanity,' the former North Carolina senator and vice presidential candidate said to an estimated 700 students and other attendees. Edwards targeted issues that several students said were important to them. He opened with broad assessments of what he described as America's diminished ethical leadership in the world, challenged his listeners to fight global warming and promoted universal health care, easier access to college and higher minimum wages." "2008 pres" 7:05:44 AM

Western U.S.: Pretty damn distinct Colorado can expect the presidential campaigns to do more than fly into Colorado for fundraisers in 2008, according to Nancy Pelosi. From an article, in today's Denver Post, "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit with Colorado Democrats on Saturday is but one sign of the marquee role the West will play in the 2008 elections. 'The West will be very important for this election cycle,' Pelosi said in a telephone interview. Among the signs underscoring the West's importance, Pelosi said, are: Western presidential hopefuls out campaigning; Nevada assuming a leading role in the presidential primary and caucus season; and Democrats choosing their presidential candidate in Denver. Democrats are in tune with the 'spirit' of the West, said the Californian, who is first first woman to serve as speaker of the House of Representatives. Colorado is already hopping with political events for both parties. White House strategist Karl Rove is slated to speak at the Colorado Republican Party's 'Re-Paint the State Red' dinner tonight. Democratic presidential contender John Edwards campaigned in Denver on Thursday. GOP presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee will address a Focus on the Family group in Colorado Springs on Saturday... "Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, another Democratic contender, is expected to visit Colorado on Monday, wooing Democrats in private meetings...Tom Donilon, a veteran Democratic strategist, said demographic changes have boosted the importance of Colorado, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico in the Electoral College, and made the political terrain look more favorable to Democrats." "2008 pres" 7:03:02 AM

Denver City Council District 3: Rodriguez resigns Denver City Council District 3 Councilwoman Rosemary Rodriguez has resigned her seat, according to the Denver Post. From the article, "Rodriguez was the Denver clerk and recorder under former Mayor Wellington Webb. She has served as City Council president and was instrumental in the successful campaign to overhaul the Denver Election Commission. The city will now have an elected clerk and recorder. At-large City Councilman Doug Linkhart will oversee operations in her District 3." Here's the coverage from the Rocky Mountain News. They write, "Denver City Councilwoman Rosemary Rodriguez resigned effective Thursday to accept a position on the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. She will assume her position at the commission today. The EAC is a resource for information and review of procedures in the administration of federal elections." Several people are hoping to win the seat in the May election: Niccolo Casewit; Paul Lopez; JoAnn Phillips; Mark G. Roggeman; Ben Romero; Donald A. Sandoval; Kathy Sandoval. "denver 2007" 6:58:05 AM

Bayfield restricts new sewer taps Bayfield is still having trouble keeping up with growth and has restricted new sewer taps, according to the Durango Herald. From the article, "Faced with an overburdened sewage-treatment facility, Bayfield town trustees imposed restrictions on new sewer taps. "Town Manager Justin Clifton stopped short of calling the restrictions, which were put in place at the Feb. 22 Town Board meeting, a moratorium, which is what the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment would have imposed had town officials not acted to address the problem. 'By self-imposing this, we're able to use discretion. It makes sense practically to not issue the sewer tap because that's what creates impact, not the structure,' Clifton said. Bayfield's current sewage-treatment facility has been operating at maximum capacity since last summer, and Clifton said the town can no longer freely issue sewer taps for new construction. The town will continue to issue building permits, which will allow developers to adhere to development timetables, but with no assurance that the sewer taps will be approved. Only permits paid for and issued before Feb. 21 are guaranteed sewer taps. The state-imposed moratorium would have been on all building permits, not just sewer taps... "Clifton expects the town to complete construction of a new $6.5 million treatment facility in late 2008. The new plant would alleviate future restrictions, but the current situation could even jeopardize that project. Much of the capital to build the new plant is expected to come from selling sewer taps at a price between $3,500 and $4,000." "colorado water" 6:42:18 AM

Reorg for COGCC? Here's an article about the legislation to re-organize the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission from the Summit Daily News "reg". From the article, "With five of seven members on the state agency that oversees oil and gas development having ties to the industry, Gov. Bill Ritter's administration said Wednesday it is drafting legislation to change that. The bill, proposed by the state Department of Natural Resources, would also increase the number of people on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to nine from seven while decreasing the members with ties to the industry from five to three. Legislation would also direct the commission to pay more attention to environmental and public health issues. Evan Dreyer, Ritter's spokesman, said the legislation, expected to be introduced soon, likely would expand the panel to include representatives from conservation groups, agriculture, state and local governments and royalty owners... "During the gubernatorial campaign last year, Ritter said he would consider revamping the oil and gas commission because of concerns that it's too cozy with the industry. Colorado is seeing record rates of drilling as higher prices and a demand for more domestic energy production have touched off a natural gas boom in the Rockies. The Colorado oil and gas commission is charged with promoting the 'responsible development' of oil and gas. Critics contend the agency's mission, coupled with the requirement that five of seven members have a background in the industry, results in an emphasis on development to the detriment of health, environmental and landowner issues. 'Typically, you don't get to have the fox guarding the hen house. The fox might be happy, but it's not great for the hens,' said Elise Jones, executive director of the Colorado Environmental Coalition. Greg Schnacke, executive vice president of the trade group Colorado Oil and Gas Association, declined to comment until the bill is introduced." "colorado water" 6:31:36 AM

Colorado: Non ag friendly? Colorado is becoming non ag friendly according to Norm Dinis, owner of Empire Dairy near Wiggins as reported by the Fort Morgan Times. From the article, "Growers aren't the only people distressed from the loss of their water rights. Norm Dinis, owner of Empire Dairy near Wiggins, said he may have to relocate his operation if local farmers can't produce enough feed for his cattle... "The state recently issued a cease and desist order for many well owners along the South Platte River. And because many farmers in the area lost the well water they previously used to irrigate their crops, they won't be able to produce and sell as much feed to ranchers. Because of the lack of feed, Dinis will be forced to pay to have the product shipped to his animals. This will not only hurt individuals financially, but it will send capital that would have otherwise stayed in Morgan County to other states." Meanwhile the Fort Morgan Times reports that banks up in northeastern Colorado haven't felt any loss of business from the farmers whose wells were shut down last spring. From the article, "Some Morgan County banks report they have not been affected much by well owners losing the right to use water -- yet. 'That's not to say it won't happen,' said Fort Morgan State Bank President John Sneed. He had not seen any direct effects, such as defaults on operating or land loans, he said... "Nonetheless, [Jerry Jones] said he's seen some economic stress, since it is impossible for producers who depend on irrigation to get along without water. What he's seen is more widespread and general. The first point of impact is obviously with the grower, but those who do business with the farmer, whether an ag supplier, bank or fuel supplier, will feel it. Indirectly, the loss of production will affect the economy all over the county and area. Devaluing real estate is one part of that, which means a disappearing tax base, Sneed said. Also, when someone goes into bankruptcy, not paying his bills, the merchants cannot pay their bills and their suppliers cannot pay their bills, he said." "colorado water" 6:19:08 AM

Snowpack Here's a report about Colorado's snowpack from the Denver Post. From the article, "Statewide, the snowpack is 91 percent of average. Last year at this time, it was 89 percent of average. Two years ago, it was 81 percent... "On the east side of the mountains, the South Platte River basin is 113 percent of average and the Arkansas River basin is 114 percent of average. Those basins are where most Front Range cities get their water. On the west side, the Colorado River basin is 96 percent of normal. And the Yampa and White River basins are 83 percent of normal... "Denver Water's reservoirs are already 89 percent full. Normal for this time of year is 81 percent." CBS4Denver.com: "The statewide snowpack in Colorado is 9 percent below average with about one-fourth of the winter left. The Western Slope is dragging down the average while the Front Range is above normal. The South Platte River basin is reporting a snowpack 11 percent above normal for this time of year. That area is most important to Denver's water supply." "colorado water" 6:10:19 AM

Chlorine vs. monochloramine Here's an article about the efficacy of using monochloramine vs. traditional chlorination in treating water, from Chemical Online. They write, "The results of what may be the most extensive comparison of two common disinfectants used by municipal water systems suggest that, from a security standpoint, traditional chlorination may be more effective than treatment with monochloramine... "As part of a recent endeavor to develop a system for online, continuous monitoring of drinking water distribution networks, [Dan Kroll, Chief Scientist at Hach Homeland Security in Loveland, Colorado] and his colleagues, in coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers, studied the interactions of a wide variety of potential waterborne threat agents (both biological and chemical) with different levels of either free chlorine or monochloramine present. They tested dozens of potential hazards, from pesticides to disease-causing bacteria to chemical warfare agents. The researchers discovered that not only is monochloramine less reactive than free chlorine against a number of chemical threats, it also is a slightly less efficient disinfectant, requiring a longer time to kill bacterial contaminants. "Scientists have long known that monochloramine is a more stable compound, and that is part of the reason it is becoming more popular as an alternative to chlorine in municipal water systems. Free chlorine has traditionally been the disinfectant of choice for municipal water systems throughout the 20th century, but it has some drawbacks. It can react with organic materials in drinking water to produce chlorine by-products. Some of these by-products are considered carcinogenic and their levels in drinking water are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But Kroll and his colleagues have confirmed in their study that the stability of the monochloramine may have its drawbacks as well. Treatment with free chlorine, because it is more reactive, can lead to rapid degradation of chemical threats as well as early detection of contamination. As it reacts with a contaminant, chlorine levels in the water drop. Many municipalities use chlorine levels as indicators of possible contamination." "colorado water" 6:02:11 AM

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