News
ElbErt 3.28.13
Elbert County
March 28, 2013
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourelbertcountynews.com
Elbert County, Colorado • Volume 118, Issue 9
Aerial fleet proposed as wildfire threat grows by Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com As drought continues to plague the West, and with the memories of blazes that covered much of the state last summer still fresh, a group of lawmakers on March 21 announced their plans to introduce a bill to create an aerial firefighting fleet in Colorado. But what they don’t know yet is how much such a bold undertaking would cost, or how they would pay for it. Four legislators told reporters during a Capitol press conference that wildfire season has already begun, and that Colorado can’t always rely on the federal g o v e r n m e n t ’s limited aerial fleet to come to its rescue, whenever massive Report fires break out. State Sen. Cheri Jahn, DWheat Ridge, said the federal government has slashed its firefighting air fleet over the years, leaving Colorado in a potentially precarious situation for this and future wildfire seasons. “They have an entire country to cover and that could be a very dangerous situation for Colorado,” Jahn said of the federal government’s role in fighting fires. “When we make that phone call to the federal government and say we need assistance, you hope they can show up.” Jahn was joined at the press conference by Democratic Senate President John Morse and Senate Minority Leader Bill Cadman, both of Colorado Springs, as well as Republican Sen. Steve King of Grand Junction, who will co-sponsor the forthcoming legislation with Jahn. “Quite frankly, we are one lightning strike, one careless match throw, one terrorist, intentional match throw away from a catastrophic wildfire in Colorado,” King said. “God help us if that is in one of our watersheds.” But what no one was prepared to talk about was how much a wildfire aerial fleet is expected to cost. “Good question,” King said when a reporter asked about the price tag. “Next question,” quipped Cadman. King said that “we’re working on that,” saying they would need cost input from the Department of Public Safety, which would be in charge of the fleet. King also said that the department would “figure out” how many planes it would need. King also said lawmakers will look into receiving federal funding. Last year’s wildfire season in Colorado was particularly destructive. The Waldo Canyon Fire that started northwest of Colorado Springs in June destroyed more than 350 homes. Earlier that month, the High Park Fire in Larimer County burned more than 87,000 acres. And with current snowpack around the state sitting well below average, conditions are expected to be ripe for another unpredictable and potentially damaging wildfire season in Colorado this year. “Wildfires absolutely don’t know politics,” Jahn said. “There are no Democrats or Republicans when a fire breaks out and consumes the land. We know that our wildfire threats can be even worse this year than last.”
Capitol
Gov. John Hickenlooper announces the signing of three gun bills during a Capitol press conference on March 20, as Rep. Beth McCann, D-Denver, listens. Photo by Vic Vela
Governor signs gun-control bills
Opponents see overreach in Democratic measures by Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com Recollection of death and violence has hung over the Capitol throughout much of the legislative session, as gun bills have dominated lawmakers’ attention. And that was even before the head of the state Department of Corrections was shot to death inside his home, just hours before Gov. John Hickenlooper signed three pieces of gun-control legislation into law on March 20. Hickenlooper and Democratic leaders held a Capitol press conference to announce the bill signings. But their mood was somber, with the slaying of DOC Executive Director Tom Clements from the night before in the back of their minds. “On a day that we should be celebrating the signing of these three bills that make our communities safer, I am mourning the loss of one more person who lost his life to this senseless violence that is plaguing our entire country,” said Senate President John Morse, D-Colorado Springs. Gun violence that continues to rattle the nation is exactly why Democrats put so much political capital into gun-control efforts this session. But Republicans say Democrats will rue the day for their overreach. Among the bills signed by Hickenlooper was House Bill 1229, which requires universal background checks on gun sales and transfers in Colorado. Hickenlooper said there is evidence that background checks prevent criminals from getting their hands on guns. Guns continues on Page 11 POSTAL ADDRESS
Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap watches a video of Gov. John Hickenlooper’s statements before signing gun-control bills March 20. Heap calls the bills “overreaching, extreme Democratic” legislation. Photo by Rhonda Moore.
Elbert sheriff ‘can’t believe’ actions Heap thinks bills take misguided approach
ocratic legislature.” “I can’t believe he did it,” Heap said. Heap is among Colorado’s sheriffs who have decried the laws as overreaching and unenforceable. He joined sheriffs repreby rhonda Moore sented by the County Sheriffs of Colorado rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com to attend the 2013 legislative sessions in Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap re- hopes of stopping the bills. With adoption of the bills, he is not sure acted with stunned silence when Gov. John Hickenlooper signed three gun-control what the next step might be. The new laws require background bills. Keeping up with the day’s events, Heap checks for all firearms exchanges, limit amchecked his computer the afternoon of munition magazines and impose fees for March 20 to see if the governor had made CBI background checks. Heap recognizes fees as a part of doing business, but said the the bills law with his signature. His computer displayed a video of Hick- remaining laws will criminalize law-abiding enlooper speaking at the signing event that residents and be difficult, if not impossible, Heap said was driven by an “extreme Dem- to enforce. All gun magazines in circulation would violate the law affecting newly manufactured magazines, because all can be converted to hold more rounds than the legal limit, Heap said. The idea of enforcing a law Printed on recycled that requires background checks for every newsprint. Please private gun exchange is overwhelming. recycle this copy. “How are we supposed to do it?” Heap said. “This is just one more step toward legislation that just whittles away at our constitutional rights.” His view is echoed by Douglas County Sheriff continues on Page 11