Lt. Governor Barbara O’Brien released a new report yesterday that aims to get more Colorado children outside to enjoy nature. It’s part of her Colorado Kids Outdoors Initiative. Bente Birkeland has more from the state house.

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Nashville based Corrections Corporation of America plans to close its Walsenburg prison, the Pueblo Chieftain reports…Some state lawmakers are concerned about the use of Native American mascots at public schools…and, the Chieftain also reports that a Pueblo trauma surgeon currently in Haiti is blogging about his experiences.

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A bill that would regulate how Colorado doctors prescribe medical marijuana was introduced on Wednesday. The measure aims to crack down on fraud and abuse in the current system. Bente Birkeland has more from the state house.

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The senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee unanimously voted to confirm Jim Martin as the head of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. He faced questions on oil and gas regulations, water, and the state’s roadless rule. Bente Birkeland reports from the statehouse.

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Congresswoman Betsy Markey (CO-4) has asked credit card companies to waive fees on donations bound for relief efforts in Haiti…the Colorado State University System has released a draft of a proposed ban on guns on its Fort Collins and Pueblo campuses…and, El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa announces he will not seek re-election.

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Colorado’s education officials are hoping to win a nearly 400 million dollar federal race to the top grant to improve the state’s schools and teacher performance. The governor turned in the application yesterday, confident several new education reforms would improve Colorado’s chances of winning. Bente Birkeland has more from the statehouse.

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The Army decides to stop pursuing an expansion of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, for now…and, Former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff says he’s still running for the US Senate race, and has no plans to drop out or run for governor.

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In his last state of the state address delivered last week, Governor Bill Ritter touted his administration’s accomplishments and pledged to get the state’s economy back on track. Ritter also urged lawmakers to act quickly on the issue of medical marijuana. But where the governor sees chaos, many medical marijuana supporters see only constitutionally-protected freedom and healthy capitalism. KCFR Health Reporter Eric Whitney has more.

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Two mission workers from Colorado have been rescued in Haiti after spending at least 55 hours trapped in the rubble of a collapsed hotel, while a third is still unaccounted for…Colorado prison officials say the state’s correctional facilities are overflowing with violent offenders housed in lower-security prisons…and, the U.S. Forest Service looks to track lynx in Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area.

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Colorado’s legislature is back in session and so is our capitol conversation series. State house correspondent Bente Birkeland talks to her colleagues about the Governor’s final state of the state address, his legacy, and a look ahead to what’s in store for the coming months.

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