Memorial Day means many things to many people, but it’s truly a day set aside to honor those who have died in military service. From Rocky Mountain Community Radio station KWMV in Westcliffe, Shanna Lewis brings the voices of three veterans reflecting on what Memorial Day means to them.

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Senator Mark Udall says he’s pleased to see Congress one step closer to repealing the so called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in the military…A military-style boot camp at Colorado’s Buena Vista prison is shutting down after disappointing recidivism rates and because of rising costs…Area firefighters are preparing for the coming summer months, and the increased wildfire risk they bring…The mayor of Manitou Springs says the town is open to the idea of allowing anti-meat ads on trash cans after Colorado Springs rejected the same proposal because officials thought the promotion was too racy…and, the U.S. Forest Service says the population of the lesser prairie chicken in the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands in southeast Colorado has grown.

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KRDO reports there’s a power outage in southeast Colorado Springs (KRDO). Colorado Springs officials explore advertising on parking stripes (KRXM, Business Journal). The Independent reports on suicide among the youth in the county. Academy School District 20 delays summer vacation because of snow days (Gazette). Falcon School District 49 considers a bond for additions and new schools (Gazette).

In Pueblo, city officials and CDOT sign a contract regarding the redesign of I-25 (Chieftain). Black Hills Energy extends a deadline for the city to consider annexation of land where the company will build a new facility (Chieftain). Two men are being held in a white powder scare that turned out to be powdered sugar (KRDO). The San Luis Valley water court has approved a plan to reduce groundwater pumping (Chieftain).

Las Animas County commissioners extend a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries (Times-Independent). Trinidad city council decide on qualifications for a new city manager, after the announced planned retirement of current City Manager Jim Soltis (Times-Independent).

A planned burn on Vermejo Park Ranch in New Mexico spreads to Las Animas County and Costilla County (Times-Independent). In Raton, city officials prepare for a tight budget next fiscal year (Raton Range).

Disclaimer: KRCC and KRCC News make no guarantees regarding the content within these reports, however consider them part of the news and media outlets reporting on issues affecting our coverage area. The Index is not exhaustive, and is not an endorsement of any kind.

It’s estimated that more than 140,000 small businesses in Colorado are eligible for new federal help with health care costs this year. That’s thanks to the health reform bill President Obama signed in March. There’s plenty of confusion about how the law will play out and many businesses that might benefit actually think it will hurt them. KCFR Health Reporter Eric Whitney has more.

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State workers take the last of eight furlough days tomorrow…Two of Colorado’s mountain highways are reopening…and, the high-altitude cousin of the black-tailed prairie dog has been denied federal protection.

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A federal agency known as the Mineral Management Service, or MMS, has faced scrutiny as of late after the BP oil disaster in the Gulf. The agency falls under the Department of Interior, headed by former Colorado Senator, Democrat Ken Salazar. But, this isn’t the first time MMS has come under fire. High Country News producer Cally Carswell recently sat down with the magazine’s outgoing editor Jonathan Thompson to talk about the agency.

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The full “High Country Views” interview is as follows (@ 11 minutes):

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In Colorado Springs, an ordinance that would give medical marijuana dispensaries temporary permits until licensing procedures are hammered out moves forward (Gazette, KKTV). Attorney General John Suthers says the possible sale of Memorial Hospital would have limitations on how the city could spend that money (Gazette, Business Journal). A consultant for that commission will make $285,000 (Business Journal). PETA plans to pass out flyers outside an elementary school (KRDO).

In Pueblo, negotiations between the Bureau of Reclamation and Colorado Springs regarding the SDS pipeline starts with a ‘shocking’ pricetag (Chieftain). City officials postpone a decision on annexing land for Black Hills Energy (Chieftain). Council also declines putting medical marijuana dispensaries on the November ballot (Chieftain).

The Canon City Daily Record reports Fremony County has saved $18,000 through cost-saving efforts.

Disclaimer: KRCC and KRCC News make no guarantees regarding the content within these reports, however consider them part of the news and media outlets reporting on issues affecting our coverage area. The Index is not exhaustive, and is not an endorsement of any kind.

Governor Bill Ritter signed a new law yesterday that restricts payday lending in the state. The measure narrowly passed the legislature after heated debate. Proponents say they hope it’ll help people escape a cycle of poverty and debt. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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Governor Bill Ritter signed a new law that would place stricter requirements on companies and unions spending money in Colorado elections…and, Republican Jane Norton has reportedly turned in 35,000 signatures to the Colorado Secretary of State’s office in a bid to make the GOP primary ballot for Senator.

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Colorado is planning to raise public and private money to fund repairs to the crumbling state capitol dome…and, Colorado Springs City Council drew a crowd today as it met to discuss regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries, the Gazette reports.

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