Concerns over unemployment and small businesses are leading many Democrats on Capitol Hill to buck party leaders on the so-called Bush tax cuts which expire at the end of this year. Outgoing Democrat John Salazar wants an across the board extension…and, Colorado’s agricultural exports are on the rise.

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In Colorado Springs, a Ft. Carson soldier on medications for schizophrenia is accused of killing an Afghan prisoner (Gazette, KOAA, Denver Post). A new book highlights the Red Rock Canyon Open Space (Gazette). The Gazette takes a look at electronic waste in a multi-part series (recycling, government auctions, and gold.)

Pueblo County Commissioners send the city of Colorado Springs a bill for legal costs regarding a lawsuit between Pueblo and Pueblo West over the planned Southern Delivery System (Chieftain). The Colorado State University System Board officially names Julio Leon as interim president at CSU-Pueblo (Chieftain).

A survey in Trindad shows most area parents prefer the telephone in regards to communication from schools as opposed to other means (Times-Independent). A dog park looks to be in the future for Canon City (Daily Record). The Fowler School District receives a defribillator (Fowler Tribune).

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. * indicates subscription required.

State Republican lawmakers held a summit on illegal immigration at the state capitol yesterday. The goal is to make sure the issue stays at the top of the agenda when the legislature convenes in January. Bente Birkeland has more.

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The investigative arm of Congress says the availability of water could eventually limit the growth of oil shale development in Colorado and Utah…Colorado is among eight states chosen to have students tested in math and science for a study comparing their performance with students in more than 60 countries…and, students in Cripple Creek and Victor Schools will return to class tomorrow.

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Colorado earns a “B” grade from the Center for Education Reform for its charter school law (Gazette). Water conflicts in Western states are on the horizon (CSBJ). The Denver Post takes a look at struggles facing ambulance services in rural counties. A summit of lawmakers in Denver could lead to illegal-immigration proposal, similar to Arizona’s (Denver Post).

Cripple Creek-Victor Schools are closed because of a bomb threat (KKTV, KOAA, KRDO, KXRM).

In El Paso County, the EDC looks to roll out a “think local” campaign (CSBJ*). Plans to revitalize Rainbow Falls are coming together (Gazette). The Gazette profiles “Drug Court.” The Colorado Springs Business Journal takes a look at how much the local daily is worth*. Area defense contractors continue to grow (CSBJ*).

A Woodland Park woman is still missing (Gazette, KXRM).

In Pueblo, a report explains the economic benefit of CSU-Pueblo to the community (Chieftain). The Chieftain also details new automated water meters.

In Trinidad, the county faces effects of budget cuts (Times-Independent), and a grant will create a public computer center (Times-Independent).

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. * indicates subscription required.

Medical marijuana sales tax revenues net the state $2.2 million (Denver Post).

In Colorado Springs, unemployment rate hits 9.2% (Gazette, Colorado Springs Business Journal). City Council takes one step closer to balancing the 2011 budget (KKTV). Penrose receives cancer grant (CSBJ). The Gazette takes a look at how tax laws affected Intel’s decisions regarding the operation the company had here. The paper also profiles how local business Independent Records has met industry challenges. The director of COPPeR, the Cultural Office of the the Pikes Peak Region, resigns (Gazette, CSBJ). A Colorado Springs artist has been chosen to paint the portrait of President Obama (CSBJ).

In Pueblo, the Chieftain looks at how the family law program is faring. City Council approves a budget (Chieftain). There are six candidates to replace the city’s retiring police chief, including one from Colorado Springs (Chieftain, KKTV). Pueblo West and the county reach an agreement over the Arkansas River flow program (Chieftain). Federal funds go to a steel mill (Chieftain).

In Raton, the proposed La Mesa racino hits more snags and delays (Raton Range, Trinidad Times-Independent).

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. * indicates subscription required.

Costs for filing or answering a lawsuit in district court, or filing for a divorce, have risen in Colorado to help pay for a new judicial building near downtown Denver…An avalanche has killed the director of the Wolf Creek Ski Patrol…Portions of upper Cement Creek that feed into the Animas River in southwestern Colorado are being considered for listing as a Superfund site…and, a Nobel Prize-winning economist plans to study the health care system in Grand Junction and three Midwestern cities.

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An effort to rename Kit Carson Mountain creates debate (Gazette).

In Colorado Springs, governors from across the county meet at the Broadmoor (KXRM). City Council suggests the Memorial Health System would be best as a nonprofit (Colorado Springs Business Journal*). A new report suggests the city isn’t taking advantage of branding the area as home to the USOC (CSBJ*). Banning-Lewis gets attention from open-space advocates (CSBJ*).

In Trinidad, city council denies a gas rate increase (Trinidad Times-Independent). In Canon City, educators take on bullying (Canon City Daily Record).

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. * indicates subscription required.

Scientists in Denver say ice age fossils recently uncovered in Snowmass Village will provide a wealth of information about climate change and global warming, and a vast high elevation ecosystem they didn’t even know existed. So far they’ve uncovered about 600 bones from the site and showcased them to the public. Bente Birkeland has more from Denver.

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Colorado’s new Republican lawmakers don’t start work until the new Congress convenes next year, but Cory Gardner and Scott Tipton have been in Washington this week learning the ropes at “freshman orientation.” And, Colorado’s five major food banks distributed more than 76 million pounds of food last year and are on pace this year to increase that by 7 to 10 percent.

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