Colorado is heading into a new legislative session that will bring fresh faces to state leadership, including Governor-elect John Hickenlooper. Bente Birkeland discusses the challenges he faces taking office, and the split in the state legislature as part of our weekly Capitol Conversation series that runs during the legislative session.

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Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers say they plan to focus on jobs and the economy during the 2011 legislative session. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be a lot of other bills also keeping the debate lively. One is a measure that would create civil unions in the state. The sponsor explains why he thinks the time is now. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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Colorado is expected to nearly double in population by the year 2050, but the number of people living in eastern Colorado has been dwindling for decades. While some communities have managed to grow, many others are aging and have little new growth. This poses an ongoing challenge for local schools that are struggling to stay open with fewer students each year. Bente Birkeland has this look at one lawmaker’s plan to try and turn things around.

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In the 1800s, Christmas was a popular time for bird shooting contests. But an early officer of the Audubon Society pushed to change those annual bird kills to an annual bird count. Now, from mid-December through January 5th, tens of thousands of citizen scientists conduct Christmas bird counts nationwide. In order to bring you the experience of the annual event, Shelley Schlender joined a counting team in Boulder last year. She files this report, just in time for some of this year’s counts, which are now coming in.

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The Pueblo Chieftain takes a look at the new census data, and its effects on congressional redistricting. A Denver doctor could be the first in the state to face repercussions from a medical marijuana recommendation (Denver Post).

In Colorado Springs, D-11 adopts anti-doping curriculum from USADA (Gazette). I-25 is expected to have direct access to the Colorado Springs Airport by next holiday season (Gazette). The city ranks among the worst for its winter job outlook (Gazette).

In Pueblo, the Vestas plant gears up for a new contract (Chieftain). A decision from the Bureau of Reclamation on the Arkansas Valley Conduit could come in two years (Chieftain).

Florence City Council decides against employee raises (Canon City Daily Record).

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Colorado’s population has grown by almost 17 percent in the last 10 years…Assessed property values in Colorado are expected to fall for the first time since the late 1980s…The Gazette reports Colorado Springs has tied for the worst winter job outlook in the country, according to a list from Forbes…and, the US Senate has confirmed the appointment of Denver attorney William Martinez to the US District Court in Colorado.

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The Colorado Department of Transportation responds to issues pertaining to outages at its traffic website (Gazette). Equal enforcement of liquor laws may mean some “light” beers will be off the menu at restaurants (KRDO). Governor-elect John Hickenlooper downplays effects of proposed low altitude training flights (Trinidad Times-Independent).

In Colorado Springs, the city signs a new contract with a bus transportation provider (Gazette). El Paso County’s postcard policy from inmates receives an injunction (Gazette).

Pueblo City Council looks into police overtime (KOAA). The City-County Health Department has approval for its 2011 budget (Chieftain). Council member says the downtown area needs an office for developing retail businesses (Chieftain).

State Representative Wes McKinley seeks information regarding the ownership issues surrounding Trinidad State Nursing Home (Trinidad Times-Independent). City officials outlaw medical marijuana dispensaries in Westcliffe (Wet Mountain 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.

Statehouse leaders from both parties pledged to try and find common ground during the upcoming legislative session. They joined Governor-elect John Hickenlooper to preview the session at the Colorado Press Association late last week. But even as they talked of bi-partisanship, stark divisions between the parties surfaced. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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Legislative economists say Colorado will lag the country as it recovers from the recession. Last month the state had its highest unemployment rate since the early 1980s, but economists do point to some positive signs. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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The flu season is underway and area health officials expect it to be less severe than last year….and, the U.S. Olympic Committee adds five new board members.

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