Montezuma County property taxes due June 16
The Montezuma County Treasurer reminds property owners that June 16, is the deadline to pay the second half of 2013 property taxes.
For more information, call (970) 565-7550.
For Pets’ Sake begins membership drive
For Pets’ Sake Humane Society’s 2014-15 membership drive is underway. The Humane Society’s membership year begins July 1.
For Pets’ Sake is a group of volunteers working to improve the lives of companion animals in Southwest Colorado. It provides financial assistance for spaying and neutering and make available foster homes for animals awaiting adoption. It helps local people pay for needed veterinary care and provides pet food.
For Pets’ Sake has no paid staff. All contributions are tax-deductible and go directly to helping the dogs and cats. Its operations are funded by membership dues, fundraising activities, donations and grants. This year, FPS has received more requests for assistance than ever before.
Membership applications can be found online at www.forpetssakehs.org, at the Cortez Public Library, or by calling (970) 565-PETS (7387).
Colorado special session eyed on oil and gas rules
DENVER – Lawmakers and groups with a stake in oil and gas development in Colorado have a draft bill from the governor’s office that seeks to find a compromise on local control rules — a proposal that could trigger a special session if there’s consensus.
The proposal, which comes after months of discussions between the governor’s office and various interest groups, is aimed at trying to stave off more than 10 potential ballot initiatives in November to limit fracking. Democratic Colorado U.S. Rep. Jared Polis is financially backing some of the proposals, and he has agreed to drop his support if the proposed measure passes.
The intent of the proposed ballot measures vary, but one of them would allow cities and counties to ban fracking. Energy officials have warned they could have devastating effects on a booming industry.
The draft bill being distributed to lawmakers, oil and gas businesses, environmentalists and the agriculture industry would give local governments more control over setbacks for oil and gas development designed to regulate noise, and they could set moratoriums on drilling. However, they could not ban fracking outright.
There’s no timeline on when a special session may be called.
Denver police warn of plot to rob pot store couriers
DENVER – The Denver Police Department is warning marijuana businesses of a plot to rob marijuana dispensary couriers.
Denver police said they received credible information about a plot to rob Denver area marijuana dispensary couriers.
The U.S. Treasury and Justice Departments announced in February that banks could open accounts for state-licensed marijuana businesses, even though marijuana is illegal under federal law. But the guidelines did not erase the threat of prosecution if banks handle money for bad actors in the industry, and they included a long list of hoops the banks must jump through if they want to work with pot money.
The Cortez Journal & Associated Press