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UTILITY BILL MEASURE KILLED: Lawmakers killed legislation yesterday that would have required utility bills to include a disclosure of all costs associated with each energy source affecting the total bill, to the ire of Republicans.  The GOP called it a “blow to transparency.”  Currently, consumers cannot tell what type of energy they are paying for, whether it be coal, natural gas or wind, said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley.

MAN CHARGED IN 2000 COLD CASE SEX ASSAULT: A man was formally charged yesterday in connection with a kidnapping and sexual assault of a woman in November 2000, prosecutors announced yesterday.  The charges are the result of the work of Denver’s Cold Case Review Project.  Leonard Loftin, 54, is charged with second-degree kidnapping and sexual assault.  The charges allege that on November 24, 2000, Loftin grabbed and pulled the victim, a 42-year-old woman, into a dark area in the 1500 block of Pearl Street, where he pushed the victim to the ground and sexually assaulted her. She was later able to escape.  The case remained unsolved until the Denver Police Department’s Cold Case Review Team was notified of a DNA match that led to the identification and arrest of Loftin.

NORTON RECEIVES HILLMAN ENDORSEMENT: Former Colorado State Treasurer Mark Hillman has announced his endorsement of former Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton for the United States Senate. Hillman and Norton spent Monday traveling the Eastern Plains to announce the endorsement, with stops in Fort Morgan, Yuma, Burlington and Flagler.

FBI SEARCHING FOR BANK ROBBERY SUSPECT: Federal investigators are searching for Timothy McGlothin, 41, who is believed to be one of the so-called “Hoppin’ Hooded Bandits.”  McGlothin, and his accomplice, Joshua Licona, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver last month.  McGlothin is a fugitive from justice, and remains at large, and Licona was arrested and is currently in federal custody.  The investigation is part of a pattern of bank robberies in which the robbers have been dubbed the “Hoppin’ Hooded Bandits.”  McGlothin is described by police to be a black man, 5-foot-7, 150 pounds, black hair, and brown eyes.  Police ask anyone with information pertaining to this case to call 303-629-7171. 

BENNET PUSHES LENDING PLAN: With small business struggling to obtain credit and create new jobs, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., yesterday announced his push to ensure Colorado’s small business owners can access the lending they need to expand and hire new workers.  To help ease the small business credit crunch, Bennet is co-sponsoring the bipartisan Small Business Job Creation and Access to Capital Act, which includes provisions to increase Small Business Administration (SBA) loan limits and make its loans process work better for small business owners.  The SBA estimates that the increased loan limits could increase small business lending by $5 billion over the next year. 

COMMITTEE PASSES SMART GOVERNMENT ACT: Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, yesterday presented his House Bill 1119, the SMART Government Act.  Passage of the “State Measurements for Accountable Responsive & Transparent” or SMART Government Act would change the way state government creates its budgets, said Ferrandino.  With “performance budgeting,” lawmakers would be better able to ensure the public is receiving quality, efficient and essential services from government.  The House State Affairs Committee passed the bill out of committee and sent it to the floor with a bi-partisan, unanimous vote.

PROGRAM OFFERS $1 CFL BULBS: Xcel Energy yesterday announced that Colorado electric customers can purchase energy-efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs for as little as $1 per bulb. Special prices are available at places like Ace Hardware, Albertsons, City Market, King Soopers and Wal-Mart. The special price is only available while supplies last. More information is available at ResponsibleByNature.com.

REPORT TOUTS BENEFITS OF HIGH-SPEED RAIL: A report issued yesterday by the Colorado Interests Public Research Group (CoPIRG)) states that commuters in Fort Collins, ski employees along I-70 and steelworkers in Pueblo could all benefit from a statewide stronger, faster rail system. “The Obama administration’s recent decision to award $1.4 million in high speed rail funds to Colorado is a good step towards a high speed rail system in Colorado that will reduce congestion and boost economic growth from increasing tourism to creating jobs,” said a statement from Danny Katz, CoPIRG director. The new report, “The Right Track,” highlights a number of reasons high-speed rail carries long-term benefits.

UDALL, SALAZAR INTRODUCE BILL TO PROTECT PUBLIC LANDS: U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., and Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., announced yesterday that they have introduced legislation “designed to deter damage to public lands caused by illegal or reckless activities.” The bill would allow federal lands agencies to assess greater fines on those who violate laws and regulations governing the use of public lands, and establish that any reckless use of fire on public lands shall be punishable by fines of no less than $500.

LIFE INSURANCE BILL CLEARS HOUSE: House Bill 1203 by Rep. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood, passed a final vote in the House yesterday. The bill would change the minimum number of lives requirement from the group life insurance statute from three to one, allowing small businesses and sole proprietors to offer group life insurance coverage to their employees. HB 1203 is sponsored by Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, in the Senate. 

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