Associated Press - November 10, 2009 12:54 PM ET
Man faces sentencing for daughter's disappearance
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) - An Aurora man who for years told police that his young daughter had run away because of an argument over a cookie faces more than 80 years in prison in her disappearance and presumed death.
Aaron Thompson is set to be sentenced Tuesday following a hearing in Centennial.
A jury in September convicted him of 31 charges, including fatal child abuse in the 2005 disappearance of his daughter Aarone.
Among those asking for a stiff sentence are Aarone's mother, Lynette Thompson. She told the judge that Aaron Thompson should be drawing a map to lead investigators to Aarone's body.
Thompson's mother testified in his defense, saying he loves his children and is a hard worker.
Thompson chose not to speak during the hearing.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA REGULATION (Tops)
Medical pot ruling makes its way to Denver court
DENVER (AP) - A Denver judge expects to issue a ruling shortly on whether block a state health board ruling that narrowed the definition of who can supply medical marijuana.
Medical marijuana advocates went to court Tuesday to challenge the rule, saying the state health board's decision last week was made with little notice of the vote.
The board temporarily eliminated its definition of "significant responsibility" for a caregiver because it said it conflicted with an Appeals Court ruling. That ruling said suppliers must do more than just provide medical marijuana to be considered a caregiver.
During Tuesday's hearing, Denver District Court Judge Larry Naves seemed skeptical of the health board's action. He said he didn't see any evidence that the board had considered how the vote would affect the health of people who use medical marijuana.
Penry dropping out of governor's race
DENVER (AP) - State Sen. Josh Penry says he is dropping out of Colorado's gubernatorial race.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Penry said he was ending his run against former U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis because McInnis had better name recognition and more money and a better chance to beat Democrat Bill Ritter next year.
Penry says that the question for him was whether it was right to spend millions of dollars to close the gap with McInnis or "fall back and fight another day."
Ritter to brief lawmakers on budget cuts
DENVER (AP) - Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter is briefing lawmakers on his plans to balance next year's budget.
Ritter plans to meet with lawmakers on Tuesday to explain his proposals.
The governor is recommending that education spending be cut by $260 million and that the state bring in another $132 million by charging sales tax on candy and soda and eliminating or suspending a dozen other tax breaks and credits.
Lawmakers still must approve the cuts Ritter approved to this year's budget, which doesn't end until next June.
Those talks will begin when the Legislature convenes in January.
Williams says Colorado Hub pipeline now in service
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Williams Cos. Inc. says a 26.4-mile-long natural gas transmission pipeline in Colorado is now in use.
Tulsa-based Williams announced Tuesday that Northwest Pipeline GP, its majority-owned subsidiary, has received Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval to place the Colorado Hub Connection into service. The pipeline project cost $60 million.
The pipeline connects the Meeker/White River regional production area hub with the Northwest Pipeline mainline system south of Rangely, Colo.
Phil Wright, the president of Williams' gas pipeline business, says the completion of the Colorado Hub makes it possible for the company to connect supplies from Colorado's Piceance Basin with markets in the western United States.
Anadarko: Expansion depends on faster permits
DENVER (AP) - Anadarko Petroleum says it's ready to spend $100 million to develop wells in northern Colorado's Wattenberg Field if the state speeds up the time to approve permits.
Industry executives say it's taking the state about 85 days to process permits and that 45 days would be more reasonable. They say quicker processing helps them use equipment more effectively and respond to market changes.
Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Director Dave Neslin says much of the current problem is due to a backlog of permits filed to beat new state regulations. He says the average wait has dropped to about 50 days.
The state doesn't count the 10 days it has to verify an application is complete at the beginning of the process or the 10 days for challenges to be filed at the end.
Information from: The Denver Post, http://www.denverpost.com
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