Headlines

Headlines — March 3, 2023

March 3, 2023

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Headlines — March 3, 2023 Stacie Johnson

State House Committee Kills Fair Workweek Bill

A State House Committee has rejected a bill that would have required a so-called “fair workweek” policy in large restaurants and certain other businesses. The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee rejected the bill yesterday, by a vote of eight to two. House Bill 23-1118 would have required restaurants, retail, and food production establishments with more than 250 employees to provide work schedules 14 days in advance. Had it passed, Colorado would have become only the second state to enact such a scheduling law.

Supporters said knowing schedules two weeks ahead of time would give workers more control over their lives. Opponents, led by the state’s restaurant industry, said the bill’s policies were too burdensome.

Six Claimants File Class Action Lawsuit Against Boulder Parental Evaluator Accused Of Favoring Abusers

Six women have filed a class action lawsuit alleging that a Boulder psychologist has repeatedly and deliberately omitted allegations of domestic violence in his reports to Colorado family courts. The lawsuit, filed yesterday in Boulder County District Court, is asking for certification as a class action naming about 60 mothers with similar complaints against Boulder psychologist Mark Kilmer. The lawsuit alleges that Kilmer exhibited systematic bias while serving as a parental responsibility evaluator for Colorado family courts.

Kilmer has not yet commented on the lawsuit. The Denver Gazette reports that in an earlier interview with ProPublica, he said he disbelieves 90% of the abuse allegations he hears as an evaluator.

Front Range Compost Company Makes Change On Material Acceptance

As of this coming April 1st, the company that recycles compost for Boulder residents and businesses, will no longer accept certain biodegradable materials. A-1 Organics says that after that date, they will only accept food scraps, yard waste, plant trimmings and bags that are certified as composter approved. They call it an effort to minimize contamination in composted materials. Products thought to be eco-friendly will no longer be acceptable for A-1 Organics compost.

The company says that even though certain products are made from plant fibers or starches, they don’t break down at their composting facility in Keenesburg. These include things that might be labeled as compostable, such as tea bags, coffee filters, and disposable cutlery.

The A-1 Organics policy change comes as Boulder continues its effort to become a “zero waste” municipality by 2025.

CDOT To Close Southbound 287 At CO 52 Over The Weekend

The Colorado Department of Transportation says road crews will close southbound US Highway 287 tomorrow, between Longmont and Lafayette at the Colorado Highway 52 intersection. The closure begins at 4:00 A.M. and continues through 3:00 P.M. Sunday.

The agency says the closure is necessary for crews to perform irrigation pipe work as part of the intersection improvement project that began in January.

During the closure, CDOT will direct southbound traffic west on CO 52 to W. 95th St., south to Lookout Road, and east for a return to US 287.

State Authority Offering First-Time Funds Towards Costs In Replacing Stolen Catalytic Converters

The Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority has announced it is accepting applications for financial aid to assist vehicle owners in covering the costs associated with replacing stolen catalytic converters. The application period runs until the end of this month. Vehicle owners can apply online, or call 303-239-4370 for more information. The authority is encouraging eligible applicants to apply early as the agency has limited first-time funds.

Aurora Limiting Lawn Watering To Two Days A Week

The Aurora City Council has voted to limit lawn watering to two days a week. The vote on Monday approves a stage one drought status, and comes as Aurora reservoirs are half-empty and its snowpack is decreasing. The city council vote also adds a surcharge for outdoor water use.

Water managers fear the state’s third-largest city may approach emergency conditions this summer. Aurora Water General Manager Marshall Brown told council members that a quarter of Aurora’s supply comes from the Arkansas River Basin, which is reporting only 77% of the average snowpack and no promising forecasts for the rest of the year. Brown also told council members the city’s reservoirs are already low from years of drought and there will be less than 50% of reservoir capacity by the time spring runoff refills them.