Headlines — May 2, 2022

Headlines for May 2, 2022

Listen:

[Download Audio]

 Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site Reaches Settlement

The government and Sunny Side mining company have reached an agreement over the Bonita Peak Mining District super fund settlement. 

The settlement provides continued clean-up in the Upper Animas Watershed in southwest Colorado after the 2015 Gold King Mine Spill dumped 3 million gallons of toxic heavy metals into the Animas River and turned the river yellow.

The settlement will attempt to protect public health by stabilizing mine source areas, improving water quality, and limiting unplanned releases.

Although Sunnyside Gold Corporation and its parent company Kinross will pay $41 million in cleanup costs, they have not accepted guilt for the 2015 spill. The state and the federal government will spend close to another $46 million in clean-up costs. The EPA will also take over continued investigative work on the site from Sunnyside. 

In a press release, EPA Regional Administrator K.C. Becker said, “This agreement is tremendous news, as it resolves certain alleged environmental liabilities between the parties, secures funds, and allows EPA to expand our cleanup activity at the site.”

Colorado Court Interpreters Hold Off Plans On A Walk Out After Meeting With Court Officials 

Freelance Colorado courtroom interpreters have agreed to hold off on plans for a two-day walkout. Colorado courtroom interpreters had planned to walk out this week after officials denied a petition for higher wages in March.

After meeting with state and court officials, according to an email obtained by The Denver Post, they have agreed to postpone the walkout until after they have attempted to negotiate “in good faith.”

The Judicial Department’s Office of Language Access and the Denver County Court denied the group’s petition for a ten-dollar wage increase in March, saying it came too late to be considered in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. 

Currently, Colorado court interpreters make between $45 and $55 an hour and want to raise that to at least $60 an hour. A survey of interpreters across the state found that 80 percent support a walkout in favor of higher wages. Interpreters are often required to travel long distances to provide their services. The US Constitution mandates court interpreters for defendants who need them to translate within a courtroom. Court interpreters work for hourly rates, and if a case does not have an interpreter when needed, it cannot go forward. 

CU To Have In-Person Graduation Ceremony For First Time in Three Years

The University of Colorado at Boulder will host an in-person commencement ceremony on Thursday for the first time in three years. 

In a press release, CU Boulder Chancellor Philip DiStefano said, “I am excited that our students and their families will be able to join together with our faculty and staff to celebrate the many achievements of the class of 2022.” 

The gates will open at Folsom Field at 7 AM, and the student procession begins at 8:15 AM. Colorado Avenue will be closed Thursday morning, but the university will have various shuttles to drop people off at Folsom Field. All campus parking lots will be accessible on Thursday for attendees of the ceremony. 

The ceremony will honor Fall 2021 graduates and Spring or Summer 2022 graduates, including 6,722 bachelor’s candidates and 1,502 master’s candidates. 

Man Injured After Tree Falls

A tree blew over and trapped a 33-year-old man in Lefthand Canyon Friday during strong winds Friday. The man was trapped beneath the fallen tree until the Lefthand Fire Protection District, the Gold Hill Fire Protection District, and the Fourmile Fire Protection District arrived. 

According to a news release from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, emergency crews transported the man to a Boulder-area hospital, where he was treated for his non-life-threatening injuries. 

BVSD Hosting Four Community Engagement Sessions 

The Boulder Valley School District is hosting four community engagement sessions this month. 

District leaders will speak on funding, building needs, and ways the district can best support its students. There will also be opportunities for attendees to provide feedback. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download