Author: Eileen Welsome
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Council OKs water rate hikes, advances pipeline project
The construction of the Southern Delivery System, a 62-mile water pipeline that has been under discussion for 15 years, edged closer to becoming a reality after the City Council Tuesday approved on a 8-1 vote the first two of six planned 12 percent water rate hikes. Jerry Forte, the chief executive officer of Colorado Springs…
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Councilman tries to put plug in SDS water project
As Colorado Springs Utilities prepares to enter its fourth round of negotiations with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation over multimillion dollar water contracts needed for the Southern Delivery System, a Colorado Springs city councilman has thrown a couple of wild cards onto the table. Alabama-Huntsville center Cody Dion, left, from Colorado Springs, battled CC right…
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Utilities employees could be asked to foot more health costs
Employees of Colorado Springs Utilities could wind up paying more of their health care costs next year. Mayor Lionel Rivera wants the municipally owned utility to bring its premiums in line with private-sector plans in which employers typically pick of 80 percent of health care costs and employees 20 percent. That increase would reflect what…
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County close to inking deal for new building
After getting concessions from the sellers, El Paso County officials are scheduled to sign a $25 million contract at the end of the month to purchase several buildings and a parking garage on the former Intel campus on Garden of the Gods Road. Among other issues, the sellers of the campus have agreed to give…
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Ballot measures could devastate county, commissioners say
The fiscally conservative members of the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners have come out in opposition to three ballot issues that opponents say could have catastrophic consequences for local and state government. The five-member board is set to ratify a resolution on Thursday that states that Amendment 60, Amendment 61 and Proposition 101…
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Commissioners to consider measure that would extend their terms
El Paso County commissioners may refer three questions to the November ballot next week asking voters whether they want to extend the terms of commissioners and other county officials who hold elected office, including the district attorney, treasurer, clerk, assessor and surveyor. “What we’re asking for is the ability to run again in an election…
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County voters will rule on marijuana ban in November
El Paso County residents in November will have an opportunity to decide whether medical marijuana facilities, including dispensaries, grow operations and manufacturers of marijuana-infused products, should be banned in the unincorporated part of the county. After a lengthy discussion and more public testimony today, the commissioners voted 4-1 to refer the question to the ballot.…
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Springs, feds reach water deal key to pipeline
PUEBLO WEST • Colorado Springs Utilities and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation reached a tentative agreement Wednesday over long-term water contracts that will be needed for the Southern Delivery System pipeline. After a 12-hour session Tuesday, the two sides returned to the bargaining table Wednesday morning and agreed on a price of $36 dollar per…
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County voters will decide on medical pot in November
El Paso County residents will get to vote in November whether medical marijuana dispensaries, grow operations and manufacturers of marijuana-infused products should be banned in unincorporated areas. After a lengthy discussion and more public testimony, the commissioners voted 4-1 Thursday to place the question to the ballot. “This is an issue that goes to the…
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Commissioners to decide on course for medical marijuana
One of El Paso County’s newest industries is breathing life into a business park north of Peterson Air Force Base. About 35 medical marijuana facilities, including warehouses that house grow operations, as well as dispensaries and manufacturers, have sought to locate in Claremont Business Park, county maps and records show. The park, developed by businessman…