The papers are abuzz right now, with the news that "crime consultant" George Kelling will be implementing his "broken windows" policing in two Denver neighborhoods--with a hefty paycheck from our mayor.

It was announced late last year that the Hickenlooper would be hiring Kelling, and it was met with dismay by those who monitor the Dever Police Department's less than stellar human rights record. And for good reason, as I shall later show.

To put it bluntly, the hiring of George Kelling and the implementation of the "broken windows" policy in Denver is extremely bad news for anyone who values civil rights and individual liberty. It's especially bad for minorities, young people, and the homeless. Not to mention our city's fiscal solvency.

So I'll bring my opinion on the matter to the table, and I want you to at least consider it. Because this move--along with the way our police work in general--has ramifications that could change this city forever.

Sure, our papers can use sunny euphemisms all they want about the issue. But when Republicans and the Heritage Foundation support the theory, you know there's something fishy going on here.   Read More »

Colorado Citizens Campaign is working on a campaign to cleanup the Cemex cement plant in Lyons.

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Meeting on 3-14-2006


"Cemex Inc. Violates Colorado Air Standards 72,000 Times in 2004
Toxic dust from Cemex's Lyons Cement Plant has been plaguing neighbors for years. State records show that clouds of Cement Kiln Dust drifted from the plant across the St. Vrain Valley twenty-nine separate times between November 2004 and November 2005. The dust settled on neighbors' cars, houses, and in their lungs. The particulates in the dust contribute to asthma and lung disease. The highly alkaline dust can also burn skin and damage auto paint (according to EPA, neighbor, and worker reports). This dust, combined with emissions from the coal-fired kiln, contributes to smog and heath hazards for residents from Denver to Ft. Collins.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, the pollution is also a major contributor to hazy conditions in the Indian Peaks Wilderness and Rocky Mountain National Park. Continued pollution will drive tourists, and their dollars, to other vacation spots." Read the whole thing...

Additionally, the St. Vrain Valley Community Watchdogs have additional information and details about this issue.

State of Colorado warning details... sent: (also available here as a verification)
" 9. The inlet PMCD gas temperature records that CEMEX provided to the Division indicate that the temperature at the inlet of the kiln PMCD exceeded the maximum allowable level, 517° F, approximately 72,067 times in 2004, and the temperature at the inlet of the alkali bypass PMCD exceeded the maximum allowable level, 509° F, approximately 368 times in 2004, based on 3-hour rolling averages.
10. Pursuant to 40 C.F.R. §§63.1354(a)(8) and 63.10(e)(3) and Section II, Condition 24.8 of Permit No. 95OPBO082, CEMEX is required to submit an excess emissions and continuous monitoring system performance report ("EER") for any event when the continuous monitoring system data indicate that the source is not in compliance with the applicable emission limitation or operating parameter limit. Such reports must be submitted semi-annually. CEMEX failed to submit EERs for the approximately 72,067 occasions in 2004 where the three-hour rolling temperature average at the inlet to the kiln PMCD exceeded the temperature maximum. Additionally, CEMEX submitted EERs for some, but not all of the exceedances at the alkali bypass PMCD inlet."