Oil Shale Feasibility
The federal government recently finalized rules allowing commercial oil shale development in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming … but energy companies are still running tests to determine whether such development is feasible. KRCC’s Eryn Gable recently visited northwest Colorado and has more on the uncertainty and technological hurdles facing this alternative source of energy.
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Filed under: Business/Labor, Colorado, Energy, Environment, Eryn Gable, Utilities, Western Slope — Delaney Utterback @ 2:29 am
Governor Bill Ritter is putting his weight behind a ballot measure that would raise severance taxes on the oil and gas industry and use the money for higher education, wildlife and clean energy projects. It’s a costly campaign and oil and gas companies are spending millions of dollars trying to defeat the measure by attacking the Governor and his plan. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
When the fiscal year ends tonight, the ban on offshore oil drilling will be lifted, and another domestic energy source can also move forward, oil shale. Steve Zelaznik of RMCR member station 
As the west continues to dry, municipalities in Colorado are sitting tight, and hoping never to see a compact call. That’s what happens when other states take Colorado to court to force us to use less water. The Colorado River is the only river in the state that’s been spared a call, but water planners are figuring out what to do if this changes. One option the state is looking at is something called a water bank. Steve Zelaznik of 
The Colorado Supreme Court hears arguments on regulating mining laws in the state…Colorado’s Oil and Gas Conservation Commission meets again….and a crowded ballot in Colorado when it comes to voting for the President.
If the Democratic and Republican National conventions are any indication, Colorado has cemented its swing state status in this fall’s general election. During the DNC Democrats repeatedly said that the road to the White House leads through the west, and Colorado’s delegates to the Republican National Convention are getting the VIP treatment. Bente Birkeland reports from St. Paul Minnesota.
Two delegates from the roaring fork valley are at the National Convention in Denver. Blanca O’leary lives in Aspen and Bryan Gonzalez lives in Basalt–during their first day, they saw Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama speak, and Gonzalez switched his support for president. 
At the Democratic National Convention yesterday Colorado delegates welcomed the governor of Arizona while Ute Tribal leaders gathered to discuss the importance of the Native American vote.