Colorado has become the fourth State in the US to send a letter to the US Drug Enforcement Administration asking them to downgrade marijuana from a Schedule I Narcotic to a Schedule II Narcotic.  Schedule I drugs are listed by the DEA as having a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical value.  Drugs such as Heroin and LSD fall into this category.

Schedule II drugs on the other hand, while still having a high potential for abuse, are recognized as having a legitimate medical value.  The Governors of Washington and Rhode Island already filed formal requests with the DEA and Vermont filed one shortly afterward.

Sixteen States and Washington DC currently have laws on the books legalizing marijuana for medical use.  The Federal Government still does not recognize those state laws and in fact has even raided marijuana dispensaries in those states where the drug is provided.

Morgan Fox, a spokesman for the D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project told CNN, “I don’t think that we’re going to see to much change in Washington’s position on this until public opinion and state-level support reaches a little bit higher a tipping point,”

The DEA said it would give the petitions due consideration, but that is the same line it usually gives to other groups before it rejects similar applications.

In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected any argument that marijuana should be made legal for medical use.  It stated that  “no sound scientific studies” prove its effectiveness. State laws authorizing it “are inconsistent with efforts to ensure that medications undergo the rigorous scientific scrutiny of the FDA approval process,”

It is interesting to note that thousands of medical organizations support the legalizing of medical marijuana, including the federal government’s own National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine (IOM) at the National Institutes of Health.

How do you feel about medical marijuana?

States: Time to Rethink Medical Marijuana is a post from: The Inquisitr

The minimum wage has been raised to $7.64 in Colorado, a move that will be welcomed by some 74,000 minimum wage workers in the Centennial State.

The 3.8 percent increase took effect on New Year’s Day, and represents a raise of 28 cents per hour. A Colorado employee who works a full-time job on minimum wage will now earn an extra $582 a year. Colorado has linked its minimum wage to inflation since 2006, and this is the largest increase since the policy was introduced. Workers just above the minimum wage will also see raises, predicts Patty Goodwin, director of surveys at the Mountain States Employers Council:

“It becomes a domino effect all the way up if you have a compensation policy where you keep a consistent spread.”

While employers and business owners are likely to be dismayed, many argue that raising the minimum wage is a positive move for the economy. Extra money in pockets, argue economists, means people are more willing to spend. Speaking to the Denver Post, Christine Owens, executive director of the National Employment Law Project, says:

“These minimum-wage increases represent bright spots on an otherwise bleak economic horizon.”

The borked economy is seeing the age of those in minimum wage jobs increase, with one analysis of census data revealing eight out of 10 workers in Colorado who earn the minimum wage are now 20 or older. 46-year-old Kelly Wiedemer is one such example of this. After losing her $31-an-hour job as a financial analyst in 2008, she took work as a cashier at a gas station. She told the Denver Post that the increase will help:

“Having experienced this working-poor thing for the first time, the wage increase makes a huge difference. It helps to offset lost spending power. This is a step in the right direction, but it is not a living wage by any means. It helps low-wage workers from falling further behind.”

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, while the highest minimum wage in the U.S. is in San Francisco, which recently became the first state to offer a minimum wage above $10.

Colorado Minimum Wage Rises to $7.64 is a post from: The Inquisitr

ENGLEWOOD, Colorado – Tim Tebow’s biggest challenge isn’t proving his critics wrong by continuing to breathe unlikely yet miraculous life into the Denver Broncos. Now, it will be coming back from the Christmas Eve game where a poor performance made the Bills look like the Patriots in the worst game of Tebow’s career.

If Tebow was playing under divine guidance Saturday, it didn’t show. He threw a mind-numbing four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns in under 20 seconds, losing the game for the Broncos 40-14. But Tebow’s faith is still strong, as he seemed unshaken by the dramatic loss. He insisted that his “confidence is just fine”, and he is looking forward to the Kansas City Chiefs game this coming Sunday.

The Chiefs (6-9) are lead by Kyle Orton, who is something of a nemesis to Tebow, being the guy Tebow couldn’t manage to beat out of training camp. Orton also has scores to settle with the Denver Broncos who pushed him aside for Tebow. After this, Orton was granted his request for release. The Kansas City/Denver game on Sunday has as much pathos as The English Patient, and that’s without pointing out the two teams’ well-established rivalry. If Tebow’s providence is beginning to wane, could Orton prove the Broncos’ playoff hopes a pipe dream … and then flush it down the tube?

Though losing to the Chiefs won’t necessarily take the Broncos out of the running for the playoffs, the stakes are high. Tebow, for his part, is as confident as ever, saying:

“I think it’s the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs. That’s a great rivalry and it’ll be a great game. (I’m) excited we get to play at home in front of our fans. I think that as a player, as a quarterback, as someone who has dreamed of that his whole life, it’ll be exciting to have one game, one last game, one last opportunity to make the playoffs.”

But the Chiefs aren’t in it for the playoffs. They were eliminated as contenders last week. They’re playing the same role they played two years ago (when they beat the Broncos 44-24). The role of “spoiler”. And if they do beat the Broncos this Sunday, you can bet there’s a bit of spite there.

So, what do you think? Is Tebow’s streak over or can he beat the Chiefs on Sunday?

Is Tim Tebow’s Lucky Streak Over? Game With Chiefs May Decide is a post from: The Inquisitr

Two years ago professional snowboarder Kevin Pearce hit his head in a halfpipe training accident, causing him to slip into a coma and leaving his with traumatic brain injury, blurred vision and memory issues. now Despite his various injuries Pearce will return to the slopes this weekend for the first run since his accident.

While he won’t be heading back to the professional snowboarding circuit Pearce will ride for the first time with the gathering support of his friends and still loyal fans.

Pearce will ride down the slopes of Breckenridge, Colorado and he has said to his fans that he won’t be attempting any big air. Pearce told the New York Times:

“Putting myself in a place where I can get hit in the head is so not worth it now,” and “After going through this, just jumping on a snowboard and cruising around is enough for me.”

While the former professional continues to battle against memory problems he’s hoping that muscle memory will help him with his ride, he even equates snowboarding to riding a bike, something you just never forget.

Pearce almost hit the slopes a few weeks earlier but eventually decided that he wanted the support of his fans who have been snowboarding while wearing the slogan “I Ride for Kevin.”

Whether or not you follow the sport of snowboarding what Kevin Pearce has accomplished in the last few years in nothing short of a miracle, here’s to wishing him the best on his first ride since that nerve racking day two years ago.

Professional Snowboarder Kevin Pearce Steps Back Onto The Slopes After Brain Injury is a post from: The Inquisitr

Charlie Sheen on Thursday rushed to the defense of ex-wife Brooke Mueller, claiming that she would never deal drugs as officers in her Aspen, Colorado arrest have reported.

The former Two and a Half Men star says Mueller would never sell drugs because he’s making sure she’s well taken care of. As Charlie told TMZ:

‘With the child support I give her… she’s gonna deal drugs? Never gonna happen.’

Sheen didn’t end his commentary of events there, saying of the Aspen police:

“The cops in Aspen are Keystone on their finest day … these are the clowns that let [Ted] Bundy go.’

“The woman identified Brooke Mueller as the aggressor.”

It should be noted that the “intent to distribute” charge is based off the amount of a certain drug being held by a single person, an amount police say Brooke Mueller had surpassed.

Do you think Brooke Mueller was attempting to sell drugs or just get high and party the night away while her children were left in another part of the country with a nanny?

Charlie Sheen Defends Brooke Mueller, Says She Wouldn’t Deal Drugs is a post from: The Inquisitr

Joe Gordon, a 55-year-old retired car salesman from Colorado, was sentenced by a court in Thailand to 2.5 years in prison for publishing material that “defames” King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

To make matters worse, Gordon, who was born in Thailand and speaks fluent Thai, didn’t even directly insult the King, but rather posted an excerpt from an unauthorized biography of the 84-year-old monarch, titled The King Never Smiles.

Despite the fact that Gordon’s “offense” took place in America, the man was detained in Thailand back in May when visiting his home country to seek medical care for arthritis and high blood pressure. The government repeatedly shot down his attempts to make bail, and in October he pleaded guilty in hopes that the courts would give him a lenient sentence.

Gordon says he has no expectations that he’ll be let off easy, however. This is just the system in Thailand,” he said, as reported by the Associated Press. He later continued: “In Thailand, they put people in prison even if they don’t have proof.”

Defaming the monarchy – the king, the queen, and the heir to the throne – carries a penalty of three to fifteen years in prison. Comparatatively, Gordon got off easy – in November, 61-year-old Amphon Tangnoppakul was sentenced to 20 years in prison for text messages deemed offensive by the royal family.

Source: Associated Press

[Image credit: AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong]

American gets 2.5 years in prison for “insulting” Thai royalty is a post from: The Inquisitr

Consummate drug user and Charlie Sheen ex-wife Brooke Mueller was arrested over the weekend in Aspen, Colorado on cocaine possession and assault charges and now a video of Mueller partying prior to the arrest has surfaced.

Mueller was arrested on Friday night but prior to that run-in with police the 34-year-old was caught busting a move on a nightclub dance floor with drink in hand.

Moments into the video police show up to break up the dance party where Mueller was taken outside and placed under arrest.

Speaking after the incident a source close to Mueller told People:

“Brooke can’t stay sober on her own,” and”Maybe this [arrest] will force her to go into a treatment center for a long stay. Thirty-day rehabs won’t work for her.”

In the meantime Steve Honig, Mueller’s rep, didn’t deny the accusations by the insider but instead said in a statement:

“I think anyone who is truly a friend of Brooke’s would not be spending their time talking anonymously and behind her back to the media.”

“I seriously question the validity of any comments made by these people alleging to be friends with Brooke.”

Hours after the arrest Mueller was sprung from the Pitkin County jail on an $11,000 bond.

Here’s the Brooke Mueller party video:

Who would have thought months ago that Brooke Mueller would be running around like a complete lunatic while her ex-husband has signed a lucrative deal for a new TV show and has been appearing clean and sober for months.

Brooke Mueller Caught Partying On Video Prior To Cocaine Possession Arrest is a post from: The Inquisitr

What do you do if your child wants to be a Girl Scout? You take your child to the troop leader to sign-up. This is a different case though because Bobby Montoya, a 7-year-old boy from Denver wants to be a Girl Scout.

Montoya’s mother Felisha Archuleta spoke with 9News in Denver and revealed her conversation with the Girl Scouts Troop Leader:

“What’s the big deal? She said, ‘It doesn’t matter how he looks; he has boy parts, he can’t be in Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts don’t allow that, and I don’t want to be in trouble by parents or my supervisor.”

Vice President of Communications at Girl Scouts of Colorado released their statement, saying:

“Girl Scouts is an inclusive organization, and we accept all girls in kindergarten through 12th grade as members. If a child lives life as a girl and the family brings the child to us to participate in Girl Scouts, Girl Scouts of Colorado welcomes her. Girl Scouts of Colorado respects the privacy of all girls and families we work with. When a family requests membership for their daughter, we do not require proof of gender, we respect the decisions of families.”

Given that in this case it’s the decision of Bobby’s family to bring him in to Girl Scouts, then the child seems like he’s getting his wish.

How about you? Would you allow Bobby Montoya, a 7-year-old boy to become a Girl Scout?

7-Year-Old Boy Wants to be a Girl Scout is a post from: The Inquisitr

Residents in Colorado Springs carry just as much debt as many American’s in many parts of the country, in many cases they carry more debt than the national average but they also pay off their bills on time which in turn has helped raise their credit scores above national levels according to a recent report by credit reporting agency Experian plc.

According to the report the Colorado Springs and Pueblo area which includes 12 Colorado counties currently ranks 47th among the nation’s 142 largest market areas with an average score of 759. That score is 10 points higher than the national average of 759 points and is up 1 point over last year’s area average despite a still weakened economy.

Users scores are based on credit card, auto and installment debts which have increased by 2.7 percent in the area to $25,718 per person, increasing by 2.7 percent in the area opposed to a 1 percent national decline over the same one year period.

According to Experian director of public education Rod Griffin:

“Colorado Springs residents are doing a somewhat better job of paying their bills on time than the rest of the nation, and that is the single most important factor in your credit score. That is probably related to having more resources to pay bills on time, since the median household income in higher than the national average.”

One explanation for the higher credit scores could be directly related to a higher annual income average of $53,359, 3.8 percent above the national average.

Experian officials point out that residents while recently spending more use slightly less of their credit limits than most American’s with 28.26 percent used with a national average of 28.83 percent.

Want the highest credit scored city? Try Wausau, Wis., where residents have an average Experian score of 789.

Why do you think people in certain parts of the country are better at monitoring their credit scores than other areas?

Want A Higher Credit Score, Move To Colorado Springs [Study] is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Dougherty clan have officially been charged after their cross-country crime spree ended in a dramatic shootout with police.

Police officials have filed individual charges against the three gun-toting siblings that include attempted murder and first-degree assault for Ryan Edward Dougherty and Dylan Dougherty Stanley who received 24 and 23 counts for their part in the crimes, while sister Lee Grace Dougherty was charged with 29 counts of her very own.

Pending their upcoming court hearing in southern Colorado the siblings are each being held on $1.25 million bond.

While sister Lee may have the most charges raised against her, the LA Times on August 12 said she was cozying up with police officials which could help reduce her charges and ultimately jail time, according to the Times:

But the sister, Lee Grace Dougherty, 29, an exotic dancer in the Orlando area, has already made statements that suggest she’s cozying up to law enforcement. Pasco County Sheriff’s officials said they couldn’t comment on whether this foreshadows Lee Grace Dougherty’s defense strategy — or if it signals a potential eagerness to turn evidence against her brothers in order to spare herself.

Lee Grace Dougherty was shot before being captured by Colorado law enforcement authorities and then began fessing up to her crimes, telling one officer “I deserved to get shot” while adding that her and the brothers “weren’t trying to hurt anyone.”

Regardless of her snitching, it’s likely that Lee Grace Dougherty will see a significant amount of jail time.

Dougherty Gang Charged With 29 Counts, Held On $1.25M Bonds is a post from: The Inquisitr

With the University of Colorado already sealed and delivered, and Boise State set to leave the WAC to join the Mountain West, it now seems like the Pac 10 invite plan has been altered slightly. It seems that Texas A&M is dragging their feet so the Pac 10 has set its sights on Kansas and their big time basketball program. With Nebraska already set to join the Big Ten, I don’t know if this is the best move.

Apparently the plan now is to add Texas, Texas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Kansas, and another school to get to the magic number of 16. The school could be Colorado State, Baylor even Texas A&M. Since college sports are built on rivalries and tradition I sincerly hope they give up on Kansas and add a school that will keep long standing rivalries in place.

I would hate to see Kansas and Kansas State end up in different conferences. It now seems like the Big Ten is done adding school to the west. With the addition of Nebraska, they seemed to have cooled on Missouri and will no work in the east on Rutgers and other schools in the New York TV Market.

It seems that the Board of Regents at Texas A&M would like to pursue a spot in the SEC, which makes a ton more money then the Big 12 did. What we do know is that the Big 12 is dead, we just have to wait and see where each of their 12 schools land. Missouri would be a nice addition to the Big Ten with Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois and Northwestern as a Big 10 West Division. Of course we will know lot more once the falling dominoes of the Big 12 begin to pick up speed.

Related Links:

•The Business of College Football
•Nebraska Cornhuskers news and notes
•MTR College Sports.com

More Pac 10 invitations on the way is a post from: The Inquisitr

A sixteen month old Colorado girl remains hospitalized after receiving a shock from dangling USB cord unplugged from an MP3 player.

One of the pitfalls of technology is that sometimes a few accidents occur before the danger of a certain practice becomes readily apparent. While most parents know to keep knives out of reach and not to leave a curious toddler inside a still-running vehicle, many might not think about USB cords disconnected from peripherals but still hooked up to a power source.

Trinity Anderson was rushed to a hospital in Longmont, Colorado Monday, unconscious and suffering severe burns to the inside of her mouth due to this very danger. Trinity’s grandfather describes the scenario that led to Tiffany’s injuries:

The USB cord for a music player was plugged into a laptop that was being charged on the floor next to the chair where her mother, Rhianna Anderson, was sitting. The music player was a Christmas gift. The laptop is less than a year old.

“Trinity crawled behind the chair her mom was in, and when her mom didn’t see Trinity pop back out the other side, she looked behind the chair and saw Trinity face down,” Jeff Anderson said.

Trinity remains on a ventilator, sedated so she does not disturb the apparatus that has maintained her respiration since Monday night. Her prognosis is not completely clear at this point:

“The burn team here feels her injuries will heal with some cosmetic damage, but we have no idea about her mental function,” he said. “She was probably unconscious for three minutes.”

The hospital indicates that this is the first case of its type involving USB cords they’ve seen. Sadly, it’s highly likely it won’t be the last.

Still not USB compatible- babies is a post from: The Inquisitr

Around 0:35, when asked why Falcon didn’t respond to calls, Falcon replies, “…you guys said… uh…  we did this for the show…”

Things get all quiet, then mom Mayumi Heene just says unsteadily, “…no.”

Whoops?

Did Falcon Heene out balloon incident as a publicity stunt on CNN? is a post from: The Inquisitr

Police are searching the skies for a Fort Collins, Colorado boy who floated away from the family home on an “experimental aircraft” this morning.

Police say that the homemade dome-shaped, 20 foot, 5 foot aircraft (covered with foil) was tethered with a rope while the family constructed it. Some time this morning, the family’s six-year-old son entered the craft and released the rope. Neighbors have spotted the craft nearby, and the Federal Aviation Administration is helping track the aircraft on its radar tower. Denver International

Airport has been notified about the situation.

The FAA is reporting that the craft was last spotted twenty-six miles east of Fort Collins in Greeley, Colorado.

Update: The craft has not yet been located, but aviation expert Greg Feith spoke to News 9 about the logistics of the rescue:

“It is an unusual event and the big thing now is trying to get that child down from this balloon. It’s all going to depend on of course the environment. It’s windy outside so it’s going to keep it adrift for quite a while. The helium, depending on the size of this thing, if it ran into very cold air, it may help it come down as you know if you let a helium balloon go the higher it gets it’ll stagnate only because of the cold air,” Feith said.

Feith added that without knowing the structural integrity of the aircraft it is difficult to know how it will withstand any turbulence.

“The other key here is the structural integrity. Not knowing how it’s constructed and given the fact that we do have these wind conditions which of course create turbulence we don’t know how much turbulence this airship, if you will, can actually withstand so there’s a lot of external factors here,” he added.

Update 2: The family are the storm-chasing Heenes featured on an episode of ABC’s Wife Swap.

Update 3: The craft has landed. The boy has not yet been removed from the craft, and it is unlikely he is still inside. Reports indicate the boy may have fallen from the craft elsewhere. The boy has been identified as 6-year-old Falcon Heene.

Update 4: Reports indicate the child may have never been in the balloon to begin with.

Update 5: The child, Falcon Heene, remains missing at 2:59pm local time. The boy’s brother reports that Falcon may have been in a box attached to the craft. He has been missing for several hours.

Update 6: Experts claim that the balloon couldn’t have supported the weight of the child (60 lbs.) and some news sources are speculating that the incident may be a publicity hoax.

Update 7: Falcon Heene has been found safe, and is reportedly home with his family. Reports indicate he was hiding in the attic the entire time.

[9News]

Updated: “Balloon Boy” found alive, home with family is a post from: The Inquisitr

You can’t make this stuff up: a Denver sheriff’s deputy has be reinstated to his job after he maced a rabbit

According to records, Alvin Perez saw a rabbit outside the Denver County Jail where he works during a break in May last year. He then “got a can of Mace and sprayed the rabbit for no apparent reason.”

According to local media, Perez pleaded guilty to a charge of animal cruelty for using mace on the rabbit, and was sentenced to one year of supervised probation, a one-year suspended jail sentence and a $500 fine.

If that’s how he treats rabbits, god help the prisoners.

Sheriff’s Deputy reinstated after macing rabbit is a post from: The Inquisitr

Two fires flamed by strong winds are threatening homes in Boulder County, Colorado.

One fire threatens homes in Niwot, about 25 miles North of Denver on the outskirts of Boulder City, with the second fire around 100 miles to the West.

Over 11,000 homes have been contacted by phone warning them of the risk, with a smaller number closer to the fire already evacuated.

At least one of the fires started when winds knocked down a power line. Winds exceeding 60 mph were recorded in the area, and the strong wind alert predicts wind gusts up to 80 mph tonight.

More if we have it.

(img: KDVR)

Fire Threatening Homes in Boulder is a post from: The Inquisitr

According to reports, both men pulled the tasers from their own bodies and did not need medical attention, but the bartender was arrested on suspicion of felony menacing and using a stun gun.

The bartender got into an argument with the security guard after a metal boot was clamped on a wheel of the bartenders car to immobilize it for an alleged parking violation.

The bartender tried to remove the clamp, resulting in the taser shot out. Local media said it wasn’t a shot out at 30 paces, but still, two men both shooting each other with tasers at the same time…the wild west 21st century style.

Boulder, Colorado: Car Park Tasers at 30 Paces is a post from: The Inquisitr