First taxpayer accountability report released

DENVER (AP) — Governor Bill Ritter and State Treasurer Cary Kennedy issued their first taxpayer accountability report on Thursday, saying they were keeping a campaign promise to tell taxpayers how their money is being spent.

“Accountability begins with transparency. In order to maintain the public trust, the use of state taxpayer dollars must be open to public scrutiny in an easily accessible way,” Ritter said.

The report outlines where most of the the state’s money goes. Last year, the state spent $17 billion: 28 percent for health care and human services, 27 percent for higher education and 26 percent for public education.

Kennedy said the goal was to make complicated financial information accessible and understandable.

“Government must do a better job at shining the light on its own finances so people can see where their money goes,” Kennedy said.

On the Net:

State Taxpayer Accountability Report

COMING IN TOMORROW'S GAZETTE

Moving the nation’s air, space and homeland defense operations out of Cheyenne Mountain would cost more than $12 billion, according to the Air Force. The estimate surfaced in an April 25 letter in which Allard expressed “deep concern” that the Pentagon is planning to close Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station.

Another hurdle to Army plans to expand Fort Carson’s Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site surfaced today when the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed Piñon Canyon as one of the nation’s 11 most endangered historic sites.

A New Jersey real estate investment firm has purchased one of the city’s newest apartment complexes. Raia Properties Corp. paid $37.25 million for the Talon Hill Apartment Homes in the Northgate development. When calculated on a per-unit basis, the price is the highest ever paid for a Colorado Springs apartment complex.

Populations of Colorado’s state bird, a melodious prairie-dweller called the lark bunting, have dropped by more than half in the last 40 years, according to a nationwide study by the National Audubon Society. The decline is attributed to the loss of grasslands, forests and wetlands, and, in some cases, global climate change.

Three local chambers of commerce — the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber, the Black Chamber and the Hispanic Chamber — came together today to announce a new alliance. Each chamber retains its identity but the alliance will lead to sharing of resources and help the groups speak with a stronger voice on common issues.

El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa is considering restricting mail to inmates at the jail to postcards only, with no magazines or other packages, because of the cost and time of screening mail.

It's high season for high water on the Arkansas River. The most popular stretch for rafting on the Arkansas is Browns Canyon, beginning at either Fisherman's Bridge or Ruby Mountain. Stew Pappenfort, senior ranger for the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, gave The Gazette a rundown on what to expect from the canyon. Friday in Out There.

GO!: Pikes Peak Watercolor Society's new show, Watermedia XV, attracted 319 entries by artists from several countries. The exhibit, which opens Friday at the UCCS Gallery of Contemporary Art, is an eclectic display that shows watercolors aren't all just pleasant and decorative.

HAPPENING TONIGHT

“COMMUTING ON YOUR BIKE”: 6:30 p.m., Bicycle Village, 2450 Montebello Square Drive, free. Registration required: 385-7431.

“COLOR YOUR WORLD — COLOR IN DECORATING”: 6:30-8:30 p.m., $15 plus $5 for materials. Location and registration: 520-2384 or www.d11.org/communityed.

“CREATE INSECT FREE OUTDOORS”: 7 p.m., local Home Depot store, free; www.homedepotclinics.com.

“FOUR ELEGANT COURSES IN 30 MINUTES”: 6 p.m., Chefs Catalog, 5070 Centennial Blvd., $60. Registration required: 272-2700.

EASTER SEALS SOUTHERN COLORADO’S SECOND ANNUAL BENEFIT WINE TASTING GALA AND SILENT AUCTION: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Hillside Gardens and Nursery, 1006 S. Institute St., $50 per person or $450 for a group of 10. Reservations required: 574-9002.

TALK GERMAN CONVERSATION GROUP: 6-7 p.m., East Library, 5550 N. union Blvd., free; 531-6333, ext. 1301.

ADULT WRITING GROUP: 6:30 p.m., Fountain Library Branch, 230 S. Main St., Fountain, free; 382-5347.

DANA GOULD: Comedy Works, Denver. Times and costs; www.comedyworks.com or 1-303-595-3637.

TEEN ADVISORY GROUP: Help library staff plan the Teen Summer Reading Program and other teen events at the library, 5:30-7 p.m., East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd., free; 531-6333.

“MOVIE NIGHT”: Showing of “Lord of the Rings: Two Towers,” 6 p.m., East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd., free; 531-6333.

SPORTS TONIGHT

San Antonio visits Cleveland at 7 p.m. on ABC (950 AM) with a 3-0 edge over the Cavaliers.

The Colorado Springs Sky Sox host Fresno at 7 on 1460 AM. The Colorado Rockies wrap up their series at Boston at 5 on FSN (850 AM).

The U.S. Open golf tournament coverage is repeated on ESPN starting at 6. The Braves visit the Twins at 6 on TBS. In the MLS, Dallas is at Salt Lake at 7 on ESPN2.

TELEVISION TONIGHT

“PIRATE MASTER”: Teams divided (7 p.m., CBS).

“ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER?”: Jeff Foxworthy hosts (7 p.m., Fox).

“FAST CARS & SUPERSTARS” William Shatner drives with a lead foot (7 p.m., ABC).

“SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE”: The judges evaluate the performers with the fewest votes (8 p.m., Fox).

“THE OFFICE” Repeat: Kelly shares her family’s traditions with the rest of the gang (8 p.m., NBC).

“CSI” Repeat: Death attends Cirque Du Soleil. John Mayer appears (8 p.m., CBS).

“SHARK” Repeat: A decorated hero cop falls under scrutiny after the shooting of a teenager (9 p.m., CBS).

“STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP”: A flashback reveals how Matt and Danny first got fired from the show (9 p.m., NBC).

“LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN”: John Cusack and Pink Martini (10:35 p.m., CBS).

“THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO”: Téa Leoni, Joy Behar and Bloc Party (10:35 p.m., NBC).

“THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART”: Angelina Jolie (11 p.m., Comedy Central).