SUNRISE: Another pot farm found in mountains
2nd marijuana grow site found in Colorado mountains
RAYMOND, Colo. (AP) — Authorities say a second suspected illegal marijuana growing site has been found in the mountains north of Boulder.
Boulder County sheriff's Cmdr. Rick Brough says the second site found Tuesday is larger than one found nearby Monday that had about 3,500 marijuana plants, estimated to be worth $500,000. The first site is on private and public land near the town of Raymond and about a mile from any road.
The second site is on national forest land and has an estimated 4,000 plants.
Authorities say a man fled the area Monday when officers arrived after being alerted about the plants by a hiker. Camping equipment found indicates that more than one person was involved.
WEATHER
Expect sunny skies Wednesday as Colorado Springs reaches a high temperature of 83 before dipping to a low of 50 Wednesday night. It should be sunny and not so warm Thursday, with temperatures in the mid-70s.
AROUND COLORADO
2 men plead to charges in bull rider death
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Two men have pleaded guilty in federal court to drug charges in connection with the overdose deaths of a young professional bull rider and two others in Cheyenne last year.
Vernon Violas Ellefson Jr., 46, of Cheyenne, and Juan Antonio Bustillo-Perez, 33, of Denver, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to distribute heroin resulting in death. Each faces 20 years in prison when sentenced in November.
Federal prosecutors say Ellefson and Bustillo-Perez conspired with others to distribute the drugs that killed Cheyenne bull rider Bryan Guthrie, 21, in December and two others last summer.
Co-defendant Christopher Charles Tyson, of Cheyenne, faces trial on federal drug and firearm charges next week.
West Coloradans upset about drilling in pet cemetery
NEW CASTLE, Colo. (AP) — State officials are trying to ease the concerns of people upset about plans to drill for natural gas near an unofficial pet cemetery in western Colorado.
The DeJour Energy Co. plans to start drilling soon in the Garfield Creek State Wildlife Area south of New Castle. It's in an area where people have buried their pets.
Sherry Fairchild says she doesn't have a problem with drilling, but thinks the company should consider the pet owners' feelings.
Perry Will of the Colorado Division of Wildlife says people were never given permission to bury their pets in the wildlife area, but understands their concerns. Wildlife officials say they'll work with the company to resolve the situation.
Condoleezza Rice wins Air Force Academy award
AIR FORCE ACADEMY (AP) — Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has received an Air Force Academy award for contributions to U.S. defense and security.
Rice was given the Thomas D. White National Defense Award during a visit to the academy last week.
The award is named for a former Air Force chief of staff. The academy presents the award annually.
Rice was national security adviser and secretary of state under President George W. Bush. She now teaches at Stanford University.
Denver Mint to coin new energy approach, use wind
DENVER (AP) — The U.S. Mint in Denver is going green.
Xcel Energy said Tuesday that the Mint, which produces coins, will start getting all its electricity from wind power. The federal facility will buy its power from the utility's Windsource program, through which customers pay a little more to support the development of electricity generated by wind farms.
Xcel Energy says the Mint will be one of the largest purchasers of renewable energy in Colorado. It uses nearly 13 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year.
Xcel Energy says the Mint's switch to wind power is the equivalent of offsetting nearly 25.7 million pounds of carbon dioxide, or the annual emissions of about 2,225 vehicles.
HAPPENINGS
-- Farmers market, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Liberty Heights, 12105 Ambassador Drive.
-- Farmers market, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Western Museum of Mining Industry, 225 North Gate Blvd.
-- Colorado Farm and Art farmers market, 3-7 p.m., America the Beautiful, 126 Cimino Drive, free admission.
-- Burn the Maps, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Hillside Gardens, 1006 S. Institute St., free.
