SUNRISE: Blowing snow expected to continue until 11 a.m.

Nobody hurt when small jet runs off Pueblo runway

PUEBLO (AP) — A small passenger jet has run off the runway while taking off from the Pueblo airport, but none of the 10 people aboard was reported hurt.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Mike Fergus said the Learjet 35 was substantially damaged in the mishap Thursday evening.

It was reported shortly before 8 p.m.

A major snowstorm was moving into Colorado at the time, but Fergus didn't know if weather was a factor.

The runway was closed while crews removed the plane.

Make My Day law for business advances in Colorado

DENVER (AP) — Colorado lawmakers advanced a proposal to allow business owners and employees in the state the right to use deadly force against suspected intruders.

The bill passed a House committee Thursday on a 6-5 party-line vote with Republican support.

The bill dubbed "Make My Day Better" expands to businesses the legal protections that exist for people who use deadly force at home.

Opponents say the bill gives too much power and immunity to business owners and that self-defense protections already exist.

Supporters say businesses shouldn't have to rely on law enforcement to protect them when seconds are critical in a violent situation.

The proposal has a good chance of passing the Republican-led House but its prospects in the Democratic-controlled led Senate are dim.

GOP's health care ideas failing in CO

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Republicans aren't faring well on their major health care proposals this year.

A Republican bill to repeal Colorado's health insurance exchange was defeated 5-4 Thursday in a Democrat-controlled Senate committee. The committee is led by the Democratic senator who proposed the exchange last year.

The same committee last week voted down a Republican idea to seek a federal Medicaid waiver. GOP leaders have said a federal waiver is crucial to trim health care costs. Democrats have called the waiver idea wishful thinking that could hurt the needy if approved.

The health insurance exchange is unpopular with some Republicans because it is a required element of the federal health care law.

Gov: Slow down privatizing workers comp insurer

DENVER (AP) — Gov. John Hickenlooper and Colorado's only state-chartered workers compensation insurer have agreed to delay a proposal to privatize the company.

Hickenlooper said Thursday more work needs to be done on the plan for Pinnacol Assurance. Hickenlooper released a letter from Pinnacol's board of directors saying the process shouldn't be rushed.

Hickenlooper says the Legislature shouldn't act on the plan this session.

A task force reviewing the plan appeared cool to the current plan.

Pinnacol has had a rocky relationship with the state since it was challenged in 2011 over reports of lavish spending and excess profits, which some lawmakers said came from denying claims from injured workers. The company has denied those allegations.

Last month, Pinnacol was criticized for running ads touting the benefits of privatization.

Boulder County OKs moratorium on oil, gas permits

BOULDER (AP) — Boulder County commissioners have approved a temporary moratorium on processing oil and gas permits to give themselves time to consider whether they need new rules to mitigate impacts of drilling.

Commissioners said Thursday they plan a public hearing March 1 to hear from the public about local impacts from oil and gas development and the moratorium.

Colorado has statewide rules for oil and natural gas development, but as drilling has moved closer to homes, some counties and cities have been considering rules to address impacts.

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has been trying to prevent communities from adopting local rules that would conflict with state regulations.

Boulder County is supporting a proposal by state Rep. Matt Jones of Louisville (LOO'-iss-ville) to expand local authority over drilling.

Pueblo man dies in house fire; woman escapes

PUEBLO (AP) — Authorities say a 65-year-old man has died in a house fire in Pueblo.

Pueblo County Coroner James Kramer identified the victim of Thursday's fire as Joseph G. Prutch.

Firefighters say a woman escaped the fire and was treated at the scene. Her name hasn't been released.

Fire inspector Woody Percival tells the Pueblo Chieftain (http://bit.ly/xg9okS ) the fire appears to have started in the basement. He says the cause is unknown.

2 found dead east of Grand Junction

GRAND JUNCTION (AP) — Authorities are investigating the deaths of two people whose bodies were found east of Grand Junction.

The Mesa County Sheriff's Department says the bodies were discovered Thursday morning. Deputies say they don't believe a suspect is at large but declined to release any other details, including names.

The sheriff's department says it received a report that one person had been found dead and had been shot. While deputies were on their way to the scene, another body was found.

Authorities haven't said if the second body had been shot.

Colorado may revive circumcision funding

DENVER — Circumcisions for Colorado boys could again be covered by Medicaid, a year after circumcisions were eliminated to save money.

A Senate committee voted 6-3 Thursday to restore circumcisions as a covered medical procedure for Medicaid recipients. If approved, the change would cost Colorado some $230,000 a year.

The procedure was dropped last year amid complaints that circumcisions aren't medically necessary and that the money could be better spent elsewhere. Several other states stopped paying for the optional procedure.

Supporters of covering circumcisions argued that the procedure has medical benefits and isn't purely cosmetic. The bill now heads to the Appropriations Committee.

La Plata County deputy dies while snowmobiling

DURANGO (AP) — La Plata County sheriff's deputies are mourning the death of a colleague who perished while snowmobiling on his day off.

The sheriff's department says 57-year-old Hollis Holland died Wednesday of coronary artery disease.

Authorities say Holland was southeast of the summit of Molas Pass at an elevation of about 10,500 feet when he died.

His body was found after he failed to return home.

Colo sheriff to bill campaigns for event security

CENTENNIAL (AP) — The sheriff of a suburban Denver county says he will start billing political campaigns for the cost of providing security at planned events.

Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson said Thursday the cost of providing security for a four- to six-hour event could exceed $25,000.

Robinson says campaigns that spend big money on advertising should be willing to pay for security, too.

He says all campaigns will be billed for costs including personnel and equipment. He didn't say what he would do if campaigns refused to pay.