Colorado nears decision on spending pot taxes

DENVER – Colorado budget-writers are nearing a decision on how new marijuana taxes should be spent.

The Joint Budget Committee is expected to approve a spending proposal this week that involves saving most of the recreational marijuana tax money. However, some would be spent on youth drug-use prevention and education.

The vote is just the beginning of a vigorous fight over how the money should be spent.

The full Legislature must agree to the JBC’s proposal, and already some are sniping over spending the marijuana money in other ways.

A House debate last week over police officer training slowed when some Republicans argued that marijuana taxes should be used to pay for the training, while others want to see more money saved in case marijuana revenues dip.

Restrictions on pot edibles clear House

DENVER – Bills setting restrictions on marijuana edibles in Colorado have cleared the state House unanimously.

The bills approved Monday would set possession limits for concentrated forms of marijuana such as hash oil.

Currently, Colorado adults can possess up to an ounce of marijuana without regard to whether it’s leafy flowers or concentrated oils. In its concentrated form, an ounce of pot has far more servings than the same amount in plant form.

The bill directs the state Department of Revenue to determine how much concentrated pot is equal to an ounce of leafy pot.

Another bill would broaden a ban on certain types of edibles to include products that mimic other foods or candies. Lawmakers are trying to prevent accidental ingestions by children.

The bills now head to the Senate.

Higher drilling fines approved by House

DENVER – A bill to increase fines on the oil and gas industry is on its way to the Colorado Senate after the state House gave it final approval Monday.

The bill hikes maximum fines from $1,000 a day to $15,000 a day for companies that violate Colorado regulations. The House approved the measure 40-22.

A similar fines bill failed last year. But this year’s bill has the support of Colorado energy industry because it no longer included minimum daily fines.

Colorado’s maximum daily drilling fines haven’t been hiked since 1955.

Bill seeks immediate arrest of fugitives

DENVER – Parolees who remove or tamper with their electronic monitoring device would be subject to immediate arrest under a bill approved by the Colorado House.

The legislation is a response to last year’s slaying of Department of Corrections Executive Director Tom Clements.

The former inmate suspected of killing him was able to slip out of his electronic monitoring device, and it was days before authorities found out.

The bill given unanimous approval Monday in the House would make parolees subject to immediate warrantless arrest if they tamper with or remove their electronic monitoring devices.

The Senate will now consider the proposal.

Senate passes Colorado traffic camera ban

DENVER – The Colorado Senate passed a statewide ban on red-light and speeding cameras despite objections from some lawmakers that the bill would decrease traffic safety.

The Senate passed the bill Monday on a 21-14 and the House will now consider it.

Supporters say the cameras are used by local governments to generate revenue, not improve safety. Sponsors of the bill also argue the cameras infringe on people’s privacy.

But opponents of the bill say the cameras make streets safer while saving police time.

Ten states prohibit the use of photo radar or red-light camera enforcement.

The bill has a good chance of passing the House because Democratic Speaker Mark Ferrandino is sponsoring it.

The Associated Press