Gov. Hickenlooper Apologizes for Sand Creek Massacre
On November 29th, 1864, Colorado militia volunteers slaughtered up to 150 women, children, and elderly members of the Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes at Sand Creek. Today, Governor John Hickenlooper apologized to the descendants of the Massacre at the 150th Anniversary and Commemoration Ceremony. Hickenlooper says he doesn’t make the announcement lightly and it follows his discussions with all the former living governors of the state.
“We should not be afraid to criticize and condemn that which is inexcusable, so I am here to offer something that has been a long time coming. On behalf of the State of Colorado, I want to apologize… (cheers)”
He adds that Coloradans are sorry for the atrocity that the government and its agents visited upon the ancestors of those gathered for the event and that we will not run from this history but seek peace and healing. Hickenlooper is the first governor in Colorado history to offer an apology for the Sand Creek massacre.
Glenwood Springs Considered Big Fines for Unlocked Trash
Leaving trash unlocked in Glenwood Springs could get pricier next spring. The city is considering whether to charge hundreds of dollars in fines for letting a bear get into someone’s garbage.
The move comes after a lot of bear activity in city limits over the past year. Right now, if one gets into your trash that can mean several light citations. But after recommendations from local wildlife officials, the Police Department wants to toughen it up. Soon there could be much higher fees on a second violation. Terry Wilson is Chief of the Glenwood Springs Police Department.
“We’re proposing somewhere in the three to five hundred dollar range. And we basically put that on the approximate cost of your standard animal resistant, wildlife resistant trash containers.”
Chief Wilson says he’s aware bear proof containers can be difficult to purchase, and wants to make sure any new regulations are not too hard for locals to follow. The Glenwood Springs City Council would likely approve any changes in the spring.
State Looking for Elk Poachers, Offering Hunter Rewards
The state of Colorado wants hunters and others to be on the lookout for elk poachers. The Parks and Wildlife Department says it’s investigating three illegally killed bull elk recently in Northwest Colorado. This follows three other poached bull elk from a game management unit near the town of Dinosaur in early November. State officials say two of the three recently poached elk were found along Highway 318 near May bell and others near Irish Canyon. The Parks and Wildlife officials say they have known about elk poaching in the area for about the past six years… and are seeking the public’s help in providing information leading to those responsible for the killings. To help bring in tips, the state is willing to give a big game license for information leading to a conviction in the case. Penalties for poaching include felony charges, heavy fines, a prison sentence and the permanent loss of hunting and fishing privileges in not only Colorado but 43 other states until the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.