Author: Barry Noreen

Remember the unpopular Colorado Springs stormwater enterprise killed by voters in 2009? Reader Michael Beasley sure does, and he wanted to know, “Are people having to pay their delinquent accounts? I paid mine. What about a refund?” City spokeswoman Julie Smith passed on the answers from the city finance department. “By far the majority of…

Pension funds were rocked in 2008, when their portfolios crashed along with the stock market. Colorado enacted changes in 2010, aiming to make its Public Employees Retirement Association more fiscally sound. Reader Mike Long wanted to know, “What is the estimated unfunded liability that the Colorado taxpayers are on the hook for to payout on…

Black bears will be moving around in a couple of weeks and we’re all going to die, but those two facts are not connected. Reader Steve Bartley asked, “How soon will the black bears be coming out of hibernation? And will they be even more aggressive and more frequent visitors because the Waldo Canyon Fire…

Almost all cars made these days have some level of tinting on the windows and on some vehicles it is quite noticeable. Colorado law limits tinting, but reader Larry Gold wanted to know “how much is too much and is it enforced?” While he was at it, Gold asked “isn’t throwing a cigarette out a…

In response to the Colorado Springs School District 11 school board’s decision to close Wasson High School, a citizens group has begun to circulate recall petitions. Karen Jackson signed one and after a few days she called The Gazette with a question. “I live in the Harrison School District and I signed the recall petition…

Since 1997 the Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mining Co. has been pulling more than 200,000 ounces of gold out of the ground every year. As the price of gold hovers a bit over $1,600 an ounce, you can get a rough idea of the value of the mine. It is an open pit process…