Horse riders ask for access to ranch

NEDERLAND — They'd have hitched their horses to the microphones if they thought it would help their cause.

About a half-dozen equestrians spoke Monday night in favor of horse access to Caribou Ranch — arguably Boulder County's most pristine open space acquisition in recent years. [ FULL STORY ]

A slurry bomber follows its lead plane as it makes a drop on the Iron Mountain fire on Monday near Canon City. More than 150 firefighters battled the blaze, one of several in Colorado. More images AP

Fires force evacuations

CANON CITY — Hundreds of people were forced from their homes by a 4,400-acre wildfire that exploded in south-central Colorado, threatening homes and businesses Monday.

More than 150 firefighters battled the blaze, one of several in Colorado and across the West, as mandatory evacuations were ordered in at least one subdivision. Fremont County Sheriff Ivan Middlemiss said the fire may have been started by an outdoor barbecue grill. Deputies were talking to witnesses. [ FULL STORY ]

• Fireworks concern Owens
• Today's watering schedule
• More drought coverage

History museum expected to get nod for downtown project

The switch of museums for a long-awaited building project in the heart of downtown Boulder is expected to get a city endorsement this week.

The Boulder History Museum is scheduled to be qualified tonight as a new partner in a civic building planned as part of a long-awaited hotel construction project at Ninth Street and Canyon Boulevard. [ FULL STORY ]

Horse riders ask for access to ranch

NEDERLAND — They'd have hitched their horses to the microphones if they thought it would help their cause.

Schools welcome principals

The Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley school districts are hiring 18 new principals and assistant principals for the upcoming school year.

Sixth teen arrested in sex assault case

ERIE — Police arrested a 13-year-old Erie teen last week on allegations that he sexually assaulted his sister's 7-year-old friend.

Gov. nixes kid rehab

Gov. Bill Owens has slashed $228 million from the state budget. Among the losers are libraries, the arts, affordable housing, health programs and teacher training. But for Nili Feingold, the cuts take a personal toll.

Owens hits $5 million mark in re-election bid

DENVER — Gov. Bill Owens has raised more than $5 million in his re-election bid, eclipsing the $700,000 brought in by his Democratic opponent.

BVSD disputes lawsuit claims

BROOMFIELD — The father of a 5-year-old former Aspen Creek K-8 student said Monday that three other students were sexually assaulted by a 6-year-old boy at the school, according to parents of those alleged victims.

Widow of youth minister sues

The widow of a youth minister killed in a van accident in Idaho last summer is suing to protect herself from being sued.

History museum expected to get nod for downtown project

History museum expected to get nod for downtown project

Police and Courts

A 26-year-old Lafayette man injured in a fiery, single-vehicle crash last week remained in critical condition at a Denver hospital Monday.

Parents sue BVSD for access

The attorney for the parents of a 5-year-old boy who was allegedly sexually assaulted at Aspen Creek K-8 in Broomfield said Friday his clients are suing the Boulder Valley School District to get more information and to prevent future incidents.

EPA promotes snowmobile changes, holds on to debate

EPA promotes snowmobile changes, holds on to debate

Wildfires force evacuations

CANON CITY — Firefighters on Monday battled to save homes from a wildfire that has already destroyed 83 houses, while a forest fire in the southern part of the state veered toward three communities.

Fireworks concern Owens

DENVER — Gov. Bill Owens said Monday that fireworks are a bad idea for the Fourth of July because of a statewide drought, but he is reluctant to tell cities and counties how to address the problem.

Owens signs anti-crime measures

DENVER — Gov. Bill Owens signed 13 anti-crime and anti-terror measures Monday, including a bill expanding the powers of the new Office of Preparedness, Security and Fire Safety to fight terrorism.

Found hiker describes ordeal in wilderness

SARATOGA, Wyo. — Norma Super didn't know anyone in Wyoming before she set foot on a two-day backpacking trip with her 10-year-old daughter on May 25.

State confirms hantavirus case

DENVER — A 64-year-old Gunnison County man has been diagnosed with the state's first confirmed case of hantavirus this year.

Colorado scene

About 1,500 representatives of government agencies in two countries will participate in a terrorism exercise today that will stretch from Colorado Springs to Canada.

India dismisses Pakistan talks

ALMATY, Kazakhstan — As their armed forces exchanged fire across the line dividing the disputed region of Kashmir, the leaders of Pakistan and India came face-to-face this morning for the first time in five months, but they drew no closer to defusing the conflict that threatens to engulf the two nuclear-armed nations.

Longtime MCA head Wasserman dies

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Lew Wasserman, one of the last old-time movie moguls who helped build an entertainment empire while keeping company with presidents and the most glittering of Hollywood stars, died Monday. He was 89.

Islamic court delays stoning of woman

LAGOS, Nigeria — An Islamic high court on Monday postponed the execution by stoning of a woman convicted of having sex out of wedlock until she weans the baby born of the liaison.

Nuclear war would do little damage in U.S.

WASHINGTON — A nuclear war between Pakistan and India could dwarf any catastrophe in world history, killing up to 12 million people in South Asia, but the radioactive fallout likely would not harm Americans half a world away.

Three-hour concert pays tribute to queen

LONDON — Buckingham Palace rocked Monday night with screaming guitars, cheering fans and pop stars led by Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton in a concert celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's 50 years on the throne.

Tenet begins Mideast mission

JERUSALEM — CIA Director George Tenet met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Monday, beginning a tough Mideast mission in which he wants assurances Yasser Arafat will revamp the Palestinian security forces to prevent attacks on Israel.

Sept. 11 inquiry to begin

WASHINGTON — President Bush said Monday that intelligence agencies and the FBI must do a better job tracking and catching terrorists, emphasizing pursuit of "this shadowy enemy" on the eve of congressional hearings into the Sept. 11 attacks.

Bomb strapped to victim

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Medical examiner O.C. Smith, who has worked on some of the city's most puzzling deaths, is at the center of another perplexing case: He was attacked over the weekend, bound with barbed wire and left with a bomb tied to his body.

Court aids death row inmate

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court delivered a victory Monday to a death row inmate who said his lawyer snoozed through much of his trial, a possible prelude to broader examination of the quality of legal help available to poor defendants facing the death penalty.

Empty Superfund halts cleanups

WASHINGTON — The loss of corporate taxes supporting the Superfund has left the federal environmental cleanup machine of the 1980s and'90s foundering.

American/World scene

The Bush administration is turning aside a call by airport officials to reconsider a Dec. 31 deadline for mandatory screening of all checked baggage.

People in the News

SHAFTSBURY, Vt. — A nonprofit group hopes to open Robert Frost's former home as a museum this fall.