Tag: chris urbina

Colorado prosecutors were informed about alleged misconduct in the state toxicology lab at least three weeks before the problems were disclosed to defense lawyers, according to documents obtained by The Colorado Independent.

DENVER-- Colorado’s legal-defense community is raising questions about “what appears to be a cover-up” of systemic problems at the state lab that tests evidence in criminal cases.

Colorado state Representative B.J. Nikkel, R-Loveland, this weekend said the experience of bigotry and intimidation she experienced last spring during the debate over a same-sex civil unions bill has strengthened her position in support of the bill. She said that, even though she's not running for reelection and won't be at the capitol to vote, she's confident that conservatives will come to see the bill as consistent with their social values and that next year's version of the bill will pass with significant Republican backing.

Western Slope oil and gas watchdog groups this week questioned whether the new board members appointed to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) last week by Gov. John Hickenlooper will lean too heavily toward industry and Front Range concerns.

In the end, after some false starts and rhetorical meandering, the question was simple: Do you believe that carbon dioxide is a green house gas and contributes to climate change and therefore poses a serious health threat to humans? Al Gore and an overwhelming majority of climate scientists the world over answer a straightforward yes to that question. Most of the Republicans in Congress, however, answer no. Oil and gas climate "researchers" also answer no. Dr. Chris Urbina, the new Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment didn't seem sure how to answer the question, or at least didn't know how to answer state Republican senators asking him the question at his confirmation hearing Thursday.

Governor-elect John Hickenlooper announced today U.S. Rep. John Salazar will be Commissioner of Agriculture. Hickenlooper made several other appointments today, including naming current agriculture commissioner John Stulp a special advisor on water. Dr. Chris Urbina was named executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Hickenlooper also said Mike King will remain director of the Department of Natural Resources.