Senate committee clears bill requiring mandatory collective bargaining agreements with firefighters

A Senate committee has green-lighted a bill that would force Colorado municipalities to engage in collective bargaining with firefighters.

Similar legislation was vetoed by former Gov. Bill Ritter in 2009.

This year, with Democrats again in control of both chambers of the legislature, the issue looks likely to again wind up on the governor's desk.

One interesting note on the debate is that the mayors of two of Colorado's most politically diametrical communities - Boulder and Colorado Springs - both spoke against it during a hearing last week.

Peter Marcus of the Colorado Statesman has coverage of this year's proposal.

Senate Clears Computer-Assisted Hunting Ban

The Senate cleared Thursday a bill that would ban computer-assisted hunting in Colorado.

HB 1200 would criminalize the use of such technology to aid in finding or killing wildlife. It does, however, allow accommodations required by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

The bill was amended in the Senate and so now must return to the House for a determination as to whether the amendment will be accepted there or if a conference committee will be requested.

The bill is sponsored by Rep. John Soper, D-Thornton, and Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton.

House Sends ORV Bill to Ritter

The House approved amendments Friday to a bill that would prohibit off-road vehicle use on federal lands in the state unless those lands are designated by the federal management agency for that purpose and sent the measure to Gov. Bill Ritter.

HB 1069 makes violation of federal rules governing ORV access on BLM, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge lands a misdemeanor and grants Colorado law enforcement officers authority to enforce those rules.

Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, the chair of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee, sponsored the bill. The Senate sponsor was Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton.

Bill to Ban Remote Control Hunting Introduced

A bill that would prohibit the use of remote-controlled, computer-operated weapons in hunting was introduced Thursday.

HB 1200, sponsored by Rep. John Soper, D-Thornton, and Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton, applies to computers and software used to remotely control a weapon used in an effort to kill wildlife, including firearms and archery equipment.

It also prohibits computer-assisted remote hunting facilities, such as blinds, offices, rooms and weapons intended to facilitate remote-control hunting.

The bill specifies that a person who engages in remote-control hunting in the state commits a misdemeanor.

It does not apply to reasonable accommodations for disabled persons provided by the Department of Wildlife.