Retail stores in unincorporated Larimer County will be required to collect a disposable carryout bag fee beginning on January 1, 2023.

Retail stores will charge a 10-cent fee for each single-use plastic or recyclable paper carryout bag provided to customers which will be added to a customer’s total sale. A retail store is defined as a grocery store, supermarket, convenience store, liquor store, dry cleaner, pharmacy, drug store, clothing store, or other types of retail establishments where carryout bags are provided to customers.

In 2021, the Colorado General Assembly enacted House Bill 21-1162 which requires stores in unincorporated Larimer County to charge a 10-cent disposable bag fee at the time of sale. Larimer County did not start this fee.

Retail stores in Larimer County must collect and remit the fee to Larimer County on a quarterly basis. The ten-cent fee is split into two parts with 60% remitted to Larimer County and 40% remaining with the retail store.

Also, starting on January 1, 2024, as written in House Bill 21-1162 retail stores in Larimer County will only be able to furnish a recycled paper carryout bag to customers at the point of sale for 10 cents per bag.

Customers can avoid paying the bag fee by bringing in their own reusable carryout bags.

The Eighth Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) has been activated to investigate an officer-involved shooting.

December 8, at approximately 10:45 a.m., two Larimer County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted a court-ordered eviction at a home in the 2300 Block of West County Road 38E, in Fort Collins.

Deputies knocked on the door and an adult male opened the door from inside the residence. Deputies told the man they were there for an eviction and the man pointed a gun at deputies. Deputies gave commands to drop the weapon before one deputy fired their weapon at the male, striking him. Deputies performed first aid until medical units arrived. The man was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The Eighth Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team was activated, and the Loveland Police Department will be leading the investigation.

Sheriff Justin Smith commented on the shooting on social media saying, “Yet again, deputies were confronted with another difficult situation, responding to an armed individual who is reported to have threatened them with deadly force. We will let the outside criminal investigative process go forward under the supervision of the Larimer County District Attorney’s Office. However, I would ask you to continue to keep our deputies in your thoughts and prayers as they respond to truly unprecedented levels of violence in the performance of their duties.”

This is the seventh police shooting in Larimer County this year and the sixth shooting involving Larimer County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.1 % in November on a seasonally adjusted basis, after increasing 0.4 percent in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index increased 7.1 % before seasonal adjustment.

The index for shelter was by far the largest contributor to the monthly increase, more than offsetting decreases in energy indexes. The food index increased 0.5 % over the month with the food at home index also rising 0.5 percent. The energy index decreased 1.6 % over the month as the gasoline index, the natural gas index, and the electricity index all declined. The index for all-items less food and energy rose 0.2 % in November, after rising 0.3 % in October. The indexes for shelter, communication, recreation, motor vehicle insurance, education, and apparel were among those that increased over the month. Indexes that declined in November include the used cars and trucks, medical care, and airline fares indexes. The all-items index increased 7.1% for the 12 months ending November; this was the smallest 12-month increase since the period ending December 2021.

The all items less food and energy index rose 6 % over the last 12 months. The energy index increased 13.1 % for the 12 months ending November, and the food index increased 10.6 % over the last year.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife released a 293-page draft plan for its grey world reintroduction.  The plan coincides with CPW launching a public process to adjust details before a final plan is proposed in February next year and approved in May. The plan calls for transferring 30 to 50 gray wolves from northern Rockies states over three to five years beginning in 2024.

The comprehensive plan was formed through 47 public in-person and virtual meetings involving 3,400 state residents in the summer of 2021. A 20-member Stakeholder Advisory Group met 15 times between June 2021 and August 2022. A 17-member Technical Working Group composed of wildlife experts and local community leaders met 14 times in that span.

Passing in November 2020, ​​​​​​​​Proposition 114 – now state statute 33-2-105.8 – directed the Parks and Wildlife Commission to develop a plan to restore and manage gray wolves in Colorado, using the best scientific data available and hold statewide hearings to acquire information to be considered in developing such plan, including scientific, economic, and social considerations pertaining to such restoration. The statute also directed the Parks and Wildlife ​​Commission to take the steps necessary to begin the restoration of ​​​​​gray wolves in Colorado west of the Continental Divide no later than December 31, 2023.

To read the full plan, give feedback and for more information visit bit.ly/3FRPVk2.

Now through the new year, the Colorado Department of Transportation is joining forces with Lyft and Responsibility.org to provide $20,000 in ride credits as part of a promotion to reduce impaired driving and save lives statewide. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is launching the program in four states, including Colorado. The campaign is part of a grant CDOT received from GHSA to help prevent impaired driving during the holidays. This is the third consecutive year CDOT has been awarded the grant.

Now until Jan. 3, 2023, Coloradans can redeem a $10 ride credit using the code “DUISRUGLY” in the Promotions section of the Lyft app. The ride credits, available statewide, are valid only while supplies last. The credits must be redeemed from 5 p.m. – 5 a.m. Visit lyft.com/lyftpass/DUISRUGLY to redeem the credit.

Called the “Nothing Uglier Than a DUI” campaign, the promotion offers a lighthearted approach to a serious topic and aims to curb impaired driving by offering safe and sober rides during the holiday season. CDOT invites Coloradans to show their holiday spirit by sporting their seasonal sweaters and — most importantly — using Lyft ride credits to avoid driving impaired. Those who follow CDOT on Facebook will also have a chance to win a custom ugly holiday sweater by engaging with one of CDOT’s promotional posts on Facebook to be entered to win. Winners will receive a direct message from CDOT.