Grace Hood

Gunmaker Says Colorado's New Laws Will Send It Packing

Grace Hood — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:23:00 +0000

Colorado responded to the mass shootings in Aurora, Colo., and Newtown, Conn., by passing new gun control measures last month. That's not sitting well with several gun-related businesses in the Centennial State, where four companies have announced plans to relocate all or some of their operations.

Erie-based Magpul Industries is the largest company packing its bags. The 200-employee business makes high-capacity magazines, which the Colorado Legislature voted to ban.

From Battle To Birds: Drones Get Second Life Counting Critters

Grace Hood — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:34:00 +0000

The U.S. military and law enforcement agencies have seen increased public scrutiny on the domestic use of the robotically piloted planes known as drones. Working on the sidelines of this debate, the U.S. Geological Survey has been trying to find a second life for retired military drones in the areas of environmental and wildlife management.

For Legal Pot Sellers, A Big Tax Problem

Grace Hood — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:03:00 +0000

An obscure tax code provision crafted for drug dealers is giving state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries a headache.

In Colorado, federal income tax rates for dispensaries can soar as high as 70 percent because of a tax code section that does not allow businesses to claim certain deductions.

The section is known as 280E, and it was originally written for illegal drug traffickers. But today it's a thorn in the side of licensed dispensary owners like Erica Freeman.

Freeman is co-owner of Choice Organics in Fort Collins, Colo.

More Teachers 'Flipping' The School Day Upside Down

Grace Hood — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 22:49:00 +0000

Welcome to the 21st century classroom: a world where students watch lectures at home — and do homework at school. It's called classroom flipping, and it's slowly catching on in schools around the country.

When Jessica Miller, a high school sophomore in rural Bennett, Colo., sits down to do her chemistry homework, she pulls out her notebook. Then she turns on an iPad to watch a video podcast.

Ambulance Service A Struggle In Rural Colo. Counties

Grace Hood — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 09:53:00 +0000

Some rural counties are having trouble affording ambulance services. Urban ambulances have frequent calls and less territory to cover, which helps keep them afloat. But in more sparsely populated areas, calls can be few and far between. Funding for these emergency services are low-hanging fruit for counties facing tough budgets. From member station KUNC, Grace Hood reports.