Barack Obama is spending the day (July 2) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He spoke earlier before an invitation-only audience of several hundred, touching on themes of patriotism and service. From member station KRCC, Andrea Chalfin reports.

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In today’s news, a Ft. Carson soldier died in Iraq earlier this week, a wildfire continues to burn in Park County, and Colorado health officials confirm the first human cases of West Nile Virus in the state.

Hundreds of people filled the Paramount theatre in downtown Denver on Monday for a public hearing on new rules for energy development. The rules would require the state to more closely look at the health and environmental impacts associated with oil and gas drilling. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

Pro union groups and businesses are likely headed for a showdown this fall on Colorado’s election ballot. One business backed measure would make Colorado a right to work state, unions oppose it and have come up with their own proposals. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

A Democratic state representative is asking the U.S. army to explain why it didn’t react faster to a wild fire that erupted last week on the Piñon Canyon military training sight in southeast Colorado. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

The Governor’s transportation panel reconvened on Tuesday to come up with specific recommendations to fix the state’s ailing roads and bridges. The legislature failed to adopt the panel’s earlier recommendations but members hope next year will be different. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.