Prescription Drug Take-Back Day: Why destroy when Wyoming reuses?

Let's find a better way to deal with unused meds.

Once a year, the Drug Enforcement Administration sponsors a Prescription Drug Take-Back Day where citizens are asked to bring unused medications for proper disposal. Every year, the City of Fort Collins participates.

Responding to a post, a Facebook fan messaged us about a Wyoming program which accepts unused medications and distributes them to patients who can't afford them. The program is called the Wyoming Medication Donation Program, which was created through the Wyoming Drug Donation Program Act in conjunction with the Wyoming Administrative Procedures Act.

It sounds like an excellent way to Reduce, Reuse and Keep Healthcare Costs Controlled! If you agree, consider suggesting the idea to our state legislators. Southeast Fort Collins residents can find contact info for legislators on our Facebook page. In the meantime, perhaps Fort Collins can coordinate with Cheyenne to see if Cheyenne can reuse the medications we collect for destruction.

Warning!
Keep in mind that medicines may be especially harmful, and in some cases fatal with just one dose, when they are taken by someone other than the person for whom the medicine was prescribed -- do not distribute prescription medications on your own, it's illegal! Additional information may be found on the FDA's website under Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know.

Were Prospect Energy's Fort Collins spills withheld from public?

Click to enlarge, from http://www.fractivist.blogspot.com.

Controversy over the Fort Collins fracking ban continues as evidence comes forward regarding two spills in the Hearthfire neighborhood in northeast Fort Collins. Copies of public records describing the spills may be found on the Fractivist blog.

The controversy begin at the March 19, city council meeting when thr council considered an operating agreement with the city's only oil and gas operator -- Prospect Energy, LLC/Black Diamond Minerals, LLC. As discussed in a previous post, there was considerable confusion regarding how Prospect Energy appeared to circumvent many of the restrictions publicly discussed when the city passed it's fracking ban.

Details regarding the spills call in to question what was considered to be the stellar reputation of Scott Hall, the company's CEO. It also adds to appearance that details were intentionally concealed from the public and potentially, city council.

Environmentalists and some residents are up in arms, asking concerned residents to sign a petition and make a call. Some are even calling for a public sit in at the Tuesday, April 22, Fort Collins City Council Work Session -- a session which is not open to public comment.

Improve Fort Collins with your ideas

The city has launched Fort Collins Idea Lab, an online community engagement website where residents can participate, communicate and collaborate with City staff and other community members on a variety of issues.

Diverse perspectives create better outcomes - and better outcomes mean a great community. Not everyone has the time to participate in a city council meeting or project neighborhood meeting; Idea Lab is a place where residents can still engage on issues of interest to them, but they can do it on their schedule. Residents can share their ideas for Fort Collins and support or expand the ideas of others. The insights provided will give city leaders and project managers a sense of what the community thinks about specific topics, decisions, and discussions. Check out Idea Lab at http://www.fcgov.com/idealab

Consumer advocacy options during the contractor season

Your contractor may not realize but taking a deposit from you, could land him or her in jail.

It's common knowledge that up-front money should be limited in any contractor agreement. The Colorado Attorney General even suggests you never make a payment until some work has been completed. But given the cost of materials, it's reasonable to expect to pay a deposit on larger jobs. If contractors use this money accordingly, it generally works out fine for all parties involved.

When the deposit is spent before the supplies are purchased

Most of us have at one time or another resorted to "creative financing" when it comes to paying bills. So it's easy to understand when contractors use advanced payments to pay for other business and personal expenses. But those who misapply advance payments are violating Colorado law. The Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) clearly state how money paid to contractors in advance of work may be utilized. The CRS states:

"All funds disbursed to any contractor under any building, construction, or remodeling contract or on any construction project shall be held in trust for the payment of the subcontractors, laborer or material suppliers for which such disbursement was made. Any person who violates this provision commits theft." [Abbreviated, from section 38-22-127.]

In other words, your money must be held and used for the sole purpose of completing your project.

Oil & Gas bills currently under consideration at the Colorado Legislature

Oil well in Frederick, CO.

A summary of bills currently under consideration at the capital. Do you agree/disagree? Is there a different issue you'd like to see addressed?

Concerning the Reporting of Oil Spills
HB13-1278
Fiscal Notes

This bill requires an oil and gas operator to report, within 24 hours of discovery spills of oil or exploration and production waste of one barrel (31 U.S. gallons) or more, or the equivalent of one barrel or more. The spill must be reported to the Colorado Oil and Gas Commission (COGCC), the local jurisdiction responsible for emergency response, the surface owner, and owners of land adjacent to the spill.