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Boulder County senior's get prop. tax break after all
May 24th
Senior property tax exemption reinstated
Boulder County, Colo. – The senior property tax exemption has been reinstated for property tax year 2012, payable for taxes due in 2013.
Residents who have been approved for the exemption will see it reflected on their January 2013 tax bill. For those who qualify, 50 percent of the first $200,000 in actual value of the primary residence is exempted from property tax. This results in approximately $500 in savings.
Once an exemption application is filed and approved by the Assessor, the exemption remains in effect until a disqualifying event occurs. The Assessor’s Office maintains records for those who have applied in the past, but residents are encouraged to contact the office and verify their information.
For new applicants, the exemption application must be submitted by July 16. For questions regarding the exemption, please call the Assessor’s Office at 303-441-3530 or view the application forms and instructions at www.BoulderCountyAssessor.org.
Boulder homeowner shoots female intruder in the middle of night
May 23rd
Boulder police investigating early-morning shooting of intruder
Police in Boulder were called to a home in the 400 block of College Ave. at 3:26 a.m. after a resident reported that he had shot an intruder.
The male and female homeowners (husband and wife) had been sleeping in their bedroom when they were awakened by a noise, which they initially thought may have been a raccoon outside their exterior bedroom door. The screen door was closed but unlocked.
When the female homeowner realized that the noise was not a raccoon, but someone who had opened the door and entered the bedroom, both she and her husband shouted for the intruder to get out. According to the homeowners, they continued to shout to warn the intruder to leave. The male homeowner shouted that he had a gun and would use it if the intruder did not leave immediately. The intruder continued walking through the bedroom, toward the couple. The couple could see a light that the intruder was carrying as the intruder continued toward the bed.
The husband and wife told police the intruder would not acknowledge their demands to leave. At that point, the husband fired one shot toward the light, and heard what sounded like something falling onto floor. When the husband turned on the light, they saw an unknown female intruder on the floor with a gunshot wound to her hip. The couple called 911.
The female intruder was taken to the hospital for treatment. Her injuries do not appear to be life threatening.
Police are continuing to investigate this case and are working in partnership with the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office. At this time, police are not releasing the names of the homeowners or the female intruder, because the case remains open. No further information will be released at this time.
Sale and use of fireworks prohibited in Boulder County
May 22nd
oday, the Boulder County Commissioners approved Sheriff Pelle’s recommendation to amend the current fire ban, which has been in effect since April 2, to prohibit the sale and use of all fireworks within all of unincorporated Boulder County. The new amendments to the fire ban were effective as of noon today.
All other aspects of the current ban remain in place, including the prohibition of open burning in the unincorporated mountains and foothills, including all areas west of the North Foothills Highway and Rabbit Mountain Open Space; areas north of the City of Boulder; west of Broadway Avenue through the City of Boulder; and west of the South Foothills Highway.
The decision to amend the ban was due in part to the predicted weather forecasts indicating higher than normal temperatures with lower than normal precipitation. The Fire Danger Rating continuously remains in the high to very high categories, with fire fuels continuing to dry out. As the Fourth of July holiday draws near, individuals begin to sell and use fireworks, which increase the potential for an ignition source and a large fire similar to the Hewlett Fire currently burning in Larimer County, or the Lower North Fork Fire in Jefferson County earlier this year.
Taking into consideration that firework vendors begin hiring temporary employees and purchasing fireworks for their stands, Sheriff Pelle wanted to address these concerns sooner than later. At this time, Boulder County had only received one application from a fireworks vendor to sell fireworks this year.
The fire ban will remain in effect until the hazardous fire conditions subside.
Anyone found in violation of the fire ban may be convicted of a class 2 petty offense and may be subject to a $500 fine. Higher fines may be imposed for subsequent offenses.
