Nighthawk Commences New Drilling Campaign in Colorado

Nighthawk, the U.S. focused oil development and production company, announced an update on drilling and development at its 100-percent controlled and operated Smoky Hill and Jolly Ranch projects in the Denver-Julesburg Basin, Colorado.

Two well drilling program underway at Smoky Hill with Big Sky 4-11 well was spudTaos 1-10 well, also at Smoky Hill, to be drilled immediately after Big Sky 4-11Both wells planned as development wells to increase production and reserves at the newly named Arikaree Creek oilfield, discovered by Nighthawk's Steamboat Hansen 8-10 well in October 2012Further geoscience analysis of 2012 drilling and logging results has confirmed the stacked pay potential across Nighthawk's acreage with at least ten stratigraphic targets covering both shale/carbonate resource and conventional opportunities   Increased third party drilling activity across southeast Colorado continues to demonstrate the widespread nature of the stacked pay opportunity

The Steamboat Hansen 8-10 well, drilled in October 2012, discovered a conventional Mississippian age oil reservoir. The well began production late in November 2012, and up to the end of March 2013 produced over 30,000 barrels of oil. In line with Colorado State requirements, the discovery has been designated the Arikaree Creek oilfield. Nighthawk has now commenced the further development of Arikaree Creek with a two well program aimed at increasing both production and reserves.

The first well in the program, Big Sky 4-11, was spud April 17. The well is located half a mile north-east of Steamboat Hansen 8-10 and is expected to be drilled to basement depth of 8,600 feet. The well will be logged, with sidewall cores and pressure and volume testing also planned. Completion of the well will require new topside facilities.

The second well in the program, the Taos 1-10 well, is to be located nearer to the Steamboat Hansen well. This well is also expected to be drilled to a depth of 8,600 feet and completion is likely to utilize the existing production facilities at Steamboat Hansen, although some increase in capacity may be required.

The Company has now completed an extensive geoscience analysis of the results from the 2012 five well drilling program. This work has also benefited from independent geological and petrophysical analysis and has been further informed by results from the current work-over program.

The analysis has confirmed that Nighthawk is positioned in the center of a wide-spread stacked formation play that extends over a large area of southeast Colorado. This stacked formation play significantly enhances the opportunity for Nighthawk as it expands the number of drilling targets both vertically and areally, mitigating drilling risk and enhancing well economics.

Nighthawk's analysis has identified at least ten stratigraphic targets over a 2,000 feet Pennsylvanian and Mississippian interval which includes the shale/carbonate Cherokee and Marmaton horizons as well as conventional targets such as the Lansing/Kansas City and Spergen horizons.

Results from the drilling program also confirmed the potential for localized 'sweet spots' where subsurface structuring may enhance the production potential across the multiple stratigraphic targets. Nighthawk has identified a number of such locations and permitting for future drilling is underway. The Company is also increasing its data collection with the purchase of additional 2D seismic lines, extensive logging of the two new wells and on the Big Sky 4-11 well, collection of sidewall cores and pressure and volume testing. Further 3D seismic is also planned.

Nighthawk is currently producing commercial quantities of oil from three horizons. The Steamboat Hansen 8-10 produces from the Mississippian Spergen, the John Craig 6-2 from the Pennsylvanian Marmaton carbonates, whilst other Jolly Ranch Project wells are producing from the Pennsylvanian Cherokee carbonates. Production from the Lansing/Kansas City horizon is currently being evaluated at the Whistler 6-22 well, as part of the ongoing workover program.

Third party activity in the area is increasing, with the rig count rising, and a number of 3D seismic programs underway. At least eight companies are currently drilling a mix of vertical and horizontal wells in the immediate area, with multiple stratigraphic targets including the Cherokee, Marmaton, Atoka, Morrow and Mississippian horizons.      

Stephen Gutteridge, chairman of Nighthawk, commented:

"Our current two well drilling program is aimed at increasing our production and reserve base and pushing our existing positive cash generation to a higher level. Beyond that however, the emerging picture is that we are centrally positioned in a large-scale, stacked formation play that is now undergoing a significant amount of drilling and development by a wide range of companies. On our acreage, which is one of the largest land positions in the area, we see a major opportunity for multiple drilling of multiple stratigraphic targets and we will be planning for extensive additional development activity in the second half of the year."

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

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Media shines a light on Colorado BLM leasing plans

News stories last week show that BLM Colorado State Director Helen Hankins is up to her old tricks. According to stories in E&E News’ Energywire, the Durango Herald, and the Denver Business Journal, Dir. Hankins is following her consistent pattern of offering to auction off controversial land for oil and gas, even after major public outcry. This time, Dir. Hankins’ plans to offer more than 10,000 acres near Mesa Verde National Park – worsening air pollution problems the park is already experiencing from existing nearby drilling operations and coal-fired power plants.

It’s worth noting that bringing these oil and gas proposals back puts Dir. Hankins in direct conflict with the balanced approach to public land use that Interior Sec. Sally Jewell spent her weekend endorsing to Western governors.

You may remember that in early 2013, Dir. Hankins deferred the Mesa Verde parcels after the National Park Service, landowners, and community groups protested the threat posed to the park from drilling pollution. Her reversal demonstrates why Sec. Jewell should rein in the Colorado BLM office and ensure that Dir. Hankins is using innovative 2010 oil and gas leasing reforms such as “Master Leasing Plans” which allow a more balanced approach to energy development and look at on-the-ground impacts, including threats to air quality and tourism and recreation. Instead, Dir. Hankins continues ignore the balanced approach Westerners want and plays her part as the oil and gas industry’s real estate agent.

In the Durango Herald, Emery Cowan reported that the La Plata County Commissioners sent a letter to Dir. Hankins asking her to implement the Obama administration’s oil and gas leasing reforms.

County asks for delay in gas and oil lease

“However, by making the decision to lease (the La Plata County parcels in November), the BLM appears to be shutting the door on a (master plan) and a smart approach to protect the treasures that are so important to our local community and economy,” the letter said.

Scott Streater, writing for E&E News, noted that former park rangers weighed in on the original lease sale with concerns of how oil and gas leasing would affect one of the nation’s most iconic parks, Mesa Verde National Park.

BLM to put deferred parcels near Colo. national park back on the block

Among those that protested against leasing the parcels was the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, which wrote a letter in February to Salazar complaining that development of the eight parcels “could further impair the already degraded air quality at Mesa Verde, harm important scenic values within the surrounding landscape and negatively affect the local economy, which depends greatly on the national park’s protected status.”

Writing in the Denver Business Journal, Cathy Proctor noted that Mesa Verde attracts more than half a million visitors annually.

Denver Business Journal: Feds to re-offer oil and gas leases near Mesa Verde National Park

The federal Bureau of Land Management is moving forward with a controversial plan to offer about 12,000 acres of mineral rights in southwest Colorado for oil and gas drilling at its November auction — including parcels near the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park.

As public outcry continues to grow, we’ll be watching to see if Dir. Hankins is allowed to continue making the Administration’s reforms into a broken promise for Western communities.

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Analysis: Colorado BLM failing to enact Obama energy reforms – creating red tape, uncertainty

A stunning new analysis shows striking inefficiencies at work in Colorado that should infuriate anyone looking for a smarter approach to federal oil and gas leasing – including both conservationists and energy companies.

In Colorado, leases sold by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have attracted nearly three times the number of costly, time-consuming lawsuits (known as protests) than we’ve seen in the rest of the Rockies. Our new analysis found that 76 percent of leases in Colorado were protested, as opposed to 27 percent in surrounding states, on average.

The analysis is based on BLM data recently released for the first time regarding the number of protests in each state filed by citizens and stakeholders on tracts of lands (known as parcels) available for oil and gas leasing. Protests are one of the key measurements for how controversial a particular decision to lease land for oil and gas development.

The reason for this massive discrepancy is clear:

Helen Hankins, the BLM’s top bureaucrat in Colorado, has failed to implement President Obama’s common-sense leasing reforms – designed to streamline the leasing process and reduce conflict dramatically by requiring research and analysis be completed prior to leasing.

A recent report from the Center for American Progress pointed out that:

Those reforms called for a better balance between developing oil and gas resources and the protection of other public lands resources, including nearby parks and refuges, wildlife, and historic and archaeological sites. “There is no presumed preference for oil and gas development over other uses,” states the reform document.

In other words, the reforms were meant to drive our local economies with a real balance between protecting public lands to support and attract high-wage businesses to the West, and using them to produce American-made energy – which together support 100,000s of jobs.

In states like Utah and New Mexico – where the BLM offices are implementing the reforms – protests are down, and energy is being produced. That approach is working for industry and conservation interests – and most importantly our communities and our families.

But in Colorado, Hankins has turned the President’s balanced reforms into a broken promise for our communities. Instead of helping oil and gas companies responsibly develop oil and gas resources in the right places, while protecting those lands that drive the economy and attract new business, Hankins continues to rely on decades-old plans and analyses – proposing to allow oil and gas drilling near places like Mesa Verde National Park, and Dinosaur National Monument.

By miring all sides in expensive red tape, Hankins has failed Westerners who are doing everything they can to get back to work and support their families. They expect their government to champion the Western way of life, including use of public lands in a balanced way to support sustainable economic growth.

The Obama administration must correct this failure by taking action to follow the directives in the 2010 leasing reforms now.

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BLM Colorado: Public Has No Need to Know About Public Lands, Public Monies, Public Employees

Cross-posted from ColoradoPols

In a show of arrogance that has become too typical of the Colorado State Office of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the agency is ignoring a Federal judge, media requests, stakeholders, and the public in denying public information about public activities on the public lands, according to the Durango Herald:

“This isn’t a widespread issue of public concern. It is primarily press that are concerned about oil and gas leasing and activists that are opposed to oil and gas leasing.”

The state ‘Communications Director’, one might assume, has the job as a public employee working on public lands issues and spending public monies, of informing the public and managing media relations.  The ‘press’ and public are–this common-sense assumption goes–the PRIMARY purpose of his receiving a Federal salary as a taxpayer-funded public employee.

But apparently not for BLM Colorado–where public information is no such thing, and the public and media are merely distractions from what ever other self-determined more important things, like defending illegal agency actions perhaps, or intentionally seeking to divide communities.

Colorado’s North Fork Standing Up

This particular matter has its roots in the BLM Colorado State Office’s reckless oil and gas leasing policy that willfully ignores local communities, other federal agencies, state wildlife officials, local businesses and the public, to lease whatever public lands secret industry representatives nominate.  This is despite Colorado having the oldest land use plans in the Mountain West, many dating back to the 1980s–like that that governs the public lands in the North Fork–most of which fail completely to properly account for, describe, consider or protect the resources and uses that exist or depend upon these lands today.

Citizens for a Healthy Community–a Delta County based conservation group–partnered with the Western Environmental Law Center to file lawsuit seeking the names of the nominators who put forward the contentious leases in that valley.  They won that suit.

Here is what the judge wrote:

“Competition in bidding advances the purpose of getting a fair price for a lease of publicly owned minerals,” Matsch wrote. “Moreover, the identity of the submitter may be relevant to the plaintiff and others who may raise concerns about the stewardship records of that potential owner, a factor relevant to the environmental impact of the proposed sale.”

So, a Federal judge acknowledges that sharing information on public lands and public minerals is in the public interest and orders the public employees at a public agency to release that (public) information.

And the senior staff at BLM Colorado Office responds, to paraphrase: Make us (again).

Following the judge’s decision and the BLM Colorado’s clear loss in court, others–including the Durango Herald–have now sought identical information regarding contentious leases in their communities.  Such as those surrounding Mesa Verde National Park opposed by the BLM’s own sister agency in the Department of Interior, the National Park Service.

Now, the Colorado State Office of the BLM, our public employees spending our public monies to manage our public lands and minerals, is refusing to release that information. Again.  Because, apparently its Communications Director has better things to do than communicate.

Maybe like spending more time in court defending the indefensible, losing more lawsuits, and greasing the skids for oil and gas in violation of what the Federal courts have found to be in the public’s interest.

View the original article here

Nighthawk Ramps Up Production at Colorado Basin

Nighthawk, the U.S. focused shale oil development and production company, announced an update on production and operations at its 100 percent controlled and operated Smoky Hill and Jolly Ranch projects in the Denver-Julesburg Basin, Colorado.

Average total oil production in January 2013 of 280 barrels per dayNighthawk net revenue from oil sales for the two months of December and January was over $1 million exceeding the Company's total revenues for the previous full financial yearKnoss 6-21 well on-stream in January producing from the Cherokee shale formation2013 new well drilling program expected to commence in second quarterWork-over operations at Smoky Hill and Jolly Ranch scheduled to commence in February

Average total oil production in January 2013 was 280 barrels per day, slightly ahead of the December 2012 level of 276 barrels per day. (Nighthawk 80 percent net revenue interest). The primary contributor to production was the Steamboat Hansen 8-10 well in the Smoky Hill area, which is producing very consistently with almost zero water.

Nighthawk net revenue from oil sales for the two months of December and January was well in excess of $1 million. This exceeds the total revenues received by Nighthawk in the whole of the last full financial year ($972,000).

Following the upgrade to the salt water disposal facilities in the Jolly Ranch area, the Knoss 6-21 well was brought back on-line on 10th January 2013 and oil production from the Cherokee shale formation built up gradually during the month as the initially high fluid levels in the well were pumped down.

Apart from the Steamboat Hansen 8-10 and the Knoss 6-21, the only other well on production in January was the Craig 16-32.

Following on from the drilling of five new wells in 2012, Nighthawk is currently planning to start its 2013 new drilling program in the second quarter. The planning and permitting process for a number of new wells in the Smoky Hill area is well underway. These wells will be primarily targeted at increasing production from conventional oil prospects close to the successful Steamboat Hansen 8-10 discovery.

Prior to the commencement of this new drilling program, Nighthawk is planning a work-over program with the objective of ensuring consistent production and cash-flow and minimal maintenance requirements and distractions once the new drilling campaign gets underway. A work-over rig is expected to resume operations at both Smoky Hill and Jolly Ranch in February.

The work-over program will cover both the newly-drilled wells and the older wells and is currently expected to include:

Additional work on the salt-water disposal wellsRe-perforation and/or repair work to bring a number of wells back into productionIntegrity testing of one well and plugging and abandonment of another well, in line with State requirements.Routine maintenance visits to two of the new wells to meet lease requirements and prepare them for potential production

As a result of the work-over program, it is likely that the Knoss 6-21 and Craig 16-32 producing wells will be required to be shut-in for a period in February. Production from the Steamboat Hansen 8-10 well will not be affected by the work-overs.

Stephen Gutteridge, Chairman of Nighthawk, commented:

"When we became operator in Colorado in January last year we inherited a single producing well and 30 barrels per day of oil production. We are now producing at nearly ten times that rate with one well still building up and others to be brought back online once operations resume. This has been a successful first year as operator and provides a solid foundation for further progress in 2013. In particular, we are excited by the prospectivity in the immediate vicinity of the successful Steamboat Hansen 8-10 well and see considerable potential for increased production from that area."

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

View the original article here

Nighthawk Ramps Up Production at Colorado Basin

Nighthawk, the U.S. focused shale oil development and production company, announced an update on production and operations at its 100 percent controlled and operated Smoky Hill and Jolly Ranch projects in the Denver-Julesburg Basin, Colorado.

Average total oil production in January 2013 of 280 barrels per dayNighthawk net revenue from oil sales for the two months of December and January was over $1 million exceeding the Company's total revenues for the previous full financial yearKnoss 6-21 well on-stream in January producing from the Cherokee shale formation2013 new well drilling program expected to commence in second quarterWork-over operations at Smoky Hill and Jolly Ranch scheduled to commence in February

Average total oil production in January 2013 was 280 barrels per day, slightly ahead of the December 2012 level of 276 barrels per day. (Nighthawk 80 percent net revenue interest). The primary contributor to production was the Steamboat Hansen 8-10 well in the Smoky Hill area, which is producing very consistently with almost zero water.

Nighthawk net revenue from oil sales for the two months of December and January was well in excess of $1 million. This exceeds the total revenues received by Nighthawk in the whole of the last full financial year ($972,000).

Following the upgrade to the salt water disposal facilities in the Jolly Ranch area, the Knoss 6-21 well was brought back on-line on 10th January 2013 and oil production from the Cherokee shale formation built up gradually during the month as the initially high fluid levels in the well were pumped down.

Apart from the Steamboat Hansen 8-10 and the Knoss 6-21, the only other well on production in January was the Craig 16-32.

Following on from the drilling of five new wells in 2012, Nighthawk is currently planning to start its 2013 new drilling program in the second quarter. The planning and permitting process for a number of new wells in the Smoky Hill area is well underway. These wells will be primarily targeted at increasing production from conventional oil prospects close to the successful Steamboat Hansen 8-10 discovery.

Prior to the commencement of this new drilling program, Nighthawk is planning a work-over program with the objective of ensuring consistent production and cash-flow and minimal maintenance requirements and distractions once the new drilling campaign gets underway. A work-over rig is expected to resume operations at both Smoky Hill and Jolly Ranch in February.

The work-over program will cover both the newly-drilled wells and the older wells and is currently expected to include:

Additional work on the salt-water disposal wellsRe-perforation and/or repair work to bring a number of wells back into productionIntegrity testing of one well and plugging and abandonment of another well, in line with State requirements.Routine maintenance visits to two of the new wells to meet lease requirements and prepare them for potential production

As a result of the work-over program, it is likely that the Knoss 6-21 and Craig 16-32 producing wells will be required to be shut-in for a period in February. Production from the Steamboat Hansen 8-10 well will not be affected by the work-overs.

Stephen Gutteridge, Chairman of Nighthawk, commented:

"When we became operator in Colorado in January last year we inherited a single producing well and 30 barrels per day of oil production. We are now producing at nearly ten times that rate with one well still building up and others to be brought back online once operations resume. This has been a successful first year as operator and provides a solid foundation for further progress in 2013. In particular, we are excited by the prospectivity in the immediate vicinity of the successful Steamboat Hansen 8-10 well and see considerable potential for increased production from that area."

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

View the original article here

Two Colorado Springs boys reported missing

Font ResizeLocal NewsBy Ryan Parker
The Denver Postdenverpost.comPosted: 12/24/2012 07:01:11 AM MSTDecember 24, 2012 2:5 PM GMTUpdated: 12/24/2012 07:05:35 AM MST

Colorado Springs police are asking for the public's help in locating two boys.

Johnny Gordon,15, and Eric Woods, 14, were reported missing from a mobile home park at 4825 Astrozon Blvd., according to a Colorado Springs police news release.

The report of the missing boys came in at 6:51 p.m. Sunday.

According to police, the boys disappearance "appears to be out of character."

Anyone with information regarding the boys whereabouts should contact police at 719-444-7000 or remain anonymous through crime stoppers at 719-634-STOP.

Ryan Parker: 303-954-2409, rparker

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Colorado gun background checks still surging; called unprecedented

Font ResizeLocal NewsBy Ryan Parker
The Denver Postdenverpost.comPosted: 12/23/2012 11:17:26 AM MSTDecember 23, 2012 6:19 PM GMTUpdated: 12/23/2012 11:17:35 AM MST

In one week, more than 8,800 firearm background checks have been submitted to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

As of Sunday morning, approximately 10,000 background checks were in the CBI queue, waiting to be processed, said Susan Medina, spokeswoman for CBI.

"These are unprecedented numbers," she said.

Around 3,000 checks are being submitted a day, Medina said.

The wait time for a background check was at 68 hours Saturday.

This process, required to purchase a gun, usually takes minutes.

On Dec. 15, there were 573 background checks for firearm purchases in the CBI queue, Medina said. Wait times were just over 15 minutes.

The flood of submittals has prompted that department to expand hours of operation from 6 a.m. to midnight, Medina said.

"The goal everyday is to get it down to a zero balance," she said. "They processed 1,600 Saturday."

The background checks began pouring in Dec. 15, one day after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Connecticut and on the heels of politicians calling for bans on certain weapons and extended gun magazines.

The bureau is only closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, otherwise staff, including those from other departments, will be working to process as many checks as possible, Medina said.

In 2012, through November, there were 34,117 more background checks submitted to CBI for processing than in all of 2011, according to CBI data.

Ryan Parker: 303-954-2409, rparker

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Stray bullet hits Colorado Springs 12-year-old in leg

Font ResizeColorado NewsBy Tom Roeder
The Gazettedenverpost.comPosted: 12/22/2012 10:14:46 AM MSTDecember 22, 2012 5:25 PM GMTUpdated: 12/22/2012 10:25:55 AM MST

A 12-year-old boy in southern Colorado Springs was recovering Saturday morning after an "apparently random" shooting left him wounded in the leg.

Police say the boy was inside a home in the 100 block of Murray Boulevard, near Pikes Peak Avenue, when a shots were fired outside just before midnight, blasting the structure. One round hit the boy in the leg.

The boy was hospitalized and expected to survive, police said.

Police were nearby investigating several calls about gunfire in the vicinity of Murray Boulevard and Airport Road when they were called to the home of the injured boy.

Read more on this story in The (Colorado Springs) Gazette.

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Outside experts to review Colorado prison operations following staff member's murder

Font ResizeCops and CourtsBy Kirk Mitchell
The Denver Postdenverpost.comPosted: 12/21/2012 02:11:27 PM MSTDecember 21, 2012 9:17 PM GMTUpdated: 12/21/2012 02:17:44 PM MST


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Colorado Springs doctor grateful for SEAL who died rescuing him in Afghanistan

Font ResizeLocal NewsBy Jason Pohl
The Denver Postdenverpost.comPosted: 12/21/2012 02:15:39 PM MSTDecember 21, 2012 9:28 PM GMTUpdated: 12/21/2012 02:28:45 PM MST

The Colorado Springs doctor who was rescued by SEAL Team 6 in Afghanistan earlier this month said Friday that he has deep appreciation for the officer who was killed during the mission.

"My heart goes out to the family of the fallen hero for his service, commitment and courage," Dr. Dilip Joseph said in a prepared statement. "He will remain a legacy for me and my family for generations to come."

Joseph works with Morning Star Development, a Colorado Springs-based nonprofit founded in 2002, focused on economic and community development, primarily in Afghanistan. The organization is is not a religious-missions organization but is faith-based, with Christians and Muslims on staff.

Joseph and two other Morning Star employees were abducted Dec. 5 by Taliban insurgents. The other two were released after successful negotiations. Military officers moved in when intelligence indicated Joseph's life was in imminent danger.

Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, 28, was killed by combat-related injuries on the mission, the Defense Department said in a previous statement.

Checque, who was from the Pittsburgh area, was part of the elite SEAL Team 6 — the same group credited with killing Osama Bin Laden in 2011. It remains unclear if he was part of that mission.

Joseph has made several trips to Afghanistan and said Friday he "will continue to pray and hope for its peace and long-term stability."

Because of "on-going security issues," he said he will not be available for direct interviews, though he did say he has been in contact with the sailor's family and will work on ways to honor his service.

"I can appreciate the difficulty of this particular operation and deeply value the sacrifice of one of their own servicemen for the success of this mission," he said.

Jason Pohl: 303-954-1729, jpohl

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Colorado Mills bomber sentenced

Font ResizeCops and CourtsBy Tom McGhee
The Denver Postdenverpost.comPosted: 12/20/2012 12:15:53 PM MSTDecember 20, 2012 9:33 PM GMTUpdated: 12/20/2012 02:33:31 PM MST


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Panel: Fewer Colorado cars subject to emission testing

Font ResizeBy Ryan Parker
The Denver Postdenverpost.comPosted: 12/20/2012 11:39:58 AM MSTDecember 20, 2012 7:5 PM GMTUpdated: 12/20/2012 12:05:59 PM MST


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1 dead in multi-vehicle crash in Colorado Springs

Font ResizeBy Matt Steiner
The Gazettedenverpost.comPosted: 12/20/2012 09:45:02 AM MSTDecember 20, 2012 4:47 PM GMTUpdated: 12/20/2012 09:46:56 AM MST


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Colorado Springs woman arrested in abduction of 2-year-old

Tonia Shetina (Colorado Springs Police Dept.)

 Colorado Springs police have arrested a 38-year-old woman for investigation of kidnapping and motor vehicle theft in the abduction of a 2-year-old girl, authorities say.

Tonia Shetina was arrested last night in the alleged kidnapping of Essence Lovato.

The girl was recovered after an Amber Alert was issued in Colorado Springs.

During the Amber Alert, the Colorado Springs Traffic Management Center posted numerous messages on signs about the 2000 Green Honda Accord with a temporary tag that had been taken.

The Amber Alert was issued on Monday night and was cancelled Wednesday afternoon after Lovato was found.

Shetina is an acquaintance of the toddler's mother. Police said Essence's mother gave Shetina permission to drive the child and drop her off at the girl's grandfather's home.

According to a news release, Colorado Springs police received a tip just after 3 p.m.that Tonia Shetina was at a particular home just south of Fountain.

At approximately 3:30 p.m., CSPD Violent Crimes Investigators and El Paso County deputies responded to the home and safely recovered the girl.

Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206, Facebook.com/kmitchelldp or twitter.com/kmitchelldp

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Colorado school-based health centers receive $1 million in grants

Font ResizeThe Denver Postdenverpost.comPosted: 12/19/2012 09:23:30 PM MSTDecember 20, 2012 4:25 AM GMTUpdated: 12/19/2012 09:23:35 PM MST

Three Colorado school-based health centers received more than $1 million in competitive grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday.

Sen. Mark Udall congratulated the Durango School District 9-R, Denver Health Medical Center and Commerce City Community Health Services for receiving the funds.

The grants are issued under the School-Based Health Center Capital Program, and are designed to help schools and other entities improve and expand its school-based health centers.

Denver Health Medical Center received $500,000, Durango School District 9-R received $485,265 and the Commerce City Community Health Services received $36,985.

"These competitive grants will help improve school-based clinics in Denver, Durango and Commerce City, giving students more access to preventive and primary health care services," Udall said in a statement. "Keeping our children healthy from day one is an important way to ensure students are productive in the classroom and that we catch health problems early when they are most affordable and easiest to treat."

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius awarded more than $80 million to 197 school-based health center programs across the country, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' website. The funding is expected to help health centers serve an additional 384,000 students and continue the expansion of preventive and primary health care services.

School-based health centers are designed to help children with acute or chronic illnesses attend school and improve screenings and disease prevention activities. They typically combine primary care, mental health care, substance abuse counseling, dental health and other treatments.

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Owner of Colorado Springs pawn shop arrested in string of burglaries

Font ResizeThe Denver Postdenverpost.comPosted: 12/19/2012 09:22:32 PM MSTDecember 20, 2012 4:34 AM GMTUpdated: 12/19/2012 09:34:44 PM MST

Authorities arrested the co-owner of a Colorado Springs pawn shop who they believe is connected to multiple burglaries in El Paso County.

On Wednesday, El Paso County Sheriff deputies were called to the 700 block of Wildridge Road in Black Forest, on a report of an attempted burglary, according to a news release from the sheriff's department.

After arriving, a woman told deputies that the side door to her garage had been kicked in. Soon after, the woman saw a man run away. The woman gave deputies a description of a car she believed the suspect drove away in.

Before authorities completed investigating the first attempted burglary, they received a report about a separate burglary in the 7900 block of Forest Heights Circle. Several items were stolen from the home, including collector's coins and jewelry.

Soon after, deputies spotted a vehicle that matched the first victim's description traveling near Black Forest. They stopped the vehicle and quickly recognized that items inside the vehicle matched the list of items stolen from the second victim's home.

The driver was identified as 43-year-old Kevin Lee Mosher, co-owner of the Fast Cash Pawn and Loan in Colorado Springs.

While speaking with Mosher, deputies were told about a third burglary in the 15000 block of Milhaven Place. Evidence found at that location was later linked to Mosher. A fourth burglary in Black Forest was also attributed to Mosher.

Authorities later learned that Mosher may also be connected to additional burglaries in Douglas County. Stolen items were recovered from Mosher's pawn shop in Colorado springs.

Mosher was taken into custody and booked into the Criminal Justice Center on suspicion of second-degree burglary and theft.

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Colorado Mills bomber to be sentenced Thursday

Font ResizeCops and CourtsBy Tom McGhee
The Denver Postdenverpost.comPosted: 12/19/2012 05:59:46 PM MSTDecember 20, 2012 9:0 AM GMTUpdated: 12/20/2012 02:00:45 AM MST


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Amber Alert issued for missing 2-year-old from Colorado Springs

Font ResizeLocal NewsBy Kieran Nicholson
The Denver Postdenverpost.comPosted: 12/19/2012 07:44:14 AM MSTDecember 19, 2012 2:58 PM GMTUpdated: 12/19/2012 07:58:03 AM MST


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Spirits are down but search goes on for Dylan Redwine in Colorado

Font ResizeColorado NewsBy Nancy Lofholm
The Denver Postdenverpost.comPosted: 12/18/2012 04:07:47 PM MSTDecember 18, 2012 11:17 PM GMTUpdated: 12/18/2012 04:17:07 PM MST


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