The Daily Sentinel from Grand Junction, Colorado • 1

Broncos sack coach Wine bar new on the scene 626 on Rood hopes to fill fine-dining void in Grand Junction See page 8B Late-season slump spells doom for Denvers defensive coordinator See page 1C The UM Daily WESTERN COLORADO'S CHRONICLE OF RECORD SINCE 1893 WEDNESDAY January 10, 2007 Grand Junction, Colorado Vbl. 114, No. 52 36 pages, 50 cents newsstand 1 cant have a decent life Colorados Gov. Ritter takes over By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DENVER Democrat Bill norship from Republican Bill Two violent sex predators now in city Owens, who was term limited, and will work with Democratic majorities in both the House and the Senate. He is expected to lay out his plans in detail in his state-of-the-state speech Thursday Citing Colorados frontier history, Ritter said the state needs to remain true to its legacy.

We are still a bold and daring people with a frontier spirit, hardy and well-meanmg, brimming with hope about what lies ahead, Ritter said Ritter said men like Martin Ritter was sworn in Tuesday as Colorados 41st governor, vowing to build a strong economy and rise above partisanship as he takes over the states first Democratic-dominated government in four decades. Wearing a blue suit and cowboy boots, Ritter beamed broadly as he took the oath of office outside the Capitol on a chilly, sunny day. This is about hope and unity, not about Republican or Democrat, he said. "Its about possibilities and promises, not right versus left. Ritter takes oVer the gover- See RITTER, page 8A By LE ROY STANDISH the Daily Sentinel Ernest M.

Welton, 53, is a registered sex offender and has been labeled a sexually violent predator by the Mesa County Sheriffs Department. While a resident of Wyoming, he was convicted of taking indecent liberties with a minor in 1999 and sexual assault in 1988. He has a string of other offenses including third-degree burglary, of a loaded firearm in his vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol and being a fugitive from justice. I used to be one violent son of a (expletive), Welton said. But while I was in prison I gave up the witchcraft and started reading the Bible, and Ive changed.

He says there are reasons why he is the person he has become. I was raped by a (expletive) preacher when I was 8 years old, he said. Welton has served his time in prison for his crimes. I spent five years, two months and three days in state prison. When I got out April 2004, its been the same old (expletive), he said.

In three months he has had 0 I THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DEMOCRAT BILL RITTER is sworn in as Colorado governor by Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey of the Colorado Supreme Court on the west steps of the state Capitol in Denver on Tuesday. ERNEST WELTON HAS BEEN convicted of taking indecent liberties with a minor and sexual assault, and has been labeled a sexually violent predator by the Mesa County Sheriffs Department. In three months he has had six different jobs. Because as soon as they find out Im a sex offender, they are laying guys off. I cant See PREDATORS, page 9A have a decent life," Welton said.

Deer cover bill sparks uproar in N. Dakota Natural-gas prices falling, to dismay of energy industry By BOBBY MAGIU. The Daly Sentinel DEAN HUMPHREY Daily Sentinel TWO BULLET HOLES, ONE in the glass and one at left center of the door, are considered evidence in the attempted murder at 188 East Second St. in Palisade on Monday night. Man accused of firing rifle at friend of estranged wife As Denver was digging out of ime of its worst snowstorms ver the last few weeks, New orkers were wearing jogging lorts in Central Park and keep-lg their thermostats set lower lan they have uring most re-mt winters.

The winter armth in the ortheast may Prices are lower than they iLand 8s been for some time." InoHnr max- I think right now what were watching very closely is commodity prices, dustry, With nearly permits issued County held for the most Colorado. Animas, Rio 1,850 drilling in 2006, Garfield the years top spot active county in Weld, Yuma, Las Blanco, Mesa and La Plata counties follow far behind. Weve never had this level of permits since the numbers were tracked, said Tricia Beaver, hearings manager for the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BISMARCK, N.D. In a place where the right to hunt is in the state constitution, some hunters believe it is poor manners to display dead, bloody animals on their vehicles as theyre hauling them home.

Others say the state has no business forcing hunters to throw a tarp over their game when theyre traveling down North Dakotas highways Rep. Duane DeKrey, RPet-tibone, said he expected to provoke a debate when he introduced a bill last week that sought to require hunters to cover their game But he said he did not anticipate the uproar that ensued, one that he said was so extensive that he withdrew the measure Monday. Some of it was even a lot more vitriolic than I ever dreamed it would have been, he said. I could see no more good coming from continuing it. The discussion had been had.

It was quite evident which way the bill was going. DeKrey, a hunter himself who See DEER, page 8A SCHNACKE president of the and Gas Association companies irvous about pace of eir growth in gas fields of irthwest Colorado. Such worries come on the els of the most prosperous iar ever for Colorados energy dustry. The Colorado Oil and Gas mservation Commission sued last years oil and gas Tiling statistics Monday, show-g 2006 was a record-breaking ar for the energy industry in dorado. GREG Executive vice Colorado Oil East Second from a stroll around 7:30 p.m., Goodwin was waiting in the house with a small arsenal, according to the arrest affidavit.

The confrontation started after Goodwin allegedly pointed his handgun at Cole and slowly walked toward the front door, according to the affidavit. Cole stated that when Goodwin got near the front door. (Goodwin) placed the handgun on the couch and picked up a nfle, the affidavit said. Cole states that Goodwin kept See RIFLE, page 8A ByMIKESACCONE The Daily Sentinel A domestic dispute nearly turned deadly Monday night after a 45-year-old Littleton man allegedly shot an assault rifle at a friend of his estranged wife at their Palisade home. Officers from the Palisade Police Department arrested Craig Sherman Goodwin after receiving reports that he tried to kill James Albert Cole, a friend of Goodwins estranged wife, Shanna Goodwin.

Cole told police that after he and Shanna returned to his home, 188 Some officials in the industry fear that trend could be nearing its end, at least temporarily I think right now what were watching very closely is commodity prices, said Greg Schnacke, executive vice president of the Colorado Oil and. Gas Association. Prices are lower than they have been for CRAIG GOODWIN Allegedly fired two nfle shots into door over another mans shoulder See PRICES, page 8A 33S3ESS3S3 ON THE WEB: GJSentinel.com HOWTO REACH US: Main number: 242-5050 To subscribe, delivery problems and subscription billing: 242-1919 or (800) 332-5833 6 Sunny High: 44, Low: 28 Complete forecast on 2A Todays Forecast Bustess 9C EJtatts 4A Obfeories 48 ffacdfak ID Food 88 Planner 5B Comics 10C Local News IB Sports 1C Crossword 10C Movies 28 7C Reader guide 0 1 0 3 51 69532.