The Gazette (Colorado Springs): Colorado Springs Utilities officials on Monday denied that any sulfur dioxide discharge violations occurred at the Martin Drake Power Plant, but still refused to release the report that purportedly contains that emissions information.

Controversy over contents of the report by consultant AECOM Inc. prompted a protest by about two dozen people before the Utilities Board met Monday afternoon, including a polar bear named Slushy (a costumed Robert Parker of Coaldale) and Santa Claus, played by local Sam Masias.

Several then testified before the board. While Masias had his “elf” dole out solar-powered miniature Santas to board members, in thanks for the Clear Spring Solar Ranch that launched this year, other protesters were feeling more frustration than gratitude.

They urged the board to release the AECOM report and drop the city’s legal actions against Monument attorney Leslie Weise.

Weise had told The Gazette about SO2 violations after the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals inadvertently sent her the confidential AECOM report that she had gone to court to obtain.

When she informed the court of its mistake, she was ordered to return the report and keep no copies. But nobody told her not to talk about it, Weise said earlier this month.

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