DEADLINE FOR HEALTH PLANS AROUND CORNER
Colorado’s health insurance exchange is making a last- minute push to sign people up for coverage and warning of tax penalties if they don’t.
For most people, Sunday is the deadline to purchase a policy. Federal tax credits for doing so are available only through Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s health insurance marketplace.
The exchange plans to open its downtown store, at 1600 California St. on the mall, from noon to 6 p. m. Sunday to accommodate last- minute customers.
People also can check the Connect for Health Colorado events calendar, talk to a health insurance broker or call the exchange at 855- 752- 6749.
The exchange planned to extend its hours to 10 p. m. Friday and midnight Saturday and Sunday.
People who lost plans, such as customers of the closed Colorado HealthOP, will have until Feb. 29 to sign up for coverage that begins March 1.
Ex- officer’s conviction upheld. A former Denver
police officer accused of kidnapping and sexual assault in 2010 had his conviction upheld, officials said Friday.
Hector Paez, 36, was sentenced in 2012 to eight years in prison followed by sex offender probation for a 10- years- to- life term after his 2010 arrest, according to a district attorney’s news release. Paez was accused of arresting a 36year- old woman and coercing her to perform a sexual act to avoid being taken to jail.
Paez appealed his conviction, arguing that the charges be dismissed or that he receive a new trial based on “several legal claims,” the release said.
The Colorado Court of Appeals addressed each claim in its decision that confirmed Paez’s conviction.
Two charged in slaying of teen B »
grand junction Two men have been charged in connection with the death of a Grand Junction teenager whose body was found in a suitcase in western Colorado, officials said.
Raymond Cordova, 48, who previously lived in Grand Junction, and 31- yearold EduardoNasario De La Cruzwere charged inUtah with abuse or desecration of a human body and obstructing justice, according to court documents.
KellyMyers, 18, went missing in December 2014. Her remains were found March 1 in Cactus Park, west of Grand Junction, about 300 miles from the Salt Lake City- area hotel room where police say she suffered an overdose from a mixed drug reaction.
Utah officials believe Myers’ body was stuffed into a suitcase and dumped inMesa County.
The Associated Press reported that police in Utah arrested Cordova and De La Cruz in connection withMyers’ death.
Police say De La Cruz rented the hotel room whereMyers died and Cordova later tossed the suitcase with her body inside.
Cordova and De La Cruz were among 11 people targeted by authorities in Mesa County in connection with a drug trafficking investigation that began in August 2014 and was completed in March. Police in Grand Junction said they believe De La Cruz was the head of the drug trafficking organization and a supplier forMesa County.